Tennessee (Knoxville)
Trip Summary
Fair warning, this post is going to be very long, not just because Knoxville has so many amazing things to do, but…I live here! So you know I can give you the best tips on where to go, where to eat/drink, and where to see the best sights! I will also update this post regularly as new spots are opening up all the time, and I am happy to share all things I love about my city!
Knoxville is a beautiful spot that is close to the Smoky Mountains and has all kinds of cool restaurants, breweries, parks, and things to do. So whether you are just passing through or making this your prime vacation destination, Knoxville is a city not to miss!
While there are SO many places to visit, I’ll just give you the highlights for the sake of brevity (and only share the good spots). So this post will look a little different than my others in that I list favorites and then some runners-up–so the favorites are all going to have A+ ratings while the runners-up are more likely in the A/A- range. Also, if you are ever in town, let me know! I’d love to help you tailor your visit so that you have the best time!
Most Unique Place to Stay: Ancient Lore Village
Granted, since Knoxville is my hometown, I haven’t stayed in many of the hotels in the area, but if you were visiting, and you wanted a totally different place to stay, what is more unique than a Hobbit village straight out of a fantasy novel? That is where the Ancient Lore Village comes in! I remember seeing the place being built as it was on the way to a lot of my hikes, and when I saw that it had finally opened, I told my husband that we had to see it!
The grounds are lovely and include hiking trails, activities like archery and axe throwing, a beautiful dining area (where even non-guests can enjoy brunch!), as well as the accommodations which are just as unique inside as they are outside. So fun!
Visiting on a Sunday morning, we got a day pass which included brunch, archery, and axe throwing, so my husband and I had a lovely time. The brunch was delicious and is served buffet style. They had all sorts of offerings such as bacon, potatoes, bread pudding, pastries, and sausage. The staff is also very friendly, and since it was raining, they offered to drive patrons from the brunch area to the archery and axe throwing stations.
Both activities were a lot of fun, and after a safety briefing, you could enjoy the activities for quite a while (depending on how crowded it is). Both stations have heat lamps so you can enjoy everything in cold weather even, and this adds to the coziness of the experience.
The only drawback is that this place is a bit expensive–especially the lodging–but you are paying for the uniqueness of the place, and that comes with a premium. Even so, it’s a fun place to see and experience!
Runner-up: If you are wanting to stay downtown, there is no better place than Embassy Suites downtown. With nice rooms, a pool overlooking the city on the top floor, and the Radius Rooftop Lounge where you can get the best espresso martini in the city, this hotel is the place to go if you want to be in the middle of the action! Highly recommend!
Best Hangout: Market Square
This is THE place to hang out downtown as it is the center of activity at all times of the year. Market Square is downtown and is surrounded by restaurants, shops, and breweries. This area also boasts a stage that hosts musical events on the weekends, a Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (May-November), the Dogwood Arts Festival, and even an ice skating rink in the winter!
Strong Alley is also nearby (between Market Square and Gay Street) and hosts all kinds of beautiful street art that is constantly being updated, so be sure to take a stroll down the alley (during the day) for some good Instagram opportunities!
However, the restaurants near Market Square are what make the place! Game days, while hectic, are especially fun because every bar and restaurant is playing the University of Tennessee game, and there’s nothing like being surrounded by fans rooting on their team!
Runners-up: Kern’s Food Hall is a amazing place across the river–complete with outside seating and live music along with a whole assortment of restaurants. New eateries are opening all the time there, so it is definitely a place to check out! Schulz Brau Brewery is also an excellent place near downtown. This spot offers a wide range of beers, German food, and has a delightful outdoor seating area with games like Jenga, corn hole, and board games that entertain guests for hours. Recently, the brewery opened a restaurant serving pizza and German food and sponsors German events that are a lot of fun.
Ritterfest was one we attended recently, and it was wild fun watching people dressed up in knight costumes batter each other in an arena while everyone drank beer and watched–definitely an experience!
Best Nature Spot: Fort Dickerson Quarry
Knoxville has several quarries which are lake areas surrounded by rocks, and they are all beautiful. Fort Dickerson is by far the biggest quarry in the area, and it is a gorgeous spot to swim, relax, and take in the breathtaking views. It has several overlooks at the top (though stay behind the fences for your own safety–some have died jumping off the cliffs), but if you follow the trail, you can wade in and venture out into the water.
