When I travel, I love to ask locals to recommend their favorite truly local restaurants. I often spend time with Chattanooga visiting guests explaining our downtown Free Electric Shuttle service - how to catch, the route, etc. - and sharing some of our great culinary offerings and experiences. I later created an evolving local restaurant document to share…It later hit me that I should add this to our blog section online for easy access…So here you go.
Chattanooga Local Restaurants with a Few Local Experience Links
Thanks for visiting our local artists gallery - Area 61. If you like our gallery, you’ll probably appreciate our local restaurant recommendations…This list features Chattanooga originals, award-winning and imaginative chefs, local sourcing, etc. (non-franchise or chain, though there are good ones here too)
Tip 1: Our tourist and convention district overlaps our business district, so going to dinner in casual touring attire is acceptable and welcome. You’ll see more business attire or “dressed for dinner” patrons at the restaurants in the first section below – just be comfortable and enjoy the wonderful cuisine. ** = Some Outdoor seating available
Tip 2: If you aren’t in a decision making mood, book a ChattTaste Food Tour. You won’t leave hungry and you’ll get a taste of Chattanooga’s culinary scene paired with local insights. Guided by enthusiastic Chattanooga foodies to several wonderful local restaurants based on the tour you choose, you’ll try a selection of specialties, at times introduced by the chefs who created them; the overall experience is infused with local history, points of interest and current city trends from the founder, Briana Garza, or one of her expert team leaders.
Culinary inspired fine-dining cuisine - Downtown
Hennen’s ** (Riverfront District on Chestnut St.) steak, seafood, seasonal daily features
Old Gilman Grill ** (West Village/City Center district) Americana with a French Twist – Cuisine de Famille DeFoor (in the original Gilman Paint headquarters)
Easy Bistro ** (West Village/City Center district) this award-winning chef is also the executive chef at Main Street Meats (Southside district) a more casual “bustling market-feel” as it is also an artisan butcher shop
Public House ** & The Social – (City-center at Warehouse Row); The Social is a more casual dining environment/shares same chefs & kitchen. The Chef also owns Il Primo – another wonderful Italian restaurant, in the Riverview neighborhood – modeled after the energy of a NYC neighborhood Italian restaurant.
The Meeting Place & St. John’s Restaurant – (Southside district) one of the originals in the CHA culinary explosion, never disappoints. “The Meeting Place” next door is the more casual side; they share the same kitchen and great chefs.
Alleia ** (Southside District) Italian goodness, locally sourced farm-to-table
Bridgeman’s Chophouse (West Village/City Center district) at the historic Read House, steak, chops, seafood+
More LOCAL, casual culinary experiences within the Downtown Footprint (by districts)
Mayan Kitchen ** open front windows – (City Center district 5th & Broad) Latin Cuisine & Tequila Bar (authentic Guatemalan)
Lupi’s Pizza – (City Center district 4th & Broad) – Fresh daily, family-friendly & funky - the 1st authentically local pizza place in downtown CHA
Community Pie ** open front windows (City Center/Miller Plaza) – pizza, gelato & other fresh goodness
Attack of the Tsatsu - (City Center, Patten Parkway) Ramen Shop crafted directly from an immersion in Japanese culinary tradition.
The Bitter Alibi ** (MLK/UTC district) Houston St just off MLK – culinary fusion done right – noodles, bowls, dumplings, handhelds, salads, vegan, gluten-safe & more. (They own another culinary treat - The Daily Ration ** Riverview neighborhood – a little deeper into the Northshore community, via Veteran’s bridge & Barton Ave.)
Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches ** (Southside district) the former St. John’s Sous Chef, crossed the street to fill in the other culinary hours of the day – breakfast & lunch fast & casual.
Amada (Southside District) Wine & Tapas - Traditional Spanish plates, crafted from local seasonal ingredients [generous portions for sharing, and a nice cocktail/beer list in addition to wines].
State of Confusion **– (Southside district) Peruvian Ceviche, wood-fired Argentinian traditions, New Orleans Muffuletta…culinary expertise from various global regions. The location’s former resident, a community-loved antiques “picker” whose business was called “Estate of Confusion” inspired this “confused” name and restaurant menu.
STIR **– (Southside district) a restaurant that was built around the concept of artisan ice for craft cocktails, diverse tasty menu in a section of the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo terminal building (same owners as State of Confusion above).
Main Street Meats ** (Southside district) artisan butcher shop + the “Easy Bistro” award-winning chef’s menu
Ernest Chinese ** Chinese food and Tiki Drinks…a reimagined dining experience from the owners of the neighboring boutique hostel classic, “The Crash Pad” that will replace their former bar & eatery concept of ten years - The Flying Squirrel. Whatever direction Ernest takes, their food & service experience is always a level up and in a festive environment.
Taqueria Jalisco Ania ** (Southside district) Family-owned, traditional dishes from the south of Mexico
Conga Latin Food ** (Southside district) – Fresh, family-owned authentic El Salvadorian
Alex’s Thai & Sushi Bistro - Lunch & Dinner (Southside district) Great craft cocktails and diverse rich and authentic cuisine.
Kai Bistro ** (Southside district) Authentic Asian American, including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai and Hawaiian cuisine. Great place to expand your culinary range.
No. 10 Steakhouse ** (Southside district) steakhouse and small plates with a neighborhood laid-back vibe. The other side of the E. Main RR tracks off of Central in the Burnside neighborhood and near the Sculpture Fields of Montague Park.
