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Our Story

Food, Family and Community are the key ingredients to Brother Juniper’s award-winning, nationally acclaimed restaurant. When walking through the doors of the humble house at 3519 Walker Avenue, it is soon apparent that Brother Juniper’s is not just an ordinary breakfast restaurant. A family atmosphere warms the inside with the aroma of freshly baked bread, biscuits and pastries, as well as freshly roasted coffee — sourced and roasted in-house.

The original Brother Juniper was a humble cook for St. Francis of Assisi. Even though the Brothers were poor, Brother Juniper always made delicious and nutritious meals for the Brothers. In the tradition of creative hand-crafted food, prepared from fresh ingredients, Brother Juniper's offers the best breakfast in Memphis.

Brother Juniper’s was born out of a spiritual community in the 1960s. The first coffeehouse opened on Haight Street in San Francisco as an outreach to street people, serving a 5 cent cup of coffee and inexpensive sandwiches. In the years that followed, other restaurants opened across the country, maintaining a tradition of creative, hand-crafted food prepared from fresh ingredients. Brother Juniper was always known for his homemade bread.

In 2000, the Koplins were inspired to open a bakery and apprenticeship training program. It taught at-risk youth the skill of artisan bread baking and the value of work well done. Its mission was Baking Bread, Raising Hope.

In 1999, Jonathan and Pauline Koplin came to Memphis to take over Brother Juniper’s College Inn. Together with their children Sarah and Patrick, they created a wholesome and welcoming family atmosphere where they embraced the community.

Even though Brother Juniper's has earned national acclaim, won numerous awards for "Best Breakfast", including "Best Breakfast in the Nation", and was visited by Rachel Ray, the restaurant is still the best kept secret in Memphis.

The Koplin Family

The Koplin Family — continuing the Brother Juniper’s tradition in Memphis

Sarah Elliot

Sarah Elliot

As the sole owner and operator of Brother Juniper’s, Sarah Elliot is the proud carrier of the family legacy today. A devoted wife and mother, she continues the tradition of warm hospitality, quality ingredients, and community connection that has defined the restaurant since 1999.

With the same heart and dedication shown by her parents, Sarah ensures Brother Juniper’s remains Memphis’s beloved gathering place — where food, family, and community come together for another generation.

Today, Brother Juniper's remains an icon in Memphis where friends, family and community gather together to partake of a meal. The Memphis location is the only remaining Brother Juniper's.

Community Spotlight

The restaurant features a monthly Community Spotlight to raise awareness for local charitable nonprofit organizations. Brother Juniper's also hosts an annual free Christmas meal for those in need — and anyone who wants to share the holiday spirit.