Not everyone wants to spend Thanksgiving in the kitchen minding green bean casseroles and basting turkeys. Lucky for you, a number of local restaurants are ready to feed you and your family. From pick-up full menus to buffets and sit-down meals, Knoxville is full of Thanksgiving options and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for you. But make sure you get reservations early as space is limited at most of these restaurants and you don’t want to be left out! Also, please remember to tip your server a little extra if you can for working on the holiday. They deserve it.
Whether you’re local or coming from out of town and spending a long weekend here in Knoxville, there are several Thanksgiving Day options:
Ivory's Pearl & Prime
4705 Old Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.381.0959
Ivory's Pearl & Prime is offering a Thanksgiving Feast. Guests will enjoy their choice of one of each of chef's selections per course. Soup: mushroom bisque or butternut squash. From the garden: braised caesar or chopped house. Feast: Stuffed turkey breast roulade/cornbread stuffing/pomme puree/glazed carrots/cranberry tart/turkey demi glace or Chilean sea bass/butternut squash puree/braised swiss chard/roasted asparagus, or 16oz NY Strip/pomme puree/roasted asparagus/glazed carrots/au poivre sauce. Sweet tooth: sweet potato pie or bourbon butterscotch creme brulee.
Children 12 and under eat free from a separate selected menu. Call for reservations.
Volunteer Princess Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet Cruise
Relax on the Volunteer Princess as you enjoy your favorite Thanksgiving foods. Take a seat at your private table. Enjoy a two hour cruise around Knoxville and feast on a buffet style lunch featuring fresh seasonal ingredients. Visit our bar on the upper deck and sip on your favorite drink. The best part, NO COOKING OR CLEANING! Menu: Garden Salad w/ Rolls & Butter, Roasted Turkey w/ Gravy, Honey Glazed Ham, Herb Stuffing, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Seasonal Pie
Tennessee Riverboat Thanksgiving Cruise
Join us for a relaxing 2 hour Thanksgiving cruise and delicious buffet. Make this Thanksgiving unique and memorable! Looking for a Thanksgiving without all the work? Come down to the Star of Knoxville and let us do all the prep, serving and clean up while you enjoy the scenic views and relaxed atmosphere. Your ticket price includes our delicious Thanksgiving buffet, complete with a turkey carving station, baked ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and butter, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and our two hour river cruise. We will have 2 sailings on Thanksgiving.
The first will begin boarding at 12:30PM, sailing 1-3PM and the second cruise will begin boarding at 4:15PM, sailing 5-7PM.
Menu: Turkey carving station, Baked ham, Stuffing, Gravy, Mashed potatoes, Green beans, Rolls and butter, Dessert, Non-alcoholic beverages
Copper Cellar West & Calhoun's
7316 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.673.3422
Copper Cellar will feature an all-day Thanksgiving buffet for guests to savor from 10am-6pm. Call (865) 673-3422 for pricing and reservations. Traditionally all Copper Cellar, Calhoun’s (also does a pre-ordered pick up menu), Smoky Mountain Brewery, and Corner 16 restaurants are open for Thanksgiving. Calhoun's has several locations in Knoxville: Downtown/Tennessee River, Kingston Pike at Pellissippi, Bearden Hill, and Turkey Creek.
Chesapeake’s
(865) 673-3433 downtown Knoxville
(865) 851-9088 west Knoxville
Chesapeake's at both locations will be open. Downtown will be open 11AM-6PM with a regular menu and Thanksgiving-themed items. West location will be open 10:30AM-6PM featuring a served buffet. Reservations recommended but not required.
Fleming's, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, and Shoney's will all be open for Thanksgiving.
Ancient Lore Village
7107 Sevierville Pike
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 200-2434
Gather your loved ones for a traditional Thanksgiving Lunch at Ancient Lore Village, where the magic of our storybook setting makes your holiday celebration truly unforgettable. Surrounded by cozy charm, fairy lights, and breathtaking Village views, this festive feast is the perfect way to give thanks and celebrate togetherness in Knoxville.
Our chefs will prepare a bountiful spread of holiday favorites, featuring roasted turkey, ham, savory sides, and decadent desserts. Blending timeless tradition with the Village’s whimsical touch, it’s a holiday meal sure to delight every guest at the table. For families and friends looking for memorable things to do in Knoxville, this Village Thanksgiving Lunch is one to treasure year after year.
Menu:
Turkey, Ham, Cornbread Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, Garlic Roasted Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin Spiced Bread Pudding topped with a Cream Cheese Frosting, Yeast Roll, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie
Seats are limited for this special Thanksgiving Lunch at the Village — reserve yours today to ensure your place at the table!
Thanksgiving Pick-Up, Take-Home, Warm-Up Menus to Ease the Cooking Chores
Brown Bag
Brown Bag has their Holiday Classic Menu for $18.50/person that includes Honey Ham with House-Made Glaze, Grilled Sliced Chicken Breast, Winter Green Salad, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Bacon& Garlic Seasoned Green Beans, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Yeast Rolls and Brownies. 15-person minimum. Or opt for pan servings to mix-and-match your own menu.
Dead End BBQ
3621 Sutherland Ave
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.212.5655
Dead End has to-go options that include Smoked Turkey and/or Smoked Ham, turkey gravy, cornbread dressing & cranberry sauce, homestyle mashed potatoes & turkey gravy, southern cornbread salad, southern style green beans, creamed corn, seasonal cobbler, peanut butter pie, banana pudding. Holiday meal pack option consists of smoked turkey breast or smoked ham, choice of three sides, choice of yeast rolls or corn muffins. One week notice required for all orders. 20-person minimum required. Holiday menu available November 1-December 31, excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Visit their website for more details.
The Chop House also has a take-home Thanksgiving menu.
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We hope this helps you make some decisions as you start to plan your holiday season. Who knows, maybe you can start a new tradition with some of these options! Happy planning!
Did we miss a local restaurant serving up Turkey Day eats? Drop us a line at communications@knoxville.org.
