Knoxville in Tennessee is known for its downtown attractions where locals and visitors can discover art museums, murals, and historical sites. It is located at the center of the Tennessee Valley and is known as the birthplace of country music and the famous soda drink “Mountain Dew.” Knoxville is also where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers kicked off their musical careers. This city is a smorgasbord of attractions and food stops. Knoxville, Tennessee also has plenty of Italian food stops where foodies can sample the world’s favorite comfort food – pasta and pizza. Who wouldn’t be addicted to cheese, pepperoni, marinara, and a whole lot of Italian herbs and spices? If you want roller coaster of flavors in your mouth, munch your way into these best Italian restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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1. Savelli's Italian Restaurant
Savelli’s is a staple in Knoxville for the past 26 years. This family-owned restaurant is perfect if you want to spend a romantic candle-lit dinner with your loved one. Savelli’s is also vegetarian-friendly and has a wide selection of vegetarian dishes that our veggie-loving friends will enjoy. Their bestseller is the “Taste of Italy” that is made from fried ravioli, cheese sticks, and fried mushrooms. The restaurant also has a “Bring Your Own Wine” policy so you can enjoy and savor your favorite dinner wine.
Savelli's Italian Restaurant
Address: 3055 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States
Website: Savelli’s Italian Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 2pm, 4pm -9pm; Sat: 4pm - 9pm (closed on Sun)
2. Altruda's
This restaurant is built with love and passion, as the recipes were passed from one generation to the next. Paul Meyer, the restaurant owner, boasts of rich experience when it comes to Italian cooking. He takes pride in giving honor to his Italian heritage by sharing their well-loved dishes with the world. Altruda’s is Knoxville residents’ first go-to place when they crave anything Italian. The rustic Italian vibe of this place will really take you to Italy. Make sure to try their delicious salad bowl when you visit.
Altruda's
Address: 125 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923, United States
Website: Altruda’s
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 5am - 10:30pm
3. Gondolier of Halls - Italian Restaurant & Pizza
This budget-friendly restaurant offers a wide array of pizza flavors. Aside from their Italian dishes, they also serve all-American appetizers. Choose from different salads–from Caesar to their signature Greek salad. Gondolier Pizza has branched out to several locations across the United States, offering their delicious signature pasta, pizza, calzones, and many more. There’s so much to try at Gondolier with over 50 menu selections. Customers will surely go back to Gondolier just to try everything.
Gondolier of Halls
Address: 6951 Maynardville Pike, Knoxville
Website: Gondolier of Halls
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat:11am - 11pm
4. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Olive Garden has always been true to its promise to always serve healthy and delicious food. For people who are on a special diet but crave the full flavor of Italian dishes, consider visiting Olive Garden. The calories per meal are meticulously calculated, they use no MSG in their food, and they also have a menu for people with gluten sensitivity. If you want to sample everything, try their unlimited pasta that you can mix and match. They also offer unlimited soup. A must-try at this place are the breadsticks that go well with any pizza and soup variant.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Address: 7206 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Website: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
5. Emilia Restaurant
The bright ambiance of Emilia’s is perfect for a family dinner out. They serve all sorts of wines and cocktails. For starters, you can order their orecchiette with ragu alla Bolognese made of ‘Little Ears’ pasta with the traditional Bolognese sauce of Mitchell Farm beef, Heritage Farm pork, and Strauss veal with San Marzano tomatoes and pecorino romano. Their dishes are out of this world. When looking for an authentic Italian restaurant, we must say that Emilia takes the cake. They offer so many one-of-a-kind Italian dishes and drinks that will surely satisfy your fickle appetite.
Emilia Restaurant
Address: 16 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
Website: Emilia Restaurant
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 5pm - 9pm (closed on Mon)
6. Carrabba's Italian Grill
Place your reservations here and experience fine dining. Their staff are the most helpful you’ll ever meet. If you can’t understand what’s on the menu, they will always be happy to serve with a smile. People usually come here after work because it’s no doubt that Carrabba’s pasta and grilled meat taste like a reward after a long and tiring day. You can order their perfectly cooked rack of lamb special and taste perfection in every bite. With their delicious and affordable food, everything on the menu is a steal.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Address: 324 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37922
Website: Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
7. Bravo Cucina Italiana
There’s a lot to like about this fine dining place that has 12 branches across the country. Repeat customers often order the Italian Wedding Soup which you can only find at Bravo. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner. Choose from their house specials of primi, insalata or salads, family meals, and classic pasta dishes. They also have the famed caramel mascarpone cheesecake and the favorite Italian dessert, tiramisu. Schedule your brunch meeting here and just take in the view of the city streets while you eat and enjoy the sunshine.
Bravo Cucina Italiana
Address: 106 Major Reynolds Place Knoxville
Website: Bravo Cucina Italiana
8. Cappuccino's
Since it opened in 1977, Cappuccino has earned a good reputation and a steady following of avid customers. Years of topnotch food and service paid off when the restaurant’s head chef, Frank Aloise was voted as Best Chef by Knox Stars. This restaurant is a living proof that Italy’s heart and soul is their passion behind making food and sharing it with family and friends. Cappuccino has perfectly captured the distinctive taste of Italy and their desserts stand-out the most. Their customers keep coming back for their dark chocolate amaretto mousse, and lemon mascarpone cream cake.
Cappuccino's
Address: 7316 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN
Website: Cappuccino’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm Mon - Thurs, 5pm - 11pm Fri - Sat, 5pm - 9pm Sun
9. Gavino's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
This restaurant is a Knoxville original, with two branches in the city, one in Bearden and the other in Turkey Creek. The head chef has perfected the New York-style pizza with an Italian twist. The restaurant’s bar and patio area are open for happy hour where they offer draft beer, margarita, and their famous house wine. This place is suitable for special occasions and celebrations.
Gavino's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
Address: 5211 Kingston Pike, Knoxville and 11316 Parkside Dr, Knoxville
Website: Gavino’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 12pm - 8pm (closed from Sun - Tue)
10. Dazzo's Pizzeria
This old-school pizza house is the place to be if you want the real deal of a cheesy pizza experience. Dazzo’s serves piping hot pizza with a lot of cheese, and because of it, this restaurant has become a favorite kids’ place. The cozy, cafe-style atmosphere here makes it the most sought-after family restaurant in all of Knoxville. They are known for quick service and exceptionally good food. Try their Grandma’s Style pizza, subs, and pasta dishes. Customers have the option to customize pizza orders and choose sauce and toppings. They start serving before lunchtime daily.
Dazzos Pizzeria
Address: 710 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Website: Dazzos Pizzeria
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
Show your love for Italian food when in Knoxville
Italian cuisine is one of the oldest in the world, with popular recipes that were passed down from one generation to another. We all have come to love and savor the most iconic foods that represent Italy including pizza, lasagna, carbonara, truffles, risotto and many more. Appreciate the flavors of Italy when eating at these best Italian restaurants in Knoxville.
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