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Downtown Knoxville’s elevated dining experience with craft cocktails and a chef-driven Americana menu. Sophisticated vibe yet relaxed atmosphere, The Kennedy is where you can come as you are and feel at home dressed to the nines or in shorts and flip flops. This is a place where all are welcome to be our guest and make yourself at home. Mark your social calendar for live music and late-night menu on Friday, Saturday!
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The Kennedy Restaurant in Downtown Knoxville
… Knoxville, TN 37902. (865) 444-1607. Sunday – Thursday. 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Friday – Saturday. 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM. © The Kennedy 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Menu – The Kennedy Restaurant in Downtown Knoxville
… Knoxville, TN 37902. (865) 444-1607. Sunday – Thursday. 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Friday – Saturday. 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM. © The Kennedy 2024. All Rights Reserved …
The Kennedy (@thekennedyknoxville) · Knoxville, TN – Instagram
An elevated experience with craft cocktails and a chef-driven Americana menu. Live music Friday and Saturday. Located in Downtown Knoxville!
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Reviews
Jaenats Rivera
Went there for my birthday reservation lastnight. The service was excellent! The ambiance was great. My waiter, Finn was very attentive and the food came out in time and was perfectly done! The atmosphere and vibe was amazing! We had the Devils On Horseback which was absolutely AMAZING “chefs kiss” Also, had the Blue Crab Crispy Rice which was good and a lot, I was stuffed eating those Main course was the Filet Mignon and Faroe Island Salmon and both were very delicious and well done They also, don’t pipe “happy birthday” on the dessert plate but they sure have a thanks for celebrating with us card that was signed by staff and that was very thoughtful. I appreciate what they have to offer with the overall service. Thank you! ☺️
… moreC Rae
This is one of the best in downtown Knoxville! From the service from the bar and the atmosphere. Drinks are fun and made well!! Food is delicious! Spicy rigatoni… Cheeseburgers… And crispy half chicken. All was amazing! My only regret is I didn’t get a picture of the onion dip with the homemade kettle chips which is something not to miss.
… morecoby mckinnon
The Kennedy absolutely blew my socks off. Some of the coolest restaurant vibes I’ve experienced in a long time—super moody, romantic, elegant, and just cool without trying too hard.
Our server, Liza, was phenomenal. Truly perfect at her job—knowledgeable, attentive, funny, and genuinely fun to interact with. She elevated the entire experience.
We started with dirty martinis, which were excellent—can’t go wrong with blue cheese–stuffed olives. For appetizers, the Devils on Horseback were absolutely delicious and a standout. We also ordered the corn dogs. While we appreciated the elevated ingredients and fantastic in-house batter, they weren’t dramatically better than a solid frozen corn dog—but they were still very good, and I’d happily order them again.
I’m forever on the hunt for the best Caesar salad in existence, and I had high hopes this one might dethrone my top spot. It didn’t quite get there, but there were highlights: the crostini-style croutons were amazing and easily the best part of the salad. The dressing, however, lacked a bit of punch—I would’ve loved more black pepper and better Parmesan distribution throughout.
For entrées, I ordered the filet mignon—and wow. Hands down, the best steak I’ve ever had at a restaurant. I asked for rare and it was cooked perfectly. The crust was incredible, the seasoning was spot-on (which is rare—most restaurant steaks are underseasoned), and it stayed juicy the entire time. Every cut was tender beyond belief. Cut-like-butter perfection. The potatoes were also beautifully seasoned and silky smooth, and the asparagus—finally—was properly seasoned too. A rare and welcome surprise.
My fiancée ordered the spicy rigatoni with blackened shrimp, and it was outstanding. Pasta cooked perfectly, flavors completely dialed in, and a sauce that was rich, balanced, and just spicy enough to feed the beast without overpowering anything.
We were sadly too full for dessert, but overall—massive compliments to both the chefs and Liza. We’ve dined at Gordon Ramsay restaurants and Michelin-starred spots, and honestly? This experience exceeded them in every way.
Well done. We’ll absolutely be back.
… moreOur server, Liza, was phenomenal. Truly perfect at her job—knowledgeable, attentive, funny, and genuinely fun to interact with. She elevated the entire experience.
