The Golden Roast

Essential to me making it through the day sometimes! The workers are very friendly and the atmosphere of the place is very laid back and chill. The only thing is that it can be a little pricey. Sometimes moreso than Starbucks. Nevertheless, the quality of their coffee keeps me coming back!

The University of Tennessee’s quintessential local student & faculty coffee shop. It is surprisingly as popular as Starbucks, at least among the highly involved students around campus. Its close distance to the library is a plus.
Their coffee is great and a welcome improvement over Starbucks, especially when it comes to more complicated brews and concoctions. The staff is always friendly, especially the general manager, Karen. A few of their pastries are made in-​house, like their scones, and they serve lunch during the weekdays.
It gets really crowded during the school year, particularly around finals, due to students buying a single latte and camping out there for three plus hours. It’s also a popular spot for group meetings, reunion coffees, and casual interviews. They recently remodeled and seem to be moving away from «warm and cozy coffee shop» to an ultra sleek and modern concrete/​black aesthetic.

Definitely a college coffee shop, but that’s not a bad thing!
You’ll often find it over crowded or busy during finals week or midterms, but otherwise, it’s a great little coffee shop.
The coffee is really good and the food is a nice accompaniment.
So grab a laptop and a cup of coffee and spend a while studying, or catching up with friends.

A great college coffee shop. The wait can be long and sometimes the college crowd is a bit rowdy during finals week, but when it’s got that hum going, it’s perfect. Excellent coffee and choice, just enough small plates to keep you fed, and the baristas are always kind and helpful.

The best aspect of this coffee shop is its location to campus.
The people are very friendly and the atmosphere is cute and comfortable.
The coffee is good. I think their coffee comes out better than their espresso.
They do have nice lunches on the weekdays — good soup and salad combos.

So went to this coffee house to sign up with tuber. While waiting I got a mocha the Batista she was amazing. The coffee was very good the prices were amazing and I think I have found my new coffee house. Thank you so much for an amazing experience.

I don’t really like the coffee I’ve had here.
I find the seating awkward.
They charge an extra $ 0.25 if you use a credit card.

I will give the Golden Roast another try, I’ve been told they are under new ownership.

Burnt coffee.
No honey in the whole place.
Charged a quarter for credit.
Coffee was gas station style and quality.
It was more like getting coffee at McDonald’s and less like a true coffee shop that is expert in all things coffee.

My first impression of places is the immediate acknowledgement of new customers walking in the door, the golden roast lacked and had no welcoming what so ever. This is my first time here, I felt as though I was interrupting their mood, it looked as though both of the workers were sleeping standing up. Zero eye contact, and a kind of «what the hell do you want» vibe.
I simply wanted a latte and asked what flavors they had available. Sleeping drone number one just pointed to wall where they were, no words. The second person kind of just stood in the way, not saying a word or even looking up. Still wanting to give them a chance, I ordered a vanilla latte. While it was being made, other customers walked in behind me. They were not acknowledged or welcomed in any fashion.
Customer service is what kills businesses and my guess is that this place is only still open because of its location and college students needing a hang out place.
Such a disappointment. Even if it were to be of decent quality, the people working here were just not friendly. :(I don’t get what all the hype is about.

Best place to get coffee on campus. All the people are super friendly, and they have an awesome selection of coffee and tea. Never disappointed! Their lunch is great too. The curry chicken salad in a pita is the best. Seating can be an issue, though, so either get there early or get your order to go.

I like the layout of the place and the laid back, friendly atmosphere and owner. The house blend was very good and the biscotti (although not housemade as many of the other baked goods appeared to be) was nonetheless tasty. I’ll be coming back.

I really love Golden Roast’s location (so close to campus!) and atmosphere but lately I’ve stopped going after being told time after another that they don’t have any sandwiches/​savory foods after 2pm/​on weekends and offered me bagels as an alternative (which taste horrible and dry, by the way) I cannot imagine what kind of café close to a university would do that, especially if students may go there to study and eat instead of the library or the UC but it’s not my business.
The last two times I have been there, I am usually in line after a customer has ordered something and the barista just continues to chat with them for a full minute, making me feel as if I were interrupting them. Coffee is not anything special either but if you want a neat and cozy little place to study besides your dorm or on campus, this isn’t a bad option. But go before 2pm if you desire a good lunch!

The Golden Roast is my favorite coffeehouse in Knoxville. They’ve got a really convenient location (basically on campus) and the service is good. The main thing though that makes me want to give 5 stars is the excellent coffee! I’ve never had a bad cup there and I like that they have custom flavors/blends…yum!

