Caffe Rel

237

913

4 years ago

Flew into Franklin for a weekend in Highlands and stopped at Caffe Rel. Apparently the chef used to work at the Greenbriar and i think was a James Beard winner. (I did not get close enough to the award to read it). So of course the food is wonderful. I had the lunch portion of Black Muscles over linguine. They were some of the best I have had . We skipped dessert but they looked wonderful. I would love to come back and try more menu items. I really recommend this restaurant for anyone traveling to or through this area. read more

Caffe Rel - Ruben with home made chips - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Caffe Rel - Black muscles over Linguine! - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Shawn C.

2 years ago

Location will throw you off, don't let it. Enter and eat. Big selection on the menu. Ambiance was quant and small. 4 of us all had different entries, all were to die for. Great appetizers with bread and oil. Service with Bella was fast and we received everything we ask for. 2 thumbs up. read more

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Christine F.

148

2 years ago

This is a must for everyone. Great choices and specials. Many great choices that it was hard to Decide. Nice bread and tomato/oil to start. I had the Linguine with meat balls, my husband had the tornadoes with mushrooms. Both were excellent. We did take a huge piece of carrot cake home for later. Wish we lived closer so we could come more often. Wait staff was attentive and she knew the menu and ingredients. Cute little place in the back of a gas station--- but wow a wonderful experience. read more

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Sally G.

Elite 24

103

111

4 years ago

Great food and wonderful service. Because this restaurant is only open Wednesday through Saturday, we have never had an opportunity to try it. We have always heard great things but didnt realize it would be excellent. Once you are seated, fresh bread is brought to your table, this is so good. We started with a fresh ceasar salad, I ordered the carbonara, best I have had in a long time. My hubby ordered the meatballs and marinara, it was so tasty as well. Definitely going to be a regular stop for dinner read more

Caffe Rel - Restaurant area - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Delmar W.

3 years ago

I'm happy to update my previous review. After a bit of a rough stretch Caffe Rel has turned things around and I can once again recommend eating here. The problems I had with hours of operation and service have been resolved. The food was never in question. Always delicious! read more

Caffe Rel - sign in the window of a cafe - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Josephine S.

163

2 years ago

Don't judge a book by its cover... it shares the building with a gas station , but physical space is separate. Server was delightful and attentive. She also wore many hats: baker and bartender as well. However , she's not responsible for the food. Ordered the house salad (just romaine , that's it), crab bisque (flavor was excellent but way too runny , no thickening agent .) . I ordered the house shrimp pasta dish that only had 4 shrimp on it with a few snow peas on the side ????? and again , chef had something against a thickening agent .... My husband also ordered a pasta dish and had the same experience. Needed a spoon. Also, menu said fresh linguine and we were served bow tie. Other folks' sandwiches looked good. Probably should stick to the basics as the entrees were not in their wheel house. Desserts looked great but wasn't willing to risk it given the disappointment. Raspberry margarita special was perfect and generous. So to say the least it was a mixed bag. I'd try the sandwiches but will abstain from the main courses. Slim pickings in. This part of the world. read more

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Matthew C.

2 years ago

Café Ariel was anything but what we expected. Even though the management/staff are you otherwise the food is clearly based in Italian cuisine. Most every dish served with or next to with some kind of sauce that best came out of a jar. The best they offered was a reasonable wine selection for the Franklin town area. we did have the scallop appetizer to share while reading the menu. Unfortunately, it appears to have been sitting for quite a while. The scallops had a bit of a fishy smell, and the bacon wrap was nearly crisp enough to break your teeth. Again personal preference but not what I expected. I would strongly suggest they label themselves "Italian" cuisine. Also do not expect much for ambience. The restaurant is directly behind a service station and Quik Mart. Also, interesting enough the bathrooms are shared with the gas station and required the guest to walk into the gas station area to reach the bathrooms. Interesting read more

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Don N.

1 year ago

The highest professionalism. Very good food and service. Extensive menu and all attached to a gas station.

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Andrew H.

