Beyond the well-trodden culinary paths of Memphis and Nashville, lies a city quietly cultivating a vibrant food scene all its own: Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nestled in the embrace of the Appalachian Mountains, this scenic city offers a diverse tapestry of flavors, from comforting Southern classics to innovative international cuisine. While you might find echoes of Memphis barbecue and Nashville hot chicken, Chattanooga distinguishes itself with Neapolitan-style pizzas, authentic Mexican street tacos, and the rich tapestry of Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes. This is a city where culinary artistry thrives, where high-end dining experiences coexist with casual, yet exceptional, eateries. Prepare your palate for a journey through the 18 best restaurants in Chattanooga, each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s evolving culinary landscape. This article highlights the very best places for foodies to explore in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Easy Bistro & Bar
Step into Easy Bistro & Bar, a downtown culinary haven crafted by Chef Erik Niel. Housed within the walls of Chattanooga’s original Coca-Cola bottling plant, the restaurant exudes an industrial-chic ambiance, seamlessly blending history with contemporary flair. The focus here is on showcasing the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. A prominent raw bar beckons with a tempting array of fresh oysters, decadent caviars, and classic shrimp cocktails. The carefully curated menu extends to include tantalizing small plates, from artfully arranged cheese boards to creamy foie gras pâté served with grilled sourdough. For a more substantial experience, explore their fresh pasta creations or indulge in the Bear Creek Farms bone-in short rib, generously draped in a black truffle bordelaise sauce. The atmosphere is one of refined elegance, making it perfect for a special occasion or a memorable evening out. Easy Bistro & Bar is a must-visit for any serious diner in Chattanooga.
* **Address:** 801 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-266-1121- Community Pie
Don’t be deceived by the casual atmosphere; Community Pie in Miller Plaza is a pizzeria that takes its craft seriously. This popular spot offers a trifecta of pizza styles: Neapolitan, Detroit, and New York. Whether you prefer to customize your pie with your favorite toppings or opt for one of their house specialties, such as the "Drunk Pig" (Italian sausage, crushed red pepper, and cheese on a vodka red sauce base), you’re in for a treat. Gluten-free crusts are also available, ensuring that everyone can partake in the pizza perfection. Beyond pizza, the menu features satisfying pasta dishes and generously portioned salads. To complete your meal, indulge in a scoop or two of their house-made gelato, with flavors that rotate daily. Community Pie is a great spot for families and friends to gather and enjoy delicious, hand-crafted pizzas.
* **Address:** 850 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-486-1743- Flying Squirrel
Since its opening in 2013, the Flying Squirrel has become a beloved community gathering place in Chattanooga’s vibrant Southside. Its quirky and picturesque setting is particularly inviting, with an expansive, pet-friendly patio perfect for enjoying the outdoors. The menu is designed for sharing, featuring delectable bites like blistered shishito peppers, savory okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), and flavorful duck-fried rice. Complement your meal with a selection of local and regional beers, including offerings from Chattanooga-based Hutton and Smith Brewing Company. The cocktail program is equally impressive, and the Sunday brunch is a local favorite, featuring creative dishes like cinnamon roll pancakes and Korean candy chicken and grits. The Flying Squirrel is a fantastic choice for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.
- St. John’s Restaurant
For a sophisticated and unforgettable dining experience, look no further than St. John’s Restaurant. This downtown gem is a favorite among locals for celebrating special occasions. The menu is a testament to seasonality and local sourcing, with ingredients carefully selected from regional farmers and seafood purveyors. Expect refined starters like beef tartare and fried Brussels salad, sometimes elevated with poached Maine lobster. The main courses are equally impressive, featuring dishes like Wagyu flatiron steak and seared duck breast. While concise, the drinks list showcases thoughtfully crafted original cocktails and a curated selection of global and American wines, available by the taste, glass, or bottle. St. John’s is a place to savor exceptional cuisine and impeccable service in an elegant setting.
