Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is expanding to Knoxville with three new locations, led by franchise newcomers Jason and Karen Greene, targeting a fall opening for the first café.

Pi Day on March 14 is celebrated with pie deals and specials, recognizing the mathematical constant pi. Knoxville and nationwide offerings include both sweet and savory pies, with local and online maps guiding enthusiasts.

Chesapeake's in Gatlinburg, TN, earned a spot on Yelp's "Top 100 Seafood Spots" for 2024, ranking 77th despite the state's landlocked location.

Tennessee enforces an alcohol ban in Wildlife Management Areas to promote safety and establish family-friendly environments, targeting alcohol-related accidents in outdoor recreational spaces.

Kern's Food Hall has opened in South Knoxville, transforming an old bakery into a vibrant culinary and community space with local chefs and businesses.

Eateries across the U.S. are offering discounts and freebies on Tax Day, with deals from fast-food chains and restaurants on meals, drinks, and desserts.

Inspectors gave Antojitos Mexicanos Deli in Karns a failing 62 after finding spoiled corn husks, dirty dishes and unsafe storage; a re-inspection is scheduled.

Status Dough announced the Bearden Hill shop will close after a nine-year run; the Kingston Pike location will serve its last doughnuts on Wednesday.

Nama’s downtown izakaya brings shareable Japanese plates, sake cocktails and late-night hours to Gay Street.

RT Lodge in Maryville added a Carriage House day spa and a Meeting House after its restaurant earned a MICHELIN Guide recommendation. The upgrades aim to turn diners into overnight guests and host more events.

Penne For Your Thoughts announced it will close its Northshore storefront next Wednesday; the owner blamed industry decline and soaring costs.

The Black Dog is preparing to open in the former Elst Brewing space on North Central Street. Photos show vinyl-lined walls, brewery tanks and a music-forward interior.

DSB Provisions, chef Dustin Busby’s pasta-focused restaurant, is opening soon in Maryville’s Greenway Village with a dining room and grab‑and‑go service.

J.C. Holdway earned a spot on USA Today's 2026 best restaurants list, another national nod for Chef Joseph Lenn's wood‑fired restaurant.

An inspection in north Knoxville flagged a Little Caesars for dirty bathrooms, food debris and hand‑hygiene lapses; a follow‑up found fixes and raised the grade to 94.

K Brew is converting a 5,000-square-foot Broadway warehouse into a bakery and walk-in market, expanding its production and retail footprint in North Knoxville.

A San Diego–born mobile coffee brand, The Rush Coffee, has opened a Knoxville truck serving espresso blends and taking event bookings.

Inspectors tossed severely dented cans and cited sanitation and temperature lapses at China King in Lenoir City after a customer complaint.

Roni's Mac Bar is bringing its build‑your‑own mac bowls to Kern's Food Hall in Knoxville this spring. The company says customers can mix-and-match an enormous roster of toppings.

A Gatsby‑era speakeasy called The Alibi operates behind The Coffee Syndicate on Gatlinburg’s Parkway, trading espresso for theatrical cocktails after dark.

Alice in Appalachia reopens retail at a new Gay Street location this week; cocktails will follow after permits and renovations.

A complaint-led health inspection at Little Italy of Tellico Village produced a failing 65, with inspectors citing chemical storage, dated meats and storage violations.

Burger Boys founder Andre Bryant says the South Knoxville favorite will reopen near North Broadway after closing in May 2025. He expects the new location to open in weeks.

7 Brew opened its first Knoxville drive‑thru at Pinnacle at Turkey Creek on March 2, bringing dessert‑style coffees and fizzy sodas to West Knoxville shoppers.

McAlister's Deli will open March 30 at 1515 Congress Parkway in Athens with an early-guest giveaway for the first 100 people.

Andy’s Frozen Custard holds a Friday ribbon-cutting on the Parkway with $2 sundaes, giveaways and a chance to win free custard for a year.

Ricky's opens in Parkridge with kitschy, nostalgic décor, a full bar and Lil Ricky's food truck serving smash burgers, truffle fries and cocktails.

Whataburger will open April 9 at 1536 Parkway in Sevierville, replacing the Steak 'n Shake with a 24/7 restaurant and about 60 new jobs.

Knoxville's Xul Beer Co. staged a packed PB&J Mixtape release at Southern Grist's Nations taproom, drawing long lines and underlining the brewer's Nashville push.

A Swig drive‑thru is planned at the Grassy Creek development near Pleasant Ridge; the retail pad will also include a gas station and convenience store. The shop is expected in about a year.

H&H Bagels has opened at Turkey Creek, bringing New York‑style bagels, lox sandwiches and morning sandwiches to West Knoxville.

A family-run cantina called Knox‑Quila Cantina will open at Covenant Health Park this summer, bringing tacos, reposado flights and late‑night weekend service to the Old City.

A new general store and counter kitchen opened on the Pigeon Forge Parkway with ice cream, flavored popcorn and smoked sandwiches.

Maryville restaurants report tomatoes and lettuce have jumped hundreds of percent this spring, forcing menu changes and fundraisers. Local owners blame freezes and higher fuel costs.

A Maynardville barbecue spot received a failing 65 after inspectors found unlabeled foods and hand‑washing lapses, leading to the disposal of potato salad and smoked chicken.

A state‑approved pilot will let participating bars sell drinks to‑go in Market Square starting mid‑July, served in approved cups and limited to a marked zone. The program aims to boost foot traffic while keeping consumption regulated.

The Melting Pot in Knoxville closed on May 26 after 31 years. The chain says it is seeking a buyer to revive the Old City location.

AJ Tierney is opening House of Strays, a cocktail bar with a black-box theatre on Jackson Avenue that will donate part of proceeds to Knoxville Children’s Theatre. The venue aims to open in fall 2026.

A Vonore inspection found raw chicken held at about 63°F, warm cut tomatoes and a grimy can opener, resulting in a failing 56 for Cielito Lindo.

Gemini Hospitality will occupy the former Babalu storefront at 412 S. Gay St., replacing earlier plans and bringing a local operator’s portfolio into downtown Knoxville. Permits and design work will determine what comes next.