207

140

101

2 years ago

Absolutely unexpected and amazing from start to finish. Amazing great and bruschetta to start. Crab bisque spectacular. Kids had giant spaghetti and meatballs and Alfredo...both delicious and enough for lunch the next day! No joke, and we've lived all over the US and abroad, some of, if not, the best Linguini and Clams I've ever had. Chopped clams, whole clams, fresh garlic (a lot!), absolutely delicious. Caramel cake and great wine as well. Service was incredible...like we were family. Don't forget to buy a round of beers for the kitchen . Oh yeah...and ignore that it's connected to a gas station!!!! Once inside, it's a super cute family feel joint!!! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Elizabeth T.

Elite 24

122

312

478

3 years ago

Came here for lunch around 1 and it was very busy inside so we ended up sitting outside. Our orders came out very quickly. The server was friendly and came around to check in just enough. Food was pretty tasty. Would recommend. read more

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Larry H.

1 year ago

Don't let the location throw ya! This is a Local Gem! from the Ambiance to the staff and needless to say the FOOD is fantastic! we eat there every chance we get! The Blue crab bisque (Made Fresh daily) is fantastic we sometimes go by and pick up a quart to go! give it a try you won't be sorry! My compliments to the Chef! read more

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Curt C.

2 years ago

Don't let the location or exterior fool you. This place is either the greatest gas station eatery in the world, or simply an incredible world class restaurant that just happens to be to be attached to a gas station. We loved the service and food here. The atmosphere seemed to be an eclectic mix of vintage and bistro inspired decor with a bit of truck stop ambiance thrown in for good measure. None of this mattered though once the food arrived. I was not prepared for how good the Steak Tournado was. Can't say enough about it. Absolutely wonderful discovery. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Pam A.

1 year ago

Visited back in 2001/2 with a couple of excellent experiences. Now, a bar & expanded dessert menu were added, BUT food quality is poor, too much sauce & tastes of less than fresh ingredients. Very good service from May. Same setting. Seems the once special spot has settled for a predictable too big menu with large sauced portions. Beware, the filet mignon medallions in pastry are not medallions-- just thin slices of overdone round stead piled inside a pastry with mounds of salty sauce. Disappointed at such a once delightful delicious secret spot. read more

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Marvin D.

2 years ago

I have eaten their for years and never had an experience like last night, Went with five people, had horrible SERVICE and was charged $3,50 to share a salad, Not informed of the charge up front! On top of the poor service at a 5 pm, they were out of five different menu items,and had few desserts items available, The NEW MANAGEMENT can say goodbye to me and all my friends in the Waynesville area, NOT driving 45 minutes for a BAD EATING EXPERIENCE!!! read more

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Dana M.

226

2 years ago

What a fantastic find! Absolutely delicious, delightful servers in front of house staff, expert cooks behind the kitchen wall. We will definitely be back and we are so grateful to have this right here in our own backyard! read more

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Jennifer A.

2 years ago

Didn't know what to expect as it is attached to a gas station. Once you are inside it feels very warm and cozy. Wonderful food and wine choices. read more

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Susan H.

1 year ago

Always a winner and now taking credit cards! Hidden gem (in a gas station!) with consistent great food...surprisingly gourmet for a small town restaurant. read more

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Cherie D.

2 years ago

I come to Waynesville often and always made it a point of driving over to Feanklin (a 45 minutes drive) to eat at Cafe Rel. Drove over in the rain, with 4 others to be there at 5PM. Sat down and was given a long list of what was not available! Ordered a dish med/rare that had a baked crust. It arrived no crust and was then told the oven us broken. The meat was WELL DONE, not as ordered! Service was a 1, as she plopped the food down, NEVER to be seen again until the bill came. BTW desserts were also scarce.... Very disappointed and paid an extra 4% to use my credit card. I blame it on POOR MANAGEMENT. I'll NEVER go back and I'll pass the word around, that it's two** place! read more

Business owner information

Tracy P.

If you were not happy, you should have immediately told us, going…

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Phil J.

176

178

141

3 years ago

I've traveled all over the world and this is some of the best food I've ever had. It was an amazing surprise. Highly recommend! read more

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Peter K.

