Bakery$beardenWed-Sun brunch 09:00-14:00Walk-in onlyCinnamon rolls and Southern brunch pastries
The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the long-running Southern brunch room, runs a morning cinnamon roll and biscuit pastry case alongside.
Tip: Cinnamon rolls go in the case by 09:00 and tend to be gone by noon.
Worth the queue: Plaid Apron cinnamon roll
Bakery$gay-streetDaily 12:00-22:00Walk-in onlyFresh-churned dairy
Cruze Farm Ice Cream on South Gay Street, the family dairy's downtown counter, churns small-batch ice cream with milk from the Cruze herd outside town.
Tip: Late-night runs to 22:00 daily; the buttermilk and rotating seasonal flavors sell fastest.
Worth the queue: Buttermilk ice cream
Bakery$north-knoxvilleWed-Sun 08:00-16:00; closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyLaminated pastries and sourdough
Wild Love Bakehouse on North Central, the scratch laminated-pastry and sourdough bakery, was profiled by Afar magazine as a contender for best bakery.
Tip: Wednesday to Sunday only; the case sells out of laminated pastries by midday on weekends.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Bakery$happy-hollerMon 10:00-14:00; Tue-Fri 11:00-17:30; Sat 10:00-16:00; closed SunWalk-in onlyCupcakes and custom cakes
Magpies Bakery on North Central, the Happy Holler cupcake counter and custom-cake shop, runs the daily cupcake case and special-order wedding cake program.
Tip: Saturday morning sells out fastest; weekday afternoons are quieter for the full case selection.
Worth the queue: Lemon raspberry cake
Bakery$fountain-cityMon-Sat 11:00-20:00; closed SunWalk-in onlyPies, cakes and burgers since 1946
Litton's Market and Restaurant Bakery on Essary Drive in Fountain City, the burger and bakery counter running since 1946, sells award-winning desserts.
Tip: Cake case sells out by afternoon on Saturdays; weekday morning is the easiest window.
Worth the queue: Italian cream cake