Formerly a pass-through town just over the Georgia-Tennessee border, Chattanooga is having a food moment, and we need to talk about it. Since the pandemic, this tiny town has experienced a cultural boom with small businesses, hotels, and, yes, restaurants opening in record numbers. The Southside of town, for example, has completely transformed in the last few years from a desolate collection of dilapidated buildings into a trendy foodie destination.
Today, there are so many great places to eat in Chattanooga that it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re craving tacos, labneh, or the creamiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever had, these are some of the places you have to stop and grab a bite in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Where to Stay in Chattanooga
First things first: You’ll need a place to rest your head (and unbutton your pants) in between bites. Here are a few prime perches with extra perks that you can enjoy while in town.
The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection
Perched on a hill overlooking the Tennessee River, The Edwin is the top pick for those looking for an elevated stay in Chattanooga. In addition to a birds-eye view of town and its iconic pedestrian bridge (undergoing renovations until September 2026), the luxury hotel boasts a rooftop whiskey bar, an upscale Southern restaurant, and quirky design elements throughout that pay homage to Chattanooga’s patchwork past.
Kinley Chattanooga Southside, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
This fairly new Southside hotel blends industrial-chic interiors with homey Southern touches to create a comfortable home base for your foodie adventures. Bonus: Some rooms even come with bunk beds that make family (or friend) trips extra fun.
The Hotel Chalet
The iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo gets an elegant upgrade with the Michelin-approved Hotel Chalet. Located just behind the storied train station, the hotel allows guests to stay in refurbished train cars that blur the line between vintage and contemporary. Expect mid-century modern furnishings (burnt orange velvet coaches, olive walls, turquoise carpets) plus modern comforts like heated bathroom floors.
Where to Eat in Chattanooga: The Guide
Breakfast & Brunch in Chattanooga
Niedlov’s Bakery & Café
Old school technique meets modern tastes at Niedlov’s Bakery & Café. Its Main Street location makes this family-owned bakery a local favorite for both on-the-go coffees and leisurely breakfast meetings. It’s common to find a line at the counter, but it moves quickly, and the glutenous treats are well worth the wait.
In addition to artisan breads made with old-world recipes and simple ingredients, you’ll also find gorgeous pastries (there’s a raspberry and pistachio scone that I still regret not grabbing) and a full menu of breakfast and lunch options. Think avocado toast on hearty country bread, a creamy egg and Boursin sandwich on a flaky croissant, and freshly baked quiche of the day.
Milk & Honey
Biscuits are the order of the day at this all-day breakfast joint on the Northside. Served on the side of hearty omelettes or as the base of brunchy sandwiches, these buttermilk delights are well worth the trek across the river.
If you’re not feeling breakfast, classic lunch sandwiches like turkey and brie or B.L.T. on sourdough are also on offer. Those with a sweet tooth can pop to the attached gelateria for a creamy scoop or a handmade pop tart.
Lunch in Chattanooga
Taquira Jalisco Ania
Street-style tacos? Non-alcoholic margaritas? Family-run spot with homey vibes? Say less.
Perched at the edge of the Southside, Taquira Jalisco is a longtime Chattanooga favorite thanks to its previous life as a food truck. Now that it’s found a permanent home, it’s more popular than ever. Pop in (grab a spot on the patio if the weather is pleasant) for house-made guac, excellent cocktails, and a sweet finale of freshly fried churros.
Hello Monty
Breweries generally aren’t known for their cuisine, but this Main Street spot takes a delightfully food-forward approach. Hello Monty was founded by a pair of Chattanooga-born and bred brothers with a passion for small-batch beers and delicious bites.
The result is a trendy yet comforting neighborhood restaurant with a chef-driven menu based around the flavors of fire. Think blistered tomato toast with spiced honey, flatbreads grilled in the coal-fired ovens, and bratwurst skewers served with impossibly creamy mashed potatoes.
Note: You might recognize those incredible spuds from another spot on this list. James Beard-nominated chef Rebecca Baron crafted the menu at Hello Monty before leaving to helm the kitchen at 2nd American.
Main Street Meats
Fresh off a recommendation in the American South Michelin Guide, this nose-to-tail butcher and eatery is becoming one of the hottest tickets in town. Lunch is one of the best times to visit for hearty sandwiches and handcrafted charcuterie boards packed with housemade accoutrements. Of course, a selection of top-shelf steaks is available even at lunchtime for ravenous carnivores.
