Best Knoxville Tennessee restaurants JC Holdaway

The Best Restaurants in Knoxville, TN

By Laura Werner

Knoxville may have a reputation for tailgates and barbecue, but if you scratch just below the surface, there’s a culinary scene that would make even the most skeptical food critic drop their plate of ribs. Whether you're a local or just passing through on your way to the Smokies, here are five restaurants that prove Knoxville has more going on than football and Dolly Parton.

1. JC Holdaway

Chef Joseph Lenn’s JC Holdway has single-handedly raised Knoxville’s culinary game to new heights. This James Beard Award-winning chef offers a constantly changing menu with ingredients that look like they were foraged by woodland sprites in a forest full of artisanal farmers. Whether you're there for the wood-fired quail or something you can't pronounce, JC Holdway strikes the balance between refined and relaxed, which Knoxville desperately needed.

2. Lonesome Dove

If you like your fine dining served with a side of cowboy swagger, Lonesome Dove is your place. Chef Tim Love brings wild game into the spotlight, with elk sliders and rabbit-rattlesnake sausage to challenge your definition of "dinner." It’s like stepping into a saloon, only you’re paying fine dining prices, and nobody’s going to punch you for looking at them the wrong way.

3. Emilia

Pasta lovers rejoice. Emilia is your cozy corner of Italian goodness in Market Square. Chef Matt Gallaher, known for his time cooking for politicians and rock stars (not hyperbole), serves up handmade pasta that makes you wonder why you’ve ever settled for boxed noodles. Try the pappardelle and let your carb dreams take flight.

4. Bistro by the Tracks

Want a little sophistication with your Southern hospitality? Bistro by the Tracks is as close as you’ll get to white tablecloth dining without anyone actually using the term "white tablecloth." The food is polished but approachable, featuring seasonal dishes with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. If you leave hungry, that’s on you, not them.

5. A Dopo Sourdough Pizza

If you haven't experienced the glory that is sourdough pizza, A Dopo will convert you faster than a tent revival. This small, unpretentious spot offers wood-fired pizzas with crusts that have been given the same love and attention a grandmother gives to her biscuits. It’s Knoxville’s answer to the nationwide pizza obsession, only better, because it’s here.

The Complete Guide to Knoxville, TN