Go in the early morning, and you will have the entire place to yourselves! It is truly a sight to see, and a day spent on the water surrounded by these massive rocky cliffs is just mesmerizing!
Runners-up: Meads Quarry is almost tied with Fort Dickerson for me. It’s a lot more commercialized (and safer in the late afternoons/evenings) as it has kayaks and paddle boats for rent, drinks and snacks for sale, and a dock, but it is much smaller than Fort Dickerson so the grandeur is not quite the same. However, it is a wonderfully family-friendly place that is part of the Ijams Nature Center (that hosts a ton of trails and offers a rope climbing course at Navitat!). If you like the outdoors, be sure to check out the Tharp Trace Trail especially–it surrounds the quarry and is a great place to get some beautiful views of the water. Another runner-up is Seven Islands State Birding Park on the east side of the city. It is is a beautifully quiet spot with nature trails, wildlife, and flowers as far as you can see. If you go in the mornings, you will see enormous herds of deer as well (my husband and I spotted over 50 one morning!). If you are looking for more challenging trails, be sure to check out House Mountain (very close) and Norris Lake (great hiking, and wonderful camping/boating opportunities, too!) as well as Devil’s Racetrack in Caryville or one of famous Smoky Mountain trails in Gatlinburg (farther away but very worth the drive!).
Best Activity: Tennessee Theatre
Knoxville is very lucky in terms of constantly getting good entertainment coming through town, and at any given point, there is always something going on at the Tennessee Theatre.
My husband and I have been fortunate enough to catch several shows and concerts there, including the Black Jacket Symphony’s rendition of Pink Floyd’s The Wall as well as Miss Saigon, The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Rent, Shucked, and Moulin Rouge so you can see that there is a big range of shows here. The facility is gorgeous with an impressive and versatile stage, comfortable seats, and excellent staff, so if you have a chance to catch a show here, definitely consider it!
Runners-up: If watching movies is more your type of thing, then don’t miss the Regal Cinebarre Theatre in the West Town Mall. This theatre is different than any other in Knoxville because it has reclining seats and meal/drink service. Since the renovation, this is the only place where my husband and I will watch movies now, and the food and drinks are quite good! Their personal pizzas and mudslides are menu favorites, so give those a try! Of course, if you are wanting to do something more active, try axe throwing! Craft Axe Throwing is an excellent place that opened up in Knoxville recently and is a cool place to throw some axes, drink some brews, and enjoy friends’ company in a fun atmosphere! A perfect date night spot for sure!
Best Brewery: Xul Beer Company
With so many amazing breweries in Knoxville, you really can’t go wrong with any of them, but there are definitely some standouts! Xul Beer Company is a major staple because of their unique brews–including the PB and J Mixtape–a fruited sour that I swear tastes exactly like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It is just uncanny, and the drink is so popular that when they have canned releases of this beer, there are lines that circle the building and go on for blocks! It is that good! Another bonus is that they have the Abridged food truck available outside, and if you are wanting a solid smash burger and delicious fries to go with your delectable brew, it certainly satisfies! Be sure to try the Frita burger–with Swiss cheese, potato sticks, bacon, guava jelly, and aioli, it is a lovely meal!
Runners-up: Abridged Beer Company is also very popular as well as Orange Hat Brewing Company, Hexagon Brewing Company, Crafty Bastard Brewery (especially if you like sours and IPAs), Alliance Brewing Company, as well as Last Days of Autumn Brewing. Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus is the place to go if you like ciders. Also, while Pour Taproom is not necessarily a brewery, it is a bar that deserves a mention, because it has over 68 self-serve taps where you can taste as many brews, ciders, and meads as you want before deciding which ones you want to pour full glasses of later. You have a wristband that you scan before each tap so it keeps track of which ones you tried (and how many ounces you poured). It is a very cool place with lots of seating, and a great place to hang out while downtown.
Best Brunch: Ruby Sunshine
For the longest time, Pharmacy was our favorite breakfast place until we discovered the wonder that is Ruby Sunshine. From their delicious drinks (be sure to try their bourbon milk punch!) to their fried chicken to their French toast bites which are absolutely to die for, THIS is the breakfast place to be! So, so delicious and so many sweet and savory options!
