The Kennedy

Restaurant · Knoxville

The Kennedy

Restaurant · Knoxville

1

430 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902

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Highlights

Craft cocktails, Americana menu, live music, intimate to fun vibes  

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430 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902 Get directions

thekennedyknoxville.com
@thekennedyknoxville

$$

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430 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902 Get directions

+1 865 444 1607
thekennedyknoxville.com
@thekennedyknoxville

$$

Reserve

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Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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@eater

Houston Restaurant Openings to Know Right Now, December 2024 | Eater Houston

"A River Oaks piano bar positioned as a swanky live-entertainment destination, pairing cocktails and performances (singers, pianists, DJs) with high-end bar food such as rib-eye tartar, lobster spaghetti, truffle deviled eggs, mozzarella sticks topped with caviar, and wagyu smash burgers." - Brittany Britto Garley

https://houston.eater.com/2024/12/24/24328830/houston-restaurant-bars-new-openings-december-2024
View Postcard for The Kennedy

Kelsey Andrews

Google
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!

Adrienne Marshall

Google
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.

Christian

Google
Food was incredible. Flavor upon flavor, we LOVED our meals! Our server and hosts were really friendly, and our server gave great suggestions… and we’re glad we listened! We had the King Crab Crispy Rice, the Filet and the Wagyu Burger. The location is perfectly situated near the market district - completely walkable. Inside we found an intimate atmosphere in the rear area, and a more right and fun vibe in the front area. I 100% recommended this place!

Gary Gardner

Google
Are here while on a business trip. Three staff was vey friendly and attentive. Jocelyn was my waitress and did a great job. I ordered the Gochujang wings and they were fantastic!!! I also ordered a pepperoni honey hot pizza that had little globs of ricotta on it. The description says New York style, but this was definitely not New York style pizza. The pizza was okay… which is why I gave the food 4 stars. I’ll be back again to try the 8oz fillet and will update my review.

Jenna-Beth Blackburn

Google
Our first time here and we will definitely be back! The food was AMAZING!! We got the had to force ourselves to stop eating it was all so good. Then we ordered dessert! I tried different drinks and they were all 10/10! Our server Jorge was also very helpful in describing the different items and helping us choose what to order. We can’t wait to come back :)

Hallie Marsh

Google
Always LOVE eating at The Kennedy, easily one of the best restaurants in Knoxville. Gorgeous space, delicious food, unique cocktails, a 10/10 experience every time. 📸 pictured: spicy rigatoni pasta, only fans martini, crispy rice appetizer

Kristine Billings

Google
Josh was a great server. This was our first time here but what an amazing experience. We started with an order of the Devils on Horseback…highly recommend!! Even got bread afterwards to eat the rest of the sauce. We got the steak and a chopped salad. All was fantastic. Also enjoyed their Beneath the Olive Tree Martini. All around fantastic experience!

TheLittlePinkDino

Google
My husband and I came out for our anniversary and it was our first time eating here. Liza, our waitress was amazing! She was very knowledgeable with the menu, gave us recommendations, was kind and even helped us celebrate our special day with a dessert. My husband got the French Dip and macaroni for his side, he really liked both.The Rigatoni was delicious and the portions were generous. Liza was amazing and let us try the truffle which was divine. We can’t wait to come back and try some other dishes.

Jordan K.

Yelp
Beef stick was the best server!!! Thank you beef stick you were very informative and made great drinks and served us great food!
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Sasha P.

Yelp
What a fun meal this was! We had a big group (12 people) and they managed our reservation perfectly. One big table with plenty of space for the thousand appetizers, entrees and drinks. Everything was flavorful, fun and fresh. There were some unique combos - the pasta dish was spicy and fun and delish - and we devoured everything. One of our friends did the bone marrow Buffalo Trace bourbon luge and that was just super wild and cool, I've never seen that before. Our server was attentive, got everything perfectly right, never left us waiting or wanting. I was really impressed and surprised - that doesn't seem to be the norm these days. The space itself was pretty big, deceptively big, and we were seated upstairs and away from the main room. It was great for us, as the smaller space was mostly our table and a few other small two tops. Loved it.
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Nevin H.

