Edited 11/13/20 – Due to Covid, please be careful when dining out! I can’t vouch for how well the restaurants below are handling virus precautions but make sure to still support your favorite restaurants by ordering take out or delivery! Don’t get sick but don’t let these local businesses die out. I removed a few that I could tell were gone but didn’t add any new ones that may have sprung up, so let me know if there’s something new in town I should add.
Chattanooga’s local restaurants have definitely taken off in the past decade or two. While the city is big enough to sustain all the chain restaurants you could ever want, we’ve got fantastic area chefs using local foods in restaurants across the city.
I’m not going to really review any restaurants here–there are plenty of apps and websites that can do that for you, and your tastes may not be mine. I’m also leaving out all chains, which would include the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in East Brainerd, Mellow Mushroom and the like–there’s plenty that’s fine out there in that regard. But here I want to focus on the Chattanooga-specific gems that you can’t find in any other city. I’m sure I’ll miss a ton–make sure to add your local favorites in the comments!
In writing this post, I realized I needed to tackle this in sections, so first, let’s look at our options downtown from the river, heading south to the base of Lookout Mountain.
DOWNTOWN: RIVER TO MLK
BOATHOUSE ROTISSERIE & RAW BAR–Slightly away from downtown, this award-winning riverside oyster bar has a full menu and bar options. At night on the outside wrap-around deck is magic.
THE BLUE PLATE–Right next to the aquarium, this “modern diner” uses local suppliers, like Benton’s bacon, and Aretha Frankensteins pancake batter. Attached is the Local 191 bar. Service can be hit or miss, but the food is always good.
HENNEN’S–The focus here is on high-quality steaks and seafood, with an extensive bar. It sits next to the IMAX and it’s worth noting that there is a parking garage above the restaurant and you can get your ticket validated when you eat here.
EASY BISTRO & BAR–Boasts a fancy/casual atmosphere for brunch & dinner, with small, medium(ish), and entree dishes. Valet parking is available.
THAI SMILE–This is a cozy, family-run Thai restaurant with excellent crispy duck and curries.
LEAPIN‘ LEPRECHAUN–Chattanooga’s “premiere” Irish pub, though I’m hard-pressed to think of another. (RIP Durty Nelly’s.) Serves Irish-inspired pub grub and plenty of Guinness & whiskey.
SITAR INDIAN CUISINE–Serving sumptuous Indian food and a popular lunch buffet during the week. Any dish here a good bet.
HAIR OF THE DOG PUB–This is the place for a massive selection of beers, plus wines and liquors. The menu is generally sandwich-related. Smoking is allowed indoors, therefore the pub is 21 and over only. A less-smoky back deck is also available.
MAYAN KITCHEN–This new restaurant is in the spot where a downtown outpost of Sugar’s Ribs used to be, closer to the Tivoli Theater. With an extensive Mayan theme, the Guatemalan owners serve slightly upscale Mexican food and tequila flights.
TONY’S PASTA SHOP & TRATTORIA–Located in the Bluff View Art District by the Hunter Art Museum, the two floors of Tony’s is tucked into a cozy corner. Inside, you’ll find house-made pasta dishes and even gluten-safe options.
BACK INN CAFE–Across the courtyard from Tony’s and housed in a Colonial Revival Mansion, this upscale dining room has southern-inspired food on the plate and amazing views out the windows.
UNIVERSAL JOINT–The name refers to both the idea of a gathering place for friends and the fact that this burger & sandwich restaurant takes over the space of an old service station. Not quite native to Chattanooga, the original location is in Decatur, GA.
COMMUNITY PIE–Here, you can get your pizza New York style, Neopolitan style, or Detroit style plus gelato and coffee. Create your own or choose from their inventive menu. Located down by Miller Plaza at MLK.
THE HONEST PINT–Here’s another Irish pub! This one is more off the beaten path and features a stunningly beautiful space. And unlike sister pub Hair of the Dog, smoking is banned inside. Lots of beer & whiskey, better-than-average Irish food (the last time I got fish & chips here, they were salmon) and also serves as a venue space for concerts.
