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KOYO Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

KOYO Knoxville

4.3
4.3
165 Reviews
$30 and under
Japanese
Top Tags:
KOYO was born from our sister restaurant NAMA, but is a completely different concept offering guests a truly exquisite menu. The term KOYO means to elevate. Our chef's curated an elevated menu utilizing the freshest ingredients and designed a menu in true Omakase style. Omakase means "chef's choice" so when dining with us you can select the 4-course chef featured menu or dine from our KORÉ NI SHI-MASU menu or "I'll choose this one". Elevated. Unique. Dining. See you for dinner.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (865) 253-7400
  • Website
    https://koyoknox.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

Experiences

  • Holiday Napa Valley Dinner

    $175.00 per person

    Dec 13, 2023 only
    Join us for a chef inspired holiday wine dinner. We'll proudly be serving the following wines from idolized wine region of Napa Valley. Rudd Crossroads Mt. Veeder Sauvignon Blanc Far Niete Chardonnay Nickel and Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Menu will be posted ASAP. Give us a call with any questions. Limited availability.

What 165 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • East Tennessee

    Innovative

  • East Tennessee

    Great for fine wines

  • East Tennessee

    Romantic

  • East Tennessee

    Good for special occasions

  • Knoxville

    Innovative

  • Knoxville

    Healthy

  • Knoxville

    Great for fine wines

  • Knoxville

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Knoxville

    Romantic

  • Knoxville

    Good for special occasions

165 Reviews

  1. Steve

    Columbus

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    What a meal! Speed of servie could perhaps be faster (arrived at 6 pm, left at 8:30), but the omakase experience is something to really behold.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Waiter was not knowledgeable of the menu. Took an hour to receive 3 of the 7 courses on their 7 course dinner. Food was underwhelming in taste and portion size. I understand this is a tasting but they were extremely small. Restaurant is very small, you are sitting inches from other patrons. Would not recommend.

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  3. Dave

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Duck was good, soup and spring rolls are average. Buckwheat crepe was awful. Not many place inside.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Seemed like you guys had your hands full with a large party of obnoxious Georgia fans, but still managed to make our experience feel unique. Kudos!

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  5. AprilM

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best meals we’ve had in Knoxville. We decided to do a la carte and the dishes kept getting better each time. The duck bulgogi was outstanding! Will definitely be back soon.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Didn't have items on the menu we went there to specifically try. Entrees came a different times.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. joee

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were really looking forward to trying this, but left disappointed. I like what they’re going for but the execution wasn’t there for me. The ingredients were fresh and interesting, but the flavors didn’t come through. Multiple dishes we had at our table were so salty you couldn’t taste anything else. Cocktails were good, not great. I really wanted to like this place, not sure if we’ll give it another shot. Especially at this price point, there are other restaurants in Knoxville where I’ve had a much better experience.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a foodie’s haven located in downtown Knoxville. There is a parking lot directly across the street with limited street parking as well. I started with a deliciously balanced smoked whiskey drink which was a heavenly whiff of fall and winter. There were many more concoctions that caught my interest for future visits. The autumn menu was phenomenal with fennel, grapefruit and mushroom sides etc. Hubby loved the crispy duck confit, aka duck bulgogi (although not bulgogi imo) it was very nice. My absolute favorite: Hone-Tsuki Pork. It’s a make your own smorgasbord of little sticky buns in a taco shape with mustard, 2 pickled sides, shiso Japanese basil leaves, and smoky sparerib meat… fireworks in a, “wow this is just such a perfect fusion I never thought of” type platter. This dish could be a one and only star of a gourmet food truck anywhere. It was Japanese Octoberfest flavor Tennessee style. I’ll be back for their 7 course meals which change up every few weeks, and I’ll definitely be back for their new seasonal menu changes. You will enjoy!!!

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  9. MichaelMeir

    Nashville

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    quaint, minimalistic stylr, huge food flavors great preddinner drinks next visit will plan time for omakase perfect for a first date and more

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  10. Samcrow223

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is awesome so glad it’s in downtown Knoxville. If you like Japanese food with a twist and love sake pairing I recommend this place!

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  11. TerryA

    Cincinnati

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing restaurant we tried 7 dishes and all were exemplary! Try one of the most unique dining experiences in East Tennessee.

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  12. Twigg2050

    Raleigh

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    DID THE TASTING IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! GREAT WAY TO START VACATION

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was very personalized and the food was top quality. Variety on the menu was just right. Cocktails were delicious and also higher quality ingredients.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The tasting menu was amazing! Service was great and so were the drinks!

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  15. MistyC

    Indiana

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and atmosphere were exquisite! The food is an amazing dining experience unique to KOYO.

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  16. SeanP

    E. Tennessee

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Koyo is a must for anyone who truly appreciates inspired tastes and fine foods. Japanese inspired small plates filled with amazing flavors, and the highest quality ingredients. The Omakase, the chefs tasting menu, is hands down the best food experience you will have in Knoxville. A rare gem in a town whose fine dining scene has been ever so slow to emerge.

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  17. Dianuhhh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sooooooooooooooooo amazing!!! Def my new favorite spot in town. We had spring rolls (the sauce was amazing), cucumber salad, mushroom rice and lions mane steak. We couldn’t pick a favorite ! Can’t wait to go back

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  18. ElsaM

    Baltimore

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food! Small plates allow you to taste many different foods. Great wine list as well. Great spot for couples. Delicious!

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing dining experience. First class service.

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  20. AmyG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food, outstanding service. We will definitely return!