Anomaly at OddStory Brewing Co. - (Southside District) OddStory Brewing Company’s taproom — beer hall inspired, social hub of the local community, a place for beer lovers to relax, drink and dine.
Hello Monty ** (Southside district) Elevated American inspired by savory grilled foods served of the south (the brother owners have a long local food & beverage history and know hospitality).
FEED Company Table & Tavern **(Southside district) 2nd restaurant for chef/owner of 1885 Grill ** (St. Elmo, base of Lookout Mountain by The Incline – fantastic too if you get over there) –FEED Co is a collaboration between Tremont Tavern owner (Riverview area) & 1885 Grill (St. Elmo) – nice pairing! They also partnered for Parkway Pourhouse ** Riverside Drive at Cameron Harbor, And most recently (2022) Frazier Five & Dime (Northshore)
HiFi Clyde’s **– (Southside) eclectic Food + Entertainment, Taco Mamacita ** (Northshore district) (Lunch or Dinner), Milk & Honey … All of these great restaurants are owned by Monen Family Restaurant Group, PLUS Community Pie & Urban Stack
Elsie’s Daughter - French-Belgian cuisine with a nod to Appalachia, the 2nd restaurant for local culinary dynamic duo - Chloe & Ryan Smith (1st Rosecomb Bar, North Chattanooga)…Elsie’s Daughter is a jewel in the newly restored lodging accommodations - The Hotel Chalet at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
The Big Chill & Grill (Northshore district) martinis, frozen libations, variety of upscale comfort food, serves food late - LGBTQ+ friendly and fun. The owner opened another culinary hit on the other side of the river - South Riverfront summer 2018 - Scottie’s on the River ** adjacent to Spring Hill Suites – her culinary fare is always on point, and this one has location, location, location
Frazier Five & Dime (Northshore district) casual fine dining with an elevated neighborhood bar vibe (another joint culinary partnership with the Feed Co. crew).
Food Works ** (Northshore district) – L&D and a good Sunday Brunch
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN:
Cashew – (Northshore district) All Vegetarian (I’m not Vegan & enjoy healthy lunch there always.
Other Northshore area vegetarian & plant-based great options: Real Roots Café and Sluggo’s (short drive from downtown)
LUNCH MUST DO: RIVER STREET DELI (Lunch only) Go see/meet Bruce if you love an authentic NY deli …owner, Bruce, is a transplanted NY native who maintains the spirit, but is now heavily infused with Southern hospitality… (Northshore district off of Frazier Ave facing Coolidge Park, downstairs from Blue Skies (a fantastic gift shop) and Association for Visual Arts-AVA)
BREAKFAST (and/or lunch) MUST DO:
Bluegrass Grill (Southside district) family owned with strong hospitality spirit - feeding the community since the southside started revitalizing in 2007, 55 E. Main Street (our former location’s best neighbor) closed Su & M
Just Outside of the Downtown district’s footprint, worth the short drive:
Rosecomb Bar ** – (Riverview neighborhood - a little deeper into the Northshore community, via Veteran’s bridge & Barton Ave) the best flour-free fried okra ever…& more.
Rooftop Bars & Bites: Paloma at The Westin, High Rail at the Chattanoogan, Whiskey Thief at the Edwin
This list is not all-inclusive, because there are many great culinary options in Chattanooga (such as those at The Edwin, Kinley and The Westin Chattanooga hotels & the Bluff View Arts District), but you may not have found these on your own. None are paid recommendations; we just want you to enjoy Chattanooga like a local. Enjoy your stay & come back for more. - Keeli Crewe, co-owner/gallery director
Area 61 Gallery | 423.648.9367 | FB & IG: @area61chattanooga | SoundCrewe Audio
MORE LOCAL:
Getting Around Downtown by FREE ELECTRIC SHUTTLE:
Downtown Route: Downtown Shuttle | CARTA | Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority CARTA (gocarta.org)
Northshore Route: Route 2 | CARTA | Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority CARTA (gocarta.org)
St. Elmo/Incline Route: Route 15 | CARTA | Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority CARTA (gocarta.org)
Chattanooga ART GUIDE via The Association for Visual Art: https://www.avarts.org/chattanooga-art-guide
Online Arts Map Chattanooga Arts Experience Map (created by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. (CTC) – more Chattanooga fun via CTC: www.VisitChattanooga.com )
Digital News & Chattanooga-What-To-Do Publications:
The Chattanooga Pulse & their events Calendar: Weekly Digital Alternative — Local ART, MUSIC & News publication
NoogaToday: This is a daily digital news drop with short coverage of Things-To-Do that day and upcoming weekend; and here is a link to their City Guide: https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/city-guide
Chattanoogan.com: various Leisuretime options https://www.chattanoogan.com/Leisuretime/
Free Summertime Music Concerts – click through for schedule and performers:
Friday nights – Nightfall Concert Series Saturday nights – Riverfront Nights
Architecture Walking Tour: https://www.cornerstonesinc.org/walking-tours
Chattanooga Spirits Tours: Chattanooga Whiskey and Gate 11 Distillery
ChattaScooter Art Tour: https://adventuresportsinnovation.com/product/art-tour-of-chattanooga/
Ride our historic Coolidge Park Carousel (the horses & animals were carved by Chattanoogans)