Mother's Day 2024: 10 hot Knoxville restaurants and bars to make your mom feel cool
Let’s be honest, the coolest people we know are all the moms in our life. And cool moms deserve to be treated as such on Mother’s Day, which is May 12 this year.
Several restaurants and bars around Knoxville often draw full crowds, and moms want to get in on the fun, too. If you’ve yet to make any plans for Mother’s Day, consider taking her to one of the hot spots in town to enjoy tasty meals, delicious desserts and, of course, crafty cocktails.
Here are a few cool places to honor moms and mother figures on their special day.
71 South
Take Mom to church! A century-old church that’s been transformed into a cool dining and bar spot, to be more specific. 71 South, located within Knoxville's Urban Wilderness, serves brunch, lunch, dinner and fun handcrafted draft cocktails.
Menu options include chicken and waffles, churro French toast, Chilean salmon, cauliflower streak and the 71 smash burger. The spring cocktails menu features Just Peachy (with peach vodka and sweet tea), Nonna’s Garden (with gin and lemon juice) and Hot Honey Smash (with bourbon and honey maple syrup).
Address: 3726 Sevier Heights Road, Suite 200
A Dopo
A Dopo is one of the hottest pizza spots in Knoxville. The food is so good, you might want to make a reservation now to make sure you can get a table for Mom. A Dopo serves sourdough pizzas with a traditional red sauce base or of the bianca style, made with mascarpone cheese, cream and pecorino romano cheese, and topped with meats, olives, mushrooms, chiles and other options of your choosing.
And you must get a bowl of their housemade gelato and a (few) sips of the Italian wines and beers available.
Address: 516 Williams St.
Aretha Frankensteins
For the moms who have a retro rocker edge and enjoy monster pancakes, Aretha Frankensteins might be the place to go this Mother’s Day. The breakfast and brunch spot is known for its huge fluffy pancakes. Also on the menu are a variety of omelets, biscuits, sandwiches, quesadillas and burritos. You might want to get there early to avoid a long wait. The restaurant opened six months ago in South Knoxville and has become a hot spot in the area.
Address: 3318 Chapman Highway
Kaizen
Get a taste of Asian cuisine for Mother’s Day. Kaizen has an intricate menu inspired by Japanese-style pubs offering small plates. Entrees include lobster curry, stir fried lemongrass chicken noodles, roasted duck platter, dan dan noodles and Mapo tofu. Owner and executive chef Jesse Newmister trained with chefs in Charleston and Louisville before arriving in Knoxville to help open Northshore Brasserie.
Address: 127 S. Central St.
Forget brunch! Your mom wants steak and a martini for Mother's Day
Kefi
In Mediterranean culture, food gathers the ones you love around the table. And that’s exactly the spirit Kefi brings to Old City, making it a great option for Mother’s Day. Kefi’s kotópoulo (roast chicken) is a standout for Knox News staff, but the menu also features classic Greek dishes such as pastitsio, spanakopita and falafel. Make sure Mom gets a cocktail and a dessert, too.
Address: 120 E. Jackson Ave.
Kern’s Food Hall
Kern’s Food Hall just might be the hottest spot in town right now. The former Kern's Bakery building has been converted into a food hall that just opened in April. Vendors currently offering food and drink there include AVA Italian, Awaken Coffee, Hey Bear Café, Irvey's Ice Cream, Monday Night Brewing and Zukku Sushi. The facility has open seating in the main dining area, as well as outdoor seating and rooftop lounges.
Address: 2201 Kerns Rising Way
Landing House
Inside a house on Sevier Avenue are delicious Chinese and Cambodian dishes. Landing House has been a South Knoxville fixture since 2017 and is another Knox News staff favorite. Treat Mom to bao buns, madras curry, chili crisp noodles and more.
Address: 1147 Sevier Ave.
Lonesome Dove
If Mom wants a fine dining atmosphere for Mother’s Day, consider Lonesome Dove. Renowned chef Tim Love’s menu features both classic and creative dishes and drinks that showcase Love’s use of bold flavors, wild game and signature wood-fired cooking techniques. Sample garlic-stuffed tenderloin, prime rib and crispy chicken sandwich for lunch, or dine on bison ribeye, rainbow trout or elk loin for dinner. Selections of wines and desserts are available, too.
Keep in mind, Lonesome Dove is home to the most expensive downtown menu item!
Address: 100 N. Central St.
Potchke
Moms deserve the best, and Potchke is one of the best restaurants in the United States, according to the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list. The Jewish deli and kosher restaurant opened in 2022 as a pop-up but quickly became a popular stop for all. Not sure what to order? Babka, lox bialy, matzoh ball soup and potato blintz are standout dishes to get you started.
Address: 318 N. Gay St.
Redbud Kitchen
Serve Mom at the head of the kitchen table – it doesn’t have to be in your kitchen, though. Redbud Kitchen’s menu is filled with American cuisine and prepared with colorful, market fresh ingredients. Brunch menu items include breakfast sandwiches, breakfast bowls, baked egg dishes, burgers and more. And head to the bar for a mimosa or bloody Mary.
Address: 906 Sevier Ave.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Mother’s Day 2024: Knoxville restaurants and bars to try on May 12