Guidebook for Knoxville
Food Scene
Nama Sushi Bar - Downtown Knoxville
506 S Gay StBest sushi downtown. Walking Distance.
Chesapeake's
415 Union Ave SWKitschy seafood restaurant. Good happy hour. Walking Distance.
The best hamburger in Knoxville. Stock and Barrel uses all grass-fed beef in their burgers, and hormone free chicken in their chicken sandwiches. Great Bourbon selection, decent craft beer selection. Make a reservation; they are usually on a wait. Try "The Hurt Locker" burger; if you dare. Walking distance.
84 habitants recommandent
Stock & Barrel
35 Market SquareThe best hamburger in Knoxville. Stock and Barrel uses all grass-fed beef in their burgers, and hormone free chicken in their chicken sandwiches. Great Bourbon selection, decent craft beer selection. Make a reservation; they are usually on a wait. Try "The Hurt Locker" burger; if you dare. Walking distance.
Southern soul food with a higher end atmosphere. Try the brussels sprouts with balsamic vinaigrette reduction. Walking distance.
18 habitants recommandent
Bistro At the Bijou
807 S Gay StSouthern soul food with a higher end atmosphere. Try the brussels sprouts with balsamic vinaigrette reduction. Walking distance.
Cheap Mexican food, big beers. Try the Goal! Burrito with a 32oz Dos Equis Amber. Walking Distance.
24 habitants recommandent
Soccer Taco
9 Market SquareCheap Mexican food, big beers. Try the Goal! Burrito with a 32oz Dos Equis Amber. Walking Distance.
Fairly new Italian restaurant. Owned by one of Knoxville's best local chefs. Walking Distance.
35 habitants recommandent
Emilia
16 Market SquareFairly new Italian restaurant. Owned by one of Knoxville's best local chefs. Walking Distance.
We have it on good authority that this is the best all around restaurant in Knoxville. Try the fresh pork rinds and the Roasted Filet Mignon. Best steak I have had in Knoxville. Walking Distance.
24 habitants recommandent
Knox Mason
131 S Gay StWe have it on good authority that this is the best all around restaurant in Knoxville. Try the fresh pork rinds and the Roasted Filet Mignon. Best steak I have had in Knoxville. Walking Distance.
Southeast Regional chain with very accessible food. If you are trying to accommodate a group of picky eaters, this is a safe bet. Not much brave cullinary work happening here, but we've never had a bad meal there. Walking Distance.
48 habitants recommandent
Tupelo Honey
1 Market SquareSoutheast Regional chain with very accessible food. If you are trying to accommodate a group of picky eaters, this is a safe bet. Not much brave cullinary work happening here, but we've never had a bad meal there. Walking Distance.
Suttree's is a Craft Beer bar first. The surprise here is that their ramen dishes are unbelievably good. But wait there's more: it's next door to the loft.
39 habitants recommandent
Suttree's High Gravity Tavern
409 S Gay StSuttree's is a Craft Beer bar first. The surprise here is that their ramen dishes are unbelievably good. But wait there's more: it's next door to the loft.
Probably the best lunch spot in Knoxville. Great sandwiches, salads, and gourmet pizzas. Great for carry-out. Try the "Oh-Boy" sandwich. Walking distance.
77 habitants recommandent
The Tomato Head
12 Market SquareProbably the best lunch spot in Knoxville. Great sandwiches, salads, and gourmet pizzas. Great for carry-out. Try the "Oh-Boy" sandwich. Walking distance.
Sister restaurant to Stock and Barrel. Where stock and barrel does Burgers+Bourbon, Chivo does Tacos+Tequila. Similar vibe. Walking Distance.
45 habitants recommandent
Chivo Taqueria
314 S Gay StSister restaurant to Stock and Barrel. Where stock and barrel does Burgers+Bourbon, Chivo does Tacos+Tequila. Similar vibe. Walking Distance.
A regional chain, but a very good one. All of their tacos are served on scratch made blue masa tacos. Try the Orange and Soy Braised Duck Taco, known as "De Pato". Walking distance.
28 habitants recommandent
BABALU® - Knoxville
412 S Gay StA regional chain, but a very good one. All of their tacos are served on scratch made blue masa tacos. Try the Orange and Soy Braised Duck Taco, known as "De Pato". Walking distance.
Regional Chain. Baked Avocado is a great snack. Try the Bordeaux Bourbon. Walking distance.
FIVE Knoxville
430 South Gay StreetRegional Chain. Baked Avocado is a great snack. Try the Bordeaux Bourbon. Walking distance.
Another safe restaurant to take a large group. Very accessible menu; something for everyone. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes. Walking distance.
37 habitants recommandent
Cafe 4
4 Market SquareAnother safe restaurant to take a large group. Very accessible menu; something for everyone. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes. Walking distance.
Best barbecue in town. Counter service, serves beer. Try the smoked wings served wet and chase it down with the banana pudding. Walking distance.
43 habitants recommandent
Sweet P's Barbecue and Downtown Dive
410 W Jackson AveBest barbecue in town. Counter service, serves beer. Try the smoked wings served wet and chase it down with the banana pudding. Walking distance.