1 year ago

Prior to the new ownership, the restaurant was know for fine food priced for the working class. No More. Before the take over the pot roast was $16.95. Two months later, $23.95. The staff is fine but the gentleman, one of the owners, has zero personality or interest in building a relationships with his customers. Very disappointing. The invaders from the south could care less but the locals are irritated by it as there are too few restaurants to dine at here in Franklin already. read more

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Mike F.

4 years ago

We've eaten here a couple of times and the experience has been equally good both times. I've had the meatball sandwich and the Cuban sandwich. My wife has had the carbonara both times (obviously loved it). The portions are huge and I'd recommend to split a salad and an entree. And I'd definitely split a piece of cake also. The chocolate it my fav. Great place, very good food, and the service is also solid. Highly recommend a lunch or dinner here. read more

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Marty N.

2 years ago

Food was good, not as good as we had a few years ago but still good. Nice friendly staff. We will certainly be back!

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Amanda B.

4 years ago

Literally, in a gas station. But, it was by far, one of the best meals we've ever had. I got the catfish creole and it came with roasted broccolini and scalloped potatoes. My husband got the bow tie pasta with sausage and shrimp. AMAZING! Cheris, our server was great. Knew all the answers to our crazy questions, and even shared the secret to their amazing veggies. My plan is to sneak back to NC at least once a year to visit Cheris and have an amazing 5 star meal! read more

Caffe Rel - Catfish Creole, broccolini, scalloped potatoes and bow tie pasta with shrimp and sausage. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Caffe Rel - Blue crab bisque and the leftovers of the bread and dipping oil. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Michelle G.

2 years ago

Delicious food and friendly service! A bit crowded, but only because everyone wants to eat there! Prices are comparable to other restaurants these days. I highly recommend going there! read more

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Lane P.

3 years ago

We were looking for a place for lunch when we got gas. This restaurant is in the same building and were amazed at the menu and the food. Despite it being crowded we were quickly seated and served. Save room for dessert made in house. read more

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Joan F.

3 years ago

One of our most favorite places to eat! Cajun/French! Mussels aioli appetizer is to die for. Always consistently quality. Their fettuccine Alfredo is so decadently rich! read more

Caffe Rel - Mussels Aioli - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Caffe Rel - Crawfish Etouffee - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Paula N.

3 years ago

My friends and I ate at several restaurants while in the Asheville area and Caffe Rel was my favorite. I had the salmon and the mix of flavors was delicious! We split the Carmel cake and, even though I'm not a big cake fan, this had to be one of the tastiest desserts I've ever had. Service was great and attentive and even though this restaurant was in 1/2 of a gas station, the decor was fine. It just underscores the fact that when the food is good, the location doesn't matter. read more

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Sue S.

2 years ago

Had a gyro wrap this afternoon worst ever the place was half full which was unusual probably won't go back

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Russell C.

478

271

6 years ago

The wait for one of the seven available outside tables was about 35-40 minutes. They currently only have outside seating. The waitress was nice and kept my drink filled up. The bread with oil and tomato dipping sauce was good, some mozzarella would of gone great with it. The meatball marinara with linguine was really good. The macaroni and cheese tasted really good also. Cash or check only so be prepared for that. read more

Caffe Rel - Linguine and Meatballs - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Seven R.

2 years ago

Watch out! Once you taste the food here, you'll never want to go elsewhere. And the desserts? Holy moly, if u are on a diet, turn your head away from the countertop where the sweets are lined up And in Full view. And the wine? Even the cheapest glass at Rels is quality, not like what other restaurants serve on the low end. From fresh catch to burgers and everything in between, you can't go wrong. It's all fantastic At Rels. read more

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Jonathan T.

3 years ago

Awesome food, great service. Marinara sauce and meatballs were amazing! Just get there early if you may have a little wait

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Lynn L.

2 years ago

Amazing creative food! Love especially the seafood dishes. Atmosphere is quirky. I love the almond poppyseed cake they bake during the holidays. We have eaten here many times and enjoy every bite! We appreciate the quality of the experience. Looking forward to being there again! read more

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Ivonne R.

