16 Best Restaurants in Knoxville, TN

One can never go wrong by ordering a burger and fries, especially when visiting Not Watson’s Kitchen + Bar. The retro-inspired restaurant serves classic bar food with a modern twist, which all pairs perfectly with one of its craft cocktails or beers. Beer-loving customers adore Not Watson’s as it has an impressive selection of brews on tap, and the laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to spend hours hanging out. On its menu, you’ll find Fried Green Tomatoes, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Black + Bleu Sliders, Asian Chicken Salad, The Market Cheeseburger, and plenty of sides like Tater Tots, Onion Rings, and White Cheddar Mac ‘N’ Cheese. The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

There’s just something so comforting about ordering a pizza to-go, and taking it back to your hotel room when on vacation. This American cafe and bakery serves hearty fare, including pizza, which pairs wonderfully with its selection of beer and wine. When it comes to the mouth-watering pizzas, you’ll find variations loaded with toppings like bacon, Italian sausage, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, vegan pepperoni, several types of cheeses, banana peppers, roasted garlic, and pesto. Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, The Tomato Head has several menu options that you can safely enjoy. In addition to pizzas, you’ll find salads, appetizers, sandwiches, and sweets on the menu. It is also open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, at both Knoxville locations.

This restaurant is a favorite among those who love some good, Southern homestyle cooking. Diners have fallen head-over-heels for the fried chicken and fried green tomatoes served up at Southern Grit. The kitchen and bar serve both lunch and dinner and even have a Happy Hour, making it a must-visit for folks who love to save a bit of money on drinks and a meal. On its menu, you’ll find dishes like Buffalo Chicken Dip, Buttermilk Biscuits, Hush Puppies, Fried Pickles and Okra, Fried Chicken and Half Chicken, Tenders, Southern Cobb Salad, several burger variations, and of course, Southern-inspired sides like Creamy Collards and Cheddar Grits. For dessert, treat yourself to a slice of Pecan Pie or a bowl of Banana Pudding.

Sometimes you’re just not in the mood for a giant meal, which is why The French Market Creperie Downtown is a fabulous option. It’s got a crepe for everyone, no matter if you’ve got a sweet tooth or like to stick to savory foods. The space itself is cozy and is decorated with vintage chandeliers and bleached wood. The menu boasts crepe creations such as Grilled Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Mushrooms with Field Greens and Swiss Cheese, Dutch-style ham, Bavarian Cream, Strawberries and Cream, Nutella, and S’mores. After you’ve eaten your way through the entire crepe menu, the spot offers baguette and croissant sandwiches, as well as soups and salads for you to enjoy. It also serves breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends.

Looking for cheesy nachos and a strong spicy margarita? Look no further than Chivo Taqueria, a trendy tavern with a rustic-chic, dark vibe. Chivo Taqueria has an all-encompassing tequila menu, which can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into one of its cocktails. On Saturdays and Sundays, Hungry guests can indulge in brunch dishes like Chicken + Waffles, Chorizo Quesadilla Huevos Rancheros, the Breakfast Burrito, and the Breakfast Torta. On the lunch and dinner menu, you’ll find dozens of taco variations that feature proteins like ground beef, crispy pork belly, roasted duck, beer-battered shrimp, braised pork, grilled steak, and chorizo. And at Chivo Taqueria, no dining experience is complete without churros to top it off.

This Middle Eastern restaurant is a very casual, counter-serve venue, which is great for those days when you need a quick meal or are looking for tasty takeout to enjoy on a park picnic. Yassin’s Falafel House’s menu is chock full of traditional Middle Eastern fare like Baba ganoush, Falafel, Hummus, Gyros, Shawarma Plates, Veggie Sandwiches, Chicken Salads, and Baklava for dessert. There are three Yassin’s Falafel House locations in Tennessee: Downtown Knoxville, West Knoxville, and Alcoa. It’s a wonderful option for days when you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money on a sit-down meal or for when you’ve got a packed sightseeing itinerary and have to eat lunch or dinner on the go.

At Myrtle’s Chicken + Beer, the team is passionate about serving Southern culinary creations to hungry guests, both local and visiting. The restaurant is laid-back and unpretentious, the perfect place to relax and dive into some good ol’ comfort food. On its menu, you’ll find dishes like Southern-Fried Pickles, Buttermilk Cheddar Drop Biscuits, Myrtle’s Tomato Pie, Deviled Eggs, Fried Chicken, Big Daddy’s Rotisserie Chicken, Smoked Baby-Back Ribs, Nashville Hot Chicken Salad, Spicy BBQ Chicken Wrap, and a selection of sandwiches and soulful sides. To wash it all down, be sure to order yourself a craft beer or house-made cocktail.

Looking for dinner and a view? Lakeside Tavern has it covered! At this sleek restaurant with steel and stone decor, diners can enjoy American fare, surf ‘n’ turf, and Happy Hour. Lakeside Tavern is open for lunch and dinner, and every meal should be started with an appetizer order of Colossal Onion Rings and creamy Spinach Dip. You’ll find mains like Shrimp and Grits, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Salmon Avocado Salad, Green Chicken Pizza, BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and other delicious creations on its menu. As for beverages, Lakeside Tavern has a selection of craft beers and cocktails, but on those hot Knoxville days, the Slushies are extremely popular -- think The Mule, Concord Colada, and a seasonal slushie.

