Gourmet’s Market & Cafe — Restaurant in Knoxville

Close your eyes and take a sip and the breakfast margarita takes you away to a pool front cabana only missing the soft ocean breezes.

Holy moly was this place a surprise! From the sign on the street, I would have had no idea how incredible this breakfast, lunch, brunch places was. From the large indoor and outdoor seating and little "Togo" shop on the inside to the amazing service and staff (thanks to Vincent, for making this my new favorite brunchy spot), this place will become your Go To for a tasty daytime meal.

I started with a smoky mountain sunrise (think tequila sunrise with bourbon, which fits Knoxville's local to a T and was above and beyond perfectly blended) and a couple sides, and it only went up from there.

First, let's hit on the grits. When they came out I was looking for the salt shaker and the butter on the side. Silly me, no need for that, this creamy melt in your mouth grits concoction was fies with Buorsin cheese and seasoned to perfection. Not my grandma's grits at all, and (sorry Granma) soooo good.

I then tried the cauliflower hummus (weird combo I know, but hey, I'm drinking a Bourbon sunrise, so don't judge) which was made with - you guessed it- cauliflower in place of chickpeas. Another non traditional twist to a classic that worked so well, I planned on bringing some extra home with me.

As my Bourbon was depleted I asked Vincent what I should try next and he strongly suggested the Breakfast Margarita.... He was not wrong! Light, little sour on the rocks with a tiny sweet back created by using their very own rosemary simple syrup, made from the rosemary growing in their garden.... Have I gone to heaven? It seems likely.

I then ordered the veghead Reuben sandwich which is a veggie version of the traditional version (I'm sensing a theme here) with collard greens in place of the meat and slathered in Swiss and with their homemade Reuben sauce with a slightly spicy bite. I AM in heaven. Now, you can order it with the standard corned beef, or other meat choices of you choose, but I suggest you try it this way and see if you miss anything (hint: you won't).

All in all, I will return, I just wish this place reality was poolside at a lovely little hotel by the beach. That way I could just wander back to my room for a nap and then try all their food again bright and early the next...

Have been asking my friend who is a big foodie what the best breakfast spot in Knoxville is. He would always say Holly’s. Was headed to town for a Sam’s run and texted him to verify. He mentioned that it’s actually called Gourmet’s Market but had always referred to it because of the former Exec Chef’s name. Arrived just before 11 and it was very crowded. Almost left when we saw all the people outside but went ahead and asked how long of a wait (it was Saturday morning). They said 20 minutes and gave us beeper #13. At 10 minutes we started seeing people that arrived after us be seated. There were several open tables and my wife started to get a little testy. Since they said 20 minutes I figured I’d wait it out and then ask if the beeper was working. Just after 20 I did just that and they asked my last name. When I told her she couldn’t find it realizing whoever gave me the beeper didn’t write down the name so the beeper wasn’t in the seating rotation. She took us to a table immediately. Backing up, they do have a very small market inside with some cheese, maple syrup, unique sodas, trail mix and other treats. They also have a Coffee Station where you can order your foo-foo drinks or hard core caffeine hangover helpers.

Got to our table and talked to our server (Lex) who was 10-Star. She directed us through the menu and got us rolling. I went for breakfast but she talked me into the Vitello Sandwich. Wife had the Egg Sandwich Panini. We enjoyed both but the menu and plates going by us had us so curious that we are definitely going to return and work our way through the menu. The Breakfast portions looked perfect and the prices were very reasonable. Did I mention that Lex was an awesome server? Will definitely try to find our way to her...

Okay. Wait. Wait wait wait. HOW!?!?!?! HOW does this place only have 4.6 stars!?!?!

Okay Y’all. Put on your stretchy pants and head on down to this place. Listen to MEE!!!! Go here. Like now. Go. I’ll wait.

Are you there!? Good. Now prepare yourself for stellar excellence all the way around. Let’s begin:

First of all, the atmosphere? Very cutesy. Very demure!! Yeah!! Oh yeah I just went there!!! It’s a cozy but “arms wide open for your arrival” inside!

The service. YOU go to a bruncheon and tell me how many perfected smiles the wait staff and servers have!!!! The warm and inviting “oh hey friends!!! How have you been!?” feeling is unmatched! I was a first timer this day but I felt like I’ve been here many times before! Prepare yourself for gentleman/woman excellence and belly laughs abundant!!!

Let’s get the “meat and potatoes” if you will:

The Food.

First off, the menu is scripted with one liner punchline type names. I much I thought was a great add on to the already fantastic atmosphere. I got a 3 egg omelette and boy was I NOT ready for the flavortown it sent me to. Gourmet cheeses and savory meats galore!!! The barista’s made our coffee in the Columbias with freshly picked and roasted beans it seemed like.

Just go. Go there and tell them Caity sent you. It won’t mean anything to them. I just want to see if this review swayed you enough to visit somewhere you...