Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in East Tennessee

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in East Tennessee? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9

4.9 (3843)

$50 and over

American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, we know that great food begins with fresh, quality sourced local ingredients. On our Modern Appalachian menu, Chef Jeff Carter and culinary team present seasonal and delicious dishes that are familiar and steeped in tradition yet enhanced with bold new dashes of flavor and component combinations that may surprise and delight you.

Dancing Bear provides a premium lodging experience. We bring the same commitment to excellence to our award-winning restaurant and full bar. Whether enjoying a romantic dinner for two or bringing the extended family together for a celebratory meal, we want your night out in Townsend to be a special experience. We offer a refined assortment of modern Appalachian cuisine — all served among elegant surroundings and calming wooded vistas.

Top review

Suzanne

Dined 3 days ago

Great craft cocktails, amazing food and the service is the best.

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4.9

4.9 (750)

$31 to $50

American

Johnson City

About the restaurant

A Johnson City tradition since 1989, Gourmet and Company offers a dining experience that is unique to the region. Dinner menu selections run the gamut from traditional fine dinning classics to exciting specials including exotic meats and exceedingly fresh seafood. Lunches are casual and perfect for socializing or business. We also have an indoor lounge and outdoor patio bar that are fully stocked with a wide selection of wines, fine spirits, and craft beers.

Top review

Curt

Dined 7 days ago

Fabulous as always! Warm, inviting and friendly. Staff is superb and the owners are always friendly, professional and gracious. And the food is wow, delicious!!!

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4.9

4.9 (198)

$30 and under

Italian

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Primo, which opened in the spring of 2014, is restaurateur Nathan Lindley’s tribute to his own North Chattanooga neighborhood, presented as a classic American-Italian neighborhood restaurant. Taking its culinary direction from the traditional Italian restaurants of the Northeast, Primo celebrates the rich and comforting dishes that were inspired by Italian cooking and influenced by American prosperity.
As a casual neighborhood bar and restaurant, Primo does not accept reservations for a specific time. A limited number of guests may guarantee a waiting table at the 5:00 opening each night. Also, throughout the night guests may call ahead to the restaurant at 423.602.5555 to be added to the waiting list. The dedicated staff and lively communal environment make for a short and enjoyable wait. Come see us soon.

Top review

Brad

Dined 2 days ago

Love it, it is our got to spot. Never disappoints.

The Marlowe

4.9

4.9 (1554)

$31 to $50

Continental

Knoxville

About the restaurant

You don’t have to go far for an exceptional culinary experience.

Reviewers say “consistently spectacular” with friendly “non-stuffy” service. The Marlowe simply is Knoxville’s answer to great metropolitan dining.

We proudly offer an extensive and diverse wine list featuring carefully selected whites and reds from the finest wineries around the world. Bistro by the Tracks is a recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, 2010.

Join us for an evening of dining that is at once casual and elegant. Reservations most appreciated.

Top review

Scott

Dined 4 days ago

The Marlowe never disappoints. The food, ambiance, and service combine for one of Knoxville's best dining experiences. They have an array of craft cocktails. My favorite is the Fall Fashioned which is great any time of year. My grilled duck was juicy and cooked to perfection. There was also live jazz music on this evening that further elevated the experience. The Marlowe is my go to place for a casual dinner or a celebration. It is truly one of the gems of the Knoxville dining scene.

Wilder at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve

4.9

4.9 (97)

$50 and over

Contemporary Southern

Loudon

About the restaurant

Voted "Best Splurge Worthy Restaurant" by Travel Awaits.

Appalachian tradition is rich in grit, resourceful charm, and determination, which drives our culinary heritage. At Wilder, we cultivate farm-to-table ingredients transformed by an appreciation for international cuisine to offer a fun and unique approach to well-loved Southern staples.

20% service fee assessed on all charges. Additional tipping optional.

Limited reservations are offered nightly. Non-alcoholic beverages included.

Top review

Jamie

Dined 2 days ago

We had a lovely dinner yesterday evening at Wilder. The service was really attentive and the steak was really delicious. I really enjoyed the carrot cake with the buttermilk ice cream. Will be back again.