Yelp
We went based on what we were told and the reviews on here and have to say we were completely disappointed. Our server 'Chance' was at our table almost immediately, was friendly, courteous and a great start to our experience. The place was clean, lively and a great atmosphere. We ordered 2 VERY DELICIOUS drinks: "Prickly Pear Affair" and "Margarita Al Pastor"-BRAVO!!! My wife and I were literally 'Jonesing' for the French Onion Soup as everyone we spoke to recommended it. So we ordered it to share as an app and ordered the French Dip and Chopped Salad as entrees. Well, now our experience went south! Our entrees were served. My French Dip (I ordered Onion Rings instead of Fries) was very tasty!! The beef was piled in the roll and dripping with cheese. It was served with a small 'bullet' of au jus, a piquant and a tasty sauce for the Onion Rings. The Chopped Salad, for $16 was a COMPLETE RIP OFF. The size was more of a side salad, there was BARELY ANY bacon bits included, and was absolutely NO DIFFERENT than a quick salad you would make for yourself at home! Seriously, a VERY SAD EXCUSE for a $16 entree salad. Whenever either one of us has had a 'Chopped Salad' , it's loaded with fresh tasty goodies, a salad that you wouldn't want to make for yourself because it's too much to do. THATS THE KIND OF ENTREE SALAD I WOULD EXPECT, especially for $16! I give that salad a 1 out of 5. It truly angers me that a BS salad WITH NO DEPTH like this is even on the menu of a restaurant for more than $5-$6!! So you're thinking "What about that famous French Onion Soup that you REALLY went there for??? Well, we said the same thing because they forgot to bring it to us!!! We definitely repeated the order back to our server because we wanted to split the soup, thinking our entree portions would be a lot larger. So with all the hype, forgetful server and a Totally Crappy Entree salad, I'm going to give these folks a 3/5. We're here for 3 more days but we have too many more restaurants to try than to give them another chance!
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Pierce C.

Yelp
I got spoiled staying at the Hyatt off Gay St. because it's so close to The Kennedy. I went here last year when I was here for work and I had to come check it out again. It's a really well done upscale restaurant and bar. The decor and tall ceilings makes you feel fancy but also casual enough to stop in for a quick bite and a drink. The bartenders have been awesome and have had great charisma. I met a couple new friends there and we decided to order Vegas bombs (which isn't typically on the menu of a craft bar lol) they sorted it out and hooked us up. The food was great across the board. The bacon wrapped dates are incredible, wings are on point, the salmon was cooked to perfection and the crab rice cakes were absolutely delicious. I definitely want to try more of the menu out. I heard the filet was amazing so I'll likely grab that next.
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Samantha G.

Yelp
GET YOURSELF A RESERVATION!! This place is always packed apparently. Ambiance: Beautifully done interiors. I loved how they utilized the existing space and tall ceilings. Food: the main entree/food took about 30-40 minutes to get to our table. We were quite disappointed by that, especially since no one told us that it would take that long. 1) Goat Cheese Croquettes- DELICIOUS- order it! 2) Crispy Half Chicken- DELICIOUS! I loved the Brussels sprouts. The herbed jus from the chicken made for a great gravy for the mashed potatoes. The chicken was juicy and well flavored. Service: The service was alright. Our server was bouncing around everywhere. The restaurant was busy, but lots of empty tables at 8:30 PM. Not sure why the kitchen and service were backed up.
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Melody J.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try this restaurant since it opened and it was worth the wait! I stopped in with my 2 teenagers and a friend for lunch on a Wednesday, we had reservations but at 12:45 we didn't need them, it was pretty quiet. The waiter was kind and sat us quickly, he took his time walking us through the menu and the lunch specials, in addition to giving us his personal favorites. The kids both got the Blueberry Thyme cocktail and I ordered a sparkling Rosé, as well as some Truffle fries for the table while we browsed the menu. I absolutely love that they have the 1/2 & 1/2 menu for lunch, it allowed me to try more than one thing without the portions being too large. Everything we ordered was very flavorful and perfectly prepared. This would definitely be a good date spot or a place to stop for an evening cocktail. The interior design is gorgeous and tasteful! I'll be back.