Nice British Gastropub with a killer beer garden. Can't go wrong with the Fish & Chips. Walking Distance.
13 habitants recommandent
The Crown & Goose
Nice British Gastropub with a killer beer garden. Can't go wrong with the Fish & Chips. Walking Distance.
If you are in to comfortable pubs with nice wait staff, try the Jig. If you are a Scotch drinker, you have met your match. Over 200 Scotch selections. Fish & Chips are a huge winner here as well. Walking distance.
44 habitants recommandent
Boyd’s Jig and Reel
101 S Central StIf you are in to comfortable pubs with nice wait staff, try the Jig. If you are a Scotch drinker, you have met your match. Over 200 Scotch selections. Fish & Chips are a huge winner here as well. Walking distance.
Famous chef Tim Love opened this restaurant in 2016 to rave reviews. Walking distance.
34 habitants recommandent
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
100 N Central StFamous chef Tim Love opened this restaurant in 2016 to rave reviews. Walking distance.
Great sandwich shop downtown. Only open for lunch. Walking distance; delivery.
Frussies Deli & Bakery
722 S Gay StGreat sandwich shop downtown. Only open for lunch. Walking distance; delivery.
Dazzos Pizzeria
710 S Gay StReally nice pizza joint. Walking distance; delivery.
Great New York Style pizza joint; open late night. Open 'til 4am on the weekends. Walking distance.
Da Vinci's Pizzeria & Calzones
113 S Central StGreat New York Style pizza joint; open late night. Open 'til 4am on the weekends. Walking distance.
This gelato is unreal. Great after-dinner setting. They also have surprisingly good sandwiches. Good for a quick lunch and Italian soda.
Coolato Gelato
524 S Gay StThis gelato is unreal. Great after-dinner setting. They also have surprisingly good sandwiches. Good for a quick lunch and Italian soda.
Old City Wine Bar
108 W Jackson AveGreat hipster coffee shop. Walking distance.
Coffee and Chocolate
327 Union AveThe name says it all. Walking distance.
This is the closest coffee shop to the loft. If you need a quick fix, this will do the trick. Walking distance.
Downtown Grind
418 S Gay StThis is the closest coffee shop to the loft. If you need a quick fix, this will do the trick. Walking distance.
Another place to grab a quick cup of coffee. Sit on their patio and chill out if you need a breather from the loft. They serve beer and wine too; so when the clock strikes noon, trade in that coffee for a draft beer. 78 steps from the loft's back door.
270 habitants recommandent
Market Square
Another place to grab a quick cup of coffee. Sit on their patio and chill out if you need a breather from the loft. They serve beer and wine too; so when the clock strikes noon, trade in that coffee for a draft beer. 78 steps from the loft's back door.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music every. single. night. There is a cover charge, and smoking is permitted in the downstairs bar, so prepare accordingly. Make your way upstairs for another bar in a smoke free environment. The second floor has live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Walk up yet another flight of stairs to the rooftop bar, 1 of 2 rooftop bars in downtown Knoxville. One of our favorite spots to have a drink and chill on a Friday after work. Crawling distance.
40 habitants recommandent
Preservation Pub
28 Market SquareLive music every. single. night. There is a cover charge, and smoking is permitted in the downstairs bar, so prepare accordingly. Make your way upstairs for another bar in a smoke free environment. The second floor has live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Walk up yet another flight of stairs to the rooftop bar, 1 of 2 rooftop bars in downtown Knoxville. One of our favorite spots to have a drink and chill on a Friday after work. Crawling distance.
Super cool gothic architecture interior bar. Great place to see a show (live music on the weekends.) The listening room is 2 floors and we haven't found a bad seat in the house. Same setup as Preservation Pub (except Scruffy City is non-smoking throughout): 3 story building with a rooftop; a bar on each floor. Crawling distance.
***If you look out of the master bedroom window at the loft, you can see the Scruffy City Hall rooftop bar.
23 habitants recommandent
Scruffy City Hall
32 Market SquareSuper cool gothic architecture interior bar. Great place to see a show (live music on the weekends.) The listening room is 2 floors and we haven't found a bad seat in the house. Same setup as Preservation Pub (except Scruffy City is non-smoking throughout): 3 story building with a rooftop; a bar on each floor. Crawling distance.
***If you look out of the master bedroom window at the loft, you can see the Scruffy City Hall rooftop bar.
The Address on this listing is wrong.
The correct address is:
904 N. Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Karaoke on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only.
Marie's is the best hole-in-the-wall dive bar in Knoxville. Smoking is permitted, and the bar is cash only. The sweet old ladies that wait tables will serve you free popcorn, and also call you out if you aren't drinking your beer fast enough. If you truly want a dive bar experience with the best people-watching around, then Marie's is a must. Johnny, the Karaoke MC, is a curmudgeonly old man who loves being slipped tips and airplane bottles of cheap vodka. These 2 things alone will make sure your song gets bumped to the top of the list. Take a cab or Über, it's a bit far to walk from the loft. 1.5 miles or so.
.Marie's old town tavern
The Address on this listing is wrong.