191

381

4 years ago

Grandpa was right! When Richard Long was around the service was better and we should've stuck with sunshine as they are far more welcoming. At this facility there was only one nice lady; an older blonde woman. We arrived maybe around 2pm and weren't 100% sure on the signage but gave it a try. Had we been turned around, due to the handwritten message, we would've had zero issue and gone elsewhere- yet we were seated. I caught the young brunette, with accent, waitress talking about us negatively (she seated us) to a gentleman which I knew they noticed I became aware of their chatter thus he turned around quickly thinking I wouldnt be able to hear him - I have good ears so I did. Again, if you close at 2:30, for an hour, why in the world would you seat a patron let alone take their orders? Money tight in a small community? I would say staff needs to follow their own signage especially when asking, via the printed sign, to please be kind to staff. Maybe be kind and not whisper negatively about patrons whom you, as staff, chose to seat vs kindly turn away. Trust me, we would have had no problem and gone elsewhere. Food was OK, not great. My husband had a filet minion sandwich which stated would be sliced but the meat came cubbed. My eldest daughter's sandwich had far too much oil. All in all, this is a one and done and will be sticking with sunshines for lunch both for service and quality when we visit from the west coast. read more

Caffe Rel - Staff should do the same "Be kind" - especially the young brunette with heavy makeup and an accent. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Caffe Rel - Don't seat more patrons at 2 or such only to talk about them and think they can hear you. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Karen O.

3 years ago

Fine dining in a gas station. Friendly service and warm decor. Great Caesar salad. Beef tournedos were delicious.

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Whitney O.

372

6 years ago

My parents have raved about this place for a month or so; so when my hubby and I got into town my dad took us. As I sat waiting for my food, I looked at the decor. The decor is antique crossed with a little vintage and I loved it! They had this old cabinet with a clock built in that I'm in love with (I love old clocks). Once the food came it was time to stuff my face. My dad got the shrimp and grits, my hubby got a pork shank or something like that, and I got a rueben. The food was delicious. I took a bite of my dad's meal and thought wow the flavors are insane. My hubby's meal had tender meat and was also very flavorful. My meal was pretty good too. When we are back in town again we will be back I'm sure. read more

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Mark M.

3 years ago

Amazing French cuisine next to a gas station. A little pricey, but so worth the prices. Large portions to boot. Had amazing frog legs and some seasonal specials. A can't miss for fans of European food. read more

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Bill H.

3 years ago

We've only had the opportunity to eat here once. But it was excellent food!! It was kinda busy that night and we still got our food in a reasonable amount of time. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Back

Page 2 of 11

425 E Main St
Franklin, NC 28734
Directions
(828) 369-9446
Call Now
Visit Website
https://cafferel.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Caffe Rel open?

Caffe Rel opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Caffe Rel opens at 4:00 PM on Tuesday.

What time does Caffe Rel close?

Caffe Rel closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

Mon, Wed-Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PMTue 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Caffe Rel take Bitcoin?

No, Caffe Rel does not take Bitcoin.

Does Caffe Rel take credit cards?

Yes, Caffe Rel takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Caffe Rel have catering options?

No, Caffe Rel does not have catering options.

Does Caffe Rel have a drive thru?

No, Caffe Rel does not have a drive thru.

Does Caffe Rel have a happy hour?

No, Caffe Rel does not have a happy hour.

Does Caffe Rel serve alcohol?

Yes, Caffe Rel serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Caffe Rel allow dogs?

Yes, Caffe Rel allows dogs.

Does Caffe Rel have TVs?

No, Caffe Rel does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Caffe Rel have bike parking?

Yes, Caffe Rel has bike parking.

Does Caffe Rel have outdoor seating?

Yes, Caffe Rel has outdoor seating options.

Does Caffe Rel have parking?

Yes, Caffe Rel has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Caffe Rel wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Caffe Rel is wheelchair accessible.

Does Caffe Rel have free WiFi?

No, Caffe Rel does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Great food in a gas station! Caffé Rel offers fine dining, French cuisine, homemade cakes, specialty coffees, Sunday brunch, cocktails, and outside dining.

History

Established in 2003.

