While visiting Knoxville, keep some time aside to savor the city’s culinary delights. For food lovers, this is the place to be if you want to tickle your tastebuds, as the hidden gem restaurants of Knoxville offer dishes that you can’t resist.

Whether you fancy a locally crafted beer or even some Mexican delights, Knoxville’s unique-styled restaurants will not disappoint you. Simply enjoy the ambiance and fill up your tummy with dishes enriched with lip-smacking flavors.

Being new to the city, you will obviously be clueless about where to visit when hungry. That’s why we have provided you with all the information you need about the unique and most visited restaurants in Knoxville.

Key takeaways from "The 5 Hidden Gem Restaurants Knoxville":

- Knoxville has a diverse and delicious food scene, with a variety of local and international cuisines available.

- Knoxville is famous for its barbecue, pizza, French food, and Southern-style pies.

- Knoxville is a foodie city that focuses on locally sourced foods, blends Appalachian culture and urban sophistication, has various options for different tastes and budgets, and has a vibrant drinks scene.

- The article highlights five hidden gem restaurants in Knoxville: The Drawing Room, Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive, Token Game Tavern, Yassin’s Falafel House, and Sticky Rice Cafe.

- The article provides information on the location, operating hours, and menu of each restaurant, as well as the types of dishes and drinks available.

- The restaurants offer a range of dining experiences, from casual to fine dining, and some also feature arcade games, board games, or scenic views.

- Visitors are advised to check the operating hours before planning to visit the restaurants.

Hidden Gem Restaurants in Knoxville 

Name of Restaurant	Location	Operating Hours
The Drawing Room	531 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902	Open Everyday  Breakfast 7.00 am – 10.00 am  Evening 3.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive	410 W. Jackson Ave.Knoxville, TN 37902	Open Tuesday – Sunday 11.00 am – 9.00 pm  Closed on Mondays
Token Game Tavern	213 N Seven Oaks Dr – Knoxville, TN 37922	Open Everyday  Monday – Thursday 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm Friday – Saturday  12:00 pm – 11:30 pm Sunday               2:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Yassin’s Falafel House	706 Walnut Street Knoxville, TN 159 N. Peters Rd Knoxville, TN	Open Monday-Saturday 11.00 am – 9.00 pm  Closed on Sundays
Sticky Rice Restaurant	120 Jack Dance Street Knoxville, TN 379	Monday-Saturday 11.00 am – 9.00 pm  Closed on Sundays

1. The Drawing Room 

Open 365 days a year, The Drawing Room will not fail to let you down with its scenic views and cozily decorated interior, made up of comfy sofas and low circle tables where you can indulge yourself with cocktails, breakfast, and dinner too.

For a healthy and fulfilling breakfast, The Drawing Room is the best place to be as you can start your day with a cup of refined tea and then slowly work your way into munching a slice of avocado toast or even some pancakes served with the house-made jam. Those of you who plan on not getting hungry any time soon should go for the American breakfast that includes eggs and a variety of bread and meat, which you can choose from.

In the evening, if you are in the mood for a shaved brussel sprout salad, roasted yardbird chicken, or even simply some crab cakes, do drop by and enjoy dinner along with soothing background music. 

And while you are at it, be sure to taste the most extensive selection of whiskey and bourbon available in the city, in The Drawing Room, by far a hidden gem restaurant of Knoxville.

Click the link below to view the full menu of The Drawing Room:

https://www.thetennesseanhotel.com/dining/

2. Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive 

Whether you want to dine indoors surrounded by poster art hung on brick walls of Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive or would prefer to sit outside in a secluded beer garden behind the building, you still have a choice of ordering any smoked barbeque slow-cooked poultry dish from the handwritten chalkboard menu hanging on top of the counters.

If you are a beef lover, then among many other dishes, the Tennessee Beef Brisket is sure to leave an unforgettable taste in your mouth; otherwise, you can dive into your favorite piece of smoked chicken served with two sides.