* **Address:** 729 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-266-4400- Sugar’s Ribs
While Memphis may be synonymous with barbecue, Sugar’s Ribs proves that Chattanooga has its own contenders in the realm of smoked meats. This unassuming, husband-and-wife-owned restaurant sits atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the city. The secret to their success lies in a wood-fired grill of their own invention, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to their meats. The result is tender yet delightfully crunchy spare ribs, succulent brisket, and flavorful smoked sausages. Enjoy them in tacos, sandwiches, or on platters accompanied by classic Southern sides like spicy vinegar slaw and turnip greens. Be sure to save room for their renowned banana pudding, a true Chattanooga treasure.
* **Address:** 2450 15th Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37494, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-826-1199- Pickle Barrel
A Chattanooga institution since 1982, the Pickle Barrel is an iconic, adults-only pub housed in a historic flat-iron building on Market Street. Its most notable feature is one of the city’s only rooftop decks, offering a prime spot for people-watching and enjoying a cold brew on a sunny day. While the atmosphere is undeniably appealing, the food menu is equally worthy of attention. It features classic "munchies" like wings, fried mozzarella sticks, and, of course, their namesake snack: fried pickle spears. Larger plates include burgers, salads, and sandwiches, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
* **Address:** 1012 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-266-1103- Rembrandt’s Coffee House
Nestled in the historic Bluff View Art District, perched high above the Tennessee River, Rembrandt’s Coffee House offers a charming European-style café experience. In addition to a full menu of savory breakfast and lunch dishes, they offer a delightful selection of sweet treats, including pastries and hand-dipped chocolates. Try the Firebird sandwich, made with smoked turkey, pepper jack cheese, and jalapeño on cheddar bread. Enjoy a cup of their house-blend coffee as you stroll through the adjacent sculpture garden on your way to the renowned Hunter Museum of American Art. Rembrandt’s is a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing meal or coffee break amidst artistic inspiration.
* **Address:** 204 High St, Chattanooga, TN 37403-1102, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-321-0235 ext. 1- Alleia
Alleia, a rustic Southside trattoria, is where Chef Daniel Lindley masterfully blends high-quality Italian ingredients with locally sourced produce. The restaurant’s interior reflects its historic past, with features like 300-year-old wood trimmings, while the custom-made banquette adds a touch of modern intimacy. Begin your culinary journey with traditional antipasti such as arancini and ricotta bruschetta, before indulging in their pizzas, pastas, and main dishes like wood-fired pork shoulder with tangy vinegar sauce. With picturesque views of Lookout Mountain and climbing jasmine, Alleia provides a romantic and unforgettable dining experience.
* **Address:** 25 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-305-6990- Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant
Chattanooga gained a culinary treasure when Chef Mike Adams relocated from New Orleans in 2008, bringing with him three generations of cherished family recipes. Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant offers authentic Cajun and Creole-inspired fare in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Expect classic dishes like gumbo, po’boys, jambalaya, and seafood etouffee, all prepared with exceptional care and attention to detail. Don’t miss the bestselling French Creole pasta, a hearty penne dish with andouille, crawfish, and shrimp tossed in a Creole roux and white wine sauce. The restaurant also offers a children’s menu, and everyone will want to save room for dessert, with options like bread pudding and beignets.
* **Address:** 1463 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402-4465, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-757-0088- Main Street Meats
Main Street Meats, a Southside restaurant by Chef Erik Niel, is a haven for meat lovers. Part butcher shop, part intimate café, this spot offers a carefully curated menu featuring daily selections of meats and cheeses, as well as elevated starters like beef tartare and roasted carrots with harissa, feta, and pistachio Gremolata. The towering sandwiches, packed with house-cured meat slices, Southern-style plates, and Butcher’s cut steaks (some sourced from local farms like Bear Creek) round out the menu. In addition to pre-bottled and draft cocktails, the restaurant boasts an impressive collection of nearly 300 bottles of whiskey.
* **Address:** 217 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-602-9568- The Rosecomb
Dining at The Rosecomb, a 21-and-up favorite in historic Riverview, feels more like attending a dinner party at a cool friend’s house. The intimate interior is filled with antiques and lush hanging plants, creating a moody and quirky ambiance, while the back patio is adorned with string lights and relaxed furnishings. The menu focuses on modern Southern fare, with most dishes designed for sharing, such as the grilled cornbread with whipped butter and onion jam or the corn and poblano queso. The drinks are the main draw, with options ranging from house-mulled cider in winter to refreshing cocktails and sparkling wine in warmer months.
