Guidebook for Knoxville
Food Scene
Walk from Fort Sanders, drive from Downtown North and park in the adjacent city garage (free nights and weekends) and walk around for a choice of restaurants and activities in the Square.
270 locals recommend
Market Square
Walk from Fort Sanders, drive from Downtown North and park in the adjacent city garage (free nights and weekends) and walk around for a choice of restaurants and activities in the Square.
Looking for a great downtown diner? This is it. Breakfast stops at 1030-11, and may be closed Sunday, otherwise great coffee shop/diner
28 locals recommend
Pete's Coffee Shop
540 Union AveLooking for a great downtown diner? This is it. Breakfast stops at 1030-11, and may be closed Sunday, otherwise great coffee shop/diner
If you're staying in Downtown North you can walk here for coffee. Food served too, but the bagels are giant and not quite the NYC kind.
78 locals recommend
K Brew
1138 N BroadwayIf you're staying in Downtown North you can walk here for coffee. Food served too, but the bagels are giant and not quite the NYC kind.
Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or meat lover you'll find something here with a fun bar as well. Casual dining with a solid craft beer list. 2 outdoor patios.
25 locals recommend
Sunspot
2200 Cumberland AveWhether you're vegan, vegetarian or meat lover you'll find something here with a fun bar as well. Casual dining with a solid craft beer list. 2 outdoor patios.
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria
200 E Jackson AveGreat pizza and good for large groups too.
Good coffee, place to sit and work, cool neighborhood. Heartier breakfast and lunch to go with your beverage right next door on the plaza.
24 locals recommend
Remedy Coffee
800 Tyson StGood coffee, place to sit and work, cool neighborhood. Heartier breakfast and lunch to go with your beverage right next door on the plaza.
A must-do for a dinner in Knoxville. Pricey but worth it for a special night out.
34 locals recommend
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
100 N Central StA must-do for a dinner in Knoxville. Pricey but worth it for a special night out.
Business dinner, special occasion spot, or for a relaxing meal, book a reservation here and enjoy yourself.
29 locals recommend
J.C. Holdway
501 Union Ave SWBusiness dinner, special occasion spot, or for a relaxing meal, book a reservation here and enjoy yourself.
Our go-to hang out spot for good food, craft beer made on site, large beer garden and bar. This place gets packed for brunch and the kitchen is open until 11pm most nights.
65 locals recommend
Balter Beerworks
100 Broadway SWOur go-to hang out spot for good food, craft beer made on site, large beer garden and bar. This place gets packed for brunch and the kitchen is open until 11pm most nights.
Our favorite taqueria downtown. Fun tacos, blackberry margaritas. 'nuff said. There can be a wait some nights and weekends.
45 locals recommend
Chivo Taqueria
314 S Gay StOur favorite taqueria downtown. Fun tacos, blackberry margaritas. 'nuff said. There can be a wait some nights and weekends.
Bread made on site, great breakfast bagels and lunch. Order at the window and eat outside or takeaway. Another solid hidden gem next to Remedy Coffee.
8 locals recommend
Paysan Bread & Bagels
804 Tyson StBread made on site, great breakfast bagels and lunch. Order at the window and eat outside or takeaway. Another solid hidden gem next to Remedy Coffee.
Drinks & Nightlife
Central Flats and Taps
1204 N Central StDrink, eat pizza outside, perfect.
The bar in this hotel is a speak-easy called the Peter Kern Library. Either go in the alley entrance (look for the red light) or go in the lobby and pull the large door open. Mixology bar, great fun
8 locals recommend
The Oliver Hotel
407 Union AveThe bar in this hotel is a speak-easy called the Peter Kern Library. Either go in the alley entrance (look for the red light) or go in the lobby and pull the large door open. Mixology bar, great fun
Bowl, or just sit at the bar and have a craft brew -- or a custom cocktail. A must-go downtown experience. (You don't have to bowl)
57 locals recommend
Maple Hall
414 S Gay StBowl, or just sit at the bar and have a craft brew -- or a custom cocktail. A must-go downtown experience. (You don't have to bowl)
Huge authentic German brewery with a large indoor bierhall and larger outdoor biergarten, with massive outdoor TVs for viewing soccer and football events. Polka bands frequent here, and every season has some event from Oktoberfest to Christkindlesmarkt to Filmnachts. This is a must-do in Knoxville.
56 locals recommend
Schulz Brau Brewing Company
126 Bernard AveHuge authentic German brewery with a large indoor bierhall and larger outdoor biergarten, with massive outdoor TVs for viewing soccer and football events. Polka bands frequent here, and every season has some event from Oktoberfest to Christkindlesmarkt to Filmnachts. This is a must-do in Knoxville.
Solid beer made and served onsite surrounded by their brewing operation. Hidden gem
Geezers Brewing Co.
225 E 5th AveSolid beer made and served onsite surrounded by their brewing operation. Hidden gem
If you are a hop head or like unique beers, this is your place. Housed in a converted mid-century auto dealership this is a cool stop on any beer tour.
15 locals recommend
Xul Beer Company
213 E 5th AveIf you are a hop head or like unique beers, this is your place. Housed in a converted mid-century auto dealership this is a cool stop on any beer tour.
If you want to sample all the local beers in one place, this is your first stop. Then, book a tour bus on-site. Pick a route and they'll take you to several breweries and arrange tastings and tours.
Knox Brew Hub
If you want to sample all the local beers in one place, this is your first stop. Then, book a tour bus on-site. Pick a route and they'll take you to several breweries and arrange tastings and tours.
Shopping
Local clothing store. Great tees and Knoxville things you can't find anywhere else.
19 locals recommend
Nothing Too Fancy
435 Union AveLocal clothing store. Great tees and Knoxville things you can't find anywhere else.
One stop shop for clothing, pets, toys, gifts and local crafts. This is always a fun store to visit and pet friendly.
43 locals recommend
Mast General Store
402 S Gay StOne stop shop for clothing, pets, toys, gifts and local crafts. This is always a fun store to visit and pet friendly.
Everything Else
Super Wash House
7561 S Northshore DrClosest Laundry
Parks & Nature
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home AveSince 1982, go for a jog or stroll or dog walk in this landmark downtown park. See the Sunsphere (or go up in it), enjoy the lawns, fountains, and usually a festival most weekends during the spring, summer and fall.
81 locals recommend
World's Fair Park
525 Worlds Fair Park DrSince 1982, go for a jog or stroll or dog walk in this landmark downtown park. See the Sunsphere (or go up in it), enjoy the lawns, fountains, and usually a festival most weekends during the spring, summer and fall.
Arts & Culture
Knoxville Museum of Art
1050 Worlds Fair Park DrThey usually have a local exhibit on the main floor that is very interesting.
38 locals recommend
East Tennessee History Center
601 S Gay StThey usually have a local exhibit on the main floor that is very interesting.