The Kennedy

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! ☺️

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.

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.

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.

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)!

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!

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!

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.

It was my first time coming to The Kennedy, and it was AMAZING! The food was define and the service was phenomenal! Shayy was our waitress and she was the BEST!!

The Kennedy - Knoxville, TN: The Speakeasy-Style Steakhouse That Just Became My Religion I've eaten in a lot of "great" steakhouses. The Kennedy didn't just join the list; it burned the list and started a new one with only its name on it. Hidden behind an unassuming door in the heart of downtown Knoxville, you step through a velvet curtain and suddenly you're in a 1920s fever dream: crystal chandeliers, deep leather booths, live jazz floating through cigar-lounge air, and a bar that looks like Jay Gatsby and Don Draper had a very expensive baby. The vibe is pure seduction from the first second. Then the food arrives and everything gets unfair. Start with the oysters Rockefeller topped with absinthe butter or the wagyu beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and black truffle; both are flawless. But the real reason you're here is the steak. The 45-day dry-aged, bone-in ribeye is the single best piece of beef I've eaten south of the Mason-Dixon: thick charcoal crust, crimson center, insane marbling that renders into liquid gold, served with a tableside pour of melted bone-marrow butter that should be classified as a controlled substance. I ordered it medium-rare and it arrived exactly that, edge to edge, with a flavor so deep and nutty I actually stopped talking mid-sentence. Sides are mandatory: the lobster mac & cheese is pure decadence, the truffle-parmesan fries disappear in 90 seconds, and the creamed spinach with benton's bacon is life-changing. Cocktails are theatrical perfection (order the Expresso Martini Pictured Below), and the all-American wine list has gems at every price point. Service is the gold standard: polished, warm, and genuinely thrilled to watch you fall in love with every plate. The Kennedy isn't just dinner; it's an event you'll recount for years. Knoxville, you've been hiding a world-class steakhouse dressed like a speakeasy, and now the secret's out. Five stars feels too small. Book early, dress sharp, bring someone you want to impress forever. I'm already counting days until I'm back. This place is magic.

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)!

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.

Sat at the bar and service was fantastic. The bartender was so nice and made great recommendations. I had the burger and fries which was so good. The drinks on the menu were a little sweet but they can make whatever you want. Atmosphere was really nice and it wasn't to crowded

When researching Knoxville eateries the Kennedy came highly recommended. And for GOOD reason! The food was very tasteful, prepared and presented well. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive. The decor and atmosphere was perfect for a leisurely lunch date with friends. Bright sunny front windows make it a cheery sunlit spot to eat. The warm light surrounding the bar in back and various seating options were great. Layout design of the whole venue was wonderful. A must experience when in Knoxville.

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.

I moved out here for a project at work this year and this place was recommended by coworkers for me to try. It was primarily the women coworkers and I can see why. I've been here 2x now and I always see a group of women absolutely enjoying themselves. I came here on my own and even coming solo I had fun. Sitting alone isn't awkward and it's so cute inside.

Service was friendly l, atmosphere was really nice. Amazing pizza!!! Had a beautiful hot honey pizza and a mushroom pizza. It was so good!!

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.

Very good experience here. Food is fantastic and service and atmosphere is incredible.

I visited on my birthday and they somehow managed to make the entire evening feel extra special from start to finish . The restaurant surprised me with a birthday card signed by the entire staff , which was incredibly sweet and completely unexpected. We sat at the bar, and Jo the bartender was amazing , crafting a custom drink that was absolutely lovely. Do yourself a favor and order the Jose special, even though it's not on the menu . The décor is elegant and stylish, perfectly suited for a girls' night out , date night , or some quality you time. There are two floors to explore, which adds to the fun, and the upstairs can easily accommodate a nice private dining experience . I didn't get to try the food this time, but it would be an honor to do so on my next visit . As if the night wasn't already great, two separate guests bought me birthday drinks , so a big shout out to the couple in the booth and the ladies at the bar, and happy birthday to my fellow Capricorn . We parked in a paid lot a couple blocks away ‍, since this wasn't our original destination, but I'm so glad we wandered over. Love, love, love this place .

