Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in East Tennessee

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in East Tennessee? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Primo

5.0

5 (187)

$30 and under

Italian

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Primo, which opened in the spring of 2014, is restaurateur Nathan Lindley’s tribute to his own North Chattanooga neighborhood, presented as a classic American-Italian neighborhood restaurant. Taking its culinary direction from the traditional Italian restaurants of the Northeast, Primo celebrates the rich and comforting dishes that were inspired by Italian cooking and influenced by American prosperity.
As a casual neighborhood bar and restaurant, Primo does not accept reservations for a specific time. A limited number of guests may guarantee a waiting table at the 5:00 opening each night. Also, throughout the night guests may call ahead to the restaurant at 423.602.5555 to be added to the waiting list. The dedicated staff and lively communal environment make for a short and enjoyable wait. Come see us soon.

Top review

Sherrie

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Great service! Great place to eat! Great Birthday dinner!

The Marlowe

4.9

4.9 (1505)

$31 to $50

Continental

Knoxville

About the restaurant

You don’t have to go far for an exceptional culinary experience. Reviewers say “consistently spectacular” with friendly “non-stuffy” service. Bistro by the Tracks simply is Knoxville’s answer to great metropolitan dining. We proudly offer an extensive and diverse wine list featuring carefully selected whites and reds from the finest wineries around the world. Bistro by the Tracks is a recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, 2010. Join us for an evening of dining that is at once casual and elegant. Reservations most appreciated.

Top review

Tom

Dined 2 days ago

Marlowe is where we go to have a special dining experience. First class place in an unexpected location.

Northshore Brasserie

4.9

4.9 (1064)

$31 to $50

French

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Northshore Brasserie is a family owned, full-service restaurant and bar serving French Belgian cuisine in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Over the last decade, we have become a Knoxville favorite known for hearty delicious food, and outstanding service. For dinner, we specialize in Brasserie classics, such as: steak frites, mussels, roast chicken, fresh seafood, and handmade pastas. We also take advantage of local produce and meats to create in season specials. Our bar has a vibrant, unpretentious atmosphere where locals and out-of-towners gather to enjoy craft cocktails, Belgian beers, and a selection of wines from around the world.

Top review

Lewis

Dined 6 days ago

Always a wonderful experience. Our server Carson was excellent! The NY strip is absolutely the best I’ve had anywhere in the area.

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Popular dish

Steak Tartare

Popular dish

Short Rib Stuffed Mushrooms

Popular dish

Beef Bourguignon

Massey's Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (299)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Lookout Mountain

About the restaurant

Massey’s Kitchen is the community gathering place for friends and family to enjoy great food and drinks.

Our passion is authentic, made from scratch dishes reflected in our menu that provides housemade artisanal breads, pizzas, sandwiches and more all made with fresh ingredients.

We travelled to the Mediterranean regions in search of unique offerings and experiences. Massey’s Kitchen brings the flavors and culture of the Mediterranean to our local community through our open-air spaces, authentic menu and energetic atmosphere

Top review

RachelVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Massey’s Kitchen is a true Lookout Mountain gem. We are so appreciative to the wonderful staff who make dining there a great experience.

Harvest - Downtown

4.8

4.8 (735)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Inspired by our beloved sister restaurant in the Bearden neighborhood, Harvest Downtown on the historic 100 Block of Gay Street offers a seasonal rotating menu highlighted by the use of proteins and produce from local farmers. We are open for dinner 7 nights a week, and are proud to offer a unique lunch and brunch menu on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Our menu highlights aged midwestern hand cut steaks and premium fresh seafood selections along with several vegan, salad and house-made pasta options as well as daily chef specials.

Top review

Marisa

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

We loved spending Christmas Eve here! Delicious meal, really thoughtful and helpful server (Jett), perfect ambiance, we loved everything!

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4.8

4.8 (85)

$30 and under

American

Oak Ridge

About the restaurant

Located along the banks of Melton Hill lake, Calhoun’s Oak Ridge sits along the beautiful Oak Ridge greenway with every seat in the restaurant offering a view of the water. This location is accessible by boat, has a a covered outdoor dining patio as well as seating around the fire pit with a panoramic view of Melton Hill Lake. Calhoun's has become a place where friends and family gather to celebrate what’s good in their lives while they sample some of Tennessee’s best BBQ, ribs, steak, and sandwiches. So come on down and experience the best hospitality and BBQ around.

Top review

Jack

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Best meal and best service we’ve had there in two years. Really enjoyed it.

Balter Beerworks

4.7

4.7 (60)

$30 and under

American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Balter Beerworks is a scratch kitchen brewpub located in downtown Knoxville. We offer a welcoming environment that celebrates craft beers and made from scratch food. Every bite and every sip at Balter is crafted daily from scratch, using the freshest ingredients available. We are constantly refreshing food and beer menus to highlight seasonal delicacies. Balter offers a place for friends and family to reconnect in a space that weaves urban aesthetics with the history of an old service station.

Top review

Volodia

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great service and nice ambiance. Apps were very good. Burger was very average and the buffalo chicken salad was sub par. Chicken not very warm and small and strange pieces and sauce was very smoky tasting.

Marble City Kitchen and The Firefly

4.5

4.5 (22)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Knoxville

About the restaurant

Get an authentic taste of Southern Comfort at Marble City Kitchen, our casual and approachable downtown Knoxville restaurant in the heart of the city near Market Square. Then unwind at our Tennessee whiskey bar and beer garden, the Firefly.
The bar features a partnership with George Dickel Distillery and offers the only hand-selected reserve barrel of George Dickel Whiskey in a bar in Tennessee. Crafted cocktails feature the reserve bottle and the rest of the beverage list highlights the best of Tennessee spirits and breweries. Live music and events are frequently hosted on the patio and make for a lively spot any night of the

Top review

PatrickVIP

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Great food and good experience. The server was available and helpful at all times

Wild Bear Tavern

4.4

4.4 (212)

$30 and under

German

Pigeon Forge

About the restaurant

Enjoy all your southern favorites and authentic German cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Wild Bear Tavern. Join us for home-style pancakes. Enjoy Bavarian-style burgers and sandwiches for lunch. Have authentic German cuisine with ice-cold German beer for dinner and choose from a delightful menu for your favorite sweet treat.

Top review

Mohamad

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Great food and service, our first time but will definitely be back.

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Popular dish

OMA'S POTATO PANCAKES

Popular dish

OPA'S PORK SHANK

Experience

All You Can Eat Pancakes!!!! Just $12

Calhoun's Pigeon Forge

4.3

4.3 (253)

$30 and under

American

Pigeon Forge

About the restaurant

Calhoun’s Pigeon Forge features an upscale mountain lodge atmosphere. Conveniently located on the Parkway in the center of the Pigeon Forge shopping area, Lumberjack Square (formerly Ogles Water Park), between traffic lights 2B and 3. Plenty of free parking is available and the Smoky Mountain Brewery of Pigeon Forge is just a few steps away. Calhoun's has become a place where friends and family gather to celebrate what’s good in their lives while they sample some of Tennessee’s best BBQ, ribs, steak, and sandwiches. So come on down and experience the best hospitality and BBQ around.

Top review

joe

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Great steak and brisket burnt ends. Would definitely come back

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