Weekday Lunch Options in Downtown Knoxville

Babalu is a prime spot for weekday lunch on Gay Street for Latin-inspired fare at a great lunch price. Enjoy one of their many flavorful tacos with a side of chips and guacamole, or maybe a Cuban sandwich or black bean burger. But our personal favorite is the Black Bean Bowl with roasted corn, romaine lettuce, queso fresco, red pepper purée, and lime vinaigrette. It's craveable!

Fresh farm-to-table food meets daily lunch specials that will blow you away. Some local favorites include turkey and dressing, green chile cheeseburger, and fried catfish, veggie plates ... plus soup and sandwich combos that are hearty and healthy. Chef/Owner Martha Boggs knows what she's doing at Bistro at the Bijou!

If you need to stretch your legs, walk down to the Old City to Curious Dog for one of the best hot dogs and best sandwiches you'll ever try! Big statement, right? This "beer market" is constantly pushing flavor boundaries, coming up with new tasty combos. They make much of their toppings in-house, like kimchi, special sauce, potato salad, and even mayo.

Downtown Grill is one of Knoxville's favorite gathering spots for brunch, lunch, dinner, and beer. But we're talking lunch here, so let us tell you about a little secret: they have the same lunch specials each week, so you can go back on your favorite day of the week. Meatball pasta, meatloaf, and quiche to name a few. Plus, a lunchtime salad bar that's killer!

The Old City has one of the most interesting lunch places on our list: Good Golly Tamale. They debuted at the Market Square Farmers’ Market several years ago, and now, they serve their hand-rolled tamales from their Central Ave storefront. It's traditional comfort food that's fast, delicious, and nutritious! Vegetarian/vegan options are available.

We love the Lunchbox for so many reasons! Quality food at great prices, plus a salad bar that can't be beat. They have grab-n-go when you're in a hurry, all made from scratch each morning. They also have comforting chili and soups to keep you warm throughout the winter. And don't get us started on their cookies!

The legendary Pete’s has been serving up lunch specials to downtown employees since 1986. Every weekday, they have different meat-and-three options for $10. some favorites are country fried steak, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings, plus fried okra, creamed corn, and collard greens. They also serve hearty burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. 

Craving a hearty meal? Let Southern Grit be your answer with double cheeseburgers, decadent meatloaf, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken pot pie, and more tasty fare. If you're thinking, whoa, slow down, their Brussel Sprout Salad is just as good!

A crowd favorite! Everyone will find something to love at The Tomato Head. Hot pizzas from the oven, loaded salads, tasty vegan sandwiches, juicy chicken sandwiches, hearty soups, homemade breads, dips, and sauces. All super fresh and tasty!

We might have saved the best for last! Yassin's is located on Walnut Street, making it a convenient walk to fresh-made falafel, homemade hummus, and scratch-made baklava. You may have heard it was voted the "Nicest Place In America," but we'll add "Delicious Lunch in Downtown Knoxville" too!