Last updated: 2025-05-06
Knoxville’s dining scene boasts sophisticated culinary destinations that elevate local gastronomy. From the historic Old City to Market Square, elegant restaurants showcase innovative Southern-inspired cuisine crafted with regional ingredients and refined techniques.
Discerning diners can explore remarkable venues like Oliver Royale and Northshore Brasserie, where exceptional menus blend contemporary creativity with timeless Tennessee hospitality. Each restaurant offers a unique atmosphere reflecting Knoxville’s vibrant culinary landscape.
Discover Knoxville’s most extraordinary dining experiences now!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Knoxville
- Copper Cellar
- Oliver Royale
- Water Into Wine
- Northshore Brasserie
- The Kennedy
- Vida
- Lilou
- Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille
- Osteria Stella
Copper Cellar
What to Expect
Classic wood-paneled steakhouse atmosphere
Description
A classic Knoxville steakhouse featuring wood-paneled dining rooms and traditional American fare. Copper Cellar offers an intimate, warmly lit atmosphere with hearty steak and seafood selections prepared in a classic grill-style format. Signature aged beef cuts and an extensive wine list complement the restaurant's timeless, sophisticated dining experience.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Copper Cellar
Lilou
What to Expect
Exclusively French wine list spanning 19 wine-producing regions
Description
Lilou brings an authentic French brasserie experience to downtown Knoxville, featuring Chef Benjamin Tilatti's contemporary interpretations of classic French cuisine. The stunning bar showcases an exclusively French wine list curated by sommeliers, with cocktails highlighting French spirits and house-crafted modifiers in an elegant downtown setting.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Lilou
Northshore Brasserie
What to Expect
French Belgian cuisine using local East Tennessee ingredients
Description
This French Belgian brasserie offers an elegant yet relaxed dining experience in Knoxville, featuring seasonal dishes crafted from local East Tennessee produce and meats. The restaurant specializes in classic brasserie fare like steak frites, mussels, and roasted chicken, complemented by a vibrant bar serving craft cocktails, Belgian beers, and international wines.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Northshore Brasserie
Oliver Royale
What to Expect
Seasonal locally-sourced tasting menu with craft cocktail pairings
Description
Oliver Royale offers an intimate, sophisticated dining experience in downtown Knoxville, featuring modern American cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's elegant dining room combines industrial-chic design with soft candlelight, creating a refined atmosphere perfect for special occasions and discerning food enthusiasts.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Oliver Royale
Osteria Stella
What to Expect
Comprehensive Italian wine selection spanning all 20 wine regions
Description
An intimate downtown Knoxville Italian restaurant showcasing authentic cuisine crafted by Milan-native Chef Consultant Amalia Brusati. The candlelit dining room offers an extensive selection of Italian wines representing all 20 wine regions, carefully curated by owner Aaron Thompson. Guests can explore carefully prepared antipasti, primi, and secondi dishes in a sophisticated setting that celebrates genuine Italian culinary traditions.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Osteria Stella
Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille
What to Expect
Seasonally rotating menu with locally sourced ingredients
Description
Nestled in downtown Knoxville, Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille offers an upscale dining experience with sophisticated contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant features an elegant dining room with modern design elements, an extensive craft cocktail program, and seasonally rotating menus showcasing local Tennessee ingredients and creative culinary techniques.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille
The Kennedy
What to Expect
Chef-curated seasonal tasting menus highlighting Tennessee ingredients
Description
The Kennedy offers an intimate, sophisticated dining experience in downtown Knoxville, featuring contemporary American cuisine crafted with local ingredients. The restaurant's sleek, minimalist dining room provides an elegant backdrop for chef-driven plates that showcase regional flavors and innovative culinary techniques.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: The Kennedy
Vida
What to Expect
Pan-Latin cuisine with Asian culinary accents
Description
Vida offers an innovative pan-Latin dining experience nestled in Knoxville's Historic Holston building on Gay Street. The restaurant blends global flavors with Asian influences, serving sophisticated small-batch cocktails in an intimate urban setting. Guests can enjoy globally inspired cuisine crafted with precision and creative culinary techniques.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Vida
Water Into Wine
What to Expect
Over 1,500 wine bottles with monthly rotating selections
Description
An intimate wine bar and social lounge offering an extensive wine collection with over 1,500 bottles and 80 wines by the glass. The restaurant features seasonal menus, hand-crafted cocktails from skilled mixologists, and a cozy atmosphere promoting community connections through curated culinary experiences.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Water Into Wine
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