Nonetheless, those who want a quick meal can opt for the restaurant’s ever-so-creamy mac and cheese, chicken sandwich, or beef burrito, although there are other items to choose from. 

Not to mention there are several side dishes that include green beans, tater salad, pinto beans, and their signature Sauteed Greens n’Things, which consists of greens and black peas mashed with bacon.

Lastly, be sure to take a nibble of the bacon chocolate chip cookie, which is a must-try item from the list of desserts.

Click the link below to view the full menu of Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive:

https:i//www.sweetpbbq.com/downtown-dive/

3. Token Game Tavern 

How about an evening with arcade games along with crazy cocktails and delicious food in one of the hidden gem restaurants of Knoxville? It sounds both fun and tempting, doesn’t it? 

Token Game Tavern is a restaurant, arcade, bar, and tabletop game lounge for you to hang out with friends or people of the same age. 

You can enjoy their food, which includes popsicles, cotton candy, and, most of all, drinks you have probably never come across before.

The eatery’s main attraction is its geek culture, which includes craft beer, arcade games, board games, comic books, Dungeons and Dragons, and more.

Token Tavern Game’s drink bar includes local and crafted beer in both cans and bottles, as well as tea, coffee, energy drinks, and a variety of sodas filled with bursting boba.

When it comes to food, the selection is never-ending. You can go for pretzel bites, corn dog nuggets, salads, a variety of nachos, flatbreads, slider dogs, and even grilled cheese wraps.

Most of all, if you decide to take the kids along, you can simply treat them to the restaurant’s all-day breakfast shots that include cereals like fruit loops and cocoa crunch. 

Click the link below to view the full menu of Token Tavern Game:

Homepage

4. Yaasin’s Falafel House 

Are any Mexican cuisine lovers out there? If yes, then pop into Yaasin’s Falafel House, where you can 

taste authentic food made by the owners themselves.

Before we tempt you with their variety of exotic-flavored dishes, let’s talk about how the restaurant was established in Knoxville.

In 2011, Yassin Terou fled from Syria and landed himself in the United States with an uncertain future ahead of him. After this, he started selling falafel sandwiches at a mosque that sold out daily, like hot cake. Terou’s little business caught the eye of investor Nadeem Siddiqui who then later funded Yassin to open up his falafel place in 2014.

Although the interior is nothing out of the ordinary, the family-owned business never fails to serve fresh, healthy dishes with bursting flavors. Their business has done reasonably well, which is why Yassin’s falafel House has two branches in Knoxville.

If you are under the impression that Mexican food is spicy, well, let me just stop you there Yasain’s Falafel House has options for both spicy and non-spicy lovers. Luckily even the falafel, chicken, and salads which are made up of onions, pickles, and olives, amongst other natural ingredients, are available in both spicy and regular flavors.

Those who are in a hurry and want a quick bite can always taste the eatery’s sandwiches which I guarantee are far richer in flavor than those sold in local restaurants. They offer grilled chicken shawarma, falafel wrapped in pita bread, and veggie sandwiches. Just tell them whether you prefer it regular or spicy.

For the main course, you can try the restaurant’s all-famous gyro meat served with rice or even the falafel salad with homemade hummus. Don’t worry; there is a variety of sides you can choose from to go with your meal that includes: french fries, falafel with tahini, and many more.

Click the link below to view the full menu of Yassin’s Falafel House:

Our Food

5. Sticky Rice Cafe

I’m sure you have all heard of the traditional South Asian dish sticky rice, and maybe some of you think the combination doesn’t sound appealing enough to give it a go.

Well, the food at Sticky Rice Cafe will make you go back every time you visit Knoxville. Khan, the restaurant owner, is originally from Laos and serves her customers food with the freshest ingredients that represent her culture.