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    It is expensive but in my opinion worth the price. One of the best restaurants in Knoxville and meal experiences I've personally ever had. Everything was delicious and perfectly portioned.

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  22. 2Bishop

    Washington DC

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The property is a nicely laid out, quiet spot in a town known for noisy restaurants. The service was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable and provided guidance and suggestions that made our first visit enjoyable. The duck was very well done and one of the best duck dishes I have tasted. The remaining small plates we ordered were a sampling of most of the menu. All were very good. The tasting menu was suggested but we did not have the 1.5 hours to experience the tasting. We will definitely return for the tasting menu and add this property to our frequent visit list. KOYO is a keeper....

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  23. LouS

    E. Tennessee

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, beverage, and service were all very good.A tad expensive, but good ambience.

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  24. Bruce

    Western NC

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great service. great atmosphere. Highly recommend.

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  25. ChelseaS

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The French wine dinner was fantastic. We would definitely go again.

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  26. KenW

    E. Tennessee

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The dinner was a French Wine Dinner. Five course meal, very creative with delicious flavor combos. Traditional French entrees with a unique flair.

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  27. VictorH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely perfect, it's a great place to go for drinks or that special occasion. We will definitely be back.

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  28. OpenTableVIP

    E. Tennessee

    154 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    154 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    A very cute, intimate, small, and stylish location to experience an Asian inspired Japanese menu. A regular or vegetarian, 4 course, Omakase selection is an option, other than the individual items on a seasonally changing menu. A small covered outdoor patio is out front and the bar with a small main dining room is inside for a delightfully appealing and comfortable dining experience. While there is no reason to argue whether or not the A5 Japanese wagyu is authentic, the fact that an acceptable selection of the beef was chosen for serving, is of serious concern, because, the marbling of the beef was so bad and chunky, that the dish was inedible. Also, what type, either ribeye or tenderloin wagyu, needs to be identified on the menu or discussed by an employee, both of which never occurred. The salmon, was awful, and also inedible. Served cold, but cooked and fishy, almost if sautéed in fish guts. The Hoiki salad, crispy rice, and spring rolls appetizers were all wonderful. The scallops were also seared crispy outside yet soft underneath, and went lovely with the herbaceous sauce, making for a great selection as an entrée. More discipline is required in the kitchen and some cooking technique advancements with preparation and timing, service and communication, are all required for an improvement in score and rating. 3 out of 5 stars. Grade: C

    1 person found this helpful

  29. iheartfood

    Coastal Georgia

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was amazing! The food was thoughtful and so precisely prepared and the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. One of our new favorite places!!

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    First time dining as they are posting on Instagram a lot plus were in an article about Knoxville so we wanted to give it a try. We went with the tasting menu at $150 a person and we’re not overwhelmed. The first course of a bite of salmon tartare with jalapeños was flavorful but the peppers overpowered the dish. The second was a single piece of a calamari on a stick with raspberry sauce again under whelming. The third dish was really good but is a staple on the menu. It was rice, egg , pork belly and sweet potato with a passion fruit sauce. Fourth was a squid ink pasta that was gummy and the dish was one note. It needed some veggie or green onion to give it a depth of flavor. It had 2 mussels, about 6 bay scallops and some calamari which was in dish 2. I wanted to love this dish but just no flavor. Bland broth. The last dish was a A5 Wagyu that was super tasty again on the menu regularly but it was paired with cucumbers which you saw over the meat as they put so many on. I felt it needed a little starch or something. Banana ice cream was dessert. Again it was ok 5/10 not worth the $150 pp however I will eat there again but maybe just try one of their regular dishes.

    2 people found this helpful

  31. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Early dinner so no other patrons until 7, omakase tasting was the way to go, included select items on the menu prepped in variations, wagyu serving was impressively large! Please go

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  32. 3GrnEyedBoiz

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stephanie took excellent care of us, and listening to her describe the wines to our neighboring table was real treat. Great spot if you want the city without the noise coupled with an intimate dining experience.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The general manager was AMAZING, knowledgeable and definitely rolled out the red carpet. This is one of the best places to eat in Knoxville and we can’t wait to return!

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Crowded! to seat to many tables in their space.. Also water service was terrible.. Food was great service other than refilling water was good.. If we go back we’ll definitely try to sit outside, it seemed less crowded on patio..

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  35. melissal

    Denver

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    unique dining spot. Like dining in New York. Great vegetarian dishes. Extensive wine list.

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  36. ValerieP

    Nashville

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I have gone before and had a better experience the first time. The second time I was not that impressed. Great service as always but the menu was different. The food was just okay.

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  37. juliay

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was absolutely amazing. We both did the omokase and we had sake and wine pairings. Our server Stephanie was incredible and did a great job guiding us through our experience.

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  38. TNTWINMOM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the top 10 best meals I’ve ever had!! The combination of flavors were like a song for my taste buds! The staff was so kind and very professional, makes such a difference. Already planning my next trip!

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  39. Rachel

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a lovely classy spot in Knoxville. Great date night spot or for a special occasion! My husband and I will definitely be back. Also, try the duck! It was so good I danced every time I took a bite.

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  40. ElsaM

    Baltimore

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great date night spot! Amazing menu, wine list and service. A must visit!

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FAQs

KOYO Knoxville is rated 4.3 stars by 165 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for KOYO Knoxville

416 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902-2101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    The cross street is Walnut St. We're on Clinch Ave, which is a one way.
  • Neighborhood
    Knoxville
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
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