Guidebook for Knoxville
Food Scene
It has the most amazing croissants I've ever had. Everything else is incredible too. I would consider this option if you're craving excellent coffee and a light breakfast.
62 locals recommend
Wild Love Bakehouse
1625 N Central StIt has the most amazing croissants I've ever had. Everything else is incredible too. I would consider this option if you're craving excellent coffee and a light breakfast.
Old City Wine Bar
108 W Jackson AveTruly wonderful coffee and atmosphere.
Matt keeps things simple! He makes delicious tamales (several kinds of tamales) and 4-5 sides. What more do you need? Everything is fresh, made in house, and super affordable. Plus, the restaurant is packed with amazing house plants and a very chill ambiance. They're only open in the evenings on Fri and Sat night, lunch the rest of the week.
16 locals recommend
Good Golly Tamale
112 S Central StMatt keeps things simple! He makes delicious tamales (several kinds of tamales) and 4-5 sides. What more do you need? Everything is fresh, made in house, and super affordable. Plus, the restaurant is packed with amazing house plants and a very chill ambiance. They're only open in the evenings on Fri and Sat night, lunch the rest of the week.
I love the food here! It's a fresh look at southern style cooking. I recommend the deviled eggs! They also have a great brunch.
24 locals recommend
Knox Mason
131 S Gay StI love the food here! It's a fresh look at southern style cooking. I recommend the deviled eggs! They also have a great brunch.
Delicious EVERYTHING. Fine Italian dining with amazing drinks and appetizers. I love the whipped ricotta and the panzanella, however...the menu is always changing based on what's in season. That said, I've never had anything I didn't like! If you like martinis, try the Ode to Kimball House. Otherwise, don't be afraid to ask the bartender for recommendations! They're really knowledgeable, but down to earth. If you have a larger party, definitely call ahead to make a reservation. However, if there are just 1 or 2 of you...Just go straight to the bar to skip the wait.
35 locals recommend
Emilia
16 Market SquareDelicious EVERYTHING. Fine Italian dining with amazing drinks and appetizers. I love the whipped ricotta and the panzanella, however...the menu is always changing based on what's in season. That said, I've never had anything I didn't like! If you like martinis, try the Ode to Kimball House. Otherwise, don't be afraid to ask the bartender for recommendations! They're really knowledgeable, but down to earth. If you have a larger party, definitely call ahead to make a reservation. However, if there are just 1 or 2 of you...Just go straight to the bar to skip the wait.
It's so close! The coffee is delicious, and I recommend the cinnamon donuts!
54 locals recommend
Honeybee Coffee
700 Sevier AveIt's so close! The coffee is delicious, and I recommend the cinnamon donuts!
Drinks & Nightlife
They have a great selection of high gravity beers from all over. The staff is really knowledgeable about what they've got on tap, and they're generally happy to let you have a taste if you're having trouble deciding!
39 locals recommend
Suttree's High Gravity Tavern
409 S Gay StThey have a great selection of high gravity beers from all over. The staff is really knowledgeable about what they've got on tap, and they're generally happy to let you have a taste if you're having trouble deciding!
Big enough to accommodate larger parties, but still maintain a laid back atmosphere. There's a large patio area out back, and big booths inside. They serve amazing (yes amazing) hot dogs and other late night food until 10.
31 locals recommend
Knox Public House
212 W Magnolia AveBig enough to accommodate larger parties, but still maintain a laid back atmosphere. There's a large patio area out back, and big booths inside. They serve amazing (yes amazing) hot dogs and other late night food until 10.
Cash only! DIVE BAR! Don't go unless you're open to new experiences and loud music. BUT DEFINITELY GO IF THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING. It's a cornerstone of the music scene in Knoxville. A haven to every counter-culture loving art kid and punk rocker living in Knoxville.
7 locals recommend
The Pilot Light
106 E Jackson AveCash only! DIVE BAR! Don't go unless you're open to new experiences and loud music. BUT DEFINITELY GO IF THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING. It's a cornerstone of the music scene in Knoxville. A haven to every counter-culture loving art kid and punk rocker living in Knoxville.
Sightseeing
The SPHERE! (plus, it's a lovely park!) If you have time, visit the Art Museum.
81 locals recommend
World's Fair Park
525 Worlds Fair Park DrThe SPHERE! (plus, it's a lovely park!) If you have time, visit the Art Museum.
Parks & Nature
It's a 5 minute drive from my house, and it's a beautiful park near the river and Meade's Quarry! You have several trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty. If you go to the nature center, you can ask someone what trail they recommend! If you'd like a map- bring $1!
273 locals recommend
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home AveIt's a 5 minute drive from my house, and it's a beautiful park near the river and Meade's Quarry! You have several trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty. If you go to the nature center, you can ask someone what trail they recommend! If you'd like a map- bring $1!
Arts & Culture
Every first Friday of the month from 5-9 pm (ish), all of the galleries in town have special art exhibits and the city hums with foot traffic as everyone tries to get to all of the exhibits. The Emporium is the largest, and it's centrally located- so I'm mentioning it...however there are many other galleries to keep an eye open for when you're in that neighborhood. (Dogwood arts, Rala, Fluorescent Gallery, etc etc.)
11 locals recommend
Emporium Center / Arts & Culture Alliance
100 S Gay StEvery first Friday of the month from 5-9 pm (ish), all of the galleries in town have special art exhibits and the city hums with foot traffic as everyone tries to get to all of the exhibits. The Emporium is the largest, and it's centrally located- so I'm mentioning it...however there are many other galleries to keep an eye open for when you're in that neighborhood. (Dogwood arts, Rala, Fluorescent Gallery, etc etc.)
It has a mighty art collection for a museum of it's size, and it's beautifully situated right in Worlds Fair Park.
107 locals recommend
Knoxville Museum of Art
1050 Worlds Fair Park DrIt has a mighty art collection for a museum of it's size, and it's beautifully situated right in Worlds Fair Park.
Entertainment & Activities
This theater shows the less mainstream films! It's also near a great Vietnamese restaurant called Bida Saigon. It's a great combo to go get Pho and then hit a movie on a rainy night.
6 locals recommend
Regal Downtown West Cinema
1640 Downtown W BlvdThis theater shows the less mainstream films! It's also near a great Vietnamese restaurant called Bida Saigon. It's a great combo to go get Pho and then hit a movie on a rainy night.