17 editor picks in Knoxville.
17 restaurants in Knoxville, editor-picked for restaurants open sunday. Where to eat a sit-down dinner on sunday. All restaurants in Knoxville.
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.
OrderA falafel sandwich with hummus, plus a side of the daily Mediterranean salads.
TipThe downtown counter operates from Marble City Food Hall while the original Walnut Street space rebuilds; the West Knox and Alcoa branches stay open.
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.
OrderWhichever pasta the kitchen is rolling that day, plus a hand-pulled mozzarella plate to start.
TipReservations open about three weeks out; Tuesday through Thursday dinners turn faster than weekend Saturdays.
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.
OrderSteak frites at dinner or a Saturday jazz brunch plate with the daily happy-hour pour.
TipDaily happy hour runs 16:00-18:00; Saturday and Sunday brunch sits 10:00-14:00.
Osteria Stella on West Jackson, the Aaron Thompson and Jessica King Italian room above Brother Wolf, runs Italian dinner service in the Old City.
OrderWhatever the kitchen is rolling for pasta that night, plus a glass off the Italian-leaning wine list.
TipSunday dinner is the quieter night; pair the meal with an aperitivo at sibling Brother Wolf downstairs.
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.
OrderA morning cinnamon roll with grits, or the smash burger at dinner.
TipWednesday to Saturday for brunch and dinner; Sunday is brunch only and the kitchen closes Mondays and Tuesdays.
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.
OrderA house burger with a bourbon flight off the 300-deep American whiskey list.
TipWalk-up is reliable weeknights before 18:00; the bar runs later than the kitchen on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Tomato Head on Market Square, Mahasti Vafaie's Persian-American pizza and sandwich counter since 1990, is downtown Knoxville's longest-running.
OrderThe Mahasti pizza with the sun-dried tomato pesto, or the veggie sandwich at lunch.
TipWeekend brunch runs 11:00-15:00; happy hour for slices and salads runs Sunday to Thursday from 16:00-18:00.
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.
OrderThe pre-theater bistro menu, plus a wine pour off the shortlisted list before the curtain.
TipTime the reservation 90 minutes before showtime at the Bijou Theatre next door; Sundays run quieter than weekends.
Sunspot on the Cumberland Avenue Strip near the University, the multicultural Southwestern and Caribbean room since the 1990s, anchors the UT dining scene.
OrderThe sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the rotating Sunspot bowl of the season.
TipUT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights for the lunch counter, weekend brunch for the patio.
Tupelo Honey on Market Square, the Asheville-born Southern kitchen that brought its biscuit menu to downtown Knoxville, runs all-day brunch with fried.
OrderThe fried chicken biscuit with sweet tea, or the Shoo Mercy double-biscuit plate.
TipWeekday lunch runs faster than weekend brunch; the Farragut branch on Biddle Farms is quieter on UT football Saturdays.
Chesapeake's Seafood House on Locust Street, part of the Copper Cellar Family Restaurants group, runs Maryland-style crab cakes and fresh fish.
OrderMaryland-style crab cakes with the daily fresh-fish preparation.
TipPre-theater dinner runs faster than the post-show seating; reservations on OpenTable open about three weeks out.
Curious Dog on West Jackson, the brothers Weidenhamer's hot-dog counter in the historic JFG building, runs over 30 specialty dog builds since 2009.
OrderA specialty dog build, plus a bottle off the rotating craft-beer wall.
TipThe bottle shop runs longer than the kitchen; aim for lunch or early dinner before the Old City night crowd arrives.
Sitar Indian Cuisine on Kingston Pike in Bearden, the long-running Indian buffet and dinner room, anchors West Knoxville's daily curry program.
OrderThe weekday lunch buffet, or chicken tikka masala with garlic naan at dinner.
TipWeekday lunch buffet runs 11:00-14:30; dinner reservations rarely needed except Friday and Saturday.
Soccer Taco on Market Square, the long-running Mexican counter on the plaza's south end, runs tacos and margaritas with World Cup broadcasts and weekend.
OrderCarne asada tacos with a classic margarita off the rocks list.
TipLate-night kitchen runs to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; Sunday closes earlier at 21:00.
Calhoun's on the River at Volunteer Landing, the Copper Cellar group's barbecue and burger room overlooking the Tennessee River, runs baby-back ribs.
OrderA rack of baby-back ribs with a Smoky Mountain Brewery pour and a river-side patio table.
TipPatio seats fill on UT home football Saturdays and Vols baseball nights; weekdays are reliably easier.
Aubrey's Papermill in Bearden, the Knoxville-born comfort-food chain's West Knoxville flagship, runs pretzel-crusted chicken and weeknight family dinners.
OrderThe pretzel-crusted chicken plate with a side of fried green tomatoes.
TipSunday family dinners run busy; Tuesday and Wednesday weeknights are reliably easier.
Marble City Pub on Jack Dance Street in West Hills, the craft-cocktail and beer bar between Salsarita's and Sticky Rice, runs a Knoxville rotating tap list.
OrderA rotating craft-beer flight with the bar's burger.
TipSaturday salsa nights run late; Sunday afternoon is the reliably quiet window.