The menu is printed twice daily to reflect the freshest possible cuts delivered by local Amish farmers from their ranch at the base of Lookout Mountain. Don’t skip the thoughtful cocktails and impressive whiskey book — a must for any Tennessee institution.
Bleu Fox Cheese Shop
Specialty food store meets family-run bodega at this charming Main Street cheese shop. Run by a husband-and-wife team with a passion for dairy, Bleu Fox is a go-to for cheese boards (for individuals or a crowd), but also delicious sandwiches like a toasty ham and brie with fig spread, roasted turkey layered with house-marinated goat cheese, and, naturally, gooey grilled cheeses. Spend some time chatting with the owners to learn more about cheese than you ever thought possible.
Dinner in Chattanooga
2nd American
Chef David Lindley’s newest restaurant is a love letter to the Southern Sunday dinner, and locals are taking notice. Best known for its practically perfect mashed potatoes (served family-style with every meal), 2nd American is the top table in Chattanooga right now for its elevated comfort fare, creative cocktail program, and industrial-chic interiors that pay homage to the town’s blue-collar roots.
The menu changes with the seasons, but on a recent fall visit, highlights included a fork-tender beef cheek pot roast, cloud-like butternut squash dumplings, and a tomato pie to rival any Southern grandmas. Be on the lookout for the thoughtfully curated art collection, explained in detail on the back side of the menu.
Calliope
Be transported from East Tennessee to the Middle East at this swanky neighborhood spot. Calliope is garnering national attention for its modern Levantine fare, ranging from mouthwatering mezze to the Sofra feast, comprising a lineup of the restaurant’s greatest hits.
Prepare to settle in and linger over slow-roasted lamb and whipped feta with pillow pita, all washed down with creative Levantine-inspired cocktails and non-alcoholic sips packed with fragrant spices and botanicals. Expect drinks like the booze-free za’atar and tonic, the gin and pink peppercorn-infused Halaby, and the coffee-based Arabian Nights, spiked with Arak and peanut butter tequila.
Easy Bistro
In keeping with Chattanooga’s “everything old is new again” ethos, this casually elegant French bistro makes its home in a renovated bottling plant. You’d never guess that this Erik Niel-helmed spot had an industrial past, thanks to its breezy coastal-inspired interiors and elevated raw bar offerings.
Start with oysters and caviar service, then move on to housemade pastas and fresh, seafood-forward small plates and salads. A selection of 300 international whiskeys adds a touch of Tennessee to the Michelin-approved French-inspired experience.
Little Coyote
Erik Niel has the Midas touch when it comes to Michelin recommendations. The third of his concepts to receive the prestigious recognition, Little Coyote puts a Southern barbecue spin on the classic Tex-Mex concept: think smoked meats served with housemade tortillas and tequila cocktails.
The menu is small, but it’s well-curated with a handful of plates that have been all but perfected. The grilled queso is a must-order, as are the fried sweet potatoes. Zero-proof margaritas and palomas ensure that everyone can enjoy the full Little Coyote experience, though the full-strength cocktails are certainly worth the spluge.
Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse
Don’t call it Korean Barbecue. With its two-story meat locker and all-black dining room accented with a chandelier crafted from hundreds of origami cranes, Zaya 1943 is a steakhouse first and foremost. Korean-influenced starters like a kimchi pancake or the signature dry-aged jalapeño poppers with gochujang mayo whet the palate for a selection of dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection.
While it’s on the pricey side, the Wagyu Feast is an absolute highlight, showcasing cuts of Australian and A5 wagyu beef that just might ruin you for all other steaks. Cuts are cooked tableside, complete with a steak education on behalf of the knowledgeable staff. A huge array of bottomless banchan (small plates) accompanies the meal, making it more than filling.
Bonus: Take a Chattanooga Food Tour
Can’t decide where to eat? Get a brief taste of Chattanooga with Chatt Taste Tours. Owner Briana Garza’s enthusiasm for the town and its ever-evolving food scene is infectious, almost outshining the food itself. The Southside Chatt Taste Tour includes stops at several spots listed above, as well as a tasting at Gate 11 distillery inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo.