A little fancy, always delicious. Ideal for celebrating something special.
Bistro By The Tracks
Great sushi with stylish ambiance – love it for a girls’ night or quick bite
Nama Sushi Bar - Bearden
Brunch heaven. Try the biscuit sandwiches or banana pancakes!
OliBea (@olibea_oldcity) • Instagram photos and videos
Asian fusion spot with small plates and cozy vibes. Their pork buns are next-level.
Kaizen
Wood-fired pizzas with the perfect chewy crust. Super fresh ingredients.
A Dopo Sourdough Pizza
Soul food at its finest. The fried chicken and mac & cheese combo is unbeatable
Jackie's Dream
Elevated Italian in Market Square. Perfect for date night or a special dinner.
Emilia
Modern tacos with bold flavors. The brisket taco is a must
Chivo Taqueria
Local craft beer, great burgers, and an awesome patio – my go-to for a relaxed night out
Balter Beerworks
Upscale Mediterranean with vibrant flavors and gorgeous decor. Perfect for a night out with friends or a stylish dinner date.
Kefi
Modern Jewish deli with soul. The latkes and house-made bagels are chef’s kiss – cozy, nostalgic, and full of flavor.
Potchke Deli
Modern Mediterranean with an Israeli twist. Vegan-friendly and full of bold flavors.
KoPita Authentic Mediterranean
Artisan sourdough and Montreal-style bagels. Everything is fresh, simple, and ridiculously good
Paysan Bread & Bagels
Great for celiacs or those avoiding gluten. Think European-style loaves, muffins, and more—all delicious.
Benefit Your Life Gluten Free Bakery & Cafe
Laotian food with home-cooked flavor. Family-run and always packed with locals – try the papaya salad!
Sticky Rice Cafe
Cozy, upscale spot with an amazing wine list and beautifully plated dishes. Great for girls’ night or a laid-back date.
Water into Wine, Bistro & Lounge
Southern comfort with a twist! The grits are legendary and the biscuits are fluffy, buttery perfection.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
Bold global flavors, creative cocktails, and a playful menu in a stylish, colorful space
The Wild Child Cafe
Chef-driven American cuisine with a seasonal menu in a sleek downtown space
J.C. Holdway | Wood-Fired Southern Cuisine in Knoxville
Authentic sweet and savory crêpes made with imported buckwheat flour. Charming and very European.
The French Market Creperie Downtown
Fusion tacos and global street food in a funky spot near the Old City. Great for adventurous eaters
Tako Taco Knoxville
A hidden gem for European‑style pastries in South Knoxville. Their croissants are artfully flaky and sell out fast, so arrive early! Artisan breads, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches are all baked fresh each morning. 
European Bakery & Cafe
Casual spot with bold dumpling flavors.
Angry Dumplings Tea
Fresh, flavorful sandwiches, hearty entrées, and vegetarian‑friendly options served in a bright, welcoming space—great for every occasion
Redbud Kitchen
Hearty European-style breads, cinnamon rolls, and old-fashioned pies. Worth the short drive
V G's Bakery
Fast, affordable, and flavorful. Locals love the falafel wraps and warm community feel
Yassin's Falafel House
A family-run Jamaican spot offering oxtails, jerk chicken, brown stew, rasta pasta, and traditional sides. Comforting, homemade flavors in a sincere, local atmosphere.
Dulcie's Cafe
Well-loved spot serving hearty Ethiopian stews like doro wot and veggie platters with injera. A popular recommendation among locals seeking bold, savory flavors.
Gosh Ethiopian Restaurant
From tagines to couscous, a cozy stop for North African spices and traditions.
Tarik's North African | Knoxville TN
Uplifting vibes, great tunes, and jerk classics that feel truly Jamaican.
Carribbean Soul/Authentic Jamaican Food
Sweet, spicy, smokey jerk meals with rice, peas, and plantains done right.
Chef Irie's Jamaican Kitchen
West African soul food like jollof, cassava leaf, and savory soups. Bold and generous portions.
Sk African Cuisine
Elevated brunch in Market Square with seasonal menus, mimosas, and a stylish setting. Try the crab cake benedict!
Oliver Royale
Reliably good and fresh brunch classics like avocado toast, omelets, and healthy juice blends
First Watch
Eclectic menu with veggie stir fry and creative sides like rice tots
Landing House: Home
Casual riverfront pizzeria known for inventive topping combos and standout wings.
South Coast Pizza
Upscale, European‑style bakery and cake shop offering exquisitely crafted pastries, tarts, macarons, and mousse cakes. A refined spot perfect for celebratory sweets or an afternoon treat alongside espresso, tea, or custom‑made desserts
The Artisan Cakery
Vintage vibes with handmade milkshakes, sundaes, and floats in a throwback setting
The Phoenix Pharmacy and Ice Cream Parlor
Authentic French brasserie serving elevated bistro-style fare with artful plating and an inspired wine & cocktail list. It’s cozy yet refined—ideal for date nights, girls’ nights or when you’re craving something elegant with a relaxed vibe.
Lilou Brasserie
Upscale American bistro with a moderately priced menu and thoughtful preparation. Known for attentive service, perfect execution on steaks or medallions, and a smart, comfortable atmosphere—for both lunch and lively dinner nights
Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille
“All butter, all the time.” Famous for cupcakes, cakes, and Southern-style sweets
Magpies Bakery
A beautifully repurposed century‑old church turned restaurant, nestled right next to Baker Creek Preserve. Casual yet elevated, it serves delicious New American dishes (think chilaquiles, chicken & waffles, smash burgers, and brunch favorites dai...
71 South
Chic raw‑bar spot in Old City serving craft cocktails with artisanal ice and seasonal oysters. Great ambiance for drinks and weekend brunch.
STIR
A rotating-menu food truck serving standout burgers, tacos, mac & cheese, and chili. Every week brings something new and bold—don’t skip the Whistle Stop burger or house-made fries
Gato Peligroso | Knoxville TN
A cozy, elegant Northern Italian spot serving house‑made pasta, fresh bread, and regional classics like ossobuco and cacio e pepe. A thoughtfully curated Italian wine list and refined ambiance make it a top choice for date night or special occasions
Osteria Stella
Trendy Pan‑Latin small‑plates restaurant in the historic Holston Building, featuring beautifully plated dishes like empanadas, tuna ceviche, crispy pork belly, and barbacoa. The ambiance is sleek and vibrant, with plush seating and an art‑inspired in...
Vida
Unique and delicious
Saint Lucille's Kitchen
The best brunch/breakfast spot in town serving southern style food
Aretha Frankensteins
Homemade soft serve from local dairy queens. Don’t skip the swirl in a fresh waffle cone
Cruze Farm Ice Cream - Downtown Knoxville
Funky spot with international fusion—Latin, Caribbean, and Southern all on one colorful menu
Sunspot
A trendy neighborhood taco shop just south of downtown—fresh, fast, and full of flavor. Mentioned often alongside other SoKno favorites
SoKno Taco Cantina
Great for lunch – fresh, healthy, and vegetarian-friendly options too.
The Tomato Head
Local craft beer, great burgers, and an awesome patio – my go-to for a relaxed night out
Balter Beerworks
Upscale seafood and raw bar with Southern flair. Feels coastal but cozy.
The Brass Pearl
Lakeside BBQ with live music and smoked meats done right. Super chill vibe.
Menu - SweetP's BBQ & Catering | Barbecue
Rebel Kitchen
Experimental Southern fusion inside SouthSide Garage. A cool hidden gem for foodies.
SouthSide Garage
Classic Indian cuisine with a full buffet for lunch. Rich flavors, great naan, and solid vegetarian dishes.
Sitar Indian Cuisine
Hidden gem near UT with excellent pho and spring rolls. Casual and always satisfying.
Lemon Grass
Located inside Kern’s Food Hall, this pop-up turned brick-and-mortar brings traditional Ghanaian dishes: peanut butter soup with fufu, jollof rice, plantains, and more. Halal and adventurous
Kandilige Ghanaian Cuisine
Gourmet donuts in fun, rotating flavors—light, fluffy, and always fresh.
Status Dough Donuts & Coffee - Bearden Hill | Knoxville
Thick, gooey cookies in wild, creative flavors—perfect for cookie lovers.
