Beginners Guide: Market Square in Knoxville, TN
The beautiful entrance and outdoor dining at Cafe 4 on Market Square in Knoxville, TN
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER
Beginners Guide
EXPLORING MARKET SQUARE IN KNOXVILLE, TN
Knoxville, TN is a fun college city offering lots of good restaurants and places to explore like Market Square downtown. It is an open pedestrian only area where hotels, restaurants and shops all come together to form an outdoor haven where you can relax, hang and listen to music and/or live performances.
A recent Saturday looking like cold rain turned into a glorious warm day; perfect for a walkabout and some brunch at any of the outdoor dining possibilities of which there are many to choose from. This post will highlight what exploration might bring you on a visit.
The exterior of The Oliver Hotel on the corner of Market Square Photos: Courtesy The Oliver Hotel
THE OLIVER HOTEL
Right on the corner of Market Square is The Oliver Hotel with rooms located above The Tupelo Honey Cafe. This building dates back to 1896 when it was opened by Peter Kearn as a bakery. It was restored to become the Blake Hotel and was later purchased by Kristopher Kendrick who changed the name to The Oliver Hotel and further restored the building.
Kendrick was a former hairdresser turned developer who was the man with the vision to revitalize the Old City and downtown areas of Knoxville. He opened the first real European fine dining restaurant in West Town called The Orangery which permanently closed in 2016 after his death in 2009.
The Oliver Hotel has his gracious Southern attitude, taste and style in the design and details. Fine dining is offered in the evening and for weekend brunches at Oliver Royale. The menu has small plate starters like Tuna Sashimi, Crispy Pork Belly, Beef Tartare and Duck Confit Spring Rolls. Entrees include Sous Vide Duck Breast, Pan Seared Snapper and Short Ribs. This is luscious eating in a cozy warm atmosphere.
Stop by Knoxville’s only speakeasy after dinner for a quiet drink in the Peter Kearn Library Bar. Hidden behind the lobby, it used to be a best kept secret and now is a must-do staple. This quirky little property is my pick for where to stay when visiting K Town. You won’t be disappointed!
TUPELO HONEY CAFE
Tupelo Honey Cafe is casual dining located beneath the rooms of The Oliver Hotel. It is a chain restaurant with locations in twelve different states. I first ate at one in South Carolina where I ate some of the best fried chicken I have had in years.
The scratch-made Southern menu changes with the seasons and you can experience classics like fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, country catfish, meatloaf and shrimp with grits. We decided to pop in for brunch and snagged a great table outside with a warm heater above.
There were four of us and each tried something different so we could test as many options as possible. I had the breakfast platter with two eggs over easy, sausage paddies and grits. The eggs were perfectly cooked and runny while the sausage was tasty and spicy so I shared with my husband.
He got the fried cauliflower tacos which came with fries and sauce. He loved the guts he said but the handmade shells were chewy. Good spice to the sauce but not quite enough to this dish for the price. Another at our table had Belgian waffles with scrambled eggs and gave the thumbs up to crunchy sweetness with fresh blueberries.
A fourth had The Benny which was Eggs Benedict and thought it was pretty gosh darn good. We also had a round of Bloody Marys that were tart and spicy with olive, bacon and pickled okra for decoration. What’s brunch without a good Bloody?
What’s brunch without a good spicy Bloody Mary?
OTHER RESTAURANT CHOICES
There are over 90 restaurants in a walkable square mile in this area. Hard to believe the choices you have and I certainly can’t tell you about them all but I can give you a few of my favorites; Cafe 4 is one of them. Their outside dining is beautiful with flowers planted in pots and boxes everywhere and a lovely arbor with growies at the entrance giving it a true urban retreat atmosphere.
The menu has Southern flair to it with signature cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Briar Patch and sharables like warm Pimento Cheese Dip and Lobster Flatbread. Who wouldn’t like that? Entrees include Mac-N-Cheese three different ways, pulled Pork, Tennessee Cheesesteak and Maple Pecan Salmon.