Runners-up: Farmacy is always dependable for an amazing breakfast (be sure to try their churro waffles and get a glass of their fresh milk!), Tupelo Honey is a great spot in Market Square, and the French Market Creperie downtown is a lovely eatery to enjoy a sweet or savory crepe of your choice. At the creperie, prices are a tad higher, but the food is always fresh and tastes delicious. The decor inside is beautiful and is definitely an Instagram spot if you need one while visiting the city!
Best Steakhouse: Connors Steak and Seafood
Without a doubt, Connors Steak and Seafood has the best steak you will ever eat in your life. My husband and I like to celebrate big days with a nice meal out, and we have tried every single steakhouse in town, but none hold a candle to Connors. From its impeccable service to its mouthwatering food to its nice atmosphere, Connors is the place to go! They serve all kinds of steaks as well as seafood and other dishes, so there is something for everyone.
The side dishes are also plentiful and are all delicious. Surprisingly, it is also one of the more affordable places to have a nice steak in town (while not cheap, it doesn’t completely empty your bank account like Flemings which is in the same area!). I actually missed this place the most during the COVID-19 pandemic when my husband and I were avoiding indoor dining and worked very hard to make a good steak at home, but oh, nothing comes close to the gloriousness you will find here! Highly recommend!
Runners-up: The Chop House is the place we used to frequent before we found Connors, and it was always good. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill also just opened here in Knoxville, and they have good food (the egg roll appetizer will make you swoon)! Though, both places (ALL steak places, really) absolutely pale in comparison to the absolute superiority of Connors. Can you tell I am a Connor’s fan?
Best Fine Dining: Fire and Smoke
I know, I know–why not put this steak place in with the steakhouse category? Because Fire & Smoke is more than a steakhouse–it’s an experience. It is a super fancy-schmancy place you go when you want to throw down some major money for a meal. They have all sorts of food–varying from steaks (and they even have Waygu dishes!) to pork confit (a surprise favorite for us!) to lovely desserts. Of course, you are going to pay a pretty penny for this, and this is largely why I have it in its own category, but this is certainly a place that will impress!
Runners-up: If you want to enjoy the finest French onion soup and enjoy a tender steak, then Lilou Brasserie is an excellent choice! If Italian food is more your vibe and you want the full shabang–complete with the waiter mixing your pasta in a pasta wheel–Bella in Maryville is your best bet! Completely worth the drive as there is nothing like it in Knoxville!
Best Mexican Place: Loco Burro Tex Mex Kitchen and Tequila Bar
This winner is actually in the West Town Mall–Loco Burro Mexican Kitchen and Rooftop Bar. They are one of the newer restaurants in town and have excellent food and a huge assortment of drinks (including a guava margarita that is quite good!). They also have the “Big Orange Marg” and limit that to two a person for a reason! Super good, but oh, my goodness, make sure you have a designated driver, because those drinks are no joke! They also have a rooftop area and a bucking burro that you can ride if you are feeling bit loco.
Runners-up: The two runners-up are so close to winning the top spot–they are both quite delicious! One is Chivo’s Taqueria, a higher-end Mexican place near downtown, and the other is La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant which is on the northwest side of Knoxville where we used to live. They always have excellent food, good service, reasonable prices, and have specials like cheap margaritas on Thursdays!
Best Pizza: The Tomato Head
Choosing a favorite pizza place is hard, because there are so many good places in Knoxville! However, Tomato Head is a trusty place for a dependable meal that you know will be hot, fresh, and delicious! They are located in Market Square downtown, and they offer all sorts of pizzas, calzones, and appetizers for you to enjoy to your heart’s content.
Runners-up: There are a lot of them, so get ready! If you like sourdough pizza, A Dopo is going to be your best bet, and they have excellent pizzas with all sorts of toppings. Some toppings (like honey) perplexed me when I first saw their menu, but believe me, all of their ingredients just sing when put together. They know what they are doing! Their crust is also super chewy! Two other places I’ll recommend are farther north–one is in Oak Ridge, and it is called Big Ed’s Pizza. Their pizzas are massive, their toppings heavy and plentiful, and their restaurant clean and welcoming. Another pizza place on the way up to Oak Ridge is Bella Roma Pizza. It is a small restaurant in an unassuming little area off the side of the road, but what a gem it is! The man who runs the place is the sweetest and will make whatever pizza you want fresh for the buffet (the buffet also offers salad and various pastas). Their pizzas are always good, too, whether you are staying for the buffet or ordering for carryout, so don’t miss this magical place!