We started with dirty martinis, which were excellent—can’t go wrong with blue cheese–stuffed olives. For appetizers, the Devils on Horseback were absolutely delicious and a standout. We also ordered the corn dogs. While we appreciated the elevated ingredients and fantastic in-house batter, they weren’t dramatically better than a solid frozen corn dog—but they were still very good, and I’d happily order them again.
I’m forever on the hunt for the best Caesar salad in existence, and I had high hopes this one might dethrone my top spot. It didn’t quite get there, but there were highlights: the crostini-style croutons were amazing and easily the best part of the salad. The dressing, however, lacked a bit of punch—I would’ve loved more black pepper and better Parmesan distribution throughout.
For entrées, I ordered the filet mignon—and wow. Hands down, the best steak I’ve ever had at a restaurant. I asked for rare and it was cooked perfectly. The crust was incredible, the seasoning was spot-on (which is rare—most restaurant steaks are underseasoned), and it stayed juicy the entire time. Every cut was tender beyond belief. Cut-like-butter perfection. The potatoes were also beautifully seasoned and silky smooth, and the asparagus—finally—was properly seasoned too. A rare and welcome surprise.
My fiancée ordered the spicy rigatoni with blackened shrimp, and it was outstanding. Pasta cooked perfectly, flavors completely dialed in, and a sauce that was rich, balanced, and just spicy enough to feed the beast without overpowering anything.
We were sadly too full for dessert, but overall—massive compliments to both the chefs and Liza. We’ve dined at Gordon Ramsay restaurants and Michelin-starred spots, and honestly? This experience exceeded them in every way.
Well done. We’ll absolutely be back.
Kirk Tarulis
Went there on a Monday evening without a reservation. Was able to get a table for 2 after about 30 minutes.
The service was good. Waiter was attentive and food came out about 10-15 minutes after ordering.
As an appetizer, we got some bacon wrapped thing. Dates maybe? Idk. It was really good though.
We got their house burger and their special ET Mushroom pizza. The burger and fries were excellent. Probably one of the best burgers in town. The pizza was really good, but they do not mess around on mushrooms. It was super mushroomy, which is great if that is your thing. But if you are indifferent to mushrooms, you might not like any of their mushroom dishes.
All the dishes we got were under 20$ each, so it isn’t terribly expensive. I think the most expensive thing in the menu was their steak which was around $50.
I look forward to coming back.
… moreThe service was good. Waiter was attentive and food came out about 10-15 minutes after ordering.
As an appetizer, we got some bacon wrapped thing. Dates maybe? Idk. It was really good though.
We got their house burger and their special ET Mushroom pizza. The burger and fries were excellent. Probably one of the best burgers in town. The pizza was really good, but they do not mess around on mushrooms. It was super mushroomy, which is great if that is your thing. But if you are indifferent to mushrooms, you might not like any of their mushroom dishes.
All the dishes we got were under 20$ each, so it isn’t terribly expensive. I think the most expensive thing in the menu was their steak which was around $50.
I look forward to coming back.
Robyn Watts
We decided to do a little cocktail hop around downtown on a Saturday night. I had tried walking into The Kennedy before and was turned away–even as a solo guest–so this time I made sure to book reservations. Thankfully, we were able to grab an early seating on short notice.
Our waitress was wonderful. She graciously tolerated our delays in ordering due to some emotionally charged conversation, and her sense of humor put us at ease. She even joked that she enjoys a good debate, which made us feel less guilty about our prolonged decision-making. Despite our slow pace, we still managed to get two rounds of drinks in on time!
The cocktails were excellently executed. I ordered the Beneath the Olive Tree, essentially a classic vodka martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives. It was perfect–not too dirty, just balanced and flavorful. I had to remind myself to sip and savor. My friend had the Prickly Pear Affair and really enjoyed it as well.
For snacks, we shared the Goat Cheese Croquettes, Devils on Horseback, and Truffle Fries. Every dish was delicious and left me wanting just a bit more.
Although we moved on to continue our cocktail hop, this experience definitely made me want to return. Until next time–I’ll savor the memories (and that martini)!
… moreOur waitress was wonderful. She graciously tolerated our delays in ordering due to some emotionally charged conversation, and her sense of humor put us at ease. She even joked that she enjoys a good debate, which made us feel less guilty about our prolonged decision-making. Despite our slow pace, we still managed to get two rounds of drinks in on time!
The cocktails were excellently executed. I ordered the Beneath the Olive Tree, essentially a classic vodka martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives. It was perfect–not too dirty, just balanced and flavorful. I had to remind myself to sip and savor. My friend had the Prickly Pear Affair and really enjoyed it as well.
For snacks, we shared the Goat Cheese Croquettes, Devils on Horseback, and Truffle Fries. Every dish was delicious and left me wanting just a bit more.
Although we moved on to continue our cocktail hop, this experience definitely made me want to return. Until next time–I’ll savor the memories (and that martini)!
Jessica Mendoza
On our drive back to GA from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg we decided to stop in Knoxville. It was our first time here. The downtown area was cute. We researched were we’d like to eat lunch at. This placed called out to us. It’s a very nice restaurant, elegant and detailed. Our server was a lovely woman who just had a baby(who looked fantastic giving birth so recently) Sadly I’ve forgotten her name, so sorry. My drink was absolutely delectable, it’s called The Only Fans Martini. Sweet but potent. I had the classic cheeseburger with parmesan truffle fries. I had no regrets with any of my choices. On our next visit to Tennessee, preferably Knoxville…I’d definitely return. This time I’ll get dessert.
P.s. the bathroom was so nice! Thanks!
… moreP.s. the bathroom was so nice! Thanks!
Kelsey Andrews
Finally got to experience dinner at The Kennedy with a few girlfriends, and it was fantastic. The overall aesthetic was stunning: beautiful decor, perfectly dimmed lighting, and a great layout. Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful, especially when replacing a cocktail one of us didn’t enjoy. We each ended up with the Prickly Pair Affair (so light and refreshing). The food was excellent. We ordered: The Creamy Onion Dip, The G.O.A.T. salad with chicken (the goat cheese balls are what dreams are made of), two Faroe Island Salmons with various sides, and classic cheeseburger with mac & cheese. We left with clean plates if that’s any indication. Will definitely return.
Tip: Make a reservation ahead of time. Ours was for 07:00 PM on a Wednesday, and we still waited about 20 minutes to be seated. They’re busy!
… moreTip: Make a reservation ahead of time. Ours was for 07:00 PM on a Wednesday, and we still waited about 20 minutes to be seated. They’re busy!
Ada B
I couldn’t recommend The Kennedy enough. The food was excellent, and the interior was elegant and classy. It was very busy, and I highly advise booking ahead of time. Perfect for all sorts of occasions, dinner and lunch. I specifically recommend the crispy half chicken, including perfectly cooked chicken, whipped mashed potatoes, and brussels sprouts. Our service was okay, our server didn’t come very often. Overall I would definitely go to The Kennedy again.
… moreAdrienne Marshall
I recently visited The Kennedy and overall had a decent experience. The food was pretty good, with several dishes standing out, but my favorite was definitely the fish—it was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. I appreciated the quality and freshness of the ingredients, which really made the meal enjoyable.
That said, the service left something to be desired. The staff were polite, but it felt a bit slow and inattentive at times, which took away from the overall experience. I think with a little more attention to service, The Kennedy could really elevate itself.
The atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable, making it a nice spot for a casual meal or dinner out. I would recommend it for the food alone, especially if you love seafood, but just be aware that the service might not match the quality of the dishes.
… moreThat said, the service left something to be desired. The staff were polite, but it felt a bit slow and inattentive at times, which took away from the overall experience. I think with a little more attention to service, The Kennedy could really elevate itself.
The atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable, making it a nice spot for a casual meal or dinner out. I would recommend it for the food alone, especially if you love seafood, but just be aware that the service might not match the quality of the dishes.
ashlie sherman
The food, the atmosphere, and service were top notch here. We ate at a new place the last time we were in Chicago (Zarella) and the dishes we ordered here were nearly identical. I have no clue what voodoo they do with their ricotta, but I could eat a tub of it. Highly recommend!
… more