With Knoxville, Tennessee, being a popular college town, that makes it a top-notch city for foodie adventures! Because time and money are gold for students, we’ve done some homework and compiled a list of must-try restaurants that we think will become some of your favorite go-to places. Enjoy!
Calhoun’s on the River
Calhoun’s on the River lives up to its name — with a prime location on the Tennessee River, it offers customers a panoramic view of the waterfront for a unique dining experience. The menu includes well-loved appetizers (such as the smoked sausage and cheese plate), flavored wings, fresh-ground burgers and sandwiches, garden salads, mouth-watering slow-smoked Tennessee barbecue, steaks and chops, and even homemade desserts.
Tupelo Honey
Got a craving for authentic Southern food? Tupelo Honey serves classic Southern breakfasts, lunches, and suppers made from scratch that will surely place it among your favorite restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee. The menu changes by the season, so you can trust that every meal is made with fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. Don’t miss out on trying the famous fried chicken and buttermilk waffles available in classic, country-style, Sriracha honey. And the mac-and-cheese waffles with Asheville hot fried chicken? Sensational! This winning combination of savory chicken and fluffy waffles will no doubt call you back for a return visit.
Café 4
In the heart of downtown Knoxville, Café 4 prides itself on Southern hospitality and urban flavor. Each menu item is crafted with attention to detail, flavor, and presentation — and this shows in the restaurant’s lobster mac and cheese, truffle Parmesan fries, warm pimento cheese dip, and more. This menu is full of surefire crowd-pleasers! Whether you’re sharing with friends or out for a quick brunch by yourself, a meal at Café 4 is sure to be an enjoyable, high-quality experience.
Stock and Barrel
A good burger is one of life’s simplest pleasures, right? Well, you’ll be getting one of the best burgers you’ve ever eaten when you make the short trip to Stock and Barrel. Both its beef and buns are locally sourced, and each burger is served with house-made fries or beer-battered onion rings. The restaurant also has an option for gluten-free buns, so you’re free to enjoy even its biggest burger: The Big Nasty is comprised of beef, cheddar, bacon, crispy onions, tomato jam, and mayo, all doubled up.
Gus’s Good Times Deli
There are many nice restaurants in Knoxville, but none are as intrinsic to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville experience as Gus’s Good Times Deli. Its burgers, deli sandwiches, and fries are the epitome of comfort food, and whether you’re up early or working late, you can always drop by Gus’s for a tasty bite.