The best restaurants in Tri Cities

38 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 38 places · showing the latest additions first

Project BBQ

Restaurants

Born from an Austin obsession and a 600-gallon dream that grew into a 1000-gallon beast, Project BBQ keeps it old-school with hardwood-only…

3209 S Roan St (Johnson City)

Born from an Austin obsession and a 600-gallon dream that grew into a 1000-gallon beast, Project BBQ keeps it old-school with hardwood-only smoke and a whole lot of love. If you crave true craft barbecue without the gimmicks, consider this your nudge to swing by this week.

From the Tri Cities newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Label Restaurant

Restaurants

From hand-rolled sushi and freshly made burgers on locally baked buns to prime beef from the grill, Label Restaurant nails global flavor…

112 Tipton St (Johnson City)

From hand-rolled sushi and freshly made burgers on locally baked buns to prime beef from the grill, Label Restaurant nails global flavor with an industrial-chic vibe and covers weeknight cravings plus the Sunday brunch itch.

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With seasonal American fine cuisine built around fresh, often organic ingredients from regional growers, Gourmet and Company keeps things…

214 E Mountcastle Dr Ste 1J (Johnson City)

With seasonal American fine cuisine built around fresh, often organic ingredients from regional growers, Gourmet and Company keeps things simple, elegant, and seriously good. After dinner, wander their well-loved gift shop stocked with Simon Pearce, Juliska, Vietri, Dash and Albert, and Lafco...

From the Johnson City newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Freiberg's

Restaurants

Classic, homestyle German dishes plus Bavarian beer served in a cozy, relaxed setting.

203 E Main St (Johnson City)

Classic, homestyle German dishes plus Bavarian beer served in a cozy, relaxed setting.

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Relaxed pizzeria chain serving NY-style hand-tossed pies, plus pasta & sandwiches.

2111 N Roan St Suite 30 (Johnson City)

Relaxed pizzeria chain serving NY-style hand-tossed pies, plus pasta & sandwiches.

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Burger Bar

Restaurants

Low-key eatery for build-your-own gourmet burgers and other eats, plus beer and cocktails.

211 Mockingbird Ln (Johnson City)

Low-key eatery for build-your-own gourmet burgers and other eats, plus beer and cocktails.

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Kid-friendly restaurant specializing in Japanese fare, highlighting a sushi bar and hibachi tables.

112 Sunset Dr (Johnson City)

Kid-friendly restaurant specializing in Japanese fare, highlighting a sushi bar and hibachi tables.

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Rolling farm setting for family-style food served for dinner and brunch dishes, with an emphasis on breakfast.

170 John France Rd (Jonesborough)

Rolling farm setting for family-style food served for dinner and brunch dishes, with an emphasis on breakfast.

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Stately eatery in the Carnegie Hotel, with farm-to-table Southern meals and a lengthy whiskey list.

1216 W State of Franklin Rd (Johnson City)

Stately eatery in the Carnegie Hotel, with farm-to-table Southern meals and a lengthy whiskey list.

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First Watch

Restaurants

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

1150 W State of Franklin Rd #20 (Johnson City)

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

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Swifty Pig BBQ

Restaurants

Casual restaurant specializing in smoked meats (from brisket and pulled pork to ribs) plus burgers and fries.

1301Gray, Station Sulphur Springs Road (Jonesborough)

Casual restaurant specializing in smoked meats (from brisket and pulled pork to ribs) plus burgers and fries.

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Pizzeria and eatery (since 2015) featuring a robust menu of Italian comfort food staples, plus gluten-free options.

1805 W State of Franklin Rd #400 (Johnson City)

Pizzeria and eatery (since 2015) featuring a robust menu of Italian comfort food staples, plus gluten-free options.

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Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

1910 N Eastman Rd (Kingsport)

Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

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Casual cafe serving biscuit sandwiches & Southern sides for breakfast & lunch.

1033 Hamilton Pl Drive (Johnson City)

Casual cafe serving biscuit sandwiches & Southern sides for breakfast & lunch.

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Casual family eatery featuring pizzas, pastas and familiar Italian fare.

3888, 4704 N Roan St (Johnson City)

Casual family eatery featuring pizzas, pastas and familiar Italian fare.

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Mid City Grill

Restaurants

No-frills diner is a late-night go-to for burgers, breakfast & plenty of veggie & vegan options.

106 S Commerce St (Johnson City)

No-frills diner is a late-night go-to for burgers, breakfast & plenty of veggie & vegan options.