You might want to leave enough room for some sweets at this spot. Try the Butterscotch Bread Pudding, Apple Pie or Chocolate Fudge Torte. You will need to share because the servings are sizable and delicious.
Luscious food plates at Cafe 4 on Market Square in Knoxville Photo: Courtesy Open Table
Another favorite hang out is the Hyatt Place on Gay Street located in the old Farragut Hotel right beside the historic Tennessee Theatre. It isn’t on Market Square but just a block down and around the corner. I love this place for several reasons; great location, super amenities, fabulous rooftop bar and restaurant and it’s dog friendly!
You can grab yourself a coffee at the Starbucks inside and walk your little furry travel companion to a secure dog park just a seven minute walk away from the property. The rooms are big and comfortable and if you have kids there are all kinds of room plans with extra beds.
The 530 Lounge is the place to be at sunset with a signature cocktail and a view of downtown Knoxville and the beautiful Smoky Mountains. It doesn’t get much better than this folks. Photo: Hyatt Place
Want the best burger around with an extensive list of bourbons to try? Stock and Barrel is your place. I love this dark stylish restaurant with a pub vibe and never order anything besides the fabulous burgers. If you insist on trying something else, go for the duck fat fries or spicy crab dip….say whhhaatt?
I got a thing about duck and duck fat works with almost anything amma right? You say you don’t like beef? Well they have Bison, Turkey, Chicken, Salmon and Black Bean burgers. There is a burger for everyone cooked to perfection just the way you want it.
A holla out to Myrtle’s Chicken + Beer for comfort food and craft beer selection and to Emilia’s for authentic Italian food in a casual atmosphere. Got a sweet tooth? Slide by Chocolate and Coffee. A tiny place with big flavor and the best spot to pick up something for late night snacking at home.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
There is usually someone playing music on the square if not several people at all times. This day it was fun and festive with steel drums played with a selection of old favorites on a system with speakers. Kids were getting up and dancing while others stopped with their dogs to sit and listen.
Steel drums on Market Square in Knoxville, TN
Krutch Park is another stop I like to make for a walkabout to enjoy the soft trickle of the water features, beautiful sculptures and picnic benches; perfect for afternoon nature contemplation. Kids love the play features of the fountains and furry travel companions adore getting nose to nose with other animals.
There are lots of shops to pop in and out of. Vow’d is an upscale wedding shop for dresses and accessories. Earth to Old City and Fizz have everything from special soaps to clothing and jewelry with a casual bohemian vibe.
Grab your vintage T-shirts, clothing, cards and accessories at Nothing too Fancy and around the corner on Gay Street you can get a cone to share at Cruze Farm Ice Cream Shop. Drop in across the street to the Blackhorse for a craft beer afterwards.
I saw more than a few people who had parked bikes on the Square. I don’t think they let you ride there but you can ride around the boundaries and in the Downtown area. You can also rent electric scooters from Knoxville Scooters if feeling more adventurous!
There are several places to rent bikes and electric scooters around Knoxville
CONCLUSION
Knoxville is where I grew up and went to college. They love their football so tailgating is a natural for sports in Spring and Summer. Market Square and the downtown area of the town have been totally revitalized thanks to the vision of a few individuals like Kristopher Kendrick.
It is one of my favorite spots to stay, eat and hang on any given weekend. It might have even lured me back to retire had I not been so in love with Atlanta and my mountain retreat. Give it a visit soon and stay at one of the properties I mentioned here.
Eat some fabulous food and don’t miss the seafood at Chesapeake’s on Union. It is the freshest and best in the city offered in a beautiful setting. I think you can see why Market Square offers a lot to do and see. It’s worth a long weekend in your near future.
If you liked what you read, you might like other posts under Explore the World and Edible Fare. Hey, don’t be a stranger! Have you ever visited Knoxville? Give me a holla and tell me what you love about it. Until next time…
Cheers,
ArtsyChowRoamer
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