Pan-seared mountain stream rainbow trout, the Appalachian foothills' freshwater catch served whole or as fillets with butter, lemon and Smoky Mountain herbs.
Rainbow and brook trout from the Great Smoky Mountains streams have anchored East Tennessee menus since the 1930s when the national park was established. Joseph Lenn at J.C. Holdway brought the dish into modern fine dining with foothills smoking techniques. The Plaid Apron and Blackberry Farm both run trout off the spring and summer menus.
3 editor picks for Smoky Mountain Trout in Knoxville, ranked by editorial score. All Knoxville signature dishes · Smoky Mountain Trout across every city.
J.C. Holdway ★ 4.8
market-square · 501 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
J.C. Holdway on Union Avenue, Joseph Lenn's wood-fired Appalachian room since 2016 after his Blackberry Farm run, anchors Knoxville's chef-driven downtown.
The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6
bearden · 1210 Kenesaw Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919
The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the long-running Southern brunch and dinner room in West Knoxville, works with East Tennessee farmers.
Bistro at the Bijou ★ 4.4
gay-street · 807 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Bistro at the Bijou on South Gay Street, attached to the historic Bijou Theatre, runs a pre-theater menu in one of downtown's oldest buildings.