Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Knoxville

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Knoxville? 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!

The Marlowe

4.9

4.9 (1558)

$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

RhondaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The Marlowe is our go to place for a quiet dinner, celebrating a special occasion, or just needing a nice evening out. The service is always fantastic. (Mike is our favorite server). The soups are delicious and change with the season. The BLT salad is yummy:). Our favorite entrees are the beef tenderloin and the salmon. Although there are many other delicious choices. Finishing the evening with the espresso cheesecake and a cocktail make for the perfect dinner.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9

4.9 (3849)

$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

Lynn

Dined 3 days ago

The food was great as usual. We never miss dining here when we’re in town

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4.9

4.9 (1118)

$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

BenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This little restaurant never ceases to amaze and delight us. Their food is excellent and service is spot on.

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Wilder at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve

4.9

4.9 (99)

$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 on Jun 12, 2025

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

Balter Beerworks

4.8

4.8 (80)

$30 and under

American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Balter Beerworks is a scratch kitchen brewpub located in downtown Knoxville. We offer a welcoming environment that celebrates craft beers and made from scratch food. Every bite and every sip at Balter is crafted daily from scratch, using the freshest ingredients available. We are constantly refreshing food and beer menus to highlight seasonal delicacies. Balter offers a place for friends and family to reconnect in a space that weaves urban aesthetics with the history of an old service station.

Top review

Frankie

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

The service and the food was absolutely fantastic!! The Chicken Ranchado is a must get!!

Fleming's Steakhouse - Knoxville

4.7

4.7 (969)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Your Knoxville Fleming's is located on Parkside Drive, in the Colonial Pinnacle Turkey Creek Shopping Plaza. Fleming's in Knoxville is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner or simply wanting to enjoy a night out - we will create a safe and memorable evening in our Dining Room or Outdoor Patio. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Great experience as usual. The little hearts and card were nice touches for our anniversary. Food was prepared to perfection.

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Sips of Summer Wine Dinner

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Knoxville

4.7

4.7 (1850)

$30 and under

American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is your destination for bold flavors and warm hospitality. From expertly crafted wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood to signature cocktails, mocktails, and curated wines, every detail is designed to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're gathering with family, hosting a client, or toasting to a special occasion, Firebirds offers elevated cuisine at an approachable price. Join us for Happy Hour at the FIREBAR® or on the patio and let us show you what extraordinary dining feels like. Reserve your table today — we can’t wait to serve you.

Top review

JoyVIP

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

Great consistent service every time. Enjoyable evening.

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Popular dish

Filet & Shrimp

Popular dish

Creme Brulee Cheesecake

STIR - Knoxville

4.7

4.7 (811)

$31 to $50

American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

STIR is the perfect restaurant to sip a craft cocktail over a dozen oysters, enjoy a night out, or meet for lunch. Located in the heart of Old City, the restaurant is an open-air concept with a large, heated outdoor patio. We are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Great food starts with fresh, local ingredients. Our kitchen prepares everything from scratch, and our signature raw bar is stocked with fresh oysters and seasonal seafood. STIR is famous for craft cocktails. We freeze and carve 300-pound blocks of artisanal ice in-house, age certain cocktails in oak barrels for richer flavors, and place others on draft for crispness and carbonation. The result: categorically elevated cocktails. Our passion for fine spirits also compels us to find and share rare bottles, many of which are extremely difficult to procure. We welcome Knoxville to enjoy our unmatched cocktails, fresh seafood, and classic dishes in an atmosphere of genuine hospitality

Top review

Kimberly

Dined 6 days ago

We enjoyed our meal and the service. It’s a trendy location with parking nearby. The only negative was the amount of gnats flying around.

201 Café and Wine Bar

4.5

4.5 (28)

$30 and under

American

Oak Ridge

About the restaurant

Experience distinctive dining with Mediterranean and European-American flavors and enjoy a professionally-staged local music venue. Our bar offers wine, specialty cocktails, and house-made infused liquors. Each menu item is crafted to order using fresh, whole ingredients. Join us for live jazz on Friday nights and a mix of music on Saturdays, from dance to amateur performances. Come for the food, stay for the music!

Top review

Kat

Dined on May 24, 2025

It was a great evening. Justin took excellent care of us. Dinner was tasty, the drinks were spot on, & the band was rocking!

Marble City Kitchen and The Firefly

3.9

3.9 (32)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Get an authentic taste of Southern Comfort at Marble City Kitchen, our casual and approachable downtown Knoxville restaurant in the heart of the city near Market Square. Then unwind at our Tennessee whiskey bar and beer garden, the Firefly.
The bar features a partnership with George Dickel Distillery and offers the only hand-selected reserve barrel of George Dickel Whiskey in a bar in Tennessee. Crafted cocktails feature the reserve bottle and the rest of the beverage list highlights the best of Tennessee spirits and breweries. Live music and events are frequently hosted on the patio and make for a lively spot any night of the

Top review

Charles

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Our short three day visit to knoxville tn FIREFLY Great! Breakfast was excellent Sweet cream pancakes the best ever. Lunch brisket burgers with sweet fries , Club sandwich Firefly was the best food ever had while traveling. My family enjoyed the food and service thank you for a great experience.

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