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Cafe 4

4.1 (923 reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Order Cafe 4 Takeout or Delivery

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CAFE 4 ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Cafe 4

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Patti F.

We loved this little café in market Square. The food was delicious, the service was outstanding and it would definitely return. The menu has a lot of nice options for lunch and dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed the simplest of meals with a grilled cheese and tomato bisque. Others in our group had the cheesesteak sandwich which was just as delicious in their opinion. Good classic American fare with pleasant service and nice ambience.

Low Country Shrimp and Grits
Victoria D.

Cafe 4 has a nice ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. I had the grilled salmon and I loved it!! My son had one of their burgers and thought the sauce it had on it was overpowering. He did not finish it. My husband had the hot chicken sandwich. It was not hot and it gave him severe heartburn. My mom had the shrimp and grits, she said she would not order it again. The service was just okay. We waited a long time for our drinks. The overall presentation of the restaurant and food was great. The food looks yummy but according to my family was not great. I give this restaurant 3 stars because they do know how to cook salmon.

Short Rib
Drew S.

Incredible. I got the short rib and egg and every bite was awesome. Also, the vibe was great. Good music and really friendly and attentive staff. Strongly recommend checking this spot out.

Paul C.

The food here was amazing! The waiter, Billy, also gave fantastic recommendations and was very personable. I had the chicken entree with green beans and Brussel sprouts. P.S. I had already eaten some of the green beans when I took the picture.

Tennessee Cheesesteak with Mac N Cheese
Bryson G.

Wow! Came in here for lunch and was greeted immediately. The waiter was fast to welcome me and take my drink order, I went with a basic latte (which was actually well above average!). My waiter also helped me pick out what to have and it was a complete home run!!! I did the Tennessee cheesesteak and I got the mac n cheese instead of fries. The mean was delicious, and I left very full and satisfied. It was a great experience and I would absolutely recommend this place.

Mac N Cheese , Fried Green Tomatoes , Low Country Shrimp & Grits
Alexa G.

I came here as a recommendation from my hotel staff and without a reservation I waited about 30 minutes. The staff was great and very kind. I sat outside but ambiance both in and outside was lovely. The food was just okay in my opinion. I got the fried green tomatoes which I thought were a little bland. The ones from Tupelo are way better. I also got the shrimp and grits which was pretty good. Nothing to write home about but good. The best thing by far was the Mac and cheese. It was very creamy and well seasoned. Am I glad I tried it? Yes but it's not so where I'm rushing back to. However, if I did I would definitely get the Mac and cheese with chicken or lobster

Lara W.

Many, many years ago I used to work on Market Square while in college, so the restaurants that have been around for over a decade are nostalgic and, more importantly, they tend to be consistently good. I took my wife to Cafe 4 on a Monday evening and we had a wonderful dinner. Our server, Quincy, was the perfect amount of attentive. We ordered the fried green tomatoes (to die for), the fish sandwich (sooo soft and good), and the braised short rib over cheese grits (all i can say is that I've got the leftovers in the fridge for lunch and I wish it was noon already!) I highly recommend Cafe 4 if you're looking for an upscale vibe that won't break the bank.

Grilled Salmon
Maureen N.

Needed a place to eat while downtown. Cafe4 had good ratings online so we decided to try it. I ordered the grilled salmon after much contemplation. The greens was tasty but the salmon was just okay. I felt it needed something, maybe salt? Service was okay too. Didn't have to wait unendingly for our server. I tried my friend's linguine and wished I'd gotten it instead. Might try that next time if I return.

Crispy Fish Sandwich
Corrina Q.

My friends and I were in the area, and we all wanted different things for lunch. We came into Cafe 4 and were sat very quickly. Our waiter was very kind and had some great recommendations. We ordered the Crispy Fish sandwich, Tennessee Cheesesteak (I always gotta try a cheesesteak in any establishment I go to), Fried Chicken and Waffles, and a green goddess salad with chicken and tomatoes. The crispy fish sandwich and the cheesesteak were VERY VERY DELICIOUS! My other friends ordered the other two dishes, and they agreed that their food was also delicious. I was genuinely impressed with how quick the service was and how attentive the staff was to our needs :) perfect place for lunch! I would love to try their brunch some day.

Menu 4/2025
Kimberley A.

Came here without reservations and were able to be seated outside immediately. Because of the sidewalk, our table was very slanted, which was a bit of a pain, I ended up losing my fork. Our server, Hayden I think? Came over to greet us and take our drink and appetizer orders. The appetizer came out before the drinks which was a little backwards to me. Mojito 8/10 Decently made. I do wish the mint was mixed into the drink or muddled to add the flavor in, but other than that it was good. Fried green tomatoes 8/10 Flash fried, good breading and crisp on the outside. The apple salad and balsamic was good as well. A good bite. I just wish the tomato was pre-cooked for just a minute or two to get it a little softer. Shrimp & Grits 10/10 Shrimp was flavorful, seasoned well, cooked perfectly. Tails were still on. Grits were creamy and smooth, with a little cheese. Andouille was perfect amount of spice. Sauce was good, little heat, but overall a ton of flavor. Cafe 4 Burger 8/10 Ordered Medium rare, came out more of a medium with not really much pink in it. It was still cooked good and juicy. Im sure I tasted the umami sauce, but I feel like I would have wanted a little bit more. I didn't really taste the Parmesan cheese at all. Overall the entire bite had a good flavor.