I recently got spoiled with coffee shops in Portland, OR… I am glad I found this place. I can see myself frequenting this place during my time at UTK.
Gespacho = yummy, Chicken curry pita = decent, could use some more grapes and less mayo. Only a few options for lunch, but they said it varies with the seasons. Fresh baked goods available, haven’t tried yet though. Interesting variety of coffee.
Wifi available. Seems to have ample workspace and outlets to use your computer. (though I am sure it will be packed when school starts)
Friendly service and atmosphere. The server was pleasantly chatty and the music is pretty good (especially compared to Panera’s elevator music… blech!).

What you aren’t going to find here: Starbucks’ corporate coffee culture catering to your every frappaccino infused desire.
What you will find here: Hand-​roasted FTO coffee and people dedicated to serving you excellent coffee.
I have to disagree with the previous review that rated TGR so low. I come every morning for the same thing: a medium sized medium roast. They’ve got my order memorized and are always happy to serve it. In my opinion, this is some of the best coffee you’re going to get in Knoxville, hands down.
Their food is also excellent, but limited. However, the food is consistently tasty and delish, not to mention that they partner with Rita’s bakery to serve fresh-​baked pastries. A hidden jem in Knoxville.

Golden Roast is the perfect college-​town coffee shop. To me it serves as that escape from the Big Orange.
Not only does it provide a safe haven of coffee and chit-​chat it also boasts of locally roasted coffee. Each day a different selection of roasts are available, that’s right SELECTION! My two favorite roasts are the Bavarian Chocolate and Caramel. There is also a wide assortment of teas was well as comfy seating.
The layout of the shop yields to productivity/​conversation, both of which you can accomplish at the Golden Roast. Even though it sits on the edge of UT’s campus you will still find a mix of patrons, from students to professors to businessmen to stay-​at-​home-​moms.
The Golden Roast is that coffee (or tea) escape for me, UT as well as Knoxville.

After moving to Knoxville from Chapel Hill where I did my undergraduate studies, it’s been hard to find good coffee shops. I read the reviews and decided on 4÷10÷2010 I’d check it out.
The atmosphere is great (Parking-​not so much). They’ve got plenty of chairs and free wifi, and the staff was helpful.
The coffee on other hand was below average. I should preface my remarks by stating that I did not try any of the espresso beverages or smoothies. I only had 3 types of their brewed coffee, and I had them black (without cream or sugar). I tried the Blue roast, the House blend and the French Roast. The coffee tasted bland and seemed to be watered down. I’m not sure its the worst coffee I’ve tried, but certainly the worst I’ve tried in a coffee shop. Of course it’s possible they may have had problems with their brewing equipment today, but I find that unlikely. Again, I tried three of their blends.
That said, if you aren’t too particular on your coffee, it’s a great place to study or chat with others. For Knoxville, being open until midnight is a huge plus!
Couple more things, coffee prices are average, about what you’d pay at a Starbucks. Parking is bad, it’s on the street and there are not too many meters. Also, they charge 25 cents per transaction if you use a credit/​debit card.

you loved me golden roast. despite my very lamentable XXXs tshirts, struggling ever so bravely to cover my love handles, often without success, you loved me. despite my tacky makeup, my ciggie smell, my regrettable brown hair, my academically induced twitch– you cared for me.
laden with the comforting aroma of lattes and dark roasts, stacks of boardgames and homey chairs, long windows lined with bar stools, golden roast was always the perfect pit-​stop to and from class.
the owner roasts the beans himself in an antique german roaster (proof they know and love coffee here). this place, by far, is my favorite coffee shop in knoxville tennessee.
i miss, i love.

Wow — how is it that I’m the first person to rate this one? Golden Roast routinely comes in on the Best Of… list that Metro Pulse publishes. If you’re looking for a coffee house, this is it. At lunch time, the place is usually swarmed with college students and faculty members. Sit quietly and you’re likely to learn about American literature, particle physics, classical economic theory, and a little bit of art history.
You’ll be served quickly and with a smile. Alan (the owner) handles the roasting duties, and you’re likely to have his mom take your order at the counter. Soups are made fresh daily. I highly recommend the chili. Who knew cinnamon could taste so good in a savory, beef-​based chili? Pita sandwiches are tasty too. Mmmm… pitas.
Espresso-​based beverages are hand-​crafted and delicious, although a single latte contains too much milk for the amount of coffee you get. Either spend a couple cents more and spring for a double or ask for it with less milk than usual. As far as whole bean coffee goes, you can buy beans by the ounce, either green or roasted.
Add in the customary free wi-​fi and a huge selection of used books in the back by the bathrooms and you’ve got an unbeatable coffeehouse experience. One of the finest in Knoxville.
Parking is a bear. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.