If you are looking for affordable and delicious food in Chattanooga, then check out these three restaurants in the Scenic City.
I believe that Chattanooga just might be the up-and-coming location for foodies. You can do a Google search and find several articles that go into more detail about the food scene in the Scenic City, but I want to share with you three of my favorite places to eat.
1. Maple Street Biscuit Company
Maple Street Biscuit Company opened its doors in Florida in 2012. Today there are 8 locations across the south, including the Chattanooga location at 407 Broad Street. The food here is absolutely amazing if I do say so myself.
I ordered The Five and Dime (pictured below). It is The Five (flaky biscuit, all-natural fried chicken breast, pecan wood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, topped with sausage gravy with a little kick) topped with a fried egg. It was so good that I was tempted to lick my plate. The price was a little bit more than five and dime, costing $9 per plate, but it was well worth it.
Maple Street Biscuit Company uses fresh, natural ingredients. The scratch-made biscuits are made daily using real butter and unbleached artisan flour, plus a few other specialty ingredients.
The jellies and jams are made in-house without preservatives. Coffee beans are roasted each week and ground fresh daily. The syrup served at Maple Street Biscuit Company comes from the Bissell Family Farm which has been making real maple syrup for 150 years.
Other menu items include The Chicken Club (flaky biscuit, all-natural fried chicken breast, pecan wood smoked bacon, Romaine lettuce, tomato topped with blue cheese, ranch dressing, or honey mustard), The Squawking Goat (flaky biscuit, all-natural fried chicken breast, fried goat cheese medallion, and house-made pepper jelly), Smokey Mountain Mac-N-Cheese , and Hashups (home fries with chopped smoked ham, red and green peppers, grilled onions, mushrooms, and melted cheese). Vegetarian options are also available.
It is no wonder that Maple Street Biscuit Company was featured on The Food Network on the show called Guilty Pleasures.
2. Sing It or Wing It
I never would have thought that a karaoke bar would be among my favorite places to eat, but after spending a fun evening with my family at Sing It or Wing It at 410 Market Street, this place has won my heart.
I found out about this hole-in-the-wall (no disrespect!) via TripAdvisor. My family and I were passing through Chattanooga one day and wanted to eat at a local restaurant, not some chain that we could eat at anywhere.
Sing It or Wing It is the first karaoke bar that I have been to. In addition to being able to sing your heart out to one of the many songs in their collection, SIOWI serves really good food.
My son devoured all of his ribs (shown above) and loved the side order of mushrooms. If you like fries, you cannot go wrong with either the regular or the sweet potato fries - they both are amazing. I made the Loveable Lauren (below) with sweet potato fries disappear.
3. Thai Smile
This little restaurant that is just blocks away from The Chattanooga Aquarium has become our family's favorite.
In fact, the last time that I drove through Chattanooga, I brought ice packs with me so that I could bring dinner home on my way back from Dollywood. True story.
My family and I happened upon Thai Smile a few years ago after spending the day at the aquarium. We started walking around and spotted the Thai Smile sign at 219 Market Street and walked in. It was love at first bite.
Every time we go, I try something new and think I have a new favorite. My newest favorite dish is Musamun Curry (above), a dish made with onions, potatoes, peanuts, and coconut milk.
The servings are fairly generous and the prices are moderate. Thai Smile was listed as one of Chattanooga’s best restaurants according to chef Daniel Lindley, as published at Condé Nast Traveler (online).
Where do you like to eat in Chattanooga?
Bud Lanning says
We enjoy The City Diner. Go hungry, you won't leave that way.
Debbie Roberts says
We love Basecamp, Clydes, Julie Darlin donuts , Clumpies ice cream , City Cafe and Community Pie .
SelfLynda says
Clumpies is on my list of places that I need to go. Thanks for sharing your list.
Cynthia K Adams says
Community Pie was our favorite hands down. City Cafe was really good as well. Also a hidden gem at the Honest Pint are tater tots cooked in duck fat... light and crispy with curry ketchup and Sriracha mayo... 😋
SelfLynda says
I will have to check those out. Thanks for sharing!
C. Watson says
Stir, Blue Plate, Urban Stack and State of Confusion are also great choices
SelfLynda says
Thanks!
Laura Sanders says
We love the Stir and we follow dinner up at the Chocolate Delicatessen across the street.. Also, First Watch, the hash and cold brew are yummy, and we also like the Daily Ration, State of Confusion, and Mike's Hole in the Wall. One afternoon at Mike's we got caught in a sudden downpour on the edge of the crowded patio and a group of people came over and welcomed to share their table and helped us carry our food and drinks over. We made new friends that day. That's a normal day in the life here in Chattanooga.
SelfLynda says
That's so great to hear!
Reginald Dwight says
The Place to eat is Food works Restaurant North Chattanooga TN
Pat says
Everyone needs to try Tata's Grill Authentic Bosnian cuisine in East Ridge. It's small family owned and fresh food.
Support local says
Maple Street is a chain owned by Cracker Barrel. Please support locally owned restaurants rather than chains. Kenny’s has the best breakfast in town.
Austin says
best burger: tremont tavern or jack browns.
brisket nachos: boatyard is best. universal joint is very close.
regular nacho: no clear winner. hifi clydes, taco mac (surprisingly), Taco mamacita, I've heard purple daisy but cannot confirm. (bbq nacho)
best bbq: Barque (formerly charlies) is best I've had so far.
Breakfast has solid choices, I do love maple street, but some other choices would be : milk and honey, daily ration, and syrup and eggs.
Best steak: so far is at my own house. yet to find a great steak.
Best italian: Giardino. (very sneaky pick would be Stevarinos Italian Eatery & Pub as it actually has some delicious pasta dishes)
Best pizza: no clear winner. honerable mentions would be Goodfellas, pizzeria cortile, stevarinos, fiamma, and crust if you like square cut cracker crust style.
Wings: honestly yet to find a great one. champys, tremont tavern, I've heard pizza bros but I cannot comment myself.
Mexican food: *Varies Greatly in authenticity* : taqueria Jalisco, San Marcos (helpful if you can speak little Spanish as wait staff speaks very little English), Delias (hixson),
Soul Food/Fried Fish : Uncle Larry's
SelfLynda says
Thank you so much for your contribution! I clearly need to go to Chattanooga and eat at more restaurants.
Wayne says
You can’t beat Bluegrass Grill for breakfast/lunch. One of the best burgers is at Zarzours, the oldest restaurant in Chattanooga, family owned for over 100 years !!
Tammy says
Uncle Larry's for fish and great home cooking and sides. Good desserts too! Great customer service downtown especially!
Amanda Morgan says
Next time you're in Chattanooga look up Chef Leboze Mobile Bistro and Catering come see us!
SelfLynda says
Will do!