Moscow mule
Anna Y.

We came to Cafe 4 for a date night before a concert at Thompson Bowling. This was a great place to come to before an outing - plenty of places to go to after dinner for a drink as well! This Nashville hot chicken Mac and cheese was seriously insane... I am still reminiscing on it weeks later. It was a hard decision picking what to order because it all looked great. I definitely recommend the Mac and cheese and truffle fries!

Bennette I.

After exploring downtown Knoxville, we wandered around Market Square for a good dinner spot. Cafe 4 was our pick as they had a large outside seating area. We waited a few minutes for a clean table. Drinks were ordered and came out fairly quickly. We ordered a small side of truffle fries as an appetizer and it was decent. 3 out of the 4 ordered the wedge salad with steak. The other ordered the cheesesteak with mashed potatoes and for dessert, the crème brûlée. The wedge salad was excellent and generously dressed. I can see why this is a crowd favorite. I did think that the steak (additional protein) was a small portion and a little overcooked, 4 slices of a steak. But I ate every bit of it, one of the best wedge salads I have ordered. The crème brûlée was just okay, not enough caramelization of the sugar crystals. I'd give the dessert a 3 but the service was top notch. Davis was amazing - he took great care of us!!

Chicken sandwich with fries
Michelle C.

Enjoyed a visit here while visiting UTK. Definitely recommend making a reservation as it can book up with long wait time. Waitress recommended the cheese steak and it was good. A little messy, but good. The fries were very good too. Good meal, nothing over the top but good. Service was very good and attentive to water refills.

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6 months ago

The food was excellent and Jackson was a great server! Highly recommend the fish tacos!

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6 months ago

Noah M was a great server and managed to bring all our food and drinks and didn't get anything wrong and was so nice.

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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9 months ago

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5 months ago

Brandey was our server and she was delightful. The food was delicious. I ordered the chicken flatbread. Great atmosphere.

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1 year ago

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Brittany S.

Hi, thanks for the great review. See you next time!

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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Hi, thanks for the great review. See you next time!

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11 months ago

Food was incredible! My burger the Cafe 4 Burger was delicious! Our server was very attentive and on top of it. Highly recommend

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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10 months ago

Food was awesome! Gaius was attentive and the rest of the staff was quick in making our food as well!

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10 months ago

Victoria our server was amazing! Food and service was excellent. Try the mimosa bowl.

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10 months ago

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6 months ago

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10 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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6 months ago

Tennessee Cheesesteak was really good, our server katie was great. We also got the strawberry salad that was good

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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Thanks for the great review. Hope to see you again soon!

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Page 2 of 24

Cafe 4 Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Cafe 4

What kind of cheeses are in the Mac & cheese?

SHARP CHEDDAR AND GOUDA

Is the patio heated in the cooler seasons?

It is heated but I will never eat there again

Is this place dog friendly?

Hi Jen! I've definitely seen dogs on the patio!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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PostModern Spirits

PostModern Spirits

4.3
(45 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

We stopped here as part of the Whiskey Trail experience, and not only was it the worst customer…read moreservice of the 28 distilleries we visited, the female bartender (red hair, black glasses) was the rudest bartender I have met in my 20 years of being in hospitality. When we walked in, she glared at us as if we had interrupted something. She didn't greet us, didn't ask what we'd like to try, only gave us one word answers to any question that we asked. Never once smiled or tried to engage us. My friend was so frustrated with trying to get information from her that he stood up and almost walked out. I kept trying to engage her and even complemented her cute dress. Nothing. Stone face. I wanted to try the amaro flight and asked for it. She prepared it, set it in front of me, and said "so you'll want to close out now?" I told her "yes, that would be great, when I'm finished with my tasting". She proceeded to lean up against the bar with her back to us and didn't say another word. I had to get up and walk to the register, and when she finally turned around, I asked her "have we done something to upset you?" She said "no, why?" I said "because you seem REALLY annoyed that we're here". Her only response was to turn the register screen around and tell me the total. I'm so sad about this because I really wanted to taste other items and get a cocktail, but she was SO unpleasant and we felt SO unwelcome., Seeing all of the other great reviews, I can only imagine that they were with other people. I wish those other bartenders had been there.

Boozy grapefruit slushy? YES. Just say yes. This cocktail bar distills their own booze right next…read moredoor (you can be a creepster and peek in!). They sell bottles of varying sizes at the bar and also at other places around town, including Total Wine. We love that they offer sampler flights with different liquors and also different size pours. They give you a tray with a sheet that describes the flavor profile for each offering. We also were given slushy samples and a customized gin sample, mixed with another shot to sip. We ordered slushies to enjoy on the patio and a flight with Hi Rye Whiskey, Ginferous Gin (favorite!), Uproot Gin, and Barrel Rested Cacoa Liqueur. I can't believe the differing flavors they can produce within the same type of booze. Masterful! The bartenders are friendly and so dang knowledgable. We purchased a bottle of Ginferous Gin and have kept the party going at home. Can't wait to go back! What a cool spot.

