Forget your forks and pack up that salad—Knoxville’s burger scene is calling, and trust us, buns have never been bigger, juicier, or more creative. Whether you crave classic diner nostalgia, smash-style sizzle, or toppings bold enough to start a new food group, we’ve tracked down the city’s most crave-worthy burger joints for every appetite. Prepare to loosen your belt and follow your taste buds as we dig into Knoxville’s very best burgers.
Nick & J’s Cafe | Retro Diner Classics, No Frills Needed
Walking into this hands-on diner feels like stepping back to a time when burgers were simple masterpieces. Each patty is hand-formed, cooked to order, and nestled in a perfectly toasted bun. The toppings menu skips the exotic and doubles down on classics. Bite into the signature Way with its crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, sweet onions, and a two-cheese finish.
Or gamble on the Brown and Blue, which pairs a juicy patty with melting gorgonzola. The atmosphere revolves around chrome accents, cozy booths, and friendly servers who strike up conversation as they slide plates across the counter. Breakfast runs into lunchtime with the same menu ethos: hearty, familiar, and fully satisfying. If you arrive later in the day, be aware they close before dinner.
Fries, onion rings, and sweet potato fries round out each meal without drama. There is plenty of on-site parking to spare, so you never need to circle Kingston Pike for a spot. Parents, retirees, or anyone chasing the taste of unpretentious goodness will feel at home here. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Hamburger Hill Food Truck | Smash Burger Royalty on Wheels
Few street eats match the swagger of a Hamburger Hill burger. Each patty hits the griddle at scorching heat, forming those lacy, crispy edges you crave and releasing its juices with every bite. The real showstopper is the Hill Sauce, a tangy-spicy elixir I would drizzle on everything from fries to dessert.
Speaking of fries, the hand-cut batch here has the perfect golden crunch, and other sides lean hard into comfort territory.
But it is not all beef glory. The “That Damn Mushroom” sandwich layers earthy fungi with melty cheese, while a grilled cheese stuffed with crushed Doritos injects a playful crunch. Even picky vegetarians find satisfying offerings that do not feel like an afterthought.
This is walk-up service with a welcoming, family-friendly foldout table setup. No fancy décor to break, no succulents in reach of sticky fingers.
Keep an eye on the rotating specials and exit strategy for that banana pudding. If you want unapologetic smash burgers that bring drama and flavor, this is the truck to chase. Track the truck and start planning lunch.
Emma’s Southern Kitchen | Classic Southern Comfort
Emma’s Southern Kitchen nails that disconnect between ordering a salad and actually craving a hearty burger. Each 8-ounce Angus patty arrives juicy and seasoned just right, pairing effortlessly with fries cut in-house and crispy fried okra.
The vibe feels like pure Southern warmth, with worn wood floors, mismatched chairs, and a staff that greets old friends and newcomers with the same genuine enthusiasm.
Beyond classic cheeseburgers, the menu steps out with bacon-laden builds, veggie options, and even a surprise taco when mood strikes. Portions here do not shy away from generosity.
Kids’ eyes light up at the prospect of live music on sunny days, and the shaded patio offers relief for parents who need to kick back while little ones roam.
Whether you come for quick lunch or stay for a laid-back evening, attentive service keeps the pace just right. Regulars drift in as naturally as flies to a front porch, proof that once you taste Emma’s, it is easy to stick around. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
sevier avenue burger company | smashburgers & southern sides
You might roll your eyes at burger joints that phone in frozen patties, but this spot flips that script. Here, every two-patty beast is aged for 14 days, smashed on the griddle, and crowned with produce from local growers. The house-made buns are baked in town, giving the Definitely Not Kosher burger its devil-may-care swagger, thanks to a bacon jam you’ll want on everything.
Vegetarians score more than a wilted garnish. A marinated portobello or a hearty black bean patty stands proud beside meaty stars. Feeling jealous? The Hangover Burger, dripping with pimento cheese and crispy chili flakes, might be your new obsession.
Fries arrive hand-cut and crisped just right. Buffalo chicken rangoons make a surprising sidekick, and cocktails here have a knack for transforming a random Tuesday into a night to remember. The patio welcomes dogs, kids get their own menu, and deviled eggs often vanish before you can say seconds. Open late, fully independent, and eager to please, this place leaves no excuse for boring burgers. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Litton’s | The Knoxville Classic
If you’ve ever wondered how to do burgers the right way, step back in time at this Knoxville institution. Since 1946 they’ve been serving patties so fresh you half expect the cattle’s spirit to linger in the air. The Thunder Road burger layers pimento cheese, jalapeños, and nostalgia on a pillowy house-baked bun that sets a new standard for sandwich satisfaction.
Sides stick to the classics: fries cut in-house and onion rings so crunchy you’ll hear them from across the lot. The diner vibe brims with family photos and vintage charm—you might swear your grandma will pop out from the kitchen at any moment.
Save room for dessert. The coconut cream pie is local lore brought to life, and the red velvet cake can turn skeptics into true believers. Go on, indulge—this is the kind of place burgers legends are made of. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes | The Customization Playground
Chains usually lack personality, but here each guest becomes chief burger architect. Pick from Certified Angus Beef, ground turkey, or a plant-based patty, then slide your creation onto a fresh-baked or gluten-free bun. The topping station reads like a flavor theme park: bacon strips, Cholula hot sauce, crispy onions, and performance-level cheese runs.