Joshua A.

Yelp
recently dined at Kennedy in Knoxville with my family, drawn in by the buzz around their Italian-inspired menu and cozy vibe. The atmosphere didn't disappoint--it's a standout with warm lighting, exposed brick walls, and a lively yet intimate feel that makes it perfect for a casual date night or family outing. The space feels upscale without being stuffy, and the background music added just the right touch. On the food front, it was solidly average. We ordered a pizza, which was decent but nothing to write home about--crust was fine, toppings were fresh, but it lacked that wow factor you'd hope for at a spot like this. The real letdown was the truffle fries: they arrived overcooked, rock-hard, and completely inedible. Service was polite but fell short on attentiveness. Our server didn't offer a child seat for our little one (which would've been a nice touch in a family-friendly spot), and when we mentioned the fries, there was no apology or offer to comp them or replace the dish. It left us feeling a bit overlooked. Overall, Kennedy shines in ambiance but needs to step up its game on food consistency and service details. I'd return for drinks and apps on a quiet night, but for a full family meal, I'll look elsewhere in Knoxville.
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Lisa H.

Yelp
We were sat at the front behind the podium since we had no reservation, yet others seemed to be able to walk in and get a booth etc. We were one of those tables where no one would claim us. So after seeing 2 other tables getting waters etc. We kept trying to get someone's attention to find out who was our wait person. We finally met her and things were a bit slow but she did have a big table to deal with. This was my final meal visiting TN for the first time and it was Good. Had the Half French Dip and Half Chop Salad. Was so good! And a starter....I can't recall. Then there is this delicious Purple~Prickly Pear Cocktail that I had to try. Refreshing but on the tart side but nice, rather than being sickly sweet. I would give it another go. Nice inside but would never accept that table again and I would probably ask who my server is before I commit. (I was heading to the Airport afterwards so... bit panicky). And yes, our server apologized profusely... when it was time to pay.

reagan k.

Yelp
Genuinely one of my favorite spots in Knoxville. SUCH good vibes and GREAT food. I will be back again & again.
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Chris C.

Yelp
So, both the food and the service were great. With a caveat. We had a drink at the bar and waited for takeout. The drink was OK, and i got a pizza which, while the bottom was a little soft, was an excellent pie. My wife got a salad, and emphasized no cheese, she has an allery. Of course we are back to our hotel room before we find out it's filled with shredded cheese. So instead of a nice meal we spent an extra 15 minutes fishing shredded cheese out of the salad so she could eat it. So really a five star, except that they screwed up an allergy on a $108 check bill and pair of drinks. In their defense we did not leave the hotel and hike the two blocks back to complain (it was storming), but for the reputation and price we thought we didnt need to double check our order before we left. This the three instead of 5.
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Angie M.

Yelp
I've eaten at The Kennedy probably half a dozen times. It is consistently very good. Yesterday was the first time I came in for lunch. I was a little under the weather so I tried the French Onion Soup. It was THE BEST French Onion Soup I have ever had. 10/10! I can't wait for the weather to get a little cooler. I might get it once a week!! Emily was our server, even though she said she had only been working there about 2 weeks, I think she did a fantastic job! Will definitely be back!
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Ashtyn K.

Yelp
Ate here with a group of friends while downtown. Conveniently located near the state street parking garage. Menu is reasonably priced with an array of options. Server was extremely friendly and provided drink and food recommendations. The food was delicious and full of flavor! Highly recommend.
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Michelle Y.

Yelp
The interior of this restaurant is stunning. Love the ambiance and decor. The menu is well thought out, very elevated pub fare and it was delicious! My daughter had the French Onion soup as her entree and it was excellent. The broth was super flavorful and rich (albeit a little overly salty) and the bread to cheese ratio was perfect. I had the pick two and paired my French Onion soup with the Italian club. I was kind of just expecting an Italian sub but the flavors were amazing. Love the arugula paired with the pesto aioli. Our friends had the Waygu burger and said it was phenomenal. Our waiter was fine but the hostess who seated us did not posses any of that southern hospitality we hear about.
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Charles M.

