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 J.C. Holdway
- Must order
- Whichever Appalachian-sourced wood-fired protein the kitchen is leading the night's menu.
- Signature dishes
- Wood-fired Appalachian plates, Local trout
- Editor tip
- Reservations open about a month out on Resy and the Tuesday to Thursday dinners run quieter than weekend Saturdays.
CuisineModern Appalachian, Farm-to-table
Price$$$
Neighborhoodmarket-square
HoursTue-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-Mon
Phone+1 865 312 9050
Last verified
Signature dishes: Wood-fired Appalachian plates, Local trout
Must order: Whichever Appalachian-sourced wood-fired protein the kitchen is leading the night's menu.
Tip: Reservations open about a month out on Resy and the Tuesday to Thursday dinners run quieter than weekend Saturdays.
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: 501 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
Also in market-square
Emilia ★ 4.6
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.
Signature: Handmade pasta, Hand-pulled mozzarella
Order: Whichever pasta the kitchen is rolling that day, plus a hand-pulled mozzarella plate to start.
Tip: Reservations open about three weeks out; Tuesday through Thursday dinners turn faster than weekend Saturdays.
More restaurants in Knoxville
Emilia ★ 4.6
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.
Signature: Handmade pasta, Hand-pulled mozzarella
Order: Whichever pasta the kitchen is rolling that day, plus a hand-pulled mozzarella plate to start.
Tip: Reservations open about three weeks out; Tuesday through Thursday dinners turn faster than weekend Saturdays.
Lilou Brasserie ★ 4.6
Lilou Brasserie on South Gay Street, Aaron Thompson and Jessica King's French room in the old Sapphire space, runs all-day breakfast and jazz brunch.
Signature: Steak frites, Weekend jazz brunch
Order: Steak frites at dinner or a Saturday jazz brunch plate with the daily happy-hour pour.
Tip: Daily happy hour runs 16:00-18:00; Saturday and Sunday brunch sits 10:00-14:00.
Osteria Stella ★ 4.6
Osteria Stella on West Jackson, the Aaron Thompson and Jessica King Italian room above Brother Wolf, runs Italian dinner service in the Old City.
Signature: Pasta, Wood-fired Italian
Order: Whatever the kitchen is rolling for pasta that night, plus a glass off the Italian-leaning wine list.
Tip: Sunday dinner is the quieter night; pair the meal with an aperitivo at sibling Brother Wolf downstairs.
Bistro at the Bijou ★ 4.4
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.
Signature: Pre-theater menu, Live jazz Tuesdays
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.
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.