The restaurant’s specialty is that every dish can be customized according to your preference. Besides your meal, you can also have the pleasure of enjoying handmade boba tea smoothies, which are available in a variety of flavors.

The starters include fried chicken skin and crab region, amongst many others that you can select from. If you want to eat light, then you can try Kow Pek, which is hand-made rice noodles dipped in chicken broth, or you can try out their Lao sandwich made with fresh bread, cucumber, carrots, and cilantro.

For the main course, you have a variety of dishes to choose from that include grilled pork chops, beef lamb, and ginger chicken, which are all served with sticky rice.

Click the link below to view the full menu of Sticky Rice Cafe:

http://www.stickyriceknox.com/#info-section 

What food is Knoxville famous for?

Knoxville is a city in Tennessee with a diverse and delicious food scene. According to the web search results, some of the foods that Knoxville is famous for are:

Barbecue: Knoxville has a long tradition of barbecue, especially pork ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. You can find many barbecue joints in the city that serve smoked meats with various sauces and sides. Some of the most popular places are Calhoun’s, which has several locations and offers a scenic view of the river, and Archer’s BBQ, which has four locations and uses local ingredients¹.

Pizza: Knoxville has various pizza options, from thin crust to deep dish, from classic toppings to gourmet creations. You can find pizza places that cater to different tastes and budgets. Some of the most popular places are Hard Knox Pizza, which specializes in wood-fired pizzas with fresh ingredients, and Tomato Head, which offers organic dough and vegan cheese.

French food: Knoxville has many French restaurants and bakeries that serve authentic and delicious dishes. You can find crepes, croissants, quiches, pastries, and more. Some of the most popular places are The French Market Creperie, which offers savory and sweet crepes with various fillings, and Cafe 4, which serves French-inspired comfort food like macaroni and cheese.

Pie: Knoxville has a sweet tooth for pie, especially Southern-style pies like pecan, buttermilk, chess, and sweet potato. You can find pie shops that bake fresh pies daily with local ingredients. Some of the most popular places are Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, which offers mini pies and seasonal flavors, and Litton’s Market & Restaurant, which serves homemade pies and cakes.

Is Knoxville a foodie city?

Yes, Knoxville is a city that has a lot to offer for foodies who are looking for diverse and delicious cuisine. According to the web search results, Knoxville has a variety of restaurants that serve local, regional, and international dishes, using fresh and sustainable ingredients. Some of the reasons why Knoxville is a foodie city are:

1. It focuses on locally sourced foods: Knoxville’s restaurants support local farmers and producers by using their products in their menus. You can find meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, vegetables, and more grown or make in Tennessee or nearby states. This gives the food a fresh and authentic flavor and helps the local economy¹.

2. It blends Appalachian culture and urban sophistication: Knoxville’s culinary scene reflects its rich history and diverse influences. You can find traditional Southern dishes like barbecue, fried chicken, biscuits, and pie and modern twists on classics like burgers, pizza, and sandwiches. You can also find cuisines worldwide, such as French, Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern².

3. It has various options for different tastes and budgets: Knoxville’s restaurants cater to different preferences and occasions. You can find fine dining restaurants that offer elegant and creative dishes, casual eateries that serve comfort food and snacks, and everything in between. You can also find places that suit your budget, from affordable to splurge-worthy³.

4. It has a vibrant drinks scene: Knoxville’s restaurants are complemented by its bars and breweries that offer a variety of drinks to pair with your food. You can find wine bars that offer curated selections of wines from around the world, cocktail bars that mix classic and innovative drinks with fresh ingredients, and craft breweries that brew their beers with local flavors¹.

Wrap Up 

Each and every hidden gem restaurant in Knoxville is worth a try. I mean, look at the variety of cuisines you can explore for each meal of the day.

And it doesn’t stop there; you can play board and video games while sipping on slushies and munching on pretzel bites.

Do make sure you check the operating hours before planning to visit the restaurants.

Happy eating!!!