Best Asian Cuisine: Sticky Rice Cafe
This one came as a surprise to me! I had never had Laotian food food before, but when I asked around for “not to miss restaurants in Knoxville,” the overwhelming recommendation was Sticky Rice Cafe. So naturally, I had to investigate! And holy goodness! Everything from their boba tea (in multiple flavors ranging from mango to taro to coconut) to their pho to their mango sticky rice is an absolute dream.
The food is fresh and always comes out quickly, and the staff is wonderful (and are so excited to share their favorites from the menu–when I mentioned I had never tried boba tea before, the waitress’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t wait to tell me about her favorite flavors)! A trusted favorite on the food menu is the phorrito and comes with a small bowl of pho and a flour tortilla filled with all kinds of tasty ingredients–it is a guaranteed win when you go, so don’t miss it!
Runners-up: Luckily, Knoxville is just brimming with Asian cuisine, so you will find all sorts of food from Philippine delicacies to Thai dishes. If you are looking for more Americanized Asian food, a great place is off Chapman Highway called Szechuan Garden Chinese Restaurant. This is a treasure of Knoxville, offers a huge assortment of dishes, and even has a drive-through. The staff is lovely, the prices reasonable, and the food always hot and fresh–highly recommend! If you prefer dumplings, look no further than Angry Dumplings and Tea! While all of their cuisine is good, the angry dumplings will make you want to sing their praises from the rooftops, so be sure to get multiple orders of those!
Best Burger: Ale Rae’s Grill
Ale Rae’s Grill actually started as a food truck, and we first discovered it at the Central Filling Station before that place closed! Imagine our delight when we saw that they were opening a permanent establishment in town! The new location is off Broadway and even offers music and an extended menu, but when you go, be sure to get the Bacon Butter Bourbon Burger. It sounds like a mouthful, but trust me on this–you will be momentarily transported to heaven when you take a bite! Their ingredients are very unique (their menu describes it as an “angus beef patty grilled in herb butter with smoked cheddar, brown sugar bacon, fig bourbon onions, honey balsamic tomato, smoked cheddar spread, caramel onion spread, top bun drizzled with our maple bourbon aju sauce), but believe me, the combination WORKS. Same for their Over-The-Edge Fries–best fries you will find anywhere (their hot honey chicken fingers and pierogies are menu favorites as well)!
Runners-up: Two places are front-runners here–Abridged Beer Company and T. Ralph’s Burgers at the Kern Food Hall. Both are cooked smash burger style and are absolutely delicious. Both serve all sorts of savory and even sweet options (don’t knock it until you try it!). For example, T. Ralph’s offers a Berry Poppins burger, and it was world-changing! So good! P.S. you’ll hear a lot of recommendations for Stock and Barrel downtown, and honestly, they used to be pretty good, but these other burger places blow it out of the water! Trust me!
Best BBQ: The Humble Hog
Granted, Knoxville has a lot of good BBQ places, but the absolute winner in my book is Humble Hog. They are so good that they run out of their menu items often, so be sure to book early to enjoy the feast! From smoky chicken to burgers to regular specials to the absolute best banana pudding you will ever have in your LIFE (besting out even the banana pudding at Jackie’s Dream which feels sacrilegious!), this is the place to go for that satisfying BBQ meal!
Runner-up: While we have enjoyed a lot of the BBQ places in town, Jim ‘N Nicks is always a favorite for us and deserves a top spot on the runner-up list. When we have big family events, they have always been a great catering option, and even if you aren’t catering and just want to drop by for their pulled pork, smoked chicken, delicious sides….or their earth-shattering cheese biscuits, this is your place! Understandably, they are a chain restaurant, but they are a chain that works.
Best Ice Cream Spot: Cruze Farm
I don’t usually include ice cream places in my reviews, but Cruze Farm deserves a mention! They have several locations–and all of them are OMG delicious! They offer all sorts of treats from ice cream to shakes, churns, floats, sundaes, and affogatos.
