FOOD SCENE

Palate Pleasers and Bold Brews

Our burgeoning food and drink scene is packed with flavor, thanks to dishes and drinks crafted by passionate Chattanoogans.

EXPLORE OUR DINING DESTINATIONS

Local. Fresh. Inventive. Delicious. This sums up the culinary scene in Chattanooga, where chefs create memorable meals with ingredients sourced from local farms, chocolatiers turn out treats reminiscent of European cafes, and mixologists dream up imaginative craft cocktails. Chattanooga continues to experience a culinary renaissance, with new foodie hotspots continuing to crop up every year. No matter what type of food or drink you’re craving, you’re guaranteed to find it here. Our diverse restaurants range from barbecue to Mexican street food to traditional Greek platters.

Restaurants

Chattanooga restaurants are known for their fresh ingredients and modern twists on traditional cuisine. Culinary hotspot Alleia serves a fusion of rustic Italian cuisine, crafted with regional ingredients from the surrounding farms of Chattanooga. Local favorites like Champy’s Chicken and Edley’s Bar-B-Que dish out delicious comfort foods like fried chicken, shepherd’s pie and family-style barbecue. Taqueria Jalisco Ania serves up traditional Mexican eats that are sure to tempt your taste buds, including tortas, burritos, fajitas, carne asada and more. For more upscale eateries, try STIR’s oyster bar and artisanal cocktails, or St. John’s Restaurant for the freshest seasonal dishes, from homemade potato gnocchi to seared duck breast & confit. In the heart of the Southside Historic District, Blue Orleans is the go-to spot for seafood gumbo with authentic New Orleans flavor.

In addition to enjoying top-tier restaurants in Chattanooga, try something new with Eat Sip Walk, an easy 0.7-mile walking tour of restaurants in Chattanooga’s Southside, or pedal around to some of the city’s best spots with Chattanooga Pints & Pedals. Several of the best restaurants in Chattanooga are located on Station Street, America’s 11^th street nationwide to allow on-street consumption of alcohol (only from businesses adjacent to the street).

A group of people dines at St. John's bar in Chattanooga, TN

Breweries & Distilleries

Beer and cocktail enthusiasts will find plenty of incredible establishments in downtown Chattanooga. Gate Eleven Distillery, opened in February 2019, is a true micro-distillery offering not only distilled spirits, but also unique experiences for guests, from tours of their custom-built still systems to fine spirit tastings at their indoor and outdoor bar areas. Chattanooga Whiskey is home to one of the best drinks in town – but don’t just take our word for it. The local distillery’s 99 Rye was named one of the Top 20 Whiskies of 2020 by Whisky Advocate. Meanwhile, Hutton & Smith Brewing offers 20 beers on tap in their one-of-a-kind tap house, where guests can sample a pint, flight, or take home a growler. OddStory Brewing Company’s creators believe that brewing beer is a true balance between art and science – and it shows in their carefully crafted beverages. Their rotating menu always offers something interesting to try, from the Coffee & Donuts Pastry Stout to the Blackberry Cobbler Sour. Whiskey Thief, the city’s first true rooftop bar with panoramic views of the mountains and Tennessee river, celebrates Chattanooga through its signature spirits.

A woman samples a flight of whiskies at a distillery

Cafés & Bakeries

Whether you’re meeting a friend to grab a quick bite or working remotely from a coffeeshop, Chattanooga’s downtown district is dotted with plenty of cute and casual cafés and dessert spots. A local favorite, Rembrandt’s Coffee House is a European-style café with a wide assortment of house-roasted coffees, artisan breads, hand-dipped chocolates and delicious pastries. Milk & Honey is known to have the best breakfast sandwiches in town, in addition to an extensive gourmet coffee menu that rivals Starbucks. Mean Mug Coffeehouse and The Camp House are perfect spots to crack open your laptop and get to work, with plenty of open tables and space to spread out.

Bluff View Bakery, part of the Bluff View Art District, specializes in rustic table breads, sandwich breads and rolls, using only the finest ingredients with no artificial fillers or preservatives. Treat your sweet tooth with a trip to Clumpies Ice Cream Co., a local staple since 1999 offering delicious seasonal ice cream flavors, now in four locations. The Hot Chocolatier goes beyond hot chocolate and offers unique desserts, from peppermint squares to bonbons to their own confection called a “squirrel” – a delicious combination of chocolate, nuts and caramel.