Knoxville: Downtown Food Tour with Tastings and Guide
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...
What to order at Bistro at the Bijou
- Must order
- The pre-theater bistro menu, plus a wine pour off the shortlisted list before the curtain.
- Signature dishes
- Pre-theater menu, Live jazz Tuesdays
- Editor tip
- Time the reservation 90 minutes before showtime at the Bijou Theatre next door; Sundays run quieter than weekends.
CuisineNew American Bistro
Price$$
Neighborhoodgay-street
HoursMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-00:00; Sat 10:00-00:00; Sun 10:00-21:00
Phone+1 865 544 0537
Last verified
Signature dishes: Pre-theater menu, Live jazz Tuesdays
Must order: The pre-theater bistro menu, plus a wine pour off the shortlisted list before the curtain.
Tip: Time the reservation 90 minutes before showtime at the Bijou Theatre next door; Sundays run quieter than weekends.
Book food experiences in Knoxville
Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River
Sail through Knoxville's scenic waterways. Relish a three-course meal at your private table while enjoying a breathtaking sunset.
Knoxville: Scenic Lunch Cruise on the Tennessee River
Cruise along Knoxville's riverfront while enjoying a delicious meal. Relax in comfort and take in sights like Neyland Stadium.
Location
Address: 807 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
More restaurants in Knoxville
Kaizen ★ 4.5
Kaizen on South Central, chef Jesse Newmister's Asian-fusion room in the Old City since 2016, runs steamed buns, ramen and rotating chef plates a block.
Signature: Steamed buns, Ramen noodles
Order: A round of steamed buns with the chef's noodle bowl of the week.
Tip: The Old City location runs busier than the kitchen seats can handle on Friday and Saturday nights; aim for Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6
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.
Signature: Cinnamon rolls, Smash burger, Grits
Order: A morning cinnamon roll with grits, or the smash burger at dinner.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday for brunch and dinner; Sunday is brunch only and the kitchen closes Mondays and Tuesdays.
Stock and Barrel ★ 4.5
Stock and Barrel on Market Square, the burger and bourbon room running since 2013, sources beef from Mitchell Family Farms with a bar pouring more than 300.
Signature: House burger, Bourbon flight
Order: A house burger with a bourbon flight off the 300-deep American whiskey list.
Tip: Walk-up is reliable weeknights before 18:00; the bar runs later than the kitchen on Friday and Saturday nights.
Yassin's Falafel House (Downtown) ★ 4.7
Yassin's Falafel House at Marble City Food Hall, Yassin Terou's Syrian counter named Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America in 2018, runs falafel.
Signature: Falafel sandwich, Hummus plate
Order: A falafel sandwich with hummus, plus a side of the daily Mediterranean salads.
Tip: The downtown counter operates from Marble City Food Hall while the original Walnut Street space rebuilds; the West Knox and Alcoa branches stay open.
The Tomato Head ★ 4.5
The Tomato Head on Market Square, Mahasti Vafaie's Persian-American pizza and sandwich counter since 1990, is downtown Knoxville's longest-running.
Signature: Mahasti pizza, Veggie sandwich
Order: The Mahasti pizza with the sun-dried tomato pesto, or the veggie sandwich at lunch.
Tip: Weekend brunch runs 11:00-15:00; happy hour for slices and salads runs Sunday to Thursday from 16:00-18:00.
Sunspot ★ 4.4
Sunspot on the Cumberland Avenue Strip near the University, the multicultural Southwestern and Caribbean room since the 1990s, anchors the UT dining scene.
Signature: Sweet potato burrito, Sunspot bowl
Order: The sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the rotating Sunspot bowl of the season.
Tip: UT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights for the lunch counter, weekend brunch for the patio.