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Experience

Dinner at Wilder

Experience

Five-Course Tasting Menu

Northshore Brasserie

4.9

4.9 (1117)

$31 to $50

French

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Northshore Brasserie is a family owned, full-service restaurant and bar serving French Belgian cuisine in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Over the last decade, we have become a Knoxville favorite known for hearty delicious food, and outstanding service. For dinner, we specialize in Brasserie classics, such as: steak frites, mussels, roast chicken, fresh seafood, and handmade pastas. We also take advantage of local produce and meats to create in season specials. Our bar has a vibrant, unpretentious atmosphere where locals and out-of-towners gather to enjoy craft cocktails, Belgian beers, and a selection of wines from around the world.

Top review

AnnaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food. Duck was awesome. Service a bit slow (but very busy so understandable) skip the chocolate mousse for dessert… it was just chocolate pudding

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Connors Steak & Seafood - Knoxville

4.9

4.9 (4289)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Knoxville

About the restaurant

We specialize in fresh seafood and premium aged steaks, as well as gourmet salads, pastas and more! Enjoy a memorable evening with friends and family in our well-appointed dining rooms, or stop by for the lunch you and your associates deserve. Our friendly service and flavorful fare will keep you coming back for more.

Connors Steak & Seafood first opened their doors to the diners at the new Turkey Creek shopping center in Knoxville, TN. Combining a high quality menu with a comfortable atmosphere, Connors quickly became a favorite with fellow Knoxvillians. The rich, wood interiors, warm fireplaces, and "guest-obsessed" service continues to this day, and in 2011 Connors was recognized in the "Best Steak" category of the 2011 Metro Pulse Best of Knoxville publication. Connors Steak & Seafood is Knoxville, TN is AAA 3 Diamond Rated.

Top review

JesseVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful meal. Our server took excellent care of us and made excellent recommendations.

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The Restaurant at RT Lodge

4.9

4.9 (1118)

$31 to $50

Southern

Maryville

About the restaurant

Expect something you won’t see many other places—even at the most sophisticated hospitality destinations in the world. Your meals at The Restaurant at RT Lodge are uniquely your own. Every aspect of your meal is important to us. We shape our menus on the changing bounty of each season, with the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms and the best providers. Experience favorites such as our Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Housemade Charcuterie. After dinner, enjoy coffee and complimentary s'mores around the fire pit while being surrounded by gorgeous landscape and all the quiet sounds of Maryville College Woods.

Top review

Bret

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Literally just fantastic. Cannot say any more. Just go.

Massey's Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (342)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Lookout Mountain

About the restaurant

Massey’s Kitchen is the community gathering place for friends and family to enjoy great food and drinks.

Our passion is authentic, made from scratch dishes reflected in our menu that provides housemade artisanal breads, pizzas, sandwiches and more all made with fresh ingredients.

We travelled to the Mediterranean regions in search of unique offerings and experiences. Massey’s Kitchen brings the flavors and culture of the Mediterranean to our local community through our open-air spaces, authentic menu and energetic atmosphere

Top review

KeithVIP

Dined on Jun 2, 2025

Beautiful day for lunch on the patio perfectly shaded with tree and umbrella! Staff friendly and helpful as always; service was prompt and timely. We both enjoyed our Sicilian baguettes. Even the brewed ice tea was especially good. Another great visit!!

Hickory, at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards

4.8

4.8 (382)

$31 to $50

American

Bristol

About the restaurant

Hickory at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards is the signature restaurant from James Beard award nominee, Chef Travis Milton, offering the finest dining in the region. The menu is inspired by his Appalachian heritage, culture, and traditions and uses
locally sourced produce to create a menu rooted in the beauty of the Appalachian mountains. Located on the ground floor of The Inn, a boutique luxury property with 28 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the rolling hills, lake, and vineyards, whether sitting at the vast bar enjoying a craft cocktail, in the private dining room for that special evening, being awed at the Chef’s Table, or being treated to a wine tasting in our wine cellar that boasts a 1700 bottle curated wine collection, including Nicewonder Vineyards’ own award-winning wines. From the breakfast meeting to start the day, midday snacks, or celebrating a special occasion for dinner, the Hickory team will make your experience unforgettable.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I had the Gnocchi, delicious. My partner had the braised pork shoulder, all delicious. We liked everything about this attractive space. Great room too.

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