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.

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!

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

Great ambience, food was good, nothing im craving later but would come back for the ambience and to try something new!

Great place in downtown Knoxville! The environment is very cozy and cute. Big menu with lots to choose from. We started with their prickly pear cocktails which were very good. GET THE MINI CORN DOGS! They are the best you'll ever have I promise. For an entree I did the chicken parmesan sandwich which was fantastic.

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.

Amazing restaurant with amazing ambiance and great food. The waygu burger and chicken parm are amazing. The pizzas and salads as well. There is nothing bad here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Good food and even better ambiance. The decore is high end and feels like a 1920s restaurant and bar. Very cool vibes. Convenient location and worth a try. A bit pricey, but that comes with the food and ambiance.

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!

Love the historical elements and decor, although it was quite noisy and difficult to converse with others at our table. We sat for 30 minutes before our server came to even talk to us. Our server described the menus as upscale bar food. However, there was not one vegetarian/vegan entree!!! And our server was not helpful or apologetic!!! Well, there was a veggie pizza...BUT....I don't want brussel sprouts on my pizza along with olives and artichokes! Honestly, who thinks up these combinations. And the manager would not let me replace them with something else! They suggested that I just use the MYO option which would have been way more expensive. I ended up getting a salad and a couple of sides. Once we placed our orders, it took another 30 minutes for our food to appear. My salad was mostly a bowl of spinach leaves, with two very thin small slices of apple - so thin you could almost see through them - some pecans and 5 goat cheese balls!!! The sides were cauliflower and diced sweet potatoes cooked together with not much flavor, and the roasted brussel sprouts were also lacking flavor and swimming in oil! Not at all a filling or tasty meal! My husband ordered the burger, which he said was pretty good, and some onion rings. There were TWO onion rings on his plate!!..TWO!!???? If you are vegetarian or vegan and thinking of dining here......just don't....there are plenty of vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurants in town who are happy to accommodate you!!!

It was ok. People nice. Service was a bit slow for lunch. Food was just ok this time. It is a good restaurant but was just ok this time.

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.

Nice atmosphere. I liked the decor. The servers are very nice. The food is the star though. I had the french dip and it is hands down one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The slow cooked beef was INCREDIBLE!! Hats off to the kitchen. I will definitely be back and I'm excited to try some of the cocktails.

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!

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!

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!

First time at The Kennedy. Service & food were excellent. We got the dates stuffed with goat cheese & wrapped in bacon and bone marrow appetizers. Main dishes were Wagyu burger with truffle fries & swordfish with truffle mac & cheese. Loved the swordfish in the miso lemon sauce!! Mac & cheese was just okay. Chocolate truffle cake was fantastic!! Burger was great too! Apps were delicious. Highly recommend. Will def be going back.

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!

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 .

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.

Came in on a Thursday evening trying to feed the family. Half the restaurant was empty. But they couldn't seat us because of reservations. This is small town restaurant culture mindset without the practicality and flexibility of what it's really about. Getting people in and getting them out and feeding them instead of relying on reservations. Do better What good is a restaurant on a Thursday evening if you can't feed people. You're not the French laundry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fantastic service and a great atmosphere! A perfect way to start our girl's trip with this dinner.

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.

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!

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.

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

I will start with the positive. Sat at the bar and the bartender was terrific. He was Responsive and made a great rye manhattan. Ordered a salad and a pasta dish. The salad came out within 5 minutes of ordering. The pasta dish took 45 minutes. There were two large parties which apparently my order got caught behind. Thee are a couple ways this should be handled. Don't take what you can't service or let smaller groups know so they can either order or be prepared for a wait. The manager did comp my entree and the food was delicious. I'm not recommending people avoid the Kennedy, but rather they think about how better to handle these situations.

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.

For drinks the Old Fashioned is fantastic with Eagle Rare 10 year... The Blue Crab Crispy Rice is a great starter along with the Truffle Fries... For entrees I suggest The Kennedy Wagyu Burger cooked medium rare and the Spicy Rigatoni... Desserts are all excellent as well... Very appealing interior and ambiance... Enjoy!