By the time you leave Knoxville, you should be able to count the times you’ve had Southern food on more than one hand. Known for its phenomenal food and service, Emma’s Southern Kitchen is a relaxed restaurant where you can dine in or take your food back to the hotel. On the menu, you’ll find rich, comfort foods such as Ms. Emma’s Gravy Biscuits, Fish & Shrimp, HB Fried Pickles, Chicken Fried Chicken, Chopped Steak Classic, five different types of burgers, and all the Southern sides your heart could ever desire. It would be a crime to not add a side of Cinnamon Apples, Green Beans, and Potato Salad to your main course. Emma’s Southern Kitchen is closed on Sundays but is open for lunch and dinner during the rest of the week.

If you’re searching for an authentic, bare-bones Southern BBQ experience, a trip to Jackie’s Dream is exactly that. This family-run joint serves awesome food at affordable prices and is regularly frequented by Knoxville locals. The menu at Jackie’s Dream is filled with drool-worthy dishes like Nanny Mary’s Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Mushrooms, Knox Hot Chicken, 8 to 20-piece Chicken Boxes, Jackie’s Famous Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, Catfish, the Chicken Tender Sandwich, a Fried Bologna Sandwich, and tons of sides. We suggest doubling up on side orders of the cornbread! The restaurant has daily specials and the dessert selections change daily.

This is another great family-run restaurant in Knoxville that is affordable and delicious. Sticky Rice Cafe showcases Laotian and Thai cuisine, as well as bubble tea. The restaurant prioritizes healthy, fresh ingredients, and every dish is made with love as the family behind Sticky Rice Cafe believes that food is much more than just a meal. Starving guests will have a tricky time deciding what to order from the menu as it’s filled with tasty items like Fresh Spring Rolls, Crispy Rice with Sour Pork, Tofu Laab, Grilled Pork Chops, Papaya Salad, Panang Curry, Pho, Kow Pek, and for dessert…Sticky Mango Rice that is absolutely to die for. When it comes to bubble (Boba) teas, choose from flavors like pineapple, peach, blueberry, coconut, strawberry, honeydew melon, taro, and more.

Knoxville has tons of unique dining experiences on offer, and Good Golly Tamale is certainly one of them. Take a break from Southern comfort fare and visit this casual eatery that offers a variety of stuffed veggies and meat tamales. The restaurant is all week, except it is closed on Sundays, so be sure to stock up on tamales before Sunday rolls around. For those who are visiting Good Golly Tamale for the first time, you can’t go wrong with the Classic tamale, which is filled with Strongstock Farm Ground Beef, Lick Skillet Farm sausage, and Yukon Potato. As for sides, the tamales can be accompanied by Black Soup Beans, Spanish-style rice, Collard Greens, and Curtido (fermented cabbage).

Beyond delicious Irish grub, Finn’s Irish Restaurant & Tavern often has live music and Ladies' Night Out every Tuesday, offering 50 percent off bottles of wine and entree salads The menu at Finn’s Irish Restaurant & Tavern has all of the traditional delicacies like Scotch Eggs, Hot Pimento Cheese Dip, Chicken Tipperary, Fish ‘N’ Chips, Irish Cottage Pie, Bangers & Mash, and for dessert, Traditional Irish Bread Pudding. It’s hard not to have a good time at this place!

Folks who are obsessed with chicken wings will be blown away by the wings served with bread, mustard, sliced onion, and hot sauce at The Nolia Grill. This place is well known for its chicken wings! The hole-in-the-wall Southern eatery has great customer service and a menu jam-packed with dishes that will delight your taste buds. From Jumbo Fried Shrimp, Fried Bologna, and Hoagies to Chicken Bacon Fries and Famous Fried Corn on the Cob, The Nolia Grill has something for everyone when they are feeling hangry. The restaurant is open seven days a week and guests can dine in or take out their food.

After eating BBQ and Southern comfort dishes for days, a sushi meal can be rather refreshing and light. What sets this restaurant apart from other traditional sushi spots is that it offers ramen and a wide selection of craft beers. Fin-Two Japanese Ale House claims that it has some of the tastiest, creative sushi rolls found in Knoxville, while also having all of the veggie-based basics. In addition to sushi, the menu boasts appetizers like Hamachi Poke Salad and Brussels Sprouts, and specialty rolls made with eel, salmon, tuna, and spicy crab. Beyond the beer, the Japanese restaurant offers guests a variety of hot and cold sake, cocktails, and whiskey.

If you’ve never had sourdough pizza, A Dopo Pizza deserves a spot on the top of your “restaurants to visit in Knoxville” list. These pizzas are made with high-quality ingredients, and customers quickly become hooked on the perfectly crispy crust and tangy tomato sauce that graces every ‘za. Along with wood-fired sourdough pizzas, the restaurant features wine and beer on tap. As for the atmosphere, it’s a family-friendly setting and you can totally wear jeans. If you’re eager to get back to your hotel room, order a pizza or two for takeaway.

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