* **Address:** 921 Barton Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405-4307, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-541-9314- Public House Restaurant
Public House Restaurant pairs exceptional Southern food and hospitality with the relaxed atmosphere of a neighborhood pub. Ingredients are sourced from several local purveyors, including Niedlov’s Bakery and Cafe. Start with snacks and small plates like pimento cheese on grilled sourdough or fried chicken livers with grits and tabasco butter, then move on to main plates like grilled pork tenderloin with grits and apple chutney. The vegetarian-friendly sides, such as roasted acorn squash, garlic green beans, and mashed potatoes, are not to be missed. For local draft beers, a curated wine list, and specialty cocktails, visit their sister bar, The Social.
* **Address:** 1110 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-266-3366- Herman’s Soul Food & Catering
For authentic Southern comfort food, head to Herman’s, where the flavors are as big as the heaping platters of fried catfish, slow-cooked ham hocks, and smothered pork chops, just like grandma used to make. On Sundays, enjoy special platters like chicken and dressing, served with bread and two homestyle sides. Don’t miss the macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and peach cobbler. The restaurant also has a dedicated kids’ menu.
* **Address:** 3821 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411-3701, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-624-5715- Taqueria Jalisco Ania
Taqueria Jalisco Ania, started as a food truck by husband-and-wife team Maria and Jose Parra, has evolved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Southside. The bright and airy space offers tacos, burritos, and large plates like carne asada ranchera. Open for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch, the restaurant also has a stellar lineup of original cocktails and a large selection of mezcals. For a non-alcoholic option, try the house horchata.
* **Address:** 1639 Rossville Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37408, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-541-4410- Memo’s Grill
Memo’s Grill is a fast-service soul food establishment and one of the longest-operating Black-owned businesses on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Order the house special, a "chop wiener" (sliced hot dog smothered in chili sauce and served with coleslaw), a dish that has been served since Memo’s opened in 1966. Open only Thursday through Saturday, the diner-style restaurant also offers barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and turkey drumsticks for dinner, as well as rich frozen custard for dessert.
* **Address:** 430 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-267-7283- Proof Bar & Incubator
Proof Bar & Incubator is a part cocktail bar, part test kitchen and pop-up space for up-and-coming local chefs. It is home to some of the city’s most innovative food and drinks. Some of Chattanooga’s top bartenders create original drinks in the rustic-chic space, which hosts a rotating list of resident chefs and makers. Sample everything from single-origin coffees to Middle Eastern fare and classic French pastries.
* **Address:** 424 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-541-6858- Whitebird
Located at the base of the historic Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, Whitebird offers a modern approach to traditional Appalachian cuisine. The interior is airy and elegant, while the food is approachable and grounded. The chef sources seasonal ingredients from producers and farmers in the Tennessee River Valley. Dine on dishes like butter-roasted freshwater trout, complete with Benton’s bacon and mixed bean ragout, wilted spinach, charred red pepper salsa, and fresh basil. Whitebird offers some of the best cuisine Chattanooga has to offer.
* **Address:** 102 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
* **Phone:** +1 423-269-8537- Champy’s
Champy’s brings together the best flavors of the Mississippi Delta under one roof, from crispy fried chicken to fresh Louisiana crawfish and hot tamales. Southern sides like baked beans and potato salad and snacks like hush puppies round out the menu at this family-owned spot, which has three Chattanooga locations. The drinks menu is as unpretentious as the food. Grab a 40-ounce bottle of Miller High Life – the koozie is on the house. Champy’s is a great place to find amazing food in Chattanooga.
In conclusion, Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers a surprisingly diverse and vibrant culinary scene that extends far beyond the typical Southern fare. From refined dining experiences to casual comfort food, the city’s restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring the Scenic City, these 18 restaurants represent the best that Chattanooga has to offer and are sure to provide a memorable and satisfying culinary adventure.