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PostModern Spirits
PostModern Spirits
PostModern Spirits

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Monkey’s Bar

Monkey’s Bar

4.6
(5 reviews)
0.5 mi

I love Monkey's bar!! It's the perfect meet in the middle between fancy cocktail bar and relaxed…read moreenvironment! Bartenders are so friendly and even let me sample a pre batched cocktail to ensure I'd like it! Will definitely be back!

If you like near downtown and own a dog, this will become your go-to spot! It is pretty bare-bones…read moreinside, with a few high-tops and bar seating, a separate space you can step up into with more wooden tables and bench seating and not much in the way of decor. They have some really fun drinks with pop-culture references, a sizable list of mocktails, booze list galore, and keep beer flowing , too. The service is friendly and the prices in line (if not cheaper) with other bars downtown ($11-12 per cocktail). We loved that people are allowed to bring in their own food (they have a few snacks you can order) and that dogs are welcome. In fact, word has it that the bar is named after the owners' dog, Monkey, so it makes sense that they pass along their pup love to our community. Note that huge (but very sweet) dogs may be freely roaming and were knocking into people carrying full drinks and begging strangers for food. Also, we were with a group across from the bar and I will say that it was absolutely deafening. We were next to each other and were yelling, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?" They could use a few items to soak up some sound like cushions on the bench seating, some rugs, etc. It would also make the space a bit more homey and inviting.

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Monkey likes the pizza!
Monkey likes the pizza!
Monkey’s Bar
Monkey’s Bar

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The Vault

The Vault

4.2
(51 reviews)
0.1 mi

Cool atmosphere it's an underground speakeasy type of deal and had a cool list of cocktails…read more My cocktail was pretty good I wouldn't get it again but I liked it and the banana and gin was fun and new. Tapas were good the carrots were by far the best roasted perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful. The crab dip was good but typical same with mushroom truffle pizza. The empanadas were good but a little dry I was glad they had sauce. Would go again and get the carrots and new items!

The Vault was our second stop on our cocktail hop night, and I'm so glad we found it!…read more First off, the interior is chef's kiss. The dark, glamorous aesthetic is stunning--perfect for date night or for impressing out-of-town guests. I loved the gold accents, layered textures, and thoughtful lighting. Everything worked together beautifully. We chose to sit at the bar to watch the mixologists work their magic. They were incredibly helpful in guiding us toward drinks that matched our preferences. I absolutely loved my cocktail--even if I can't recall the name--because it delivered the spicy kick they promised. We also ordered several shareable plates, all of which were delicious. We tried the Carnitas Tamales (shredded pork, ancho mole, fresh corn, masa, cilantro, yuzu arbequina oil), the Vegetable Empanadas (house-made pastry, wilted kale, roasted sweet potato, Oaxaca and cotija cheese, black bean purée, and adobo & chile-lime aioli), and a salad. I'd happily order any of them again. I did find myself wishing for a bit more heat, but I've learned that's hard to come by in Tennessee. At least the staff gave us a heads-up that the spice level is toned down. I'm already looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu. The vibe is fantastic--and while they have a nice outdoor space, the interior is so eye-catching I'm not sure I'd want to sit anywhere else.

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A bottle vault.
A bottle vault.
Inside the actual vault
Inside the actual vault
Tables in the vault

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Tables in the vault
Fiori

Fiori

3.6
(45 reviews)
0.4 mi

Fiori in Old City downtown Knoxville is such a cute spot with an amazing ambiance--perfect for a…read moregirls night or a special occasion. The atmosphere alone makes it feel like a little escape. The service was good, and my friend and I both really enjoyed our cocktails and entrées--they were definitely the highlight of the meal. We weren't huge fans of the appetizers we tried, but we found out they're leaving the menu soon anyway, so that made sense. On a high note, the pistachio cream dessert was an absolute delight and the perfect way to end the night. Overall, a really lovely experience and I'd definitely go back!

You definitely are paying for the ambiance. The food itself isn't anything to right home about,…read moreespecially for the price. But I will applaud that the portions are decent sizes. I wasn't blown away and felt like the flavors were lackluster. The pasta was an alright red sauce, flavors could've been a bit more complex and boldly fresh. The Arancini tasted like a bland mushy hushpuppy in marinara. The best dish was the salmon, if I had to recommend anything! Super flaky with a crispy fish, paired nicely with the salad and potatoes. Service itself was good and the drinks were just okay. I like that they have many cocktail options to choose from, but my drink was honestly straight juice. As someone who's lightweight, I was shocked to find that the portions for drinks for the little amount of alcohol for $15 is a bit absurd (I got the st Richard ride). I'd only come once for the ambiance but it's pretty disappointing for what you pay. 6.5/10

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Some Appetizers
Some Appetizers
Fiori
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Cafe 4 - comfortfood - Updated June 2026

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