THE BITTER ALIBI–This nearly-underground pub (you were with them the whole time) has a great beer & spirits collection, plus noodle bowls, sandwiches. Also open for brunch on the weekends.
CHAMPY’S–While Champy’s Fried Chicken started in Chattanooga, it has grown to eight locations, three in Chattanooga, one in Murfreesboro, and four in Alabama. Known for their homemade fried-to-order chicken and hot tamales, be prepared to wait for a seat and for your chicken.
G’S DETROIT SAUSAGES–I’m not 100% sure there is a restaurant in this location–it looks like it may be a meat shop, a catering business, and maybe a pickup window. But it looks good, cheap, and unique!
UNCLE LARRY’S RESTAURANT–You’ll find a classic southern fish fry and more soul food here on historic MLK. Their slogan is “Fish so good it will smack you” and you can even purchase “I got smacked” t-shirts!
SOUTHSIDE / MAIN STREET
PICKLE BARREL–This Chattanooga mainstay pub in a three-cornered building features an appropriately dark and smoky interior with an upstairs outdoor patio. I think there is live music at times, but it’s mostly a college hangout.
TWO TEN JACK–In this Izakaya & Ramen House (an informal Japanese pub) you can eat your way through several small plates of yakitori, ramen, or lunchtime bento with a full accompaniment of sake, shochu, or mixed drinks. Located down the steps in Warehouse Row and also has a location in Nashville.
TOKYO CHATTANOOGA (used to be Sekisui)–Chattanooga’s premier sushi restaurant has moved multiple times, but has never completely left us. Now you can find it behind Warehouse Row. Sekisui is generally agreed to have the best sushi in Chattanooga.
PUBLIC HOUSE–Now we’re getting into Lindley restaurant territory, the premiere chef brothers of Chattanooga. The Public House is Nathan Lindley’s upscale take on a classic southern meat & three. Attached, you’ll find The Social, one of the best bars in Chattanooga.
ST. JOHN’S RESTAURANT/MEETING PLACE–St. John’s is *THE* finest dining in Chattanooga, where you’ll spend the most and eat the best. Located near the Chattanooga Choo Choo in the old St. John’s Hotel. Adjacent is the more casual (and much darker) Meeting Place, featuring small plates and an upstairs bar.
URBAN STACK–This restaurant, owned by the same local restaurant group that owns Community Pie, has a clear focus on innovative burgers and a large bourbon selection. If you want a burger with an egg on it, or peanut butter and jelly, this is the place.
SOUTHERN STAR–Another Chattanooga mainstay, this bright southern meat & three restaurant features killer desserts and lacy cornbread.
STIR–This newer restaurant is located in the Chattanooga Choo Choo building. The focus here is on fresh local food, oysters, and artisanal ice in finely crafted cocktails. And no, I have no clue what “artisanal ice” is either.
TERMINAL BREWHOUSE–This quirky restaurant across from the Choo Choo brews its own beers in-house and offers an eclectic American menu. I love just reading the menu– it’s hilarious! Since it’s in one of the triangle buildings we have downtown, there’s a fun booth for larger groups right in the acute angle.
SOUTHSIDE SOCIAL–I’m going to go ahead and include this, even though it’s really a bowling alley! This boutique bowling venue also serves taco, sandwiches, and other entrees, and has a full bar.
FEED CO TABLE & TAVERN–This local restaurant uses renovated space from the old Chattanooga’s Seed-Feed Supply Co. on Main Street. There’s a small dining room and a large “tavern” room with high booth seating and live music.
HIFI CLYDE’S CHATTANOOGA–Another offering from the Community Pie/Urban Stack folks, Clyde’s on Main Street offers great food, drinks, ping pong and other bar games, and live music on the weekends.
BLUE ORLEANS–This is Chattanooga’s premiere New Orleans-inspired restaurant, featuring mouth-watering jambalaya, etouffee, and gumbo plus a full bar and freshly-made beignets! BEIGNETS.
