The Best Bakery in Knoxville, TN — Fresh Pastries & Coffee

Welcome to Mia Piccola Bakery, the best bakery in Knoxville, TN — a South Knoxville coffee shop favorite where baked goods and pastries meets the aroma of locally roasted coffee.

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Two young women sitting at a small red outdoor table, smiling, with drinks and a sandwich, in front of a cafe or restaurant with large windows, white picket fence, and string lights.

Discover Knoxville’s Favorite Spot for Pastries & Coffee

If you’re searching for the best bakery in Knoxville, TN, skip the lists — head straight to the source.

Mia Piccola Bakery brings together small-batch baking, house espresso, and neighborhood charm that keeps Knoxville locals, UTK students, and visitors coming back.

Every pastry pairs perfectly with our café’s espresso — making our bakery an extension of what Knoxville already loves about Mia Piccola Coffee Shop. Whether you’re grabbing a latte and muffin to go or enjoying dessert after exploring Market Square, our Knoxville bakery is your cozy, local spot.


Our Knoxville Bakery Menu

A clear plastic bakery display case filled with sandwiches, muffins, and cookies on a wooden table.

Just like our coffee menu, our bakery selection is handcrafted daily with care — combining the art of baking with the soul of Knoxville’s café scene.

Signature Pastries & Treats:

  • Muffins: Blueberry muffins baked to golden perfection — soft, buttery, and bursting with real fruit.

  • Breads: Moist banana bread made with ripe bananas and a hint of cinnamon for that home-baked comfort.

  • Desserts: Classic affogato — creamy vanilla gelato drowned in our bold Calico Blend espresso.

  • Seasonal Specials: Rotating pastries, cookies, and desserts featuring local, organic ingredients.

Pro Tip: Ask about our seasonal baked goods — new pastries arrive weekly and tend to sell out fast!

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Why Locals Choose Mia Piccola as Their Knoxville Bakery

Our bakery is part of what makes Mia Piccola one of the most beloved cafés in Knoxville — where the smell of coffee and baked bread fill the same space.

  • Specialty pastries & baked goods crafted with care

  • Fresh breads & desserts from local partners like Flourhead Bakery

  • Espresso and dessert pairings you won’t find anywhere else — roasted and baked daily in South Knoxville

  • Family-friendly atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, or dessert

  • Convenient Sevier Ave location near Market Square & UTK

  • Friendly staff who make every visit feel personal


What Our Knoxville Bakery Does Best

Baking is our foundation, but it’s not the whole story. Together, our pastries and coffee make Mia Piccola a true all-day Knoxville bakery café — where espresso, croissants, and community come together.

Coffee Shop

Enjoy specialty coffee alongside our baked goods, featuring small-batch beans from Nomad Coffee Roasters. Whether you’re studying or relaxing, our café offers espresso drinks that elevate every pastry.
→ Try our signature drinks at our Knoxville coffee shop.

Bakery

Savor sweet flavors baked fresh daily — pastries, breads, and desserts made by local partners who share our passion for quality. Every bite is Knoxville-born and baked with care.
→ See our Knoxville bakery menu.

Lunch

Grab a quick, locally inspired lunch to complement your pastry. Sandwiches, wraps, and salads made with real ingredients and a touch of café creativity.
→ Stop in for lunch and discover why Knoxville eats here.


A young man with tattoos and wearing sunglasses, standing with arms crossed under a large orange patio umbrella outside a building. He's Nathan, the owner of the Mia Piccola coffee shop in Knoxville, TN.

Meet Our South Knoxville Bakery Owner!

Nathan Kitner, founder of Mia Piccola, started with a small coffee cart and built one of South Knoxville’s most loved cafés and bakeries. His passion for craft and community shows in every espresso shot and every loaf baked.

His background in specialty coffee and baking shaped Mia Piccola into a hybrid space — both a café and bakery — where Knoxville locals can enjoy fresh pastries with expertly brewed coffee.

Meet Nathan

A Bakery Near Downtown Knoxville

We’re minutes from Market Square, Downtown Knoxville, and Ijams Nature Center. Whether you’re exploring South Knoxville or heading to a Vols game at Neyland Stadium, Mia Piccola is the perfect Sevier Ave Trail coffee stop for a sweet treat and espresso.

🅿️ Parking: Street and lot options make visits easy, even on busy weekends.
📍 Nearby Landmarks: Southside Garage, Knoxville Museum of Art, and Alliance Brewing.


Work, Study, or Catch Up

Our bakery café balances energy and comfort:

  • Spacious seating with natural light

  • Reliable Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets

  • A mix of quiet nooks and social tables

It’s why students, remote workers, and creatives call Mia Piccola their go-to Knoxville workspace — a bakery that feels like a café.


"As a person who buys a lot of erotic cakes, it just feels good to be represented on one.”

