Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop on Union Avenue, the downtown Knoxville diner since 1986, runs the breakfast counter that voted Best Breakfast in town.
Editorially verified June 5, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the flavors of Knoxville on a guided food tour. Enjoy tastings at local restaurants, learn about the city's history, and explore the neighborhoods of Market S...
Guided tour · 2 hours
Discover Downtown Knoxville's hidden gems on a guided walking tour. Taste some local ice cream and coffee while uncovering the city's rich history and scenic views.
Water activity · 2 hours
Sail through Knoxville's scenic waterways. Relish a three-course meal at your private table while enjoying a breathtaking sunset.
Address: 540 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Cruze Farm Ice Cream on South Gay Street, the family dairy's downtown Knoxville counter, churns ice cream with milk from the Cruze herd in East Tennessee.
DrinkFresh-churned ice cream and milkshakes
TipLate-night ice cream runs to 22:00 daily; the line moves faster than it looks.
Old City Java on South Central Street, the neighborhood coffee shop serving downtown Knoxville since 1991, anchors the Old City's specialty coffee tier.
DrinkFilter coffee
TipWeekday mornings turn over faster than weekend afternoons; the bench at the front fills first.
K Brew Downtown on South Gay Street, the locally roasted coffee and handmade bagel counter in the Embassy Suites building, anchors downtown.
DrinkKnoxville-roasted espresso
TipFriday and Saturday close at 20:00 for the post-work crowd; weekday mornings open at 07:00 sharp.
K Brew North Knox on North Broadway, the original K Brew location, runs locally roasted coffee and handmade bagels north of downtown Knoxville with a fuller.
DrinkDrip coffee and bagels
TipDrive-through line moves faster than the inside counter on weekday mornings.
Wild Love Bakehouse on North Central Street, the North Knoxville cafe and bakery, runs scratch pastries and Joe Coffee on tap and was named Afar's best.
DrinkDrip coffee and croissants
TipMondays and Tuesdays closed; weekend mornings fill fast for the laminated pastries.
Honeybee Coffee Co. on Sevier Avenue, the South Knoxville specialty cafe and bakery in the Urban Wilderness corridor, runs pour-over coffee and house.
DrinkPour-over and seasonal espresso
TipWeekend mornings draw mountain-biking crowds heading to the Urban Wilderness; weekdays are reliably quieter.
