Best Places for Thanksgiving and Holiday Food in Knoxville, Tennessee

This Thanksgiving season, AAA expects that 37 million or more Americans will travel 50 or more miles to spend the holiday with their friends and family. Our family travels to Indiana to meet up with my family of origin every Thanksgiving Day without fail. However, if we were to spend this holiday in Knoxville, Tennessee, we would have a lot of delicious and convenient options for Thanksgiving Day meals.

Riverside Tavern is one of those awesome options. Located at 950 Volunteer Landing, on the gorgeous Tennessee River, Riverside Tavern is always a good choice to spend time with your friends or a romantic date or a nice relaxing lunch with a friend. But on Thanksgiving Day, this casual restaurant is transformed into a buffet. Their Thanksgiving Day buffet includes prime rib, ham, turkey, or salmon….and that's just the meat options. Side dishes like macaroni and cheese, sweet potato soufflé, green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing, real mashed potatoes, real turkey gravy, rolls, and cranberry sauce grace this lavish buffet. And for the healthy eaters among us, fresh seasonal vegetables, several types of salads are available! Don't worry, dessert wasn't left out of Riverside Tavern's Thanksgiving Day repertoire. All the classics: pumpkin pie, pecan pie, carrot cake and more make a perfect ending to your holiday feast. Reservations are strongly suggested, and you can make one by calling 865/637-0303. Riverside Tavern will be open and serving this delectable feast from 11 am to 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day. The price for the buffet is $22.99 for adults, with the under 10 crowd paying half price.

Michael's Restaurant and Bar has been serving up good food and fun since 1981 at their location at 7049 Kingston Pike. And they are hoping you enjoy their good food and fun on Thanksgiving Day. From 3 pm to 9 pm on the holiday, Michael's will serve a Greek Leg of Lamb, turkey or baked ham and appropriate sides for $15.95 per adult. Children under 10 are welcome in the dining room for $6.95. Michael's Restaurant and Bar will be serving their regular menu that evening as well, which includes such favorites as prime rib, salmon and orange roughy. You can make a reservation to spend your Thanksgiving Day meal in casual elegance by calling 865/588-2455 or 800/258-1314.

For a family-oriented, laid-back, friendly sort of Thanksgiving Day experience, Ryan's Grill Buffet and Bakery is open from 10:30 am to 10 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Their usual buffet items will be there, but Thanksgiving Day traditional dishes are included. Some Thanksgiving Day special items are turkey and ham; sides like sweet potatoes, corn soufflé, and green bean casserole; and pumpkin pie and pecan pie for dessert. Ryan's is a first-come, first-serve restaurant, but if you want a private room, you will need to make a reservation. Reservations are also accepted for evening dining after 4 pm. There are two Ryan's locations in Knoxville. One is located at 213 Cedar Lane, and can be reached by calling 865/689-1398. The other location is at 9645 Kingston Pike and their phone number is 865/690-1214.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day holiday no matter where you choose to spend it, but if you are wanting to entertain without the mess, or don't have the space, or just want to enjoy a relaxing day, these area restaurants will enhance your holiday.