Restaurants

Bistro at the Bijou
807 South Gay Street
865-544-0537
Located in the same building as the Bijou Theatre, Bistro at the Bijou specializes in classic Southern cuisine served in an intimate, romantic environment. Mouthwatering selections like grilled chicken with ginger pear chutney and the smoked turkey and pear salad with bleu cheese crumbles will satisfy any appetite.
Business Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; also open prior to any performance at the Bijou Theatre and occasionally open for cocktails after performances.

Downtown Grill & Brewery
424 South Gay Street
865-633-8111
Voted Knoxville's best brewpub in Metro Pulse's 2004 Best of Knoxville issue, the Downtown Grill & Brewery is perfect for dinner with friends before the show or a drink afterwards. Steaks, burgers, pastas and salads make up the menu here – it's upscale pub food and American classics.
Business Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00 am – 2:00 am; Sun, noon-10 pm

Tomato Head
12 Market Square
865-637-4067
Consistently ranked as one of Knoxville's favorite restaurants in various local polls, Tomato Head's menu consists of unpredictable takes on Italian and Southwestern dishes, ranging from nonconformist pizzas to whimsical soups to burritos. Using the finest fresh vegetables, produce and herbs, the Tomato Head prepares inventive and tasty concoctions that delight both carnivores and vegetarians seeking more than the traditional salad. Try the goat cheese sandwich or a wood-fired pizza with pesto, walnuts, chicken and roasted garlic . Enjoy the ever-changing display of local artwork or catch a performance by local singers, poets or theater troupes.
Business Hours: Mon, open for lunch only; Tues-Sun, lunch and dinner; Sunday brunch from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Oodles Noodle Bar
18 Market Square
865-521-0600
An upscale noodle and wine bar.

nama
135 S. Gay Street
865-633-8539
Downtown's hottest new restaurant offers a fusion of Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and American cuisine, wrapped up into a nice sushi experience.
Business Hours: Open until midnight

La Costa
31 Market Square
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-566-0275
La Costa is Latino and Southern Cuisine – like nothing Knoxville has ever seen! Our surprising menu is made with organic produce, free-range beef and chicken, and non-farm seafood. Everything is prepared fresh daily. And La Costa has an extensive wine and tequila selection, and serves the very best margaritas in the area. You’ve probably looked for something out-of-the-ordinary. Look no further! La Costa is the alternative to corporate chain dining. Fantastic food and drink, modern dècor, exceptional service–find it here at La Costa on Market Square.
Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 4-10pm, Friday-Saturday 4-11pm, Saturday-Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm

Regas Restaurant
318 N. Gay St.
865-637-3427
A Knoxville tradition, Regas has been where local residents have celebrated special occasions since 1919. Enjoy fine food ranging from prime rib to lobster to lamb chops with cranberry port while relaxing fireside in the sumptuous dining room. Top off your meal with Regas' signature red velvet cake .
Business Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm; Dinner: Mon-Sat, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sun, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Calhoun's on the River
400 Neyland Drive
865-673-3355
Calhoun's Ribs are legendary in this area, having been voted the “best ribs in America” at the National Cook-off in 1984 in Cleveland, Ohio. Their authentic barbeque involves slow roasting combined with smoke cooking to bring out the hidden delicious flavors in the meat. Along with their famous barbeque, Calhoun's also offers farm raised catfish, smoked prime rib, and a variety of grilled steaks, chicken and shrimp dishes.

Chesapeake's
500 Henley Street
865-673-3433
Reminiscent of a traditional Chesapeake Bay seafood restaurant, Chesapeake's is located in a restored historic building downtown. They receive daily deliveries of fresh fish, with choices ranging from baked Oysters Rockefeller to stuffed Maine lobster .

Pasta Trio
119 S. Central Ave.
865-540-3970
You'll feel like you've stepped into an authentic Italian trattoria when you enter this romantic, intimate bistro. Wine bottles line every surface and candles and twinkling lights provide the only illumination here. Even better than the atmosphere is the spectacular food. Pick a pasta, a sauce and a meat to make your own combination, or go with one of Pasta Trio's delicious, creative concoctions. Those with a taste for something spicy should not miss the Jamaican jerk shrimp with angel hair pasta , whose creamy sauce has a definite bite to it. Or go with the blue crab and Boursin cheese pasta – you won't be disappointed! Bring a bottle of wine and make sure you have reservations for a date you won't soon forget.
Business Hours: Mon-Sat, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Manhattan's Bistro
101 S. Central Ave.
525-2333
Sit down to a gourmet dinner of filet mignon or blackened tuna. Open for lunch as well, Manhattan's offers a fine meatloaf and a variety of blue-plate specials. When the kitchen isn't serving up its American Nouveaux cuisine, the bar is sloshing around some of the best dirty martinis in Knoxville. And, if you're lucky, you might catch some of the acoustic evening entertainment.
Business Hours: Mon, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; Tues-Thurs 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Fri-Sat 11:00 am – 11:00 pm. Bar open until 2:00 am.

Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria
200 East Jackson Ave.
521-0092
Barleys has a menu full of pizza, calzones, pastas and sandwiches for casual and tasty dining. The downstairs bar has 40 taps featuring the South's best selection of American craft brewed beers. Free live music is offered most evenings from local, regional and even nationally acclaimed bands.
Business Hours: Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner; bar open until 2:00 am Fridays and Saturdays