Knoxville’s Guide to Date Night
Whether you’re in search of an easy first date location, an anniversary-appropriate place to celebrate, a parent’s night out, or a family affair, we’ve scouted Knoxville’s go-to date night spots. Because no matter the occasion, the appeal of a special setting remains. Expect selections for drinks to dinner, plus a few family-approved favorites.
DINNER
THE APPALACHIAN
SCOUTED | 133 Bruce St, Sevierville | @eatappalachian |Led by Chef David Rule, The Appalachian brings Southern Appalachian dining to Sevierville in an homage to Smoky Mountain and East Tennesee heritage. It’s a modern approach to traditional Appalachian ingredients and dishes crafted in a large burning hearth positioned, fittingly, in the heart of the kitchen. Expect a unique culinary experience of delicious food and signature cocktails complemented by impeccable service.
BISTRO BY THE TRACKS
SCOUTED | 215 Brookview Centre Way, Suite 109, Knoxville | Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2010, this quality, upscale American bistro boasts consistently delectable cuisine and a thoughtful wine list, perfect for pairing.
DIAMOND JACK WINE BAR
211 W Broadway Avenue, Maryville | @diamondjackwinebar | Diamond Jack’s is inspired by a lifetime of dining experiences of husband-wife duo, Michal and Rachel Talley. Micah boasts an impressive culinary resumé with experience at Blackberry Farm, McCrady’s Tavern and J.C. Holdway. And the two have created a fabulous atmosphere with impeccable wine options and bites.
J.C. HOLDWAY
501 Union Ave SW, Knoxville | @jcholdway | J.C. Holdway is a go-to when dinner is the main event. Led by the James Beard Award chef, Joseph Lenn, the restaurant delights with wood-fire dishes that feature locally-sourced ingredients. Pair with fantastic wine menu and truly fabulous service for a lovely experience.
OSTERIA STELLA
108 West Jackson Avenue, Knoxville | @osteriastella | Select a bottle of Italian wine from Osteria Stella’s extensive list (there’s bottles from each of Italy’s 20 growing regions) to pair with fresh, house-made pastas and bread. It’s a delightful, delicious, intimate experience.
THE BRASS PEARL
24 Market Square, Knoxville | @thebrasspearlknox | Knoxville’s only raw bar serves up the freshest ingredients and the seas’ most flavorful offerings for a simple, yet delicious hospitality concept. Pair great oysters and a seasonally rotating menu of fresh-catch entrees with a delicious hand-crafted cocktail or crisp bottle of bubbles.
THE RESTAURANT AT RT LODGE
SCOUTED | 1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville | @therestaurantatrtlodge | Helmed by Chef Trevor Stockton, The Restaurant at RT Lodge is an exquisite dining experience. Expect house-made bread, pickles, mayonnaise, pimento cheese, and scores of other hand-crafted ingredients and dishes inspired by the season’s bounty and cooked to perfection. After dinner, enjoy coffee and complimentary s’mores around the fire pit, surrounded by the Lodge’s gorgeous landscape.
VAN EDOM’S
12344 S Northshore Drive, Knoxville | @vanedomswinebar | Van Edom’s offers the most unique selections of wine and beer from around the world, delivering an exquisite tasting experience for everyone from the novice sipper to the seasoned connoisseur. Paired with a tapas-style menu, Van Edom’s makes for the perfect date night spot.
WILDER
SCOUTED | Breck Ellison Rd, Loudon | @wilderatwindyhill | Wilder at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve is a cozy cellar dining room with a delightful, seasonally-inspired dinner menu. It’s a true farm-to-table experience that boasts views of the very farm that produced the ingredients. And, Executive Chef Ben Warwick, stewards the farm’s bounty wonderfully. Expect a collection of small plates, seasonal offerings and nightly specials — all highlighting heirloom ingredients imaginatively prepared — alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of wine and beer inspired by the East Tennessee region.
DRINKS
THE PETER KERN LIBRARY
407 Union Ave, Knoxville | @peterkernlibary | The Peter Kern Library is a gem of a speakeasy perfect for a pre-dinner drink. You can find it tucked inside the historic Kern Building behind The Oliver Hotel.
FIVE THIRTY LOUNGE
530 S Gay St, Knoxville | @fivethirtylounge | Five Thirty Lounge is a go-to on sunny winter days. Or, come cooler climes, grab an igloo on the rooftop or take in the stunning views of Downtown Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains through 15ft glass windows.
THE MORNINGSIDE ROOM
SCOUTED | 1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville | @therestaurantatrtlodge | From RT Lodge and Chef Trevor Stockton of The Restaurant at RT Lodge comes The Morningside Room, a gorgeous setting for a post-dinner drink. Open Monday-Saturday at 3pm, The Morningside Room seats on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are neither necessary nor accepted.
THE VAULT
531 S Gay St, Knoxville | @thevault_knoxville |The Vault is our go-to for a night cap. Located in a vault of the former Holston Bank, it exudes Old Hollywood speakeasy vibes.
POST MODERN SPIRITS
205 W Jackson Ave Suite 205, Knoxville | @postmodernspirits | Post Modern is a fun, interactive option for drinks. Sign up for a distillery tour to learn how they make their signature gin, then enjoy a tasting to decide which spirit is your favorite.
PRESERVATION PUB
28 Market Square, Knoxville | @preservationpub | The perfect place is to head when we’re having too much fun to go home. Dance your heart out (and dinner off), because there’s live music 365 days a year!
FOR THE FAMILY
A DOPO
516 Williams St, Knoxville | @adopopizza | Wood-fired pizzeria in downtown Knoxville, specializing in Neapolitan style pizzas made with a sourdough crust that are nothing short of incredible. Enjoy beer and wine on-tap in a family-friendly space.
CRUZE FARM DAIRY
Multiple Locations | @cruzefarm | Cruze Farm Dairy is a local favorite, beloved for their quaint vibe and seasonal flavors made fresh from their local dairy farm.
EMILIA
16 Market Square, Knoxville | @emilia_knoxville | Emilia is a go-to for a special night out with the whole family. A lively Italian dining room serving fresh housemade pasta and locally sourced mains, The Mitchell Family Farm market steak and Springer Mountain Farms chicken.
MAPLE HALL
414 S. Gay St. Knoxville | @maplehallknox | If you’re not catching a show at The Tennessee Theater, Maple Hall is the spot to be. Just be sure to book before 9pm if you have littles in tow, Maple Hall is 21+ only after 9:00 pm.
MARBLE CITY MARKET
333 W Depot Ave Suite 110, Knoxville | @marblecitymarket | Marble City Market is perfect for the whole family – even picky eaters, as it offers something for everyone.
MAST GENERAL STORE
402 S Gay St, Knoxville | @mastgeneralstore | Mast General Store oasts plenty of history and fun finds for the whole family, and you can shop for everything from Chacos to rocking chairs. Guaranteed hours of fun!
PROPER POPCORN
9700 Kingston Pike Suite 13, Knoxville | @properpopcorn | Proper Popcorn is a kids utopia offering over 50 flavors of popcorn to choose from. To call it a shop would be selling it short, Proper Popcorn is truly an experience.
Don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
