When it comes to fine dining in the Knoxville area, there are a few places to make your list. From Emilia’s kitchen to Cappuccino’s to Nick & J’s, these restaurants will make your dining experience memorable. From casual to formal, you’ll be able to find a meal that suits your taste and budget. These restaurants are located in the Old City district and make excellent choices for any occasion.
Bistro at The Bijou
The bistro at The quaint Bijou is located in the heart of Knoxville, and offers seasonal dishes intended to go along with the theater attached to the building. The menu changes throughout the year, so be sure to check out the seasonal offerings. This quaint Knoxville bistro is perfect for a date night or a special occasion. In addition to seasonal dishes, there are also daily specials and a daily wine and beer selection.
A downtown Knoxville icon, Bistro at the Biojou serves inventive dishes that use local ingredients. The restaurant has a hip, eclectic atmosphere and is popular with the young and old alike. It has plenty of seating inside and outdoor patios to accommodate larger groups. It also serves drinks and is vegetarian friendly. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date or a family outing, the Bistro at the Biojou is a great choice.
The historic Bijou Theatre opened in 1816. Although many owners have come and gone, the Bijou Theatre building remained in business until it became the Bistro in 1980. In 1993, Martha Hume took over the Bistro. Boggs added southern-style food to the menu, using produce from her own garden and a seasonal menu. It’s easy to see why this Knoxville hot spot is a popular spot for music lovers.
Emilia’s kitchen
If you’re looking for a delicious meal that’s full of local flavors and a modern twist, try Emilia’s kitchen in Market Square. Owned and operated by Knox Mason, who studied chemical engineering and served as a sous chef at Blackberry Farm, Emilia specializes in Italian and Southern cooking. Its menu is inspired by the classics and features fresh ingredients sourced from the surrounding area. The restaurant offers locally sourced, organic produce and proteins, as well as dishes that take advantage of the area’s abundance of farms.
The Italian menu is a treat, too. Featuring classic dishes like spaghetti carbonara and brick chicken, Emilia’s has something for every palate. It also offers a large selection of takeout. In addition to the food, Emilia’s has stellar service and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s no wonder Emilia’s has received high praise from local food critics and Google users alike.
Savelli’s, a Knoxville institution for 26 years, offers a variety of Italian cuisine. Their bestseller is the Taste of Italy, featuring fried ravioli, cheese sticks, and fried mushrooms. As a bonus, you can bring your own wine if you’re so inclined. You’ll also be able to enjoy cocktails at the bar.
Cappuccino’s
If you’re looking for a traditional Italian restaurant in Knoxville, Tennessee look no further than Cappuccino’s. It has been in business since 1977, and chef Frank Aloise only uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create his classic Italian fare. The menu is filled with family secrets and serves a variety of dishes, including a number of Italian specialties and seafood. The restaurant is open daily from 5 pm until close, and it’s an excellent choice for a romantic evening.
Hard Knox Pizza is a family-owned pizzeria with two locations. Authentic wood-fired pizza is made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s bar offers house wine, draft beer, and margaritas, and it even has a Happy Hour for its regular customers. The service here is fast and friendly, and you can bring your own wine to enjoy a glass with your meal.
Breakfast is big in the area, and brunch at The Plaid Apron is a popular place to enjoy the city’s local produce. The restaurant works with local farmers to source fresh ingredients for its breakfast and lunch menus, which varies with the season. Menu items include the Tartine, which is grilled sourdough topped with butternut squash, grilled onions, avocado, and a poached egg. Other breakfast and lunch items include citrus cornmeal, roasted apple olive oil cake, and monkey bread. It’s a neighborhood favorite.
Nick & J’s Cafe
The humble, counter-seating restaurant offers breakfast fare and burgers with all the toppings. If you’re craving a quick, cheap meal, Nick & J’s might be the place for you. This local favorite serves breakfast all day and burgers with all the toppings you could want. The modest interior gives it a casual, family-style atmosphere.
This restaurant offers a wide array of authentic southern cuisine and is a favorite among Knoxville visitors. The chef’s wife, Naji, used to run Helma’s Restaurant and Copper Kettle Restaurant before settling down to open Nick & J’s Cafe. She now works at the cafe and helps with the daily menu. There are daily specials that feature fried okra, mashed potatoes, and mac ‘n cheese. There are also 99 cent baked goods to sample.
With two locations, Nick & J’s Cafe is one the best places to eat breakfast in Knoxville. The food is classic diner fare with a twist. The menu is a mix of vegetarian and meat-based cuisine, including an earth-friendly vegan and sea-friendly menu. You can choose from a three or four-course menu.
The ambiance at Nick & J’s is warm and inviting, and the staff is extremely friendly. The atmosphere is fun and the prices are affordable. Regardless of where you go, you’re sure to find a delicious meal here. And you’ll be happy you made the trip! So if you’re planning on visiting Knoxville, Tennessee, don’t miss this wonderful place.
Yassin Terou’s Falafel House
When you think about the people who help make America’s food supply more diverse, Yassin Terou’s Falufel House in Knoxville, Tennessee, springs to mind. As a Syrian refugee who fled Syria, Terou is no stranger to hardship, despite his native country’s notoriously hostile environment. Despite the difficulties he faced, Terou worked tirelessly to bring food to the community and helped open the store.
The founder of Yassin Terou’s Falufel House, a local favorite in Knoxville, Tennessee, immigrated to the United States in 2011 as a refugee. He didn’t speak the language of Knoxville at the time, but he started selling falafel sandwiches at a mosque and quickly gained a loyal following. Friends of his were able to pool their resources and eventually open Yassin’s Falufel House. Today, the fried chickpea balls are a recognizable icon in Knoxville.
In addition to serving delicious falafel, Terou’s restaurant is a community hub, supporting local businesses and other causes in the area. During the devastating fires in Gatlinburg in November 2016, Terou was worried about the displaced residents. He rented a large moving van and asked customers to bring supplies. The community responded in kind, with donations arriving within hours of the disaster.
Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern
For the ultimate in craft beer and ramen, check out Suttree’s High Gravity, which features 32 taps pouring a rotating selection of craft beers. A wide selection of whiskeys is available and there’s also a full kitchen to whip up a plate of ramen. In addition to the beer, the menu includes a wide selection of small plates to accompany your beer.
Suttree’s High Gravity, a bar in the heart of downtown Knoxville, specializes in “high gravity” craft brews. The term “high gravity” refers to the beer’s increased alcohol content and the flavors derived from the ingredients. Small breweries produce this unique brews in small batches, which is why they are considered craft brews. Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern has a cozy, rustic interior with polished wooden floors and an enormous bar. The menu is varied and extensive, and Suttree’s High Gravity Pub has a rooftop patio. But don’t expect a big screen TV or anything.
This Knoxville pub has been around for almost a decade. The husband-and-wife team Matt Pacetti and Anne Ford, who lived in the city for a decade, envisioned this unique business together. As longtime Knoxville residents, Matt was a long-time bartender on Gay Street. When they decided to open the Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern, they were already thinking about opening a high-gravity craft beer bar, so they knew it would be a hit.
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