Julie & John's Guidebook to the Knoxville Area
Groceries
Kroger
2217 N BroadwayKroger at 4409 Chapman Highway is only 4 blocks away.
Local co-op (everyone welcome) offering natural and organic foods. We enjoy purchasing the fresh produce and meats from local producers.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
Three Rivers Market
1100 N Central StLocal co-op (everyone welcome) offering natural and organic foods. We enjoy purchasing the fresh produce and meats from local producers.
Independent local Knoxville butcher shop with premium poultry, pork, lamb, beef, and sausage.
Willy's Butcher Shop
3336 Homberg DrIndependent local Knoxville butcher shop with premium poultry, pork, lamb, beef, and sausage.
Food scene
Our favorite burger in Knoxville - but don't limit yourself to just beef. The lamb, turkey and chicken offerings are also outstanding. John often orders the guten-free bun.
They will offer you a side of onion rings (outstanding), fries (okay) or half rings and half fries. Some days I opt for the Village Tomato Salad or the Mac and Cheese as my side.
If you are a whiskey drinker they have an extensive list.
84 Einheimische empfehlen
Stock & Barrel
35 Market SquareOur favorite burger in Knoxville - but don't limit yourself to just beef. The lamb, turkey and chicken offerings are also outstanding. John often orders the guten-free bun.
They will offer you a side of onion rings (outstanding), fries (okay) or half rings and half fries. Some days I opt for the Village Tomato Salad or the Mac and Cheese as my side.
If you are a whiskey drinker they have an extensive list.
We love the shortribs (kokonisto) - the meat falls apart and the polenta is so creamy! Don't miss the theatrics as well as great taste of their Saganaki.
Kifi offers some fun non-alcoholic cocktails in addition to the alcoholic variety. Several good bottles of wine are on the list for less than $40 and they have a house red and house white by-the-glass.
Reservations needed - they are booked most of the time (even 6 pm during the week)! You can call for reservations or book through their website - https://kefiknox.com/
33 Einheimische empfehlen
Kefi
120 E Jackson AveWe love the shortribs (kokonisto) - the meat falls apart and the polenta is so creamy! Don't miss the theatrics as well as great taste of their Saganaki.
Kifi offers some fun non-alcoholic cocktails in addition to the alcoholic variety. Several good bottles of wine are on the list for less than $40 and they have a house red and house white by-the-glass.
Reservations needed - they are booked most of the time (even 6 pm during the week)! You can call for reservations or book through their website - https://kefiknox.com/
Farm to table restaurant. It's one of my favorite places for Chicken and Waffles (Not Yo Mama's). In good weather sit outside and watch the entertainment of people walking around Market Square.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar
15 Market SquareFarm to table restaurant. It's one of my favorite places for Chicken and Waffles (Not Yo Mama's). In good weather sit outside and watch the entertainment of people walking around Market Square.
Less than a mile away to one of South Knoxville's favorite casual restaurants. I love that you can choose two different meats (or portabello mushroom and tofu) for their 2 taco platter. They have a $7-8 lunch offering from 11-3. Good selection of craft beers on tap. Their margaritas are very tempting. On weekends in the summer the beer garden is open with a limited menu.
66 Einheimische empfehlen
SoKno Taco Cantina
3701 Sevierville PikeLess than a mile away to one of South Knoxville's favorite casual restaurants. I love that you can choose two different meats (or portabello mushroom and tofu) for their 2 taco platter. They have a $7-8 lunch offering from 11-3. Good selection of craft beers on tap. Their margaritas are very tempting. On weekends in the summer the beer garden is open with a limited menu.
A local Knoxville favorite for 25+ years. Great food and it's bring your own booze and wine!
Reservations are highly recommended.
http://www.savellisknoxville.com/
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Savelli's Italian Restaurant
3055 Sutherland AveA local Knoxville favorite for 25+ years. Great food and it's bring your own booze and wine!
Reservations are highly recommended.
http://www.savellisknoxville.com/
FANTASTIC gourmet deep fried 1/4 lb hot dogs (and they have sandwiches).
Located in Old Town. Stop in for something delicious and unusual after visiting the Pour Room or Merchants of Beer.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Curious Dog Hotdogs & Sandwiches
200 W Jackson AveFANTASTIC gourmet deep fried 1/4 lb hot dogs (and they have sandwiches).
Located in Old Town. Stop in for something delicious and unusual after visiting the Pour Room or Merchants of Beer.
Pete's is our go-to place for breakfast. It's a family-run restaurant with good food and friendly people. They have recently decided to operate only Monday - Friday.
28 Einheimische empfehlen
Pete's Coffee Shop
540 Union AvePete's is our go-to place for breakfast. It's a family-run restaurant with good food and friendly people. They have recently decided to operate only Monday - Friday.