ALLEIA–This beautiful space is the current home of Chef Daniel Lindley, who used to be the executive chef and then owner of St. John’s. The focus here is on rustic Italian dishes using locally-sourced ingredients. The menu changes frequently and has a focus on pizzas in the wood-fired oven.
ALEX’S THAI FOOD & SUSHI BISTRO–Across the street from Alleia, this Thai restaurant also serves sushi and hibachi.
CONGA LATIN FOOD–This is your source for homemade tacos, empanadas, and much more on Main Street, served with hospitality in a casual setting.
BLUEGRASS GRILL–For the most amazing breakfast in Chattanooga, this spot on Main Street almost always has a line. Serves lunch (or breakfast for lunch) as well.
THE FLYING SQUIRREL–This bar is in an amazingly swoopy building and serves up wine, cocktails, and small plates on two floors with huge windows. Ages 21 and over only except for Sunday brunch.
MAIN STREET MEATS–Chattanooga’s local butcher also serves lunch and dinner daily. You can also buy meats retail, and they have Thanksgiving turkeys either raw or cooked and more Thanksgiving sides to make your holiday meal easier.
NIEDLOVE’S BREADWORKS–You’ll find Niedlov’s bread in many of the restaurants around town, including everything on Main Street. The bakery storefront on also serves breakfast and lunch–generally in sandwich form. I feel I should really check out their breakfast pastries…
SLICK’S BURGERS–At this burger barn (almost literally, it’s in a corrugated metal building) you can choose your protein, burger size, toppings, and upgrades, choose your fries and off you go for one of the best burger experiences in Chattanooga. I really like that you can get smaller sized burgers–patties come in “slick,” “sissy,” or “baby” and the spicy fries with blue cheese are a real treat.
TAQUERIA JALISCO ANIA–this popular spot started from a food truck and has grown into a beautiful, bright space with a full menu and tequila bar. EVERYTHING is good here.
ADELLE’S CREPERIE–This simple crepe kitchen is in the back of a larger venue and their savory and sweet Parisian crepes are only available for breakfast and lunch. Which is sad, because I’d love to go for dessert sometime! Parked next to Adelle’s is Petunia’s Silver Jalapeno, which is sometimes open.
MISS GRIFFIN’S FOOTLONG HOT DOGS–Way down Main Street at the corner of Central Ave, this location has been selling hot dogs “Miss Griffin’s Way” since her stand here in 1939. I’m not sure if you can dine in, but be sure to try her homemade sweet relish for takeaway.
SOUTH BROAD STREET / ST. ELMO
BOCCACCIA–Located south of downtown in the Southern Saddlery building, this Italian restaurant serves traditional upscale pasta dishes and small plates with a lengthy wine list.
MIKE’S SMOKEHOUSE–You’ll find authentic BBQ & amazing brisket in this cabin at the base of Lookout Mountain. It’s one of my favorite spots, but I think they need to work on their sides.
1885 GRILL–Right next to the Incline in St. Elmo, this is the place for southern coastal fare like shrimp & grits, crab cakes, and fried fish & chicken.
MOJO BURRITO–Chattanoogans love this build-your-burrito place so much they’ve expanded into two different locations! They’ve even grown out of their original historic storefront in St. Elmo into a larger building across from the Incline with lots of patio space.
THE PURPLE DAISY PICNIC CAFE–I’m not entirely sure that they didn’t name this place the Purple Daisy just so they could cram every purple thing they could find in the small restaurant. Regardless, you’ll find lots of manly men in here because the BBQ is just that good and the sides (hashbrown casserole!) are amazing.
SAWASDEE THAI RESTAURANT–Right at the bottom of Ochs Highway, this Thai restaurant serves up all of your curried favorites.
I’m going to comment on my own post–I forgot La Altena! I skipped over it thinking it was a chain (and maybe it has been bought by one?) But I’ve had fantastic margaritas and Mexican-style tacos at this true hole in the wall restaurant. At the corner of Main & Broad St.