We are nearly six months into the year, and Knoxville’s restaurant scene is exciting as ever. There are more than 20 concepts we know are opening in 2026.
We kicked off the year with a series of heartbreaking closures, some of which made the way for new ideas to move in. A few restaurants opened their doors − like three Belltown spots, Abridged Burger Company, Sugar Queen Creamery and Soccer Taco. More than that, two restaurants slated for Covenant Health Park, Iron Forge Brewing Co. and Jackie’s Dream, starting serving customers.
Daughter Bar is the sultry, jazz cocktail bar that opened on the second floor of Mother Bar as a way to increase capacity for the wildly popular botanical-themes bar. And Earl’s opened as a fast, casual restaurant with elevated bar food and a dedicated delivery system on the South Waterfront…