5 italian places in Knoxville we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Knoxville | Italian across every city.
Italian dining in Knoxville has grown more ambitious in recent years, especially around the downtown core. Emilia on Market Square and Osteria Stella in the Old City lead with chef-driven pasta and regional cooking, while Magpies Bakery in Happy Holler brings a more casual Italian leaning. Together they give downtown a credible Italian spine.
Emilia ★ 4.6
market-square · 16 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Emilia on Market Square, chef Matt Gallaher's Emilia-Romagna-inspired Italian room since 2016, runs handmade pasta and house-pulled mozzarella a block off.
Osteria Stella ★ 4.6
old-city · 108 W Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Osteria Stella on West Jackson, the Aaron Thompson and Jessica King Italian room above Brother Wolf, runs Italian dinner service in the Old City.
Emilia ★ 4.6
market-square · 16 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Emilia on Market Square, chef Matt Gallaher's Emilia-Romagna-inspired Italian dining room since 2016, runs handmade pasta and hand-pulled mozzarella.
Osteria Stella ★ 4.6
old-city · 108 W Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Osteria Stella on West Jackson, the Aaron Thompson and Jessica King Italian room above Brother Wolf, runs Italian dinner service in the Old City.
Magpies Bakery ★ 4.1
happy-holler · 846 N Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
Magpies Bakery is the north central cupcake counter has anchored happy holler's residential dessert scene without ever putting a downtown branch in place.