Best Restaurants in Chattanooga

by The OpenTable Team

Updated January 19, 2022

Chattanooga’s burgeoning culinary scene is known for its fresh ingredients, diverse flavors, and hotspots that are sure to please your palette. No matter what type of cuisine diners are looking for, it’s certain that the city has something that will fit the bill. Some of the diverse restaurant options range from Mexican street food to barbeque and Greek dishes. Plus, it has become a popular area for mixologists, making it easy to pair a tasty meal with a craft cocktail that will be hard to find anywhere else.

The Rosecomb

4.9

4.9 (91)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Opened in 2021 by Chloe Wright and Ryan Smith, the Rosecomb is a charming establishment that can be found in the scenic Riverview neighborhood. The menu is filled with a variety of small plates to snack on, including butternut squash soup and fried catfish with grits. The interior is filled with dark colors and wood, giving the restaurant an intimate and stylish vibe. Make sure to find the time to enjoy a cocktail from the extensive drinks menu.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Feb 15, 2022

It was wonderful. Very quaint little place. Really good drink menu. The deviled eggs and grilled cornbread are out of this world. The staff and service were outstanding!! Perfect for date night or drinks with friends

Primo

5.0

5 (189)

$30 and under

Italian

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

A popular farm-to-table restaurant that was opened in 2014 by Nathan Lindley, Primo serves a selection of snacks, pasta, and hearty meals. Treat yourself to the carpaccio, or indulge in the beloved pork scallopini. The inside is casual, with a large bar to sit at if there are no longer any tables. This local favorite is known for having a large happy hour menu, making it easy to grab some drinks and dishes while dining on a budget.

Top review

Jared

Dined 4 days ago

I set up reservations (super easily, I might add) for Valentine's Day and, aside from the parking situation, everything was perfect! Fantastic food, great seating (we were able to be seated in their semi-outdoor area, which was quite intimate), and the pricing will keep us coming back! The wait-staff were courteous and attentive and we didn't feel rushed at all. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day dinner! Keep it up Il Primo!

Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (252)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

The Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse is an elevated dining experience that first came to Chattanooga in 2021. The menu truly has something for every type of diner, whether it be beef dumplings or the dry-aged ribeye. Inside, individuals will notice the rich colors and decorations that help to give an upscale ambiance. The dress code is casual yet elegant, so make sure to dress up a bit when dining here.

Top review

Tammy

Dined on Jan 1, 2022

My son enjoyed his 12th Birthday. Our server Juan (I think) was AWESOME. He was very knowledgeable about the food and the restaurant's origin.

STIR - Chattanooga

4.6

4.6 (2263)

$31 to $50

American

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Since it was first founded in 2015, Stir has been wowing diners with its innovative dishes and craft cocktails. Choose from a selection of fresh seafood, which includes shrimp and crab benedict and oyster bar specials. It has become particularly popular for its weekend brunch, which can be a nice alternative to grabbing a dinner reservation.

Top review

susan

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was great! From the food to the service!

Public House - Chattanooga

4.8

4.8 (2821)

$30 and under

American

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

For locally sourced Southern fare, head to Public House, a restaurant located in downtown Chattanooga that was first opened in 2009 by Nathan Lindley. The menu is filled with tasty treats, including sauteed scallops, fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. The inside of this establishment is sleek and modern, yet provides diners with a cozy feel. What’s being served changes often depending on the season, as Public House likes to use local products.

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Owen

Dined 3 days ago

Food was great, service top notch. Great drinks too!

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Experience

Oak Room Reservation

Experience

Semi-Private Dining Room - Oak Room

Hennen's

4.7

4.7 (3863)

$31 to $50

Steak

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Hennen's is a sleek steakhouse that also specializes in seafood and has been serving local favorites since it was founded in 2005. There are a variety of unique and classic dishes to choose from, including smoked salmon dip, filet mignon, and chicken parmesan. Inside, there is low lighting and dark furniture, helping to give the restaurant a romantic and private feeling that is nice for both dates and catching up with old friends. While it can sometimes be difficult to secure a reservation, heading there for brunch is always an option as well.

Top review

DeanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food was excellent! The atmosphere was warm and cozy. The chocolate cake was awesome! Our sever was a bit rude and annoying. Still one of our favorite restaurants in Chattanooga.

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Petit Filet Mignon Oscar

Old Gilman Grill

4.6

4.6 (776)

$31 to $50

American

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Placed in the city’s downtown, Old Gilman Grill is located in a century-old building and was founded in 2018. On the menu, there are popular dishes like crispy brussels sprouts, pan-seared pork, and a blackened mahi sandwich. Inside features a large bar and light colors, while outside has an extensive patio that is nice to sit at during good weather. The restaurant boasts a large wine menu, so grab a glass of vino while dining.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on May 5, 2023

Our waitress was fantastic!!

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4.7

4.7 (695)

$30 and under

Latin American

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Known for its ceviche and wood-fired meats, State of Confusion has been a Chattanooga staple since it opened its doors in 2018 under the ownership of Fletcher Thompson. While every item is tasty, popular plates on the menu include dishes such as fried ceviche, crispy pan-seared chicken, and parilla steak and shrimp. The inside has rustic decorations, giving the establishment a warm and welcoming feel that helps to make diners feel right at home. During the winter, there are heated igloos just outside the building, allowing diners to sit outside even when it is chillier.

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SandraVIP

Dined on Feb 7, 2025

Good food and excellent service. Atmosphere was nice but pretty noisy. Our main courses were the crawfish lobster cake entree and the blackened red fish. Both were good with the exception of the grilled asparagus. The chocolate bread pudding was decadent.

Nic & Norman's - Chattanooga

4.6

4.6 (971)

$30 and under

American

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Created by Troy Stolt and Ivan Munoz in 2020, Nic and Norman's is a stylish restaurant that serves a selection of American-style cuisine, like burgers and salads. Favorite dishes among locals include items such as Philly cheesesteak fries, brisket barbecue flatbread, and homestyle meatloaf. The inside has decorative exposed brick and a large, chic bar that is a convenient place to sit if there is no free table at the moment. There will often be live music, so make sure to check the restaurant’s calendars to see if there will be a show that evening or not. Nic and Norman's is also popular for their tasty brunch, and they offer a variety of cocktails for diners to choose from, including house mimosas and several innovative Bloody Mary recipes.

Top review

Teresa

Dined 3 days ago

Great location wonderful food friendly people great service it was our first time and it was beyond what I expected will definitely be going back again

Proof Bar and Incubator

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Chattanooga

About the restaurant

Founded in the summer of 2011 by Michael Robinson, Proof Bar and Incubator is a unique establishment in the Martin Luther King section of the city that allows local chefs to test out their new creations. It boasts a diverse menu that is filled with local favorites such as shrimp calas, a brisket meatball po' boy, and shaved catfish and grits. The menu changes often, so make sure to check what is being served at the time.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 25, 2022

Amazing food and cocktails!! Cool vibe