When you live in a destination that people love to visit, inevitably you have friends that call you up for city advice. We can’t help it that we’re one of the Top 50 Places to Travel in the World, according to Forbes. And what are we most asked about when people are coming for a visit? “Where are the best places to eat in Chattanooga??”
The truth is, Chattanooga has no shortage of spots to fill your pie hole! Award-winning restaurants, diners, and cafes are as plentiful as the trees that cover our mountains. We can’t name all of our favorites in one go, so we’ll start with just a few.
Why Eat in Chattanooga?
One of the best ways to experience a city is through your taste buds! It’s a well-known fact that the soul of a city can be found on a plate. The essence of the region is mixed into their cuisine, sprinkled in their spices, and blended into their bowls. If you are a true explorer, you’ll be lucky enough to taste the city’s love on your tongue. When you eat in Chattanooga, you know you’re experiencing something special.
We start with a surprising spot that’s a bit of an anomaly and a sort of an odd story…
Oddstory Brewing Co.
We’re talking about the Oddstory Brewing Co.. This beautiful, black-bricked building sprawls in an unassuming lot on Central Ave. Enter the Taproom and you’ll immediately see that this isn’t your normal brewhouse. Gorgeous black stone floors and chrome brew taps command the space. Greenery abounds, with fresh plants replacing distracting TVs. A selection of house-brewed beers awaits, and they offer samples for those on the fence about choices. Beers rotate based on brewing schedules, but the options never disappoint. Happily embrace their Brazen Behemoth, a bold and malty English brunette Barleywine, toasty with toffee and bread. Or have more fun with a blonde. Their Golden Blackbird is light with lemongrass and Belgian Candi sugars. Our favorite was the Wretched Bones, which is a Farmhouse Ale brewed at their other location, The Greenhouse. Its honeyed smoothness slid down oh so easy.
And their beers pair perfectly with their wild food; we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it. Afterall, this is a blog about where to eat in Chattanooga!
Order at the window of Anomaly by Oddstory and be treated to familiar favorites with an odd twist. Tots Bravas are a play on papas bravas, where tater tots play the starring role. Smoked paprika dusts crunchy tots, tossed in avocado aioli and bravas sauce. Dive into their ‘Shroom Cream Poutine. Velvety ‘shroom cream languishes over crispy fries and cheese curds as the ultimate comfort food. Find salvation in their Thai Fried Chicken Sando. A crispy chicken breast is tossed in Pad Thai sauce, smothered in picked onion, carrots, and Thai chilis. The sweet, spicy, savory crunch is enough to make your mouth cry “Hallelujah!”
And since we’re praising things, let’s jump onto our next favorite place to eat in Chattanooga. We’re talking about a tiny, heavenly bakery.
Niedlov’s Bakery & Café
Nestled on Main St., right round the bend from the historical Chattanooga Choo Choo, is Niedlov’s Bakery & Café . The tidy, brick building houses some of the most blissful breads and pastries you can eat in Chattanooga. Family-owned and operated since 2002, their love of food and family is as warm as sticky buns they serve. Try a cruffin; a flaky croissant baked in a muffin tin and then piped full of daily rotating pastry cream. Or grab a Pesto Ham Fig Jam sandwich for lunch. Juicy ham hugged with warm gruyere cheese, house made pesto, and fig jam will melt in your mouth. No matter what you eat there, don’t forget to grab a loaf to go. With everything from Rustic Country to Cheddar Pepper Sourdough, this bakery and café has it all. But come early! It isn’t unusual for a line to be wrapping the building on weekends.
And Niedlov’s doesn’t have the market cornered on breakfast and lunch. Get ready for another favorite spot to eat in Chattanooga.
Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches
Tucked along the tree-peppered sidewalks of Market Street, large, black-framed windows flank the city’s most well-known yellow doors. Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches has been a neighborhood staple since 2018. Walk through those famous yellow doors and the delicious smells will let you know you’ve arrived in food paradise.
Their Croque Madame is known about town. Rosemary city ham and gruyere are blanketed in creamy bechamel, as they lovingly lay on the soft crunch of sourdough. Topped with herbs and a runny egg, this decadent dish will have you writing home about it.
Or get back to basics with their grilled cheese and tomato soup. The unassuming menu item’s title will not prepare you for the flavor journey it’ll take you on. The sandwich is made with cheese and herbs that delightfully change from time to time. Paired with comforting and rich tomato soup, this classic combo is anything but. We’re not saying that eating it will change your life. But we’re also not, not saying it.
Speaking of not saying things, get ready for a secret hideaway.
