Food + Drinks

Local Flavors Meet Global Influences in Culinary Showcase

Chattanooga is a small city that boasts big eats, with national rankings touting the culinary excellence of some of the best-loved bread, coffee, pizza, and barbecue in the state. Whether you’re looking for a casual eatery for a satisfying lunch or a classy bistro for a romantic dinner, there’s a flavor for any taste and a dining experience for any occasion. Local chefs masterfully blend Appalachian and worldwide influences, curating menus ranging from comforting to courageous. Accompanied by a pint of locally brewed beer or in-house roasted coffee, food and drink connoisseurs will feel right at home here in the Scenic City.

Along with romantic riverside and mountain views, Chattanooga offers up several fine dining options for a luxurious night on the town. The innovative palates of award-winning chefs are featured in several restaurants in the area, including those who specialize in quality steaks and meats, seafood, pasta, and French-inspired cuisine. Guests are sure to experience delightful dishes, top-notch hospitality, and stunning ambiences at the many high-end restaurants on offer. To top it off, knowledgeable beverage professionals are available to ensure that exceptional meals are paired with the perfect artisanal cocktail or glass du vin.

Chattanoogans on the go have no shortage of options for informal eats, from pizza and barbecue joints to delis and taquerias. Many restaurants add to the fun by providing trivia, shows, or games, so there’s sure to be a perfect spot for a family night out or showing friends around town. Sports fans looking to cheer on their favorite team can choose from several bars that offer shareables as satisfying as their pints. No food tour would be complete without sampling from the many food trucks that call the Scenic City home, and they can be found year-round at frequent area events and seasonal pop-ups.

Local flavors meet fresh fusions in the city’s wide array of multicultural restaurants. From traditional to uniquely inspired dishes, guests can enjoy meals from various culinary backgrounds, including Thai, Mexican, Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Cuban, Portuguese, German, Jamaican, Vietnamese, and Peruvian. Several markets throughout the area supply international products, offering Chattanooga’s diverse population access to new and familiar foods alike.

Tennessee has long been a leader in the game of distilled spirits, and Chattanooga distilleries are no exception. Since the establishment of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, local distilleries have steadily established themselves as leading whiskey producers in the state, with several spirits earning national accolades. While bourbon and whiskey are kings of the beverage scene, liquors like rum, vodka, and gin have certainly earned their place in the Scenic City. From classic recipes to experimental batches, visitors can sample the finest spirits the region has to offer in tasting rooms as well as local package shops.

IPAs, stouts, wheat beers, and sours – you name it, Chattanooga brews it. Brewmasters have brought the region out of a post-Prohibition slumber into a new era of diverse craft breweries featuring innovative brewing methods and locally-sourced ingredients. Breweries and bars invite guests to experience live music or play games with friends all while enjoying one-of-a-kind tasting flights. In addition to breweries across the city, Chattanooga also extends its love for beer with numerous taprooms and festivals centered around the beverage.

Alongside several refined dining options, Chattanooga boasts an excellent wine selection. Wine lovers can sample local favorites at restaurants or through elevated package stores, or better yet, groups can get together to visit a tasting room with knowledgeable experts. Nearby wineries offer up regional mainstays, while wines from around the world are showcased alongside local eats and live music at Wine Over Water, a well-loved festival that draws locals as well as wine enthusiasts throughout the region. Best Cellars also takes place in the city, offering a curated tasting experience with handpicked wine selections from participating wineries.

From European-style cafes and coffee trucks to espresso bars moonlighting with mocktail options, Scenic City coffee shops are as full of character as our residents. Several cafes partner with regional businesses to promote locally baked and bottled goods, and many also feature locally roasted beans and fair-trade certified ingredients. Whether hunkering down for a study spot or gathering for brunch, a friendly barista and a flavorful cup of joe are sure to be found in every corner of the city.

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.

Set within the richly biodiverse Tennessee Valley, it’s no surprise that Chattanooga chefs value restaurants stocked with local, sustainable, and ethical goods. Many restaurant menus shift with the seasons, highlighting flavors and freshness central to the farm-to-table exchange. By prioritizing environmentally-conscious dishes, eateries support the local economy while strengthening community ties. Farmers markets throughout the year also bolster this exchange, offering locals the opportunity to shop regional produce, meats, honey, jam, dairy products, 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 an unforgettable dining experience, residents of Chattanooga can delight in one of the numerous dining clubs in the region. 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. Many of these clubs require membership for entry, but patrons won’t be disappointed by the exquisite food options and breathtaking scenery.

From classic hors d’oeuvres to cocktails on tap, catering options abound in the Scenic City. Local caterers are ready to meet the needs of any wedding, festive gathering, or corporate event. Exclusive caterers often provide custom and sample menus for clients to choose from, while several local restaurants offer hand-picked dishes sure to please a crowd.

Did you know?

The annual James Beard Awards are presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize culinary professionals in the United States. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists around May 5th each year in honor of James Beard’s birthday. A select few of Chattanooga’s chefs have received the award.

