5 great patio dining experiences

This may seem like a premature topic, given the wintry conditions that have beset East Tennessee in the past couple of months, but just look at this month’s "5 great" column as a whistle wetter, a pleasant preview of the warmer days that are surely in our dining futures.

So here are my recommendations for some of the best spots in Knoxville to enjoy outdoor dining. Yes, most restaurants have some sort of patio area, but these in particular come with some combination of great people-watching opportunities, awesome views or recreational activity.

Downtown Grill & Brewery

Let’s start in the heart of the city and work our way outward, shall we? This Gay Street eatery, in business since 2002, offers a primo view of downtown traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. People-watching is fun, but it’s also a hoot to watch your fellow citizens attempt to parallel park. Plus DG&B is pet friendly, so Fido can accompany you on that next outing for a burger and a pint.

Speaking of the fare, patrons can choose from an eclectic menu that ranges from fresh Atlantic salmon and salt-brined pork tenderloin to south-of-the-border-style dishes like the Market Square Burro and sizzling fajitas. Of course, you may also want to try one of their eight site-brewed craft-beer varieties.

The Crown & Goose

Meanwhile, in the nearby Old City, the Crown & Goose is home to a one-of-a-kind beer garden that offers both shaded and unshaded seating for as many as 100 guests. The courtyard features a 60-foot mural depicting a 19th-century London streetscape as well as several whiskey-barrel planters and large umbrellas for sunny-day shade.

The gastropub’s menu is inspired by traditional British cuisine and modern global flavors. Look for small-plate items like pimento cheese and Benton’s Bacon hush puppies or traditional faves like an English banger sandwich and fish and chips. Live music on Wednesdays and Fridays, weekday happy-hour specials and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays add to the experience.

Market Square

The Square is Patio Central, amiright? There are nearly 20 restaurants and food vendors within its footprint, and pretty much every eatery in this downtown dining mecca boasts an outdoor seating area, which means patrons have a ringside seat to some of the best people-watching in Knoxville. On any given day/evening in spring or summer, you’ll experience some manner of live entertainment, be it a wandering street performer or a live band or a theatrical event on the Market Square stage. Those who want to literally take outdoor dining to the next level might especially consider the rooftop bars atop Scruffy City Hall and Preservation Pub.

More: Market Square named one of 15 Great Places in America by American Planning Association

Corner 16

You’ll find this all-purpose eatery just off Middlebrook Pike in Karns, west of the Cedar Bluff area. The outdoor seating area not only delivers dining al fresco, but it is also set up for recreational diversions like cornhole and a giant version of Connect Four. The pavilion section provides shelter from rain, while large fans are on standby for cool-down on those steamier summer days and evenings.

Overall, Corner 16’s outdoor dining section is conducive to post-work or weekend socializing, while the menu’s lineup of comfort foods and traditional American favorites reflect the kitchen’s goal of using locally sourced food products.

Lakeside Tavern

Continue west, and you may wind up at this local favorite stationed at Concord Marina in Farragut, on the shores of a Fort Loudoun Lake inlet. The renovated patios make the space usable year ‘round thanks to 12-foot glass windows and climate-control features. Guests who plan on dining in the early evening will be treated to some spectacular sunset views to accompany their meals.

Speaking of which, the Tavern’s kitchen cranks out sure bets, from its Black & Bleu Salad to its Angus steaks to its baby back ribs. And don’t you dare escape this restaurant’s clutches without trying the crème brulée cheesecake.