Company
That’s right…a secret speakeasy is tucked inside one of Chattanooga’s hottest hotels. Welcome to Company. Find this behind a tiny, hidden entrance, which brazenly sits in the middle of the bustling lobby of the Kinley. Only those who know where to look can access it. When you’ve confirmed that you’re one of them, you’ll be led straight to the private entry. There, a movable bookcase is turned, and a lounge of wonder is revealed.
Bookshelves dot the dark, navy walls, each one lined with old books. A handsome book budget was provided prior to opening, and the shelves are covered with vintage tomes. It’s rumored that there are treasured first editions amongst the spines. They could be resting alongside the sepia photographs, vintage bottles, and burning candles.
As you catch up on reading Chaucer or Steinbeck, order one of their signature cocktails. Keep the literary vibe going with a Hemingway Daiquiri. Drake’s White Rum wrestles with maraschino liqueur, lime cordial, and grapefruit, before being topped with a chewy Luxardo cherry. Or try a little Hanky Panky. Old Tom gin, Rosso vermouth, and Amari get all tangled up on an icy rock with a twist.
Whatever your poison, it’ll pair nicely with their small plates. Their Charcuterie board is a symphony of artisanal meats and cheeses dueted with toasted bread. Bacon-sprinkled deviled eggs are sinfully delicious. And their black truffle-tossed fries, dipped in garlic aioli, may find you questioning all of your previous food choices.
Of all the places to eat in Chattanooga, this is certainly one of the coolest. Spend your entire evening here or use it to cocktail before slipping into something blue at our next stop.
Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant
This next stop is no secret! Some of the best Creole and Cajun dishes you can eat can be found on Market St. in Chattanooga. Welcome to Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant . A favorite haunt of locals and visitors alike, Blue Orleans has been a staple since 2006. Having evacuated New Orleans to avoid Hurricane Katrina, Chef Mike and his family arrived with little more than their love and their recipes. They settled in Chattanooga, opened the doors to the restaurant, and introduced their new neighbors to deliciousness. And Chef Mike Adams serves up generations of family culinary talent to the table.
Slide into a plate of Big Easy Shrimp n’ Grits. Your tongue will be covered in lovingly stirred grits, creamed with pimento and gouda, and thick with shrimp and bacon. Get down with Chef Mike’s Crab Cakes. Pan-seared cakes of crab are drizzled with Creole aioli sauce and nuzzled with porky collard greens. Gobble down spoonfuls of Shrimpalaya. Fluffy rice mixes with a deep roux of andouille sausage, grilled chicken, and shrimp. Gator tail, Crawfish Etouffee, Po-boys, Gumbo…the menu is a tasty New Orleans line-up. When you’re here, you bound to pass a good time.
And while we’ve waxed poetic about the Big Easy or crafty cocktails, what Southern restaurant list would be complete without barbeque? You won’t really eat in Chattanooga until you’ve had a plate of Q.
Sugar’s Ribs
Certainly, if you’re going to eat in Chattanooga, you betta’ find yourself a spot at Sugar’s Ribs . Perched on the side of Missionary Ridge, overlooking the sprawl of Chattanooga, sits the tall, wooden restaurant. Its red neon sign simply buzzes “Ribs”.
Sugar’s Ribs is a no fuss place, serving up the city’s best barbeque on paper plates, surrounded by creation. With views of the city and Lookout Mountain, they call themselves the “Q with the View”.
This is meat heaven for the BBQ purists. Consistently voted Chattanooga’s Best BBQ year after year, Sugar’s is renowned in the city. They have hard opinions on ribs, so don’t expect to see a single baby-back on the menu. Thicky, moist spareribs are slow-smoked for 12-hours before being sopped with one of their house sauces. Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these ribs are one of the many highlights on the menu. Try the tacos with chewy pork butt, smoky chicken, or the much beloved brisket.
Not one to pick sides, Sugar’s also serves two types of slaw. Vinegar or mayo variety is available for fickle diners. And don’t skip over the okra chips! Fried slices of spiced okra are an addictive, crunchy side that you can’t get enough of.
To end off, get the creamy rich banana pudding. Served from a Styrofoam cup, this Southern favorite has a personal touch. Jesslyn’s Banana Pudding is the honest-to-goodness recipe of COO Jessie Rodgers’ grandmother’s recipe.
While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the goats. That’s right…we said goats. A friendly herd of goats live onsite, and eagerly pose for photos with guests.
Grab a Fork and Eat in Chattanooga!
This list was a mouthful! And we’re still hungry! Keep checking back here for more diary entries on the best places to eat in Chattanooga. And don’t just take it from us. Grab a fork and experience the flavor of Chattanooga for yourself!
