For those seeking something a little more informal, there’s no shortage of delicious dining options that range from pizza and burger joints to barbecue and Mexican eateries. These restaurants are great for grabbing dinner with the family or entertaining friends over the weekend, and some restaurants offer an added dose of fun with games, shows, or trivia. For sports fans, there are plenty of spots to grab a cold one and cheer for their favorite team. Rounding out the casual dining landscape are food trucks that frequent area events and locales, presenting a wide variety of tasty menu items and flavor fusions.

For those seeking something a little more informal, there’s no shortage of delicious dining options that range from pizza and burger joints to barbecue and Mexican eateries. These restaurants are great for grabbing dinner with the family or entertaining friends over a long weekend, and some restaurants offer an added dose of fun with games, shows, or trivia. For sports fans, there are plenty of spots to grab a cold one and cheer for their favorite team, and for those trying to please a crowd, Market South and Proof Bar + Incubator are great options that allow you to order from multiple restaurant concepts without ever leaving your table. Many of the city’s more casual restaurants offer extensive menus with a regional Southern flair for an authentic experience. 

In addition to serving up local flavors, the city reflects an appreciation for foods from around the world with its large selection of international cuisines. Patrons can enjoy both authentic and inspired foods from culinary traditions including Thai, Mexican, Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Cuban, Portuguese, German, Caribbean, Vietnamese, and Peruvian, among others. Numerous markets scattered throughout the city stock international products, giving the city’s diverse population access to new and familiar foods alike.

Tennessee has long been a leader in the game of distilled spirits, so it’s no surprise that Chattanooga can hold its own when it comes to libations. With the Whiskey Trail running through the heart of the state, whiskey and bourbon dominate the regional beverage scene, but rums, vodkas, and gins also have their place in the Scenic City. Local distilleries – both traditional and micro – feature tried-and-true recipes as well as experimental batches, with multiple spirits garnering national acclaim. Some locations engage visitors with tasting rooms, while others sell their products at local package shops.

For every distillery in the area, there’s a brewery ready to serve up a pint in style. From IPAs and stouts to wheat beers and sours, Chattanooga has it all. Brewmasters in the area expertly invert local and regional flavors into their creations, often partnering with area farms in doing so. Some locations invite guests to enjoy a pint and tap into their competitive side by playing one of their many games, while others serve as a prime place to sample a tasting flight with good company. In addition to breweries across the city, Chattanooga also extends its love for beer with numerous taprooms and festivals centered around the beverage.

With such refined dining options, it’s only natural that Chattanooga would also have a top-notch wine selection. Whether at restaurants or through elevated package stores and tasting rooms with knowledgeable wine experts, residents and visitors alike can sample a variety of wines. Additionally, nearby wineries offer up regional mainstays such as muscadine blends, and combinations featuring Catawba, Niagara, and Concord varieties. Local favorite Wine Over Water is an annual event that celebrates all things vino and allows festivalgoers to sample over 100 wines from around the world.

Chattanooga is home to a thriving coffee scene, with cafes full of character frequenting nearly every neighborhood.
These vibrant shops are great for a daily drink or a relaxed meeting, and several businesses around town also serve as roasters and oversee the production process from bean to cup. Fair-trade concoctions and enthusiastic baristas are commonplace, and the selection of drinks for purchase, as well as retail products, is varied and unique.

Located among such stunning natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Chattanooga’s restauranteurs place an emphasis on stocking their kitchens with local, sustainable, and ethical options. This has led to a stellar lineup of farm-to-table dining options where freshness and quality reign over all else and seasonal flavors take center stage. These environmentally conscious dishes not only strengthen ties within the community but also support the local economy. Several farmers markets join in this effort, providing space for local farmers and artisans to sell their goods. Patrons can purchase fresh produce, meat, honey, dairy, and more.

While restaurant dining is an experience in and of itself, so too are supper clubs. With a handful of these creative groups operating around town, patrons have access to a unique communal dining experience featuring craft cocktails and decadent dishes. Supper clubs often cultivate a cozy atmosphere with group seating, and these events offer themed courses or experimental menu items and frequently serve as a chance for the vendors and chefs who supply and prepare the meal to get vital feedback from consumers.

For another type of dining experience, residents of Chattanooga can delight in one of the numerous dining clubs in or around the city. Although many of these clubs require membership for entry, patrons won’t be disappointed with the exquisite food options and breathtaking scenery. Commonly situated on golf courses, in penthouses, or atop mountain bluffs, these clubs range from casual to fine dining and exceed expectations by catering to all the senses.

An impressive lineup of caterers is poised to meet the needs of any event, large or small. Several restaurants around town have stylish mobile offerings, while exclusive caterers often provide custom and sample menus for clients to choose from. Routine meals, festive gatherings, and corporate events can all benefit from the area’s excellent catering services.