Downtown Knoxville's Best Patios

Situated on Gay Street, soak up the sun under Babalu's orange umbrellas while sipping a margarita and noshing on chips and guac! It's a spacious patio to dine with your friends and family over high-end Latin-inspired fare.

We love Café 4's patio for so many reasons. The delicious truffle parmesan fries, the shareable cocktail punchbowls, and maybe most of all, the people-watching on Market Square. If you haven't been yet, you need to put this patio on your list.

A hidden gem! Escape under the colorful umbrellas of Chesapeake's courtyard and keep the Bloody Marys coming alongside the crab cake benedicts. It's a great space for Sunday brunch, winding down during happy hour, or dinner any night of the week.

Did you know? Downtown Grill has two patios! You're probably most familiar with their prime spot out front, but they also have more room on their back patio with TVs! Enjoy a root beer float, pasta, wings, chicken tenders, beer, and good times. Both are pet-friendly.

Fat Tuesday has been perfecting frozen daiquiris for almost 40 years, and there’s no arguing with that much experience. From Bourbon Street to Gay Street, you'll find rotating flavors – Mardi Gras Mash and 190 Octane are must-tries – as well as appetizing small bites including flatbreads, pretzels, and shrimp cocktails! Visit their patio for Big Easy fun.

Frothy Monkey has become a new favorite among Knoxvillians! The all-day café is perfect for coffee and a meal while enjoying all that Gay Street has to offer. Grab charcuterie and wine for an afternoon on the patio soaking up sunshine and a good time.

A hidden treasure for an afternoon of "work" with coffee in hand! Located on the 100 Block of Gay Street, the adorable patio behind Jacks is an urban oasis shaded by lush trees. And their seasonal lattes are some of the best (and most creative) in town!

One of the most comfortable patios on Market Square goes to Kabuki. With large, padded booths, it's a great gathering place for lunch or dinner with friends over sushi. Lots and lots of sushi!

Enjoy fresh Mediterranean fare straight from Chef Avi's Moroccan/Israeli heritage, as he brings family recipes to Knoxville! KoPita serves their vegan and meat-friendly dishes on the mezzanine level of Embassy Suites, where their outdoor, covered patio overlooks Gay Street's buzz and activity. Delicious food, great views, match made in heaven!

A haven for pups and beer lovers, there's no question that Merchants of Beer has one of the largest outdoor spaces in Downtown Knox. Chill under the shade of the pergola or on the large turf lawn, play some ping-pong and cornhole, order from the Pop Up Truck, stay for the day. This beer garden is loads of fun.

Hello happy hour! Our favorite time to enjoy Nama is right after work on their wrap-around patio. They have underrated cocktails, fresh sashimi, and over-the-top delicious sushi that's half-off on Mondays and Thursdays.

Move over New Orleans, we've got Bourbon Street vibes right here in Knoxville. Head to Old City Sports Bar for 18 TVs showing the latest sporting events, a balcony overlooking historic architecture, and plenty of beer and cocktails.

Ciao bella! Taste the Northern Italian cuisine of Osteria Stella from their intimate and charming patio, where the outside world goes out of focus, and it's just you and your company enjoying house-made bread, pasta, gnocchi, and an extensive wine selection. This romantic patio is waiting for you on Jackson Ave.

Petro's Chili & Chips is the perfect patio for a weekday lunch or a quick dinner before a stroll through Krutch Park! Dive into an original Petro® piled high with chili and toppings and wash it down with a Hint-of-Orange sweet tea. They also have wedge salads, loaded potatoes, and BBQ chicken nachos right on Market Square. Fun fact: Petro's started at the 1982 World’s Fair.

Connected to PostModern's patio, Pour Taproom's vibe is a bit more casual. The pay-by-the-ounce bar boasts large picnic tables outside, making it a go-to gathering spot for friends and afternoon drinks. Beer, bubbles, wine, and don't miss the great nachos. Of course, bring your dog! They'll be in great company.

Benedicts, mimosas, and sweet sunshine on Market Square! Hailing from New Orleans, Ruby Sunshine has earned a place in the hearts of locals. Their patio is waiting for you and your friends to brunch the day away.

Social Dove is a personality in-and-of-itself. If you want the tastes of Lonesome Dove with a more casual atmosphere, put this large courtyard on your list! You never know when there will be live music or an appearance from Chef Tim Love to get the party started.

The patio of the party! Sweet P's has an outdoor space true to their roots — a downtown dive for live music, good times, and great BBQ. Boston butts smoked low and slow, bone-in rubbed and smoked chicken quarters, Tennessee beef brisket. Yeah, it's good.

The Tomato Head's patio boasts colorful string lights and neon green chairs, which match the bright flavors of their fresh meals. Nosh on hot pizzas out of the oven, tasty vegetarian fare, freshly baked bread, and healthy salads after a trip to the Market Square Farmers' Market. Or, really, lunch or dinner anytime. We could eat here every day!

Tupelo Honey calls their corner patio an "extended front porch," which makes sense, since they make us feel like we're at our Granny's home with their southern cooking! They've been serving delicious food and cocktails on Market Square since 2012. Sweet tea and fried green tomatoes, please.

A hidden gem in the Holston Building, Vida's patio sits right next to Krutch Park. The hanging flower baskets add privacy to the romantic patio, where you can enjoy pan-Latin cuisine for a delicious dinner with friends. We hear the limonada suiza and empanadas are a match made in heaven.