Cookeville has Sunday brunch at sit-down restaurants, a diner, a coffee shop, a bakery, and a donut shop. The set of options is broader than it was five years ago.
1. Irrationale Kitchen + Taps
1227 N Washington Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
Sunday brunch at Irrationale Kitchen + Taps runs 10:30am to 3pm. The brunch menu includes hand-breaded chicken tenders over a sweet Belgian waffle, shrimp and grits, more than one eggs benedict, and French toast. The hollandaise has acidity. Every brunch plate comes with fresh fruit and a choice of side. The drink list has beer on tap, cocktails, and mimosas. Service on Sunday is paced for a long meal. The name is a pun on "irrational" and the craft beer list. The kitchen is chef-driven. Irrationale is on North Washington Avenue, a short drive from downtown. Irrationale is closed Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Call (931) 854-1378 or check irrationalekitchen.com for current specials.
2. The Putnam Room
319 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501
The Putnam Room is on the historic square in downtown Cookeville. Chef Thomas Hobson and co-owner Taylor Douglas run a tapas-forward menu on weekdays and Saturday evenings. Sunday brunch is 11am to 3pm. The pork belly is a signature item. The pork belly is caramelized, with fat and a rendered texture, and it is served with the cocktail on the bar that week. Calamari and shrimp quesadillas are repeat orders. The format is small plates. Two people can order five or six small plates. Reservations are recommended and are not required. Book online through theputnamroom.com or call (931) 644-3722. Happy hour starts at 3pm on weekdays. The square is a walk through the courthouse neighborhood before or after brunch.
3. Bravo's Cafe & Grill
514 N Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
The owner of Bravo's Cafe & Grill is from Greece. The menu includes the Chicken Athena, French toast, and eggs benedict, plus Greek dishes, diner classics, homemade desserts, salads, soups, and breakfast. Diners who have eaten brunch in many places have called the French toast the best they have had. The space is clean. Service is friendly. Bravo's is family-run and has been open since 2013. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7am to 2pm, and Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Bravo's adds a 3.5% credit card surcharge. Bring cash or include the surcharge in the bill. Bravo's is at 514 N Willow Ave.
4. Grandma's Pancake House
405 S Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
Grandma's Pancake House is at 405 S Willow Ave. A Western Omelet covers the plate and comes with three pancakes for around $10. Pigs in a Blanket, potato pancakes, and buttermilk pancakes are on the menu. Buttermilk pancakes are $7.79. One order can feed two people who are not very hungry. The pancakes are thick and have a slight tang from the buttermilk. On a crowded Saturday morning the food still comes out hot. Parking is limited, and the room is tight on a weekend morning. Service stays fast when the room is busy. Grandma's is independent. Go early on weekends.
5. Soul Craft Coffee
43 W Broad St, Cookeville, TN 38501 (also 715 Mahler Ave)
Soul Craft Coffee serves specialty coffee and house-made pastries: homemade pop tarts, biscuits, muffins, and cinnamon rolls. The West Broad Street location is downtown. The Mahler Avenue location is in a different neighborhood. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. The breakfast and lunch menu also has sandwiches and savory items. Check soulcraftcoffee.com for the current menu.
6. Meg's Bread
52 S Cedar Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
Meg's Bread opened in March 2020. The menu includes naturally leavened breads, pastries, pies, pizza, chocolate croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and cinnamon rolls. The ingredients are sustainably sourced. The back counter serves coffee and sandwiches. The bakery cases are up front. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options are on the regular menu. Meg's is on South Cedar Avenue, in a walkable part of downtown Cookeville. Order online at megsbreadtn.com.
7. Ralph's Donut Shop
59 S Cedar Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
Ralph opened Ralph's Donut Shop in September 1962 with his wife Evelyn, in a former bus stop on Cedar Avenue. The shop started with six stools. The building was remodeled in 1974 and doubled in size. Biscuits and gravy are on the menu, separate from the donuts. Donuts include butter twists, cream-filled, chocolate cream-filled, and cinnamon sugar twists. The Daily Meal listed Ralph's among the top 25 donut makers in America. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 5am to 11:30pm. Ralph's is closed Sundays. The shop opens at 5am. A biscuits-and-gravy order and a cream-filled donut are listed as under ten dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best brunch in Cookeville TN? Irrationale Kitchen and Taps on North Washington Avenue is the first brunch spot on this list. Sunday brunch runs 10:30am to 3pm and includes chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, eggs benedict, and French toast. Every plate comes with fresh fruit and a side. The Putnam Room on East Spring Street is the small-plates pick.
What restaurants serve brunch in Cookeville? Irrationale Kitchen and Taps serves Sunday brunch from 10:30am to 3pm. The Putnam Room serves Sunday brunch from 11am to 3pm on the downtown square. Grandma's Pancake House on South Willow Avenue is open daily for breakfast. Ralph's Donut Shop opens at 5am Tuesday through Saturday. Bravo's Cafe and Grill on North Willow Ave serves breakfast and brunch Monday through Sunday.
Is there brunch on Sunday in Cookeville? Irrationale Kitchen and Taps runs Sunday brunch from 10:30am to 3pm. The Putnam Room serves brunch from 11am to 3pm. Grandma's Pancake House is open Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Bravo's Cafe and Grill serves Sunday brunch starting at 8am. Crawdaddy's West Side Grill has a Sunday brunch menu starting at 10:30am.
Best brunch spots Cookeville Tennessee Irrationale Kitchen and Taps serves a chef-driven brunch. The Putnam Room serves small plates and cocktails downtown. Grandma's Pancake House serves large portions at low prices. Meg's Bread on South Cedar serves bakery pastries and specialty coffee. Ralph's Donut Shop on Cedar Avenue opens early for donuts and biscuits and gravy before 7am.