10 Knoxville restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's list of best places to eat

Only 47 restaurants were selected by USA TODAY for its list of top places to eat, and a Knoxville favorite was one of them: Potchke.

The acclaimed Jewish deli and kosher restaurant in downtown has received recognition beyond Knoxville, but so have other restaurants. That got us thinking about places we wish could have made the list, from luxurious dining experiences with award-winning chefs to unassuming holes-in-the-wall everyone seems to love.

While the list is final, we’re here to make a case for a handful of Knoxville restaurants with fine fare and stunning spaces that should be considered next go-round.

A Dopo Sourdough Pizza - 516 Williams St.

A reservation … for pizza? Yes, it’s that good. But there’s also something special about the intimate, candlelit space that keeps people coming back. Though it’s incredibly popular, the restaurant seems almost exclusive.

Tucked away quietly near the I-40 overpass in downtown Knoxville, A Dopo serves up sourdough pizzas that are enough for two, from a traditional pepperoni option to the bianca, complete with mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, honey, olive oil and black pepper (ham can be added).

Boyd’s Jig and Reel - 101 S. Central St.

Irish pubs seem to get all the credit. But this Scottish pub in downtown Knoxville is one of the most authentic spaces in the city, from the food to the atmosphere to the traditional music nights.

Jig and Reel’s expansive whiskey collection sometimes overshadows an excellent food program that includes bangers and mash, as well as a personal favorite, haggis served with neeps and tatties. Don’t knock it until you try it!

J.C. Holdway - 501 Union Ave.

This downtown restaurant just off Market Square made news in 2023 for the rampant plant vandalism it was experiencing. But for years, this restaurant has been serving up a unique dining experience coordinated by downtown Knoxville’s only James Beard Award-winning chef, Joseph Lenn.

The menu changes regularly to include dishes with fresh, in-season ingredients. Using wood-fired techniques, Lenn creates dishes inspired by rural Appalachia, from whole grilled trout to “pork and beans” with kielbasa sausage, conch peas and sauerkraut.

Kaizen - 127 S. Central St.

Kaizen does things “the izakaya way,” inspired by the small Japanese-style pubs offering small plates. That means a more casual and communal environment, despite having one of the most intricate menus in town.

The restaurant is led by chef and owner Jesse Newmister, who learned from chefs in Charleston and Louisville before helping open Northshore Brasserie in Knoxville, a delicious restaurant in its own right. Visit Kaizen for a unique taste of Asia, from green curry noodle with seared tuna steak to the dan dan noodles with ground pork.

Kefi - 120 E. Jackson Ave.

Jim and Lori Klonaris made a name for themselves on Market Square with Café 4 before redeveloping historic buildings to house a new wave of restaurants. Vida and The Vault are two of the most stunning restaurant and bar spaces in the city, but it’s their Mediterranean concept in the Old City that deserves consideration.

Kefi’s kotópoulo (roast chicken) was among the best things Knox News staff ate in 2023. The restaurant’s “pick three” option of spreads pairs perfectly with a robust cocktail menu that includes a fig smash made with bourbon, lemon, fig and mint simple syrup, Jarritos tamarind soda, a pasubio amaro float and mint leaves.

Landing House - 1147 Sevier Ave.

Inspired by Chinese and Cambodian cuisine, Landing House serves some of the tastiest Asian fare in town from a unique Sevier Avenue space just a few steps from the Tennessee River. Yes, the restaurant is literally in a South Knoxville home and has remained a fixture in the fast-growing neighborhood since 2017.

A rotating selection of bao buns makes every visit feel fresh. And you can always rely on the madras curry and chili crisp noodles, the latter of which made our list of the best things Knox News staff ate and drank in 2023.

Osteria Stella and Brother Wolf - 108 W. Jackson Ave.

When partners Aaron Thompson and Jessica King were looking to grow a downtown Italian restaurant from scratch, they called upon a Milanese chef for authenticity. The Osteria Stella food menu is written in Italian, but servers are there to guide you through the experience.

Next door, you’ll find the couple’s cocktail bar that has brought apertivo culture to downtown Knoxville. In addition to 24 apertivo cocktails, including 11 variations of the Negroni, Brother Wolf also has 32 wine selections. The offerings, atmosphere and service all earned Brother Wolf recognition as one of the best bars in America by Esquire.

SmashCity Knoxville - 211 S. Central St.

SmashCity Knoxville started as a food truck. Then, came a spot in Knoxville’s first food hall, followed by a permanent location at the now-closed OliBea. I know what you’re thinking: It’s just burgers. But then again, A Dopo is “just pizza.”

What sets SmashCity apart is the flavor and the texture of their mouth-watering burgers, served best with signature Smash sauce. But if you’re feeling something different, try the spicy smash or the truffle smash. All burgers can be served “rad style” over fries instead of on a potato bun, and you can even order chicken sandwiches and black bean burgers.

Sweet P’s - 410 W. Jackson Ave.

The downtown location of Sweet P’s is equal parts flavor and atmosphere, with a dining room decorated with memorabilia from the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair. Barbecue is the obvious choice, whether you prefer brisket, ribs or a traditional plate.

Like any great barbecue restaurant, though, the sides are to die for. That includes the mac and cheese, “tater” salad and sauteed “greens n’ things.” While you’re there, check out the beer garden and pick up a pint of banana pudding. You won’t regret it.

Yassin’s Falafel House - 706 Walnut St. and 159 N. Peters Road

Once named the "Nicest Place in America" by Reader’s Digest, Yassin’s Falafel House is a fixture of Knoxville’s food scene. This culinary gem has three locations – one downtown, one in Cedar Bluff and one in Alcoa.

The menu is small but full of flavor, from the namesake falafel to the spicy gyro to the veggie sandwich that includes french fries and a white garlic sauce inside pita. Be sure to get extra pita so you can soak up every last bit of hummus or baba ganoush.

Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email [email protected]. Instagram @knoxscruff.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's best places to eat