Just 2 minutes by car or a 10 minute walk (be careful crossing Chapman Highway) to one of the best ice cream places in the country. The address is 106 E Young High Pike.
The “mini” is enough for me with one very generous scoop. John favors the hot fudge sundae or “small”, which is two scoops. They usually have 25 or so flavors, with 3-4 dairy free selections. Delicious!
The Sugar Queen Creamery
106 East Young High PikeJust 2 minutes by car or a 10 minute walk (be careful crossing Chapman Highway) to one of the best ice cream places in the country. The address is 106 E Young High Pike.
The “mini” is enough for me with one very generous scoop. John favors the hot fudge sundae or “small”, which is two scoops. They usually have 25 or so flavors, with 3-4 dairy free selections. Delicious!
Things to Do / Entertainment
Fantastic restored venue with a huge pipe organ that often opens the event. Check their website for current shows and activities. https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/
112 Einheimische empfehlen
Tennessee Theatre
604 S Gay StFantastic restored venue with a huge pipe organ that often opens the event. Check their website for current shows and activities. https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/
Local swimming hole. Access to the quarry itself is off of Augusta Avenue, although for the summer of 2023 they will be updating the facilities and the quarry may be closed to visitors. Entrance to the Fort Dickerson Park with an overlook of the quarry is from Chapman Highway (441).
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Fort Dickerson Quarry
550 Augusta AveLocal swimming hole. Access to the quarry itself is off of Augusta Avenue, although for the summer of 2023 they will be updating the facilities and the quarry may be closed to visitors. Entrance to the Fort Dickerson Park with an overlook of the quarry is from Chapman Highway (441).
Beautiful winery set atop a hillside in Blaine (22 miles away) with views of the mountains in the background. They produce very good wines from grapes grown on the estate (chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, cabernet franc).
Try a tasting inside ($5) then choose a glass or bottle to take to the patio. They allow you to bring your own snacks to enjoy, but they may also have cheese and crackers you can purchase.
https://www.spoutspringestates.com/
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard
430 Riddle LnBeautiful winery set atop a hillside in Blaine (22 miles away) with views of the mountains in the background. They produce very good wines from grapes grown on the estate (chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, cabernet franc).
Try a tasting inside ($5) then choose a glass or bottle to take to the patio. They allow you to bring your own snacks to enjoy, but they may also have cheese and crackers you can purchase.
https://www.spoutspringestates.com/
Not sure what to do or where to eat? Head to Market Square. With a dozen restaurants, several bars and a number of shops here's a good chance that you'll find something that will appeal to you.
Tuesdays during May, June and September there is a free jazz concert in the square from 7-9 pm.
270 Einheimische empfehlen
Market Square
Not sure what to do or where to eat? Head to Market Square. With a dozen restaurants, several bars and a number of shops here's a good chance that you'll find something that will appeal to you.
Tuesdays during May, June and September there is a free jazz concert in the square from 7-9 pm.
University of Tennessee offers many opportunities to view college sports. Go Vols! Buy tickets online.
100 Einheimische empfehlen
Neyland Stadium
1300 Phillip Fulmer WayUniversity of Tennessee offers many opportunities to view college sports. Go Vols! Buy tickets online.
Meads Quarry is a local swimming hole. Take a dip or rent one of the small kayaks or paddle boards.
Meads Quarry
Meads Quarry is a local swimming hole. Take a dip or rent one of the small kayaks or paddle boards.
Sightseeing
Cades Cove Loop is a fun way to see part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive along the loop at a slow pace, stopping to see some of the original buildings of the area or to take a small hike.
Last time we were there we saw a black bear and turkeys.
We sometimes take a picnic (the picnic areas can get crowded) or take snacks for the car and then stop in Townsend for a meal.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
761 Einheimische empfehlen
Cades Cove
Cades Cove Loop is a fun way to see part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive along the loop at a slow pace, stopping to see some of the original buildings of the area or to take a small hike.
Last time we were there we saw a black bear and turkeys.
We sometimes take a picnic (the picnic areas can get crowded) or take snacks for the car and then stop in Townsend for a meal.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
Close by! A fun time tramping through the wood or along the river. Check their website for activities. https://www.ijams.org/
273 Einheimische empfehlen
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home AveClose by! A fun time tramping through the wood or along the river. Check their website for activities. https://www.ijams.org/
Fort Dickerson Park isn't just about the quarry. It's main attraction is a old Civil War fort.
https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/fort-dickerson-civil-war-fort/920c0347-e104-4f27-9b49-c3b21a102f9f
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Fort Dickerson Park
3000 Fort Dickerson Rd SWFort Dickerson Park isn't just about the quarry. It's main attraction is a old Civil War fort.
https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/fort-dickerson-civil-war-fort/920c0347-e104-4f27-9b49-c3b21a102f9f