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Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

3104 Browns Mill Rd (Johnson City)

Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

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Vietnamese fare such as pho and spring rolls, bubble teas, and coffee in a laid-back setting.

600 N State of Franklin Rd (Johnson City)

Vietnamese fare such as pho and spring rolls, bubble teas, and coffee in a laid-back setting.

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IHOP

Restaurants

Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.

3214 Peoples St (Johnson City)

Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.

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Eggs Up Grill

Restaurants

Relaxed chain serving a menu of breakfast, burgers & sandwiches in a colorful setting.

2011 N Roan St (Johnson City)

Relaxed chain serving a menu of breakfast, burgers & sandwiches in a colorful setting.

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Lofty, urban eatery serving smoked beef brisket, bourbon smoked salmon, burgers, & cocktails.

601 Spring St #101 (Johnson City)

Lofty, urban eatery serving smoked beef brisket, bourbon smoked salmon, burgers, & cocktails.

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Juan Siao

Restaurants

Casual eatery blending Asian and Mexican flavors, along with happy hour specials.

104 Tipton St (Johnson City)

Casual eatery blending Asian and Mexican flavors, along with happy hour specials.

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Chain eatery & bar serving a diverse menu of classic Italian fare in a family-friendly setting.

175 Marketplace Blvd (Johnson City)

Chain eatery & bar serving a diverse menu of classic Italian fare in a family-friendly setting.

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Local sports bar chain serving steak, seafood & pub grub in a lively, contemporary setting.

3026 Hamilton Pl (Johnson City)

Local sports bar chain serving steak, seafood & pub grub in a lively, contemporary setting.

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Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

2929 N Roan St (Johnson City)

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

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Marco's Pizza

Restaurants

Counter-serve chain serving up a menu of specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery.

612 Lyle St Ste 110 (Johnson City)

Counter-serve chain serving up a menu of specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery.

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Italian restaurant with a pizza menu and pasta dishes, plus a brunch bar and a patio.

202 E Main St (Johnson City)

Italian restaurant with a pizza menu and pasta dishes, plus a brunch bar and a patio.

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Relaxed eatery serving sushi and chicken teriyaki as well as comfort foods.

1827 W State of Franklin Rd (Johnson City)

Relaxed eatery serving sushi and chicken teriyaki as well as comfort foods.

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Casual eatery with burgers, wings, fried fare and salads, plus beer.

1808 N Roan St (Johnson City)

Casual eatery with burgers, wings, fried fare and salads, plus beer.

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Juniper

Restaurants

Upscale place with a romantic atmosphere for steaks, oysters, and cocktails, plus dessert and coffee.

1033 W Oakland Ave (Johnson City)

Upscale place with a romantic atmosphere for steaks, oysters, and cocktails, plus dessert and coffee.

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Casual eatery for BBQ standards like pulled pork and brisket, plus sandwiches, burgers and sides.

4571 US-11E (Bluff City)

Casual eatery for BBQ standards like pulled pork and brisket, plus sandwiches, burgers and sides.

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Red Meze

Restaurants

Gyros, hummus & other Greek-Turkish fare offered in a down-to-earth eatery with a patio.

109 Buffalo St (Johnson City)

Gyros, hummus & other Greek-Turkish fare offered in a down-to-earth eatery with a patio.

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The Firehouse

Restaurants

Longtime BBQ eatery & caterer housed in a converted firehouse augmented with a vintage firetruck.

627 W Walnut St (Johnson City)

Longtime BBQ eatery & caterer housed in a converted firehouse augmented with a vintage firetruck.

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City Barbeque

Restaurants

Counter-serve smokehouse chain offering classic barbecue fare in down-home settings.

421 N State of Franklin Rd #100 (Johnson City)

Counter-serve smokehouse chain offering classic barbecue fare in down-home settings.

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Wingstop

Restaurants

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

2104 W Mountcastle Dr (Johnson City)

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

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Fazoli's

Restaurants

Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.

1916 N Roan St (Johnson City)

Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.

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Cozy spot for thin-crust pizza cooked in a hand-built, wood-fired oven as well as homemade meats.

100 E Unaka Ave (Johnson City)

Cozy spot for thin-crust pizza cooked in a hand-built, wood-fired oven as well as homemade meats.

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Yuimaru Kitchen

Restaurants

Grill - table Asian eatery specializing in teppanyaki steak, chicken and seafood dishes, plus sushi, sake and cocktails.

3020 Franklin Terrace (Johnson City)

Grill - table Asian eatery specializing in teppanyaki steak, chicken and seafood dishes, plus sushi, sake and cocktails.

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