5 Best Cafes in Downtown, Knoxville TN
Updated 11 October 2026 · 23 cafes in Downtown, Knoxville TN considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists cafes in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, ranked by Google rating and weighted by how many people left a review. Twenty-three qualifying businesses were considered, and the five highest ranked are shown here. Each entry includes the business's listed hours, address, and attributes from Google, along with a summary of what reviewers mention. Breakfast spots and coffee bars appear alongside full-service cafes, so the right choice depends on whether you want a quick coffee, a sit-down breakfast, or a place to work for a while.
#1
Matt Robb’s Biscuits
★ 4.9 (817 Google reviews)Breakfast restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Matt Robb's Biscuits is listed as a breakfast restaurant at 800 Market St, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 817 reviews. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 9 am to noon, and listed closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. The only listed attribute is a wheelchair-accessible car park. Reviewers mention a short, simple menu of biscuit sandwiches with flavors like blueberry and sausage, and that a line often forms before opening. Some visitors say the shop no longer served its coffee on one visit.
Best for: Quick morning biscuit sandwiches
- Address
- 800 Market St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9 am–12 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 9 am–12 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 9 am–12 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 9 am–12 pm
#2
Cafe 4
★ 4.8 (7,945 Google reviews)Southern restaurant (US)
Representative photo, not of this business.
Cafe 4 is listed as a Southern restaurant at 4 Market Square, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 7,945 reviews. Weekday hours usually run from 11 am to 9 or 10 pm, and weekend hours are split between a daytime and an evening session. Listed attributes include wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet. Reviewers mention fish tacos, braised short rib, pimento cheese dip, mac and cheese, a Nashville chicken sandwich, and batch cocktails at a good price. Dogs are welcome on the patio, according to one reviewer.
Best for: Southern dinner and batch cocktails
- Address
- 4 Market Square, TN 37902, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 9 am–3 pm, 4–10 pm; Sun 9 am–3 pm, 4–8 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#3
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
★ 4.9 (242 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe is listed as a restaurant at 327 W Summit Hill Dr SW, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 242 reviews. It opens at 7 am and closes at 2 pm on most weekdays, and at 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Listed attributes are limited to wheelchair-accessible seating and toilet. Reviewers describe the space as cute and a good spot for a light bite and a drink. They also mention that food can take a while to arrive, and that the servers were warm and attentive.
Best for: A light bite and a relaxed drink
- Address
- 327 W Summit Hill Dr SW, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–9 pm; Mon 7 am–2 pm; Sat 7 am–9 pm; Sun 7 am–3 pm; Thu 7 am–2 pm; Tue 7 am–2 pm; Wed 7 am–2 pm
#4
Pete's Restaurant & Coffee Shop
★ 4.7 (1,451 Google reviews)Breakfast restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop is listed as a breakfast restaurant at 540 Union Ave, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,451 reviews. Hours start at 6:30 am on weekdays and 7 am on weekends, closing at 2 pm. Attributes include wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet. Reviewers mention large plates, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, counter seating, and attentive service. One reviewer noted a wall of photos of notable guests. Several say there was parking right out front.
Best for: Hearty early breakfast
- Address
- 540 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6:30 am–2 pm; Mon 6:30 am–2 pm; Sat 7 am–2 pm; Sun 7 am–2 pm; Thu 6:30 am–2 pm; Tue 6:30 am–2 pm; Wed 6:30 am–2 pm
#5
K Brew
★ 4.7 (1,203 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
K Brew is listed as a coffee shop at 1138 N Broadway, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,203 reviews and a listed price range of $1 to $10. It is open most days from 7 am to 6 pm, and from 8 am on Sundays. Attributes include outdoor seating, takeaway, dine-in, a laptop-friendly setting, breakfast, and gender-neutral toilets. Reviewers mention a cozy space for studying, consistent bagels and pastries, a breakfast sandwich with sausage and cheese, a honey latte, and a friendly, quick staff.
Best for: Study sessions and espresso drinks
- Address
- 1138 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 7 am–6 pm; Sun 8 am–6 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 23 cafes in Downtown, Knoxville TN with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Pete's Restaurant & Coffee Shop opens at 6:30 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Matt Robb’s Biscuits ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 817 reviews. Cafe 4 is second at 4.8 from 7,945 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Knoxville TN are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Cafe 4, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: K Brew $1–10. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for K Brew.
Run a business in Downtown?
Get a fast website with your hours, menu, location and reviews. If your business is listed here and something is wrong, tell us and we fix it.
Email support@pagenearby.com