The Best Restaurants in Knoxville to Try During the 2025 Summit
Which restaurants to try while you’re in Knoxville
If you’re planning to attend the 2025 Summit, you might want to try some of the local restaurants in Knoxville. To help you decide which of the 90+ downtown locations to try, we’ve consolidated our top ten places to eat. Knoxville offers plenty of unique dining options, from breakfast to lunch to dinner.
American Restaurants
Stock & Barrel
Being one of the most popular restaurants among Knoxville residents, Stock & Barrel is always a safe choice for a classic, American burger. Every ingredient is locally grown and served fresh. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can always try some of their more unique patties, such as bison, elk, or even salmon! For dessert, they offer wonderfully sweet shakes and pies. It’s conveniently located in Market Square.
J.C. Holdway
For those looking for a classy meal, look no further than the award-winning J.C. Holdway. The restaurant prides itself on its traditional wood-fired ovens. Quality takes the front over quantity, with a confined list of hand-selected items on the menu. J.C. Holdway can be found on Union Avenue.
Calhoun’s On the River
Calhoun’s serves pridefully southern cuisine with a smile. Even their biscuits are buttery and delicious! If you’re looking for a relaxing dining experience, I would recommend visiting the site on Neyland Drive. It features a deck over the Tennessee River, so you can enjoy your meal with a pleasant riverside breeze.
Balter Beerworks
Don’t let the name deceive you; Balter Beerworks features delicious brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Everything served here is made from scratch. The burgers, especially, are hand-crafted to be as big and juicy as possible. Of course, the drinks are nothing to scoff at, either, as they’re well-balanced in aroma and mouth-feel. Balter Beerworks can be found on Broadway Street.
The Tomato Head
A great spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anything in between is The Tomato Head. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, pizzas, sweets, and more. With a focus on freshness, the ingredients are consistently non-processed and non-frozen. From the sandwich bread to the pickled peppers, everything offered on the menu is prepared in-house. The Tomato Head is located in Market Square.
International Restaurants
Nama Sushi Bar
Japanese might not be the first cuisine that comes to mind when visiting Knoxville, but Nama is loved by the locals. It’s voted as the best sushi place in the city, and for good reason. The menu will satisfy a wide array of pallets, offering both traditional roles as well as Asian-American fusions. There’s a location near the convention center on Gay Street.
Vida
With its menu and decor inspired by a mixture of Latin and Asian tastes, Vida offers a truly unique experience. Their chef’s specials include a creative mix of ingredients and spices that can’t be found at other restaurants. The atmosphere will wow you with its stunningly colorful Pan-Latin decor, too. Vida is located on S Gay Street.
Good Golly Tamale
Good Golly Tamale is a small restaurant with a simple selection, but it’s one of our personal favorites. Made in-house with fresh ingredients, the tamales are nothing short of exceptional. Everything is delightfully and uniquely flavored. Whether you’re craving chicken, pork, beef, lamb, or beans, the menu will have something to match your tastes. Good Golly Tamale is in Old City on S Central Street.
Petro’s Chili & Chips
Petro’s Chili and Chips is a chain loved by Tennesseans ever since the chili was deputed in the 1982 World’s Fair. Everything on the menu includes its state-famous chili, from the hotdogs to the loaded potatoes. For any iced tea drinkers, Petro’s also serves the award-winning Hint-of-Orange. Petro’s Chili and Chips is located at Market Square.
Dessert
Cruze Farm
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Cruze Farm is an excellent ice cream shop! It offers classic flavors as well as uniquely tasty choices, such as Pumpkin or Brown Butter. The milk is freshly squeezed on the family-owned farm with free-range cows are never given hormones. There’s a location with inside dining on S Gay Street.
Now is the Time to Register
These are our favorite restaurants in Knoxville, but there are plenty more to see. Have any caught your interest? Which are you most excited to try? Comment below!
If you haven’t already registered for the Summit, you can do so by clicking the image below.