Yelp
We tried this new restaurant that is located in the Old Blackhorse space on Gay Street recently on a Sunday night. The motif is elegant casual. A very old space that has been updated. We tried the Devils On Horseback app which might be the best app in Knoxville, basically it's a Date wrapped in Bacon on top of a Basil Tomato sauce, sweet and savory and so good. I had the Chicken Parm sandwich substituting Onion Rings for the fries, the Onion Rings were good, but I prefer beer batter. The Chicken parm came out hot enough to burn the mouth which is good nothing worse than a cold hot sandwich. My wife hade the G.O.A.T. Salad the fried goat cheese croquets were superb in Spinach with a light balsamic vinaigrette light and delicious. The service was excellent and the deep craft draft beer taps were superb for a more elegant space
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Amber B.

Yelp
This place has a great vibe. Bartender was on point. Our server was fantastic too! Fell a little short on the meal. Potato chips didn't seem fresh and very thin for a dipping chip. French onion did was tasty. The French dip...super greasy. I couldn't pick up the sandwich. Brussels were just ok. I will come back and try something different because the service was really great! Just wasn't a huge fan of my meal.
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Angela A.

Yelp
Absolutely STELLAR dining experience! Had a lovely table in a dimly lit, quiet corner . Service was exceptional. Food was absolutely amazing. We had Devil on horseback, blue crab crispy rice, wild mushroom and double sausage pizza, and bananas foster. We will be returning!
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Iva C.

Yelp
We dined here for my birthday and had an overall lovely experience! I made a reservation ahead of time and we were seated right away when we arrived. Our waitress was prompt and polite. The drinks were tasty and we enjoyed the Devils on Horseback appetizer. For our entrées we had the Wagyu burger, spicy rigatoni, and chicken parm sandwich. Everything was delicious and we all enjoyed our meals. They gave me a complimentary flourless chocolate cake for my birthday and it was so rich. I love how they offer traditional American dishes with an elevated and unique twist. There is something for everyone! I will definitely dine here again and think it's a great addition to downtown.
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Lindsay H.

Yelp
One of our new favorites! In the former Black Horse spot across from Cruz. The space is well thought out, comfortable, and classy, while still keeping some historical elements of the building intact. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu had so many unique and tasty options. We ordered a TK old fashioned and the margarita al pastor. Both were very good, just note that the margarita has bits of herbs in it, which was a tad texturally off-putting. For food, we got the wagyu burger with fries, the chicken parm sandwich with fries and split a side of the charred goat cheese carrots. Honestly, the chicken parm sandwich was one of the best things I have eaten in Knoxville in our almost five years living here. Pounded thin, perfectly tender, breaded, and cooked with such delicious sauces and toasted bread to complement it. The sandwich was absolutely enormous, so next time I would do the lunch combo with half sandwich. Hubby liked the burger, which was perfectly cooked and the meat such a high quality with no gristle. The fries and sauce that came with it were amazing, too. Our only complaints would be that most of the fries were those broken, sharp shards like what's found d at the end of a frozen bag, and the carrots weren't cooked long enough or well-seasoned. Overall, this was a great experience and we can't wait to go back! Glad they are open during lunch hours as well as dinner, so we can go while our kids are in school.
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John O.

Yelp
The food: delicious, worth the higher price The ambiance: so nice, it's a classy place that has lived music The service: fantastic. I spoke to bartender earlier in the night telling her my favorite garnish, came back later with a friend, and she added it to my cocktail without mentioning it.
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Raizel H.

Yelp
I haven't been so dissatisfied by a place in a very long time. We came around 3p for a quick snack before dinner. They had one poor waiter working and she truly did her best- not her fault. The hostesses (3) were a waste--talking to each-other the entire time, eating, leaving together to get monster drinks, all along customers needing help, completely unaware and couldn't be bothered. I had chopped salad and my husband had the onion soup. Chopped salad had zero flavor and needed salt. My husband's onion soup had no depth and French fries tasted old and withered-- as if they were under a heating lamp for over an hour. The salad seemed fast and bland. Truly need help! If I was the owner I would fire all the hostesses upfront and start over-- they have no sense of working together as a team and caring for customers. Its not a social scene while at work--I felt disappointed for the owner.
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Jordan W.