Food + Drinks

Chatt Choices™

steak from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Lupi's Pizza Pies

Lupi’s Pizza Pies

Local Flavors Meet Global Influences in Culinary Showcase

Chattanooga is a small city that boasts big eats, with national rankings touting the culinary excellence of some of the best-loved bread, coffee, pizza, and barbecue in the state. Whether you’re looking for a casual eatery for a satisfying lunch or a classy bistro for a romantic dinner, there’s a flavor for any taste and a dining experience for any occasion. Local chefs masterfully blend Appalachian and worldwide influences, curating menus ranging from comforting to courageous. Accompanied by a pint of locally brewed beer or in-house roasted coffee, food and drink connoisseurs will feel right at home here in the Scenic City.

Along with romantic riverside and mountain views, Chattanooga offers up several fine dining options for a luxurious night on the town. The innovative palates of award-winning chefs are featured in several restaurants in the area, including those who specialize in quality steaks and meats, seafood, pasta, and French-inspired cuisine. Guests are sure to experience delightful dishes, top-notch hospitality, and stunning ambiences at the many high-end restaurants on offer. To top it off, knowledgeable beverage professionals are available to ensure that exceptional meals are paired with the perfect artisanal cocktail or glass du vin.

Chattanoogans on the go have no shortage of options for informal eats, from pizza and barbecue joints to delis and taquerias. Many restaurants add to the fun by providing trivia, shows, or games, so there’s sure to be a perfect spot for a family night out or showing friends around town. Sports fans looking to cheer on their favorite team can choose from several bars that offer shareables as satisfying as their pints. No food tour would be complete without sampling from the many food trucks that call the Scenic City home, and they can be found year-round at frequent area events and seasonal pop-ups.

Local flavors meet fresh fusions in the city’s wide array of multicultural restaurants. From traditional to uniquely inspired dishes, guests can enjoy meals from various culinary backgrounds, including Thai, Mexican, Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Cuban, Portuguese, German, Jamaican, Vietnamese, and Peruvian. Several markets throughout the area supply international products, offering Chattanooga’s diverse population access to new and familiar foods alike.

on 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, and Chattanooga distilleries are no exception. Since the establishment of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, local distilleries have steadily established themselves as leading whiskey producers in the state, with several spirits earning national accolades. While bourbon and whiskey are kings of the beverage scene, liquors like rum, vodka, and gin have certainly earned their place in the Scenic City. From classic recipes to experimental batches, visitors can sample the finest spirits the region has to offer in tasting rooms as well as local package shops.

IPAs, stouts, wheat beers, and sours – you name it, Chattanooga brews it. Brewmasters have brought the region out of a post-Prohibition slumber into a new era of diverse craft breweries featuring innovative brewing methods and locally-sourced ingredients. Breweries and bars invite guests to experience live music or play games with friends all while enjoying one-of-a-kind tasting flights. In addition to breweries across the city, Chattanooga also extends its love for beer with numerous taprooms and festivals centered around the beverage.

Alongside several refined dining options, Chattanooga boasts an excellent wine selection. Wine lovers can sample local favorites at restaurants or through elevated package stores, or better yet, groups can get together to visit a tasting room with knowledgeable experts. Nearby wineries offer up regional mainstays, while wines from around the world are showcased alongside local eats and live music at Wine Over Water, a well-loved festival that draws locals as well as wine enthusiasts throughout the region. Best Cellars also takes place in the city, offering a curated tasting experience with handpicked wine selections from participating wineries.

From European-style cafes and coffee trucks to espresso bars moonlighting with mocktail options, Scenic City coffee shops are as full of character as our residents. Several cafes partner with regional businesses to promote locally baked and bottled goods, and many also feature locally roasted beans and fair-trade certified ingredients. Whether hunkering down for a study spot or gathering for brunch, a friendly barista and a flavorful cup of joe are sure to be found in every corner of the city.

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.

Set within the richly biodiverse Tennessee Valley, it’s no surprise that Chattanooga chefs value restaurants stocked with local, sustainable, and ethical goods. Many restaurant menus shift with the seasons, highlighting flavors and freshness central to the farm-to-table exchange. By prioritizing environmentally-conscious dishes, eateries support the local economy while strengthening community ties. Farmers markets throughout the year also bolster this exchange, offering locals the opportunity to shop regional produce, meats, honey, jam, dairy products, 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 an unforgettable dining experience, residents of Chattanooga can delight in one of the numerous dining clubs in the region. 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. Many of these clubs require membership for entry, but patrons won’t be disappointed by the exquisite food options and breathtaking scenery.

From classic hors d’oeuvres to cocktails on tap, catering options abound in the Scenic City. Local caterers are ready to meet the needs of any wedding, festive gathering, or corporate event. Exclusive caterers often provide custom and sample menus for clients to choose from, while several local restaurants offer hand-picked dishes sure to please a crowd.

Did you know?

The annual James Beard Awards are presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize culinary professionals in the United States. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists around May 5th each year in honor of James Beard’s birthday. A select few of Chattanooga’s chefs have received the award.

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