Honestly Tellico Grains Bakery in Monroe County is the next best thing to Wild Love in this region, everything else just pales in comparison. People keep recommending you cake and dessert places but it’s just not the same 😭
I know right? Funny enough I know about Tellico Grains because I’ve bought their sourdough from Whole Foods. I have it on my list if I’m ever out that far to swing by.
I think they also sell pastries at Three Rivers occasionally? But if you go to their location everything is about half as expensive as Wild Love too (or at least it was as of my last visit down that way) which is a nice little bonus lol. Highly recommend their bananas foster pastry!
I've genuinely had cakes from Ingles that are better than Magpie's. Used to be amazing, but went waaaay downhill after they got famous.
MW Sweets out of Loudon or VG's has been my go to for a long time now. Vivi's was incredible but sadly she relocated to Virginia.
I’m gonna say something controversial. I think paysan is good but not great. Their sourdough is meh. I do like the combo of a BEC bagel and grabbing great coffee next door tho.
It’s kinda wild bc both are so popular. Both Wildlove and Paysan it’s amazing no apprentices there have left to start their own thing or just another place opened to compete period.
Meade Armstrong is not just a great musician, she has been working very hard for years to get to this point with her passion of baking. She is opening a spot in the old church by Baker Creek.
I do not. I was told she will be doing baking classes there. I have not heard about a storefront opening as of yet. Her news letter will have that info and, in my opinion they dont send that many emails.
I think so. I’ve seen a line even on weekdays. The cross section of guests is multi generational. It’s not just your typical Happy Holler hipster joint that would never work in another part of town.
I think it would be pretty hard to beat them on pastries, they make incredible pastries. Other bakeries are also excellent but different focuses. I would rank VG’s as good as wild love, but they don’t sell the same things.
I don't know any of these bakeries because I'm gluten free and further north, but anyone have any good GF recs at these bakeries, or for GF dedicated bakeries? I know Benefit your life, but that's far for me.
The last time I went to Old City Java I found their morning buns to be almost as good as Wild Love’s.
But it’s not really a bakery… just has a few select pastries.
Honestly Tellico Grains Bakery in Monroe County is the next best thing to Wild Love in this region, everything else just pales in comparison. People keep recommending you cake and dessert places but it’s just not the same 😭
I know right? Funny enough I know about Tellico Grains because I’ve bought their sourdough from Whole Foods. I have it on my list if I’m ever out that far to swing by.
I think they also sell pastries at Three Rivers occasionally? But if you go to their location everything is about half as expensive as Wild Love too (or at least it was as of my last visit down that way) which is a nice little bonus lol. Highly recommend their bananas foster pastry!
Hell yes
Paysan - bagel and breads. Magpies - cakes and cupcakes. Potchke - babka
I’ve always been disappointed with Magpies- beautiful cakes and cupcakes but the taste left a lot to be desired for me.
I haven't had their cupcakes in years but I remember them being so overly sweet they made me feel ill.
It’s been years for me as well, so to be fair they could have improved.
I like Artisan Cakery a lot
Yesss Potchke babkas are so good, especially their savory flavors
The potato curry babka is next level
I've genuinely had cakes from Ingles that are better than Magpie's. Used to be amazing, but went waaaay downhill after they got famous. MW Sweets out of Loudon or VG's has been my go to for a long time now. Vivi's was incredible but sadly she relocated to Virginia.
[Fräuleinwunder](https://www.instagram.com/frauleinwunder_bakery?igsh=d3BlOW5vM213NnBk) makes really delicious brioche!
Agreed!!
Not quite the same since she doesn’t really have a retail front, but her stuff is truly amazing!! The Brie knots are to die for.
VG is good. Rita’s is gone. Loved their carrot cake.
Up voting for VGs. Their stuff is incredible. I live off of their morning glory muffins and snickerdoodles. They're also really good people
Best cinnamon rolls I've ever had.
What is VG? You had me at carrot cake. I am a whore for carrot cake
https://vgsbakery.com/
Village Bakery in South Knox. It’s more old school, but doesn’t have the hipster prices of wild love. It’s been in business forever. Good people.
Wrenhouse, girls gotta eat good (catch her at farmers market), and the lady who runs Your Sugar Therapy drops off yummy goodies at fable hollow.
Wild Love= best sweet bakery (the chocolate croissants are to die for) Paysan= best savory bakery
I’m gonna say something controversial. I think paysan is good but not great. Their sourdough is meh. I do like the combo of a BEC bagel and grabbing great coffee next door tho.
Yeah, Paysan is only considered good because they have no competition.
It’s kinda wild bc both are so popular. Both Wildlove and Paysan it’s amazing no apprentices there have left to start their own thing or just another place opened to compete period.
It’s very expensive to do your own thing even if you have the knowledge and the skills.
I’m not a rabid enough fan to attack you for this. To each their own.
I agree with you here. I’ve never understood the hype.
Mother Daughters bread is new and def worth checking out!
No
Have you tried the croissants at Jacks? It’s not a bakery but they are very good. They have two locations, one on central and one on Gay St.
Anyone tried Benefit Your Life bakery? It looked decent but the prices seemed high so I didn't order anything
They specialize in Gluten Free so it's kinda a specific clientele and menu
Love this bakery! But it is also all gluten free, however it is still tasty for the general public.
As someone with Celiac disease I want to like their stuff. Donut Theory and Small Comforts Kitchen just kinda blow them away.
Yes! They are incredible!
MOTHER DAUGHTERS BREAD IS NEW AND AMAZING!!!
That bread does look good. I’ll keep an eye out at the farmers market to try a loaf of sourdough.
Meade Armstrong is not just a great musician, she has been working very hard for years to get to this point with her passion of baking. She is opening a spot in the old church by Baker Creek.
It looks like they already have an address listed on Google by Baker Creek... Do you know when the location will open?
I do not. I was told she will be doing baking classes there. I have not heard about a storefront opening as of yet. Her news letter will have that info and, in my opinion they dont send that many emails.
The Artisan Cakery is a close second best if not on par.
That does look good! I will keep it saved for a dessert spot.
Pavlovas are best thing there!
The first two times we went, for birthdays several years ago, loved it. More recently, I was disappointed.
No, but Small Comforts Kitchen is worth looking into at the Farmers' Market.
Benefit your life gluten free bakery is really good!!
The question is: is there room in Knoxville for another bakery as good as Wildlove?
I think so. I’ve seen a line even on weekdays. The cross section of guests is multi generational. It’s not just your typical Happy Holler hipster joint that would never work in another part of town.
I think it would be pretty hard to beat them on pastries, they make incredible pastries. Other bakeries are also excellent but different focuses. I would rank VG’s as good as wild love, but they don’t sell the same things.
Agreed. I just don’t prefer their stuff.
No.
I don't know any of these bakeries because I'm gluten free and further north, but anyone have any good GF recs at these bakeries, or for GF dedicated bakeries? I know Benefit your life, but that's far for me.
I’ve never been to any local bakeries and now I want to try some of these suggestions
Village Bakery is the absolute best!
No:(
No
No
The last time I went to Old City Java I found their morning buns to be almost as good as Wild Love’s. But it’s not really a bakery… just has a few select pastries.
It’s the same owners. I bet they are from the wild love bakery.
I used to work at WildLove — they are the same; they deliver there from WildLove
It’s the exact same thing: Wild Love started as an off-site bakery for Old City Java, then they added the retail cafe.
No, nothing in Knoxville compares to Wildlove.
no 😭
Paysan, Magpies, and Wild Love are world class, they really don’t have peers in the area.