Yelp
A really fun gastropub with a Southern twist, we enjoyed our midafternoon drink at the Kennedy. The Al Pastor margarita was ingenious and lived up to its name, with a savory but sweet pineapple twist. Service was friendly and attentive to top it all off. We can't wait to return next time we're in town for dinner. Judging by the drinks, we're in for a treat.
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Campbell L.

Yelp
Food is great, always. The service could be better. The hosts are not very welcoming and the servers aren't as attentive as they could be. Ambiance is what sells the place in our opinion.
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Grace G.

Yelp
I was just passing by for work and wanted to grab dinner and a drink at a nice restaurant. This was perfect and it was a walk away from my hotel. They had live music during the week which was great and it's such a cool vibe-y space. I ordered the spicy crab crispy rice and the spicy rigatoni, I was happy with both. My server was very attentive and I will be coming back if I'm in the area!
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Suzi ..

Yelp
We went with a large group for a birthday dinner. Parking behind the restaurant was easy to access. The atmosphere is very modern and sleek. Our server was super kind and attentive to our large group. The appetizers were the star of the show. My favorite was the crab over cripsy rice. For my entree, I got the wagyu cheeseburger and updated the side to truffle fries. The truffle fries and aioli had great flavor. The burger was substantial but a little dry, especially considering the menu says it is wagyu beef. Overall a nice addition to downtown Knoxville's restaurant scene!
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Jenn H.

Yelp
My mom came to visit me and we decided to have a nice dinner in Knoxville. The menu here looked great and the building looked interesting. Service was very friendly. My mom ordered a pizza but had asked for the meat to be on the side so I could have it, as she doesn't eat meat. She was going to customize the pizza with just the veggies but it would have been more expensive than just ordering the Philly cheesesteak pizza which doesn't make sense. She also ordered a salad. I ordered the French Dip. Her salad was brought and she finished. By that point, we'd been in the restaurant about 45 minutes. No sign of our entrees. Our waiter then comes over with the manager who told us they accidentally put the meat on her pizza vs on the side so they had to remake it. They were very polite and friendly about it...but I'd not ordered any appetizer. It took another 25+ minutes for the food to arrive. That meant I'd been waiting well over an hour for any food. I think they should have brought or at least offered me a salad or some other compensation. Or maybe taken some money off the bill? I don't know but with parking being not convenient and the extreme wait, the food would have had to have been mind blowing. It was average. There wasn't anything standout or special about the flavors and I found the meat to be a bit too greasy for a French dip. We sat upstairs and it was insanely loud and I could smell the pizzas being fired. It wasn't enjoyable or relaxing to me. Mom was tired from traveling and we didn't feel like making a big deal and being there any longer. That said, I wouldn't go back or have this as a top recommendation for where to eat in Knoxville.
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Amy D.

Yelp
We visited for a special occasion in December and will definitely be back! The appetizer was the best appi I have had. Meal was great as well and service was friendly and attentive. Didn't get a picture of the burger, but it was delicious!
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Katherine N.

Yelp
I could rave about the Kennedy ALL DAY LONG. By far my favorite restaurant in Knoxville. The vibes and ambience are fabulous. They have great fun and unique drinks including one in a bathtub. And yet the food is still my favorite part. I crave their spicy rigatoni daily, definitely check out the Kennedy
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Bobby B.

Yelp
It was just ok. We came here after my wife and mother in law had such a wonderful experience a couple of weeks ago. I ordered the cheeseburger, wife ordered the French dip and mom ordered a chicken parm sandwich. My burger was good but nothing spectacular, it looked very good on the plate but just was ok. Wife's French dip was good. My mother in-laws sandwich was very tasty. We all ordered fries, with my wife and I getting the truffle fries. They were very dry, not warm and all of them were small. Like it was the bottom of the bag. The waitress was very nice and helpful but she never refilled my drink. It a very nice place but very loud. We may give it another try. Idk. The devils on horseback that we ordered as a starter was the only dish that was good. I did leave the waitress a tip but I did give her feedback on our service and food.

