Knoxville, Tennessee, may not be the first city that springs to mind when you think of a culinary destination, but it’s a place where the food scene is as rich and diverse as the landscape that surrounds it. Knoxville’s food scene thrives on creativity and the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, presenting a feast of flavors that embody the spirit of the South.
In this article, we’ll explore a selection of dishes no food lover should miss while in Knoxville, highlighting the innovation and rich culinary heritage that define this city’s delicious offerings.
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1. Seared Scallops
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Seared Scallops are a must-try when in Knoxville. Resting on a bed of Johnny cakes with brandied apples and finished with decadent bacon cream, this dish is a symphony of flavors.
The scallops, perfectly seared, offer a caramelized crust that gives way to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. The sweetness of the apples, the smoky depth of the bacon cream, and the soft, savory base of the Johnny cakes make each bite an unforgettable experience.
2. Biscuits and Jam
There’s something about starting your day with biscuits and jam that feels quintessentially Southern. Plenty of restaurants in Knoxville TN serve this Southern classic, but no one does it like Elkmont Station. This place elevates traditional biscuits and jam to new heights with its peach and goat cheese buttermilk biscuits accompanied by strawberry-jalapeño jam.
The biscuits, with their flaky texture and the subtle tanginess of goat cheese, pair wonderfully with the sweet and spicy jam, offering a delightful contrast that wakes up the taste buds.
3. Aged Filet Mignon
For those looking for an indulgent dining experience, the aged filet mignon is a culinary masterpiece not to be missed. Served with potatoes, lyonnaise, and roasted broccolini, this dish focuses on the natural flavors of its components.
The filet mignon, aged to perfection, offers a tenderness and depth of flavor that only time can provide. Accompanied by the crisp, golden potatoes and the fresh, green broccolini, each element on the plate enhances the others, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
It’s a dish that respects the integrity of its ingredients, showcasing the meat’s natural richness without unnecessary embellishment.
4. Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits is a dish that embodies the soul of Southern cuisine, and if you’re in Knoxville, it is a must-try. The combination of tender shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, and creamy grits, all brought together with rich red-eye gravy, is comfort food at its best. The dish is a testament to the power of simple, hearty ingredients coming together to create something truly special.
The andouille sausage adds a nice kick, while the grits provide a smooth, comforting base, making this dish a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
5. Roasted Carolina Trout
The Roasted Carolina Trout is a celebration of the region’s seafood, served with sweet corn and okra purloo, garlic green beans, and a citrus herb butter that brightens the entire dish. This dish showcases the trout’s delicate flavor, enhanced by the smokiness from roasting. The purloo, a traditional Southern rice dish, adds a comforting element, while the green beans offer a crunchy contrast. The citrus herb butter ties it all together, adding a layer of freshness that elevates the dish.
6. Crispy Skin Broiled Salmon
The Crispy Skin Broiled Salmon stands as one of the best seafood offerings in Knoxville, featuring Faroe Island salmon with crisped skin that gives way to the tender, moist flesh beneath. Accompanied by a vibrant ratatouille and finished with a red pepper beurre blanc, this dish is a celebration of texture and flavor.
The ratatouille, with its medley of summer vegetables, provides a hearty yet fresh counterpoint to the rich, oily fish, while the red pepper beurre blanc adds a smooth, tangy finish that beautifully ties all the components together. It’s a dish that speaks to the sophistication of Knoxville’s culinary scene, offering a nod to French cooking techniques while firmly rooted in the freshness of local ingredients.
7. Fried Devilish Eggs
Taking a comfort food to new heights, the Fried Devilish Eggs offer a playful yet sophisticated twist on traditional deviled eggs. Encased in a crispy cornbread crust, each egg is filled with a creamy, spicy pimento cheese mixture that melts in the mouth. The addition of deep-fried andouille sausage introduces a smoky, savory element that contrasts delightfully with the sweet, tangy red pepper jam served alongside.
8. Lemonberry Pancakes
Breakfast in Knoxville is a treat not to be missed, especially with the Lemonberry Pancakes on the menu. Made with a house-made lemon ricotta batter, these pancakes are light, fluffy, and infused with the bright zest of lemon, which perfectly complements the burst of sweetness from the blueberries swirled throughout. Each bite is a combination of tart and sweet, making these pancakes a favorite among both locals and visitors alike.
9. Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros are unmatched for a spicy start to the day or a delicious brunch option. It’s a layered dish with crunchy tortillas on the bottom, topped with a mix of fries, beans, corn, chiles, and onions, and then finished with poached eggs and two different sauces.
This dish is a vibrant combination of textures and flavors, from the creamy richness of the eggs and hollandaise to the smoky depth of the chipotle and the fresh crunch of the vegetables.
10. Omelette Lorraine
The Omelette Lorraine brings a touch of French elegance to Knoxville’s breakfast scene. Filled with caramelized onions, pecan bacon, and melted gruyere cheese, this omelet is a study in the art of balance. The sweetness of the onions pairs beautifully with the salty crunch of the bacon, while the creamy gruyere envelops each ingredient in velvety richness.
Served with home fries and fresh fruit, it’s a dish that satisfies the soul as much as the palate.
Conclusion
Knoxville’s culinary landscape is a testament to the creativity, passion, and tradition that infuse every dish served in this vibrant city. From the innovative twists on Southern classics to the refined elegance of dishes with global influences, Knoxville offers a dining experience that is as diverse as it is delicious.
Whether you’re drawn to the comforting embrace of biscuits and jam or the refined flavors of an aged filet mignon, Knoxville awaits with open arms and full plates, ready to transform any meal into an unforgettable experience.