The correct address is:
904 N. Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Karaoke on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only.
Marie's is the best hole-in-the-wall dive bar in Knoxville. Smoking is permitted, and the bar is cash only. The sweet old ladies that wait tables will serve you free popcorn, and also call you out if you aren't drinking your beer fast enough. If you truly want a dive bar experience with the best people-watching around, then Marie's is a must. Johnny, the Karaoke MC, is a curmudgeonly old man who loves being slipped tips and airplane bottles of cheap vodka. These 2 things alone will make sure your song gets bumped to the top of the list. Take a cab or Über, it's a bit far to walk from the loft. 1.5 miles or so.
Live music on the weekends. Sometimes there is a cover charge for music but not always. Great place to stay up late and drink your weight in craft beers. Also, the billiards tables upstairs are king-sized and usually available. Walking distance.
57 habitants recommandent
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria
200 E Jackson AveLive music on the weekends. Sometimes there is a cover charge for music but not always. Great place to stay up late and drink your weight in craft beers. Also, the billiards tables upstairs are king-sized and usually available. Walking distance.
Posh atmosphere. Nice mixed drinks and signature cocktails. Upscale environment. Crawling distance.
23 habitants recommandent
Sapphire: Fine Food and Fancy Drinks
428 S Gay StPosh atmosphere. Nice mixed drinks and signature cocktails. Upscale environment. Crawling distance.
Sightseeing
Sunsphere
810 Clinch AveTake a couple mile hike up house mountain and take in the view. House mountain is the mountain you can see to your right off in the distance when you look off of the balcony of the loft. Great place for a romantic picnic or a nice hike. 15 minute drive from downtown.
36 habitants recommandent
House Mountain
Take a couple mile hike up house mountain and take in the view. House mountain is the mountain you can see to your right off in the distance when you look off of the balcony of the loft. Great place for a romantic picnic or a nice hike. 15 minute drive from downtown.
Parks & Nature
Rent a Stand-Up Paddleboard from BL Boardshop, and paddle on the Tennessee River. Paddle upstream (East) toward Island Home Airport and do a loop around the island. Walking distance.
14 habitants recommandent
Knoxville Adventure Collective
900 Volunteer Landing LnRent a Stand-Up Paddleboard from BL Boardshop, and paddle on the Tennessee River. Paddle upstream (East) toward Island Home Airport and do a loop around the island. Walking distance.
Quarry Swimming!!!! Take your bathing suits, take a dip and hang by the quarry. Driving Distance.
32 habitants recommandent
Fort Dickerson Quarry
550 Augusta AveQuarry Swimming!!!! Take your bathing suits, take a dip and hang by the quarry. Driving Distance.
Arts & Culture
Free to the public. Closed on Mondays. Walking distance.
107 habitants recommandent
Musée d'art de Knoxville
1050 Worlds Fair Park DrFree to the public. Closed on Mondays. Walking distance.
Get your bearings of our town at the Knoxville Visitors Center. Pro Tip: You can park for free in the visitors center parking lot from 5pm Friday until 8am Monday. Great place to safely leave the car for the entire weekend.
10 habitants recommandent
Visit Knoxville
301 S Gay StGet your bearings of our town at the Knoxville Visitors Center. Pro Tip: You can park for free in the visitors center parking lot from 5pm Friday until 8am Monday. Great place to safely leave the car for the entire weekend.
Shopping
Awesome colloquial retail store. Lot's of outdoor outerwear and camping gear. They also have a candy shop in the back. Great for the kids. Right across the street from the loft.
43 habitants recommandent
Mast General Store
402 S Gay StAwesome colloquial retail store. Lot's of outdoor outerwear and camping gear. They also have a candy shop in the back. Great for the kids. Right across the street from the loft.
Urban Outfitters
Essentials
Take the Free Trolley (Vol Line) to the Publix at University Commons. Catch the trolley either in front of the Tennessee Theatre, or at the corner of Clinch Ave. and Walnut St.
Trolley's Schedule
Mon-Thurs: 7am-6pm.
Friday: 7am-10pm
Saturday 9am-10pm
Trolley does not run on holidays or UT Game days. If you are in town for a UT Football game, Friday evening would be the time to do your shopping.
27 habitants recommandent
Publix Super Market at University Commons
2429 University Commons WayTake the Free Trolley (Vol Line) to the Publix at University Commons. Catch the trolley either in front of the Tennessee Theatre, or at the corner of Clinch Ave. and Walnut St.
Trolley's Schedule
Mon-Thurs: 7am-6pm.
Friday: 7am-10pm
Saturday 9am-10pm
Trolley does not run on holidays or UT Game days. If you are in town for a UT Football game, Friday evening would be the time to do your shopping.
The Market
504 S Gay StClosest bag of ice is sold here. Decent beer selection.
Open 'til 10p Monday-Thursday, 11p on Fridays and Saturdays. Great selection of wine and liquor. Decent high gravity beer selection.
6 habitants recommandent
Downtown Wine & Spirits
407 S Gay StOpen 'til 10p Monday-Thursday, 11p on Fridays and Saturdays. Great selection of wine and liquor. Decent high gravity beer selection.