They are always changing up their menu, too, to incorporate seasonal favorites, so you will get something amazing any time you go! The ice cream is deliciously creamy and is a lovely treat on a warm day!
Runners-up: The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain, also downtown, is a cool time capsule where you can go in and order an assortment of treats while admiring the decorations and trinkets from years past. It’s a Knoxville classic, so take a stroll inside if you are downtown and enjoy what they have to offer! Knox Dough, on the west side of town, is also a favorite–serving various ice creams (even rolled ice cream!) as well as edible cookie dough, so be sure to pay them a visit, too!
Best Sweets: Parlor Doughnuts
I knew something was up when Parlor Doughnuts opened, and the line to get in went down the block! But then, when I went inside, I saw! What doughnuts and what perfection! Hefty and rich, these doughnuts pack a punch and with such delectable flavors, every one is a winner! Sure, they are expensive, but you get what you pay for here!
Runners-up: If these doughnuts aren’t rich enough for you, and you need to straight-up go into a sugar coma, then Cinnaholic is going to be more your style! With cinnamon rolls AND frosting AND cookie dough AND whatever toppings you want, these concoctions are monstrous, but in a good way. A sinful delight! Also, if you are wanting something more significant like a cake or a full order of cupcakes or something, Magpies Bakery is the best one in town! They will custom-make cakes for you–even with flavors not listed on their menu–and are just a super awesome company, so check them out as well!
Best Drinks: Radius Rooftop Lounge
The Radius Rooftop Lounge earns points not only because of its perch on top of one of the tallest buildings downtown, but it has some of the best cocktails in the city–namely the espresso martini! The bartender prides himself on his recipe, and I can see why! It is the best, and the other mixed drinks here are good as well.
Runners-up: If want to get drinks and enjoy the ambiance as well, there’s a few winners in the city. Fiore Bar and Lounge is a fancy spot with lots of options. Alice in Appalachia also has good drinks–and is worth visiting for the decor and Insta pics alone! There is also a speakeasy, the Peter Kern Library, that is fun to visit.
Favorite Experiences
Having lived in the area since 2009, I have a lot of favorite experiences in Knoxville. It is a wonderful city that too often gets overlooked in favor of the bigger ones in Tennessee like Nashville or Memphis–but Knoxville is a great place to vacation, too, as it has all kinds of city offerings while also being close to the Smoky Mountains. There’s a lot of eateries that I haven’t listed above that don’t have runners-up because they are in a category all their own, so I’ll list them here instead. If you are looking for a good seafood place, Chesapeake’s Seafood House is fantastic. For an amazing cheesesteak, go to either Copper Cellar or Twin Peaks (try it Texas-style for a fun kick!). For great appetizers, go to Carolina Ale House (for their cheese curds!) or Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux (for their hushpuppies!). For fancy bar food/snacks, go to The Kennedy Restaurant. If you need a unique place to play arcade games and drink a high gravity beer, go to Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern. Finally, if you want Middle-Eastern food, stop by Yassin’s Falafel House (the owner is actually a celebrity in Knoxville as he and his family are wonderful supporters of the city and are always offering food to those who need it). The Holy Land Market is also a sure-fire winner for their amazing sandwiches, wraps, and Middle-Eastern cuisine–and surprisingly, the best cannolis in town!
McKay Books is also a must-visit place. It is an amazing used bookstore where you can easily spend hours browsing all the books, movies, music, and electronics! As you can see, there is no shortage of great places in Knoxville!
Of course, if you are using Knoxville as a base city and want to take some day trips, the Obed Wild and Scenic River is close by as well as the majestic Smoky Mountains. Norris Lake is a beautiful spot for camping, boating, and hiking, too. Chattanooga, Nashville, and Asheville are all within a reasonable driving distance, too, so can you see why I love living here? It really has the best of everything!
What I Wish I Knew
With so much awesomeness in Knoxville, I just wish I found some of these spots earlier! I didn’t discover some of these places until years after I had moved to the area, so take my suggestions, and you know you will have experienced the best of the best! New places are constantly opening up as Knoxville is a rapidly-expanding city, so you know I will be updating this post regularly as I find new favorites! Of course, if you think I missed anything, let me know! I am always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy Knoxville!
I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:
TikTok: @touristyteacher
Instagram: @touristyteacher
Happy travels!