Marissa K.

Yelp
Outstanding. Brought my family here while visiting my daughter, it did not disappoint. The onion dip was delicious as was the spicy rigatoni. Service was terrific and it's just a beautiful place. We will absolutely be back next time we're in town.
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Sandra S.

Yelp
We walked in without a reservation at the suggestion of our server from another bar. Ivey said the food and ambience was good so we gave it a try. They seated us immediately and it was nice and quiet. Our server Liv was very nice and suggested we try the dates and mac & cheese. We also ordered the Italian club. Everything was delicious. We will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes .
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Francis A.

Yelp
This is one of the the more elegant places to dine in Knoxville, the appetizers are out of this world and the server we had was very kind and informative when it came to the menu, I can't put into words how impeccable the look of the restaurant is on the inside.
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Nanchetta C.

Yelp
The food is outstanding. Here for parents weekend at the university and make the reservation during move-in. Servers were gracious and knew how to act. The corn dog appetizer and bacon wrapped dates were delicious. The chefs special dish was the perfect lemony savory dish. Husband got the farallle with shrimp that was delicious and daughter got a filet mignon that she said was perfectly cooked. The internet did me right telling me to come here.

Ivan S.

Yelp
The food was good with excellent service. The inside was nice but an odd space to have TVs on the wall.
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Curtis R.

Yelp
Ok, this place was a 4 on the food scale, started with appetizers, French Onion, nice bowl, not salty, plenty of onions, Shrimp Cocktail (5 Med-Lg with a cocktail sauce that was ok, maybe out of a jar. My mix is Horseradish, chili sauce and ketchup with a sprinkle of parsley, cooked properly although I prefer jumbo that after cooked then chilled to provide firmness. These just came from under the cold water) and Devils on Horseback with medjool dates, applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese, balsamic, pumpkin seed pesto, Calabrian chili tomato sauce. This was a great dish and all it needed was some crostini that we asked for and they provided. Dinner were two orders of Faroe Salmon that was cooked perfectly, moist and flakey with mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts that were fabulous, nice caramelized to glaze. Other dish was the Spicy Rigatoni pink vodka sauce, crispy prosciutto, calabrian chili, grana padano, ricotta, basil with Chicken strips added that was a large meal and enough to bring home. There service was swell although we had a reservation and were told our table was being cleaned and when we waited 15 min he sat us at a table that was setup since we arrived. Also the main course was slow to come out to the point where the manager came over to apologize which was nice and professional. Drinks were pricey, 15-16 for a whiskey and wine. Bill came to 205.00 plus tip.
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Dean H.

Yelp
Our waitress Jocelyn was fantastic! The food was outstanding. Highly recommend the burger. Atmosphere was also great.
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Brian N.

Yelp
A very stately and handsome restaurant. Feels like being in an elite club when you enter the door. The service was fantastic and attentive. We had an amazing burrata that was actually so enormous we could barely eat our lunches. The French dip was fantastic. I had the chicken parm sandwich and it was very good. Excellent truffle fries accompanying the dish. The ice cream pie was less good than I had expected but it was still yummy.
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Juanita L.

Yelp
It's a 3.5 for me buut I think this place has potential. Service was good and food was mostly good. The inside is also really cute - great decor! I walked by the night before and they also open late and have live music (but I believe they stop serving food at 10pm). [Bone marrow] We were lucky to get soo much bone marrow with this bone BUT that also meant they didn't cook the bone marrow all the way through. I did let the server know who let the manager know and they took it off our tab. I think it would have been good if it was cooked all the way though. [Aperol spritz] Unfortunately they didn't let me know that they didn't have any aperol and just made me whatever to pass off as an aperol spritz. It was also just really sweet which made it not refreshing. [Cheesy truffle fries] I loved the pile of soft cheese on the fries and the black garlic aioli was tasty. I think the portion was a little small and the truffle flavor wasn't as strong. [Mini corn dogs] The honey mustard was really runny but the corn dogs were tasty. Some were a little too bready and I think the corn dogs could be a little bigger. Overall, I love corn dogs so I still liked these!
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Elena B.