— Phyllis, The Office


FAQs about Our Bakery in Knoxville, TN

  • We keep it simple: fresh, small-batch baking, quality ingredients, and a café vibe locals love. Every morning our pastry case fills with croissants, muffins, cookies, and seasonal desserts that pair perfectly with locally roasted espresso.

    We’re rooted on Sevier Ave near the riverfront, so you can grab something sweet before a stroll or settle in and savor it. Friendly service, consistent bakes, and that South Knoxville community feel are what make Mia Piccola the bakery Knoxvillians recommend first.

  • You’ll find us in South Knoxville on Sevier Ave, across from Southside Garage and steps from Suttree Landing Park. We’re minutes from Downtown, Market Square, and the UT campus—easy to reach whether you’re commuting, studying, or exploring the riverwalk.

    Street and nearby lot parking make quick stops painless. Plug “Mia Piccola Bakery” into your maps app and head over for a pastry and coffee. If you’re planning a bigger pickup, call ahead and we’ll set your order aside.

  • Yes—look for clearly labeled options that rotate with the season. We regularly feature vegan or dairy-free pastries and can often accommodate simple ingredient requests when you order early. Because our menu changes frequently, the best move is to check the case or ask a barista what’s fresh today. For events, we can build mixed boxes with a focus on gluten-free or vegan items when you give us notice. Flavor comes first, so these items are crafted to taste great for everyone.

  • Absolutely. We do pastry boxes, dessert platters, and office treats—perfect for meetings, showers, birthdays, and weekend gatherings. Tell us the headcount, flavor preferences, and pickup time, and we’ll assemble a balanced mix of pastries and sweets.

    Need coffee, too? We can add traveler boxes or espresso drinks to match. For larger orders, 48–72 hours’ notice helps us source and schedule bakes. Start the process in-shop or via phone, and we’ll recommend crowd-pleasers based on seasonality.

  • Expect buttery croissants, fruit-forward muffins, soft cookies, rich brownies, banana bread, and rotating seasonal desserts. Our case changes often to highlight peak ingredients—think citrus in winter, berries in spring, and cozy spices in fall.

    We keep a balance of classic comfort bakes and limited seasonal riffs so there’s always something new alongside your favorites. Ask about staff picks if you can’t decide. Pro tip: morning sells out fastest, so swing by early for the widest selection.

  • Yes—our bakery sits inside a full café environment, which means you can pair pastries with espresso, cappuccinos, or pour-overs from our Knoxville coffee program. Coffee isn’t an afterthought; it’s dialed in daily to complement what’s in the pastry case.

    If you’re new, try an affogato (vanilla gelato “drowned” in a double shot) or a classic latte with a croissant. For menu details, see our Knoxville coffee shop page and build your perfect pairing.

  • Totally. Families love our laid-back South Knoxville vibe, and there’s plenty of room to share a pastry flight with the kiddos. We keep the environment welcoming, upbeat, and tidy—great for a quick treat or a slow morning.

    Dogs are welcome on the patio; we’ve got shade and water bowls when the weather warms up. If you’re rolling in with strollers or a group, aim for mid-mornings or mid-afternoons for easier seating and a calmer pace.

  • Yes—think bright natural light, reliable Wi-Fi, and outlets where you need them. The space blends bakery warmth with café comfort, so you can camp with a laptop, hold a quick meeting, or read with a cappuccino.

    Weekday mornings are calmest; late mornings and weekends get lively. If you’re planning a longer work session, grab a table near a plug and fuel up with a pastry and drip refill. Please be courteous during peak times and share the good vibes.

  • For maximum selection, come early—our case is fullest in the morning and popular items can sell out. If you prefer a quieter scene, aim for mid-afternoon after the lunch rush.

    Weekends bring more energy, especially when events are happening along Sevier Ave or by Suttree Landing Park. Ordering ahead for pickup is smart for larger boxes or seasonal specials. Follow us on socials for limited drops, holiday preorders, and new dessert announcements so you never miss a favorite.

  • Parking is straightforward: street spots on Sevier Ave plus nearby lots make quick visits easy. We’re a few minutes from Downtown and Market Square, with a simple hop over the river to the UT campus.

    If you’re meeting friends before a Vols game or planning a riverfront walk, swing by for pastries and coffee first. The neighborhood is walkable, bike-friendly, and close to Suttree Landing Park—perfect for taking your treats outside when the weather’s nice.


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Visit Mia Piccola Bakery in Knoxville, TN

📍 Address: 1014 Sevier Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37920
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday: 7am–2pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8am–3pm

Stop in for your morning pastry, a mid-day espresso, or an afternoon break with baked sweetness. Discover why locals call Mia Piccola the best bakery in Knoxville, TN — and their favorite South Knoxville coffee spot.

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