Meanwhile, the fries emerge golden from Idaho potatoes cut right before your eyes and cooked in oil that somehow stays guilt light. If you need a dessert sidekick, their shakes deliver on real ice cream, making an argument for dessert first.
Inside, the walls gleam spotless, and outside, the picnic tables invite long afternoons. Staff members float by with genuine smiles. No side-eye if you add sauce by the spoonful.
This spot thrives on personal expression. Feel free to bring kids and let them build their weirdest patty and topping mash-ups, or fly solo with an appetite for the double heat of the Double Diablo. Your only challenge will be leaving space for fries. See what you’ll be dreaming about later.
SmashCity Knoxville | Smash Burger Playground
Listen, if you believe burgers should be thinner than your patience in traffic yet pack a punch twice over, you’ve found your match. This downtown hotspot has perfected the smash method: two layers of beef pressed until the edges crisp into flavor fireworks. You can keep it classic with a straight-ahead SmashCity Classic or take a gamble on the Spicy Bacon Gouda Smash, where hot honey bacon jam and spicy mayo team up for a memorable kick.
Vegetarian? No sweat. Their black bean and chickpea patty punches above its weight, and wrapping it in lettuce keeps things light. It’s proof that meatless need not be meek.
Fries are sourced from hand-cut potatoes, fried twice to golden perfection. They even dedicate a fryer to gluten-free orders, so cross-contamination is the last thing on your mind. Bring everyone you know, because great flavor is contagious. See what all the hype is about here.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux | Game Day Burger Adventure
Imagine a place where touchdowns meet taste buds. Here, every burger is hand-pressed and delivers Southern swagger in a bun. Recovery starts with the Hangover Burger, topped with bacon, a sunny-side-up egg, and a lone waffle fry perched like a victory flag. The Surf and Turf Melt throws blackened shrimp into the mix for a salty twist you won’t see coming.
Walls are lined with sports memorabilia, screens flicker with every game, and the aroma of waffle fries hangs in the air. Burgers land on buttery brioche buns that soak up sauces and juices without falling apart.
Specialty sides keep things interesting, and if you’re in the mood for dessert plus a little buzz, their boozy milkshakes deliver on both counts. It’s big-flavor, big-fun dining that scores points whether you’re here with friends, family, or fellow fans. See why this place is an MVP.
71 South | Smash Burgers in a Sanctuary
Turning into the parking lot, you might expect a church service but instead find smash burgers on a holy level. The building’s century-old bones set the stage for sizzling patties that feel custom-made for Instagram, especially when crowned with creamy avocado aioli. Veggie fans will appreciate a garden-based patty that stands tall next to the beef options.
Each burger arrives on a choice of potato or jalapeño sourdough bun, both toasted to a crisp finish. The signature 71 Smash comes draped in avocado aioli and has earned near-mythical status among locals. Sides range from classic hand-cut fries to surprisingly addictive crispy Brussels sprouts.
Inside, the mood shifts between reverent silence and chatter as the church-turned-restaurant fills. Grab a seat among vaulted ceilings and stained glass backdrops. Kids can roam as freely as adults dissecting the cocktail list, which pairs local spirits with inventive mixers for a boozy counterpoint to your meal. Parking is plentiful, so you can focus on what’s at hand rather than where to park. A visit here blends a slice of Knoxville history with seriously good burger craftsmanship. Meet your new Sunday ritual.
Parkside Grill | Flame-Grilled Family Favorite
For those who worship over-the-grill flavor and embrace a touch of mess, this joint sits at the top of your list. Every patty is hand-pressed and flame-grilled to lock in juices. They use USDA Grand Champion Angus beef, so you know the quality is no small thing. Buns arrive toasted, toppings are always fresh, and halfway through your fries you’ll already be planning a comeback.
Stick to a classic or venture out with a specialty like the Chipotle Ranch Bacon Burger, where smoky chipotle and creamy ranch mingle with crispy bacon. If you’re feeling fancy yet unpretentious, the Black and Bleu stacks tender beef with tangy blue cheese.
The atmosphere is casual enough for everyday visits and has the free parking unicorn that makes city dining easier. Bring the family, ditch the white shirt, and prepare for the kind of juicy bite you’ll crave again tomorrow. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
The Burgers | Best for Big Appetites & Casual Hangouts
If towering, hand-pattied burgers the size of your face sound like heaven, you’ll feel right at home here. Each patty is crafted from USDA choice beef, seasoned just so, and grilled to order. Don’t miss the Black and Bleu Burger if you’re craving a flavor twist—it’s anything but ordinary. With locally sourced ingredients, a solid craft beer lineup, and covered patios, it strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and thoughtfully curated.
Beyond classic beef, the menu throws in fish & chips, fried pickles, even bratwursts and Polish sausages for when you need a break from burgers. Portions are so generous you might think the kitchen is pulling a fast one on you, yet prices stay friendly. The scene feels welcoming to lunch-break regulars, families picnicking on the sunlit patio, or friends looking for a casual night out. Whatever you pick, be sure to round things out with their hand-cut fries and that famous slaw—your cardiologist can’t keep tabs on every indulgence. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Honorable mentions:
• Inskip Grill at Fountain City
• Corner16
