29 cuisines represented in our Knoxville guide. Click through to the entry to see editor picks, what to order and how to book. Want a wider lens? All cuisines in this country or global cuisines index.
29 cuisines, most places first
Cocktail bar13 restaurantsKnoxville's bar culture leans heavily on craft beer and taprooms, with cocktails most at home in the Old City and downtown.
Cafe10 restaurantsKnoxville's cafe scene tracks its independent coffee culture, clustered in the Old City, along Gay Street and across the north and south sides.
Brunch8 restaurantsWeekend brunch is a city-wide ritual in Knoxville, spread from Market Square out to the riverside neighborhoods.
New American8 restaurantsNew American cooking is where Knoxville's chefs experiment most freely, mixing Southern roots with broader influences.
Bakery7 restaurantsKnoxville's bakeries spread across the north side and the city center, ranging from artisan bread programs to old-fashioned counter cases.
Street food7 restaurantsStreet food in Knoxville lives at counters, food trucks and the rotating stalls of Market Square.
Brewery6 restaurants
Burgers6 restaurantsThe burger is one of Knoxville's defining everyday plates, with claims to local fame stretching back decades.
Soul food6 restaurantsSouthern and soul cooking sit close to the heart of how Knoxville eats, spread between Bearden, Market Square and Fountain City.
American BBQ5 restaurantsKnoxville sits between the smoke traditions of Memphis and the wider Appalachian South, and its barbecue reflects that crossroads.
Italian5 restaurantsItalian dining in Knoxville has grown more ambitious in recent years, especially around the downtown core.
Wine bar5 restaurantsWine bars in Knoxville tend to grow out of the city's stronger restaurants rather than stand alone.
American4 restaurants
Mexican4 restaurantsMexican food in Knoxville finds its busiest expression around the bars and late-night corners of Market Square.
Pizzeria4 restaurantsPizza in Knoxville is most associated with one durable local institution.
Levantine3 restaurantsLevantine cooking in Knoxville is closely tied to one celebrated name and its founder's refugee story.
American diner2 restaurantsThe all-day diner remains a steady fixture in Knoxville, serving plate breakfasts and counter lunches across the older neighborhoods.
Appalachian2 restaurantsModern Appalachian cooking has given Knoxville one of its clearest culinary identities, drawing on the region's farms, foragers and heritage produce.
Asian fusion2 restaurantsAsian fusion in Knoxville is a small but distinct corner of the dining map, blending Pan-Asian techniques with local sourcing.
Brasserie2 restaurantsThe French brasserie format is a recent arrival to downtown Knoxville rather than a deep local tradition.
British gastropub2 restaurantsThe British-leaning gastropub gives Knoxville a place for elevated pub plates alongside a serious drinks list.
Indian2 restaurantsIndian cooking in Knoxville is anchored on the west side, where the city's longer-running ethnic restaurants tend to cluster.
Scottish2 restaurantsScottish dining is a true rarity in Knoxville, kept alive by a single themed room in the Old City.
Seafood2 restaurantsSeafood is a smaller part of Knoxville's landlocked dining, leaning on a few established downtown rooms.
Caribbean1 restaurantCaribbean flavors are a thin thread in Knoxville's dining, surfacing mostly through the city's more eclectic kitchens.
Food hall1 restaurantThe food-hall format is just taking root in Knoxville, gathering independent kitchens under one roof downtown.
German1 restaurantGerman tradition in Knoxville centers on beer-garden culture rather than a broad restaurant presence.
Japanese ramen1 restaurantRamen is a niche but welcome presence in Knoxville's downtown drinking quarters.
Thai1 restaurantThai cooking in Knoxville is anchored on the city's west side, where many of its longer-running Asian kitchens gather.
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