This comforting, no-frills soul food restaurant in North Knox is named after its owner, Jackie Griffin, who has accomplished a lifelong dream of sharing the food she grew up cooking alongside her grandmothers, mother, and uncles. Family recipes make appearances all over the menu, from Nanny Mary’s cornmeal-fried green tomatoes and Aunt Maimie’s candied yams to Grandaddy C.D.’s collard greens and Mama’s mac and cheese, and daily specials include further favorites from Griffin’s childhood, like hamburger steak and gravy.

Knoxville’s Ale Trail is overflowing with breweries; one of the best places to start is at Schulz’s massive beer hall (inside a warehouse designed to look like a legit European castle) or sprawling outdoor biergarten, where you can sip German-style beers like a refreshing Munich Helles or smoky Rauchbier paired with quintessential German dishes made from scratch daily. The boisterous, family- and dog-friendly space also regularly hosts live music and events. If you’ve left room after schnitzel, brats, and a few brews from Schulz Bräu, head across the street and grab a few extra snacks at the Central Filling Station Food Truck Park.

If you’ve had enough of your own pandemic sourdough attempts to last a lifetime, taste how the pros at A Dopo Sourdough Pizza do it for their chewy, Neapolitan-style pies. Situated just outside of the Old City, the lively wood-fired pizzeria features fresh sauces topped with Calabrese salami, 16-month-aged prosciutto, roasted mushrooms, and local honey alongside creative house-made gelato flavors and an extensive Italian wine and beer list.

Chef Tim Love offers a nod to Western culinary tradition with a touch of Knoxville at his Old Town restaurant Lonesome Dove. An extensive wine portfolio pairs with a predominately wood-fired menu, including wild game. A must-order is Love’s proprietary wild game fettine presenting a selection of cuts spit-roasted over mesquite.

A casual Asian fusion restaurant modeled after Japanese izakayas and sporting a covered patio, Kaizen offers small plates from steamed buns stuffed with seared mushrooms or Thai sausage to pad kee mao and tingly mapo tofu. The kitchen also rotates in specials like ribeye fried rice or Thai sausage green coconut curry. You can catch a live show at chef-owner Jesse Newmister’s other nearby restaurant, Tako Taco, focused on street food.

A casual barbecue spot with the low-key vibes of a dive bar, the Downtown Dive in the Old City’s arts district also features a spacious beer garden. Enjoy all things smoked — Boston butts to brisket — accompanied by soul food classics like collards and cole slaw plus a diverse array of wine and craft beer. Fun fact: Sweet P’s owns the World’s Fair logo and is full of kitschy collectibles.

Oysters might not be your top association with Knoxville, but when you cozy up in the Brass Pearl’s handsome banquettes with freshly shucked oysters on crushed ice, crispy shrimp po’boys, and creamy lobster dip it’s easy to forget you’re in a landlocked state. Don’t leave this Market Square boite without trying the homemade hot sauce served with tiny droppers — they’re also available to purchase and take home.

Serving dinner nightly and brunch Friday through Sunday, this Market Square staple tucked into the boutique Oliver Hotel blends regional ingredients into a broadly international menu. Slurp the signature Royale ramen with confit pork belly and house kimchi or devour the confit short rib with Benton’s Bacon baked beans — either makes for a memorable meal. After capping your night with unique cocktails at the hotel’s speakeasy-style Peter Kern Library, head back over to Oliver Royale for the Hangover Helper at brunch.

Vida may be housed inside the historic Holston building (an early 1900s high-rise with a home on the National Register of Historic Places), but what you’ll find inside is remarkably fresh. The interiors are stunning, a careful mix of preserved elements like exposed brick interspersed with lush tufted booths and modern artwork. The menu of Pan-Latin dishes includes a variety of shareable small plates like vegetable or barbacoa empanadas, tomato bread, and albondigas, plus heartier options like beef tenderloin medallions and Chilean sea bass. Kick off your meal with the featured cocktail of the day, and cap it off with an order of churros for dessert. 

Racking up a number of local culinary accolades since its opening in the fall of 2021, Koyo offers an elevated Japanese dining experience in downtown Knoxville. The menu rotates seasonally and currently includes a la carte options like crispy pork belly with kimchi and duck bulgogi with vegetables — though the omakase-style tasting menu is always an option. Koyo is owned by Nama Hospitality Group, which also includes Nama Sushi Bar and Harvest, which is known for its steak, seafood, and wine.

UT football legend Peyton Manning opened this Western-inspired watering hole at the Graduate hotel in 2020, and it’s been an elevated game-day staple ever since. Along with memorabilia from “the Sheriff’s” personal collection, wood paneling on the floors and walls, and cozy booths, you’ll find a knockout chicken parm sandwich and a fun drink menu. Before cheering on the Volunteers, head to Saloon 16 for its game day menu featuring cowboy caviar, chicken wings, and a Tennessee Orange made with vanilla vodka, orange juice, and pineapple.