May 2026: Three Stops, Endless Flavor: A Knoxville Foodie Mini Tour
- Elyse Large
- May 2
- 4 min read
Have you ever wanted the perfect slice of pizza, homemade ice cream, and a great cup of coffee—and wanted to try something new? Knoxville has plenty of great options and we’re bringing you the scoop with our latest stops.
We’re talking about a massive slice of pizza, a completely homemade ice cream cone, and one of the yummiest cappuccinos yet. So grab your favorite date and add these spots to your must-visit list.
Baker Boy Pizza
We’ve long known about Baker Boy Pizza, with its original shop on Cherry Street on the east side of Knoxville. We’ve been there many times—the pizza is amazing: fresh and homemade. Recently, they opened a second location in Halls, and we thought it was high time we checked it out.
Trevor, the general manager of this location, describes the aesthetic as “skateboard cool” with a warm, welcoming environment. The shop is in the former Hunt Brothers deli location across from Halls High School at 7438 Maynardville Highway—and it truly is friendly and inviting. You don’t feel like a stranger walking in; by the time you leave, you feel like part of the community.
Baker Boy offers slices, 16-inch pies, and 24-inch pies. We opted for a fully loaded slice cut from one of their 24-inch pies. It was massive, to say the least—and so good. They also offer specialties like “rolling pins” (think oversized mozzarella sticks), fried ravioli, and wings. You can choose from specialty pizzas or create your own. You really can’t go wrong.
They’ll tell you their pizzas take a little time to make, but they’re well worth the wait. You can order online for pickup, order at the counter for in-store dining, or place an order to go. While we were there, Trevor and the crew were experimenting with a new flavor, and we were lucky enough to try a slice—crawfish pizza! We hope it makes it onto the menu; it was that good.
The Sugar Queen Creamery
After pizza, we headed to Belltown Shopping Plaza, located at 4523 Market Bell Way in Powell, to check out the newest location of The Sugar Queen Creamery. The creamery started as a food truck that quickly grew into a brick-and-mortar shop in South Knox (or “SoKno,” for those in the know). About a month ago, they expanded with a second brick-and-mortar location in Powell.
The atmosphere is refreshing and chic. We were impressed with the wide variety of flavors—and they’re all homemade, right down to the waffle cones. You can even get a waffle cone in a cup. Genius. There were so many flavors to choose from, and we were told the most popular is the Peanut Butter Cup. We opted for the Oatmeal Cream Pie—double scoop in a homemade waffle cone—and it did not disappoint (just look at that scoop!).
You can also order a custom ice cream cake or choose from several cake slices in their grab-and-go section. They also offer pints of ice cream and frozen pup treats—we grabbed one for Anna Lee, who was patiently waiting in the car. If your furry friend wants something extra, you can order a pup cup: a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a dog treat. It’s a crowd-pleaser for pups, just like the homemade flavors are for humans.
The new Belltown shopping plaza is just beginning to come to life. You can bring your dog and sit outside with your ice cream. A brewery, taco joint, and coffee shop are all in the works, plus more. If ice cream is what you’re after, you can learn more about The Sugar Queen Creamery on their website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
Mahalo Coffee Roasters
After all that yumminess, you might want a great cup of coffee. Knoxville is known for its coffee shops, but one in particular stands out to us—and it’s one we frequent often: Mahalo Coffee Roasters. They have two locations: one downtown on Union Avenue and another in Powell at 1317 East Emory Road.
We visited our local Powell spot (it’s very close to Halls, which is why it made this month’s list—pizza in Halls, ice cream in Powell, and coffee in between). We usually order the chai tea latte at Mahalo, but this time we went with a cappuccino for a more relaxing sip. We tried it with oat milk—our first time—and weren’t sure what to expect, but it was excellent: strong and creamy, just the way we like it.
The atmosphere at Mahalo is bright, inviting, and perfect for gathering. There are plenty of spaces for working, visiting, or simply enjoying your coffee. They also offer small bites—think muffins, scones, and similar treats.
Mahalo isn’t just a coffee shop—they also roast their own beans and wholesale to other cafés. It’s not uncommon to see Mahalo coffee featured on menus around Knoxville. You can also purchase beans to take home. With a pet-friendly patio, it’s a great place to relax, whether you’re starting your day or winding it down.
There you have it–another month and another great round up of pet-friendly patios featuring great pizza, homemade ice cream, and an indulgent cup of coffee. Each of these spots has multiple locations, so you don’t have to be in Halls or Powell to enjoy them. Even better, their locations are spread across Knoxville—from the east side to South Knox to downtown—making it easy to grab a slice, a scoop, or a cup wherever you are.
About the Author:
Kristin is the founder of Chicken Librarian (and Yarn & Sundries Mobile Antiques), where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller since 2017, Kristin chronicles her journey at chickenlibrarian.com, celebrating slower living, community, and the beauty in everyday moments. From exploring small-town bakeries and local shops to life on her farmstead, her writing invites readers to notice, savor, and connect with the world around them.