Yelp
The best part about this place is the staff and beverages - even the mocktails (under sober curious) were good. Why two stars? Because the atmosphere does not match the expectation. Let me elaborate - beautiful restaurant with beautiful decor, gorgeous bar, prime Gay street location ... I thought it would be a fancy meal out. Instead? It was a glorified bar - no UT game but 9 TVs playing it with insane volume and then an LSU game on another TV where a table of 6 women (prob in their 50s) hooted, hollered, and screamed so much that several tables were visibly shaken at one point (almost made a kid cry). Listen, if that's what you want then this place will 4/5 you. The food was also hit or miss - yummy pizza, great salmon, okay burger - but rubbery chicken and lackluster French fries. The salad was not very good either - not bad - but not something I would deem special and get dressed up for on a Saturday night. Loved our hostess. Attentive, kind, and more. It's not her fault the atmosphere didn't live up to pictures but buyer beware (like I also wouldn't go here for a first date unless your shared interest is rowdy bars and glorified cocktails).
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Great vibe at this spot in downtown Knoxville. We just got apps and drinks at the bar but the bar tenders were friendly and attentive & the restaurant was very busy. The variety of cocktails offered were unique & tasty & the appetizer of black crab crispy rice was delicious.

christine o.

Yelp
It was our first time dining at this restaurant and Jess was our server and she was amazing ! She was very kind and patient especially with our little who had allergies. Nice, comfy, and classy dining. If I can give 10 stars I would. I had the truffle fries and wings as appetizers. And for dinner the chicken parm which was perfect. The pesto was very smooth and gave a nice touch, for my side I had the Brussel sprouts which had a spicy sweet taste to them. As for my husband he has salmon, Mac and cheese and Brussels. The salmon and Mac and cheese were very tasteful as well. Go here ! It such a nice date night as well as just a great dining experience to have with family. I think the best part was that they an upstairs dining area that is a very cozy date night sit down for couples.
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Jessica S.

Yelp
We came for drinks and live music to celebrate my birthday and another friends' birthday with a group of 4. Jocelyn served us and was absolutely lovely!! I swear she is Anna Kendrick's twin! The live music was SO good!! I live in Nashville and was so impressed with the Brent Hyder's music! He was phenomenal! Kyle, the manager, brought us a special treat for our birthdays! It was the best experience! Also, the atmosphere is so cool! Highly recommend!!!
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Elise E.

Yelp
Jo was absolutely amazing! She was so knowledgeable in answering all our questions, very personable and sweet. Everyone at The Kennedy was great!!

Madison F.

Yelp
The service, the vibes, the food, everything was incredible!! Their menu was huge with a ton of selections!!
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Zack O.

Yelp
This place never fails to impress me. The burgers, pasta, and cocktails are amazing. 10/10 recommend
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Rollin C.

Yelp
Very cool interiors. Feels almost like a NYC restaurant. We were seated immediately and asked the server for his suggestions and he said he loved the French Dip - but that they were out of that? Ok - so... My daughter ordered truffle fries & the Chicken Wrap and I ordered a side Caesar Salad and their Pappardelle with Butternut squash. My daughter loved the fries and the wrap. The Caesar was VERY good - their dressing is delicious. The pappardelle needed something ...it just didn't have a lot of flavor to me. Would definitely go back....maybe to have the French Dip!
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R. Deno C.

Yelp
The Kennedy is always an easy choice choice for dinner and/or drinks--consistent and never disappoints. Ask for Liza!
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Terry K.

Yelp
We couldn't decide on an entree so we ordered a few appetizers to share. Super tasty and quality ingredients!
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Chase P.

Yelp
Great atmosphere. The amberjack was soft and buttery with a great sear. Was very busy but service was timely
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Mandy H.

Yelp
Food is good overall, favorites are the soup and pastas. Pizza can be good but occasionally oily. Prices are fair for being located downtown and the ambiance is upscale but still casual. Staff are great and on top of their service. 9/10 recommend.