The café’s French-influenced menu is the work of chef and owner Richard E. Long (the REL of Caffé REL), a classically trained chef who honed his craft under the tutelage of European mentors. Long sees his gas-station bistro as a way to make fine cuisine accessible to all Americans. At Caffé REL, you can enjoy a glass of wine and French Pot Roast or Charleston style Shrimp and Grits while wearing flip-flops and a tank top. There’s no pretense. As the sign outside declares, “It’s about the food.”

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Caffe Rel

Do they have take out service?

Yes, and we are also available on Door Dash!!!

View question details

I have heard a rumor that you are a cash only restaurant?

They accept credit card as well!

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Are you dog friend?

No.

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Is this business open? No one answers the phone?

It was closed for a long time, but is open now, Wed through Sat.

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View All 5 Questions

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4.5(143 reviews)

66.6 mi

I have been visiting Black Mountain for years but haven't tried this interesting restaurant yet…read more Today was the day for me/us and marked the day the train returned on its route through Black Mountain. We were impressed by the interest and fanfare this post-Helene event created for the locals. Parking on the street, across the street or a short way up the street is town free parking. Shannon and Rain were our friendly and helpful servers. There are many seating options. We chose the sun room which was comfortable. Others were seated outside on the side porch and several people were inside. We shared a bowl of the delicious French onion soup. Eat it while it's hot for the best experience. The buckwheat crepes were the perfect consistency to handle the savory entrees. My Market crepe was packed full of goodies including the sausage add-on. Each ingredient stood well on its own. The pesto was a standout. My partner got the mushroom crepe with chicken. She enjoyed immensely. Both entrees came with a fresh greens and balsamic dressing. The servings were generous enough to bring two halves home for dinner. Sharing soup and a savory crepe is a reasonable strategy if leaving leftovers in your vehicle during the summer heat is a concern. We joined the servers on the patio to watch the return of the train through a nicely recovering town.

Third time eating here. Great concept and everything has been good. Empanadas, tamales, sweet and…read moresavory GF crepes have all been great. Service is nice and prompt. Ambiance is casual. Indoor and outdoor tables.

Indoor view 2

French Onion Soup

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If it is great weather, be sure to eat outside.

Passerelle Bistro

3.9(405 reviews)

59.8 mi

Had a really enjoyable Sunday dinner at Passerelle Bistro in Greenville. We were the only ones…read moresitting inside, which made the experience feel cozy, and the incredible aromas coming from the kitchen were the first thing to win us over. The atmosphere is charming, and the food was solid--good enough that we're definitely interested in coming back, but still leaving a little room for that next-level impression. Next time, we'll probably go for the outdoor seating and try the brunch menu to get a better feel for their full style. Overall, a great spot with a lot of promise, and I'm looking forward to giving it another go.

Nice outdoor atmosphere when we ate here during the art and music festival. Nice weather for…read moreoutdoor dining. Very friendly service, nice lunch menu. My dining mate had chicken salad on a croissant and a cappuccino, and I had French onion soup and a nicoise salad. All both tasty, nice portions, a bit pricey as this lunch was $64 sans tip.

French 75 Cocktail

Chicken salad on a croissant

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Cabernet Franc on the patio

The French Market Creperie

4.4(833 reviews)

62.0 mi

We came through Knoxville on a road trip and stayed in a hotel around the corner from the French…read moreMarket. I can't say no to a crepe so when we saw them on Yelp as a breakfast option I knew it had to be done. It's a fast casual spot so counter service but it's still a lovely experience. The woman who took our order was really nice (and particularly kind after a guy who had previously ordered pushed his way back in front of us because he had forgot to order a coffee). My husband and I both went with the Complete crepe (eggs, ham, and swiss cheese) which also came with a side of fries. We also decided to split a bananas foster crepe for a bit of sweet after our main meals. Everything we sampled was excellent. They also have a few pastries/desserts available and my husband got a croissant to go to nibble on later during our continued travels. The space is SUPER cute. There's plenty of seating and the upstairs area has a really lovely view of the space below. There are a few seats outside but they had filled up by the time we got there. I was really charmed by Knoxville in the short period of time we were there and I'd love to come back and explore more and French Market will definitely be on the list of places to revisit!

The atmosphere and the food are both wonderful. A little on the pricey side, but worth it.read more