Perched on a Tennessee mountaintop in Kimball, Top of the Rock Restaurant and Brewery offers an experience that feels like much more than just going out for a meal. This scenic hilltop destination brings together house-made craft beer, inventive pub-style food, and wide-open valley views in a way that makes the whole visit feel memorable …
Where to Eat & Drink in the Tri-Cities & Beyond
Tennessee’s food scene goes way beyond hot chicken and barbecue joints in Nashville and Memphis. Tucked away in small towns across the state, you’ll find family-run diners, quirky roadside stops, and local favorites that serve up incredible meals without the crowds or the hype. These hidden gems are the places where locals eat, where recipes …
Nixon’s Deli in Knoxville is the kind of place that doesn’t need a lot of hype to win people over. Sitting on Merchant Drive, this no-frills sandwich shop has built a loyal following by serving sandwiches that are almost comically large in the best possible way. The meats are stacked high, the bread is fresh, …
The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge just earned serious bragging rights from Southern Living magazine. Getting named one of the South’s legendary restaurants is no small feat, especially when you’re up against decades of competition across multiple states. This beloved Tennessee spot has been serving up scratch-made comfort food beside a historic 1830s gristmill …
Tennessee has quietly built one of the country’s most impressive burger scenes, and we’re not just talking about the usual suspects in Nashville or Memphis. From century-old lunch counters serving patties the same way they did in 1911 to roadside drive-ins near the Smokies, the state is packed with places that have turned a simple …
Walking into Elliston Place Soda Shop feels like stepping through a time machine straight into 1939. This Nashville landmark has been dishing out ice cream sundaes, classic burgers, and pure nostalgia for over eight decades, making it Tennessee’s oldest continuously operating soda shop. While Music City has transformed around it with gleaming high-rises and trendy …
Tennessee’s backroads hide some of the best barbecue in America, and I set out to find them all. Over several weeks, I drove through small towns and rural highways, visiting 15 different smokehouses across the state. From century-old pits to family-run operations, each place had its own story to tell. Out of those 15 stops, …
Memphis is known for its legendary barbecue scene, but one little spot keeps stealing the spotlight from all the big-name joints. Elwood’s Shack sits in a Lowe’s parking lot on Summer Avenue, looking more like a roadside stand than a restaurant destination. But don’t let the humble appearance fool you because this place serves some …
Set along the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, The Peddler Steakhouse offers the kind of dining experience that stays with people for years. It’s been winning over visitors for decades, thanks to a combination of memorable food and an atmosphere that feels warm, cozy, and unmistakably mountain-inspired. From the moment you …
Tennessee is famous for its music, mountains, and mouthwatering food, but what really sets the state apart is the warmth you feel the moment you walk through the door of its best-loved restaurants. From family-style tables where strangers become friends to mom-and-pop kitchens where multiple generations cook side by side, these eateries treat every guest …
Tennessee may be famous for hot chicken, barbecue, and meat-and-three plates, but locals know there’s another comfort-food hero hiding in plain sight: really good pizza. Not the forgettable chain stuff. We’re talking about the kind of pies that come out with blistered crusts, bubbling cheese, house-made sauce, and the kind of flavor that keeps regulars …
Some of Tennessee’s best fried chicken doesn’t come from polished dining rooms, trendy interiors, or places trying too hard to impress you. It comes from the joints with fogged-up windows, well-worn counters, cafeteria lines that move with purpose, and the kind of smell that tells you you’re exactly where you need to be. Around this …
Tennessee knows how to do dinner with a little drama, and nowhere is that more delicious than at a steakhouse people happily queue up for. Across the state, you will find polished dining rooms, old-school favorites, chef-driven hotspots, and neighborhood institutions serving sizzling cuts, buttery sides, big red wines, and the kind of desserts that …
Tennessee does hot chicken like nowhere else, turning a simple plate of fried bird into a full-on flavor chase worth planning a trip around. Across Nashville, Memphis, Franklin, and beyond, the best spots balance blistering heat, crackly crust, juicy meat, and all the cooling sides that make every bite feel thrilling instead of reckless. Whether …
Tennessee is famous for its barbecue, and the state has some of the best smokehouses in the country. What makes these places truly special is that you can smell the smoky, sweet aroma of slow-cooked meat from the parking lot or even down the street. These twelve barbecue joints have perfected the art of smoking …
Tucked away in Pulaski, Tennessee, The Yellow Deli at the Heritage House offers the kind of experience that feels hard to find these days. From the moment you walk through the door, it feels less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping into a storybook. The handcrafted woodwork, colorful murals, and cozy, welcoming atmosphere …
There’s something magical about pulling apart a warm, gooey cinnamon roll that’s been baked to perfection. Tennessee is home to some of the most incredible bakeries and cafes that have mastered this beloved pastry, each putting their own unique spin on the classic treat. Whether you’re a local looking for your next sweet fix or …
When you see folks lined up in chairs outside a breakfast spot before it opens, you know something special is happening inside. Colonel’s Cafe in Knoxville has earned that kind of loyalty from locals who gladly wait for a table at this cozy neighborhood gem. With homemade corned beef hash, fluffy pancakes, and a warm …
Tucked away on Old Nashville Highway in McMinnville, Tennessee, Kat’s Diner & Market serves up more than just delicious home-cooked meals. This family-owned spot has earned a reputation for treating every customer like a welcomed guest at Sunday dinner, with generous portions and prices that won’t empty your wallet. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast …
Tucked along US-31W in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Uncle John’s American Diner has built the kind of reputation that only comes from doing simple things really well. It’s the sort of place people grow attached to over time, thanks to its classic comfort food, welcoming atmosphere, and the kind of down-home hospitality that instantly makes you feel …
Tennessee has a way of making simple things feel extraordinary, and nowhere is that more obvious than at its sandwich shops. From Nashville to Memphis and everywhere in between, the state is packed with spots where fresh bread, bold flavors, and honest ingredients do all the talking. You don’t need a fancy menu or a …
Tennessee has a long, proud tradition of home-cooked meals served cafeteria-style, where you grab a tray, pick your favorites, and feel right at home. These restaurants keep Southern comfort food alive with dishes like fried chicken, slow-cooked vegetables, and fresh-baked cornbread. Whether you grew up eating this way or you’re trying it for the first …
Tucked away on Broad Avenue in Memphis sits a bakery that has become something of a legend across Tennessee. Muddy’s Bake Shop draws dessert lovers from Knoxville to Nashville, all willing to make the drive for treats they simply cannot find anywhere else. What started as a neighborhood spot has grown into a destination bakery …
Tennessee has quietly built a reputation as one of the South’s best places for great donuts. From the Smoky Mountains to Memphis, small bakeries and family-run shops are turning out everything from classic glazed donuts to creative flavors that people happily wait in line for. Whether you live here or you’re planning a sweet stop …
Silver Sands Café has been serving Nashville families for more than 70 years, and it still feels like the kind of place where every meal is made with care. Tucked along Locklayer Street, this family-owned restaurant is known for classic soul food, from well-seasoned greens to creamy mac and cheese that keeps people coming back. …
Walking into Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Knoxville feels like stepping back in time to those magical candy shops from your childhood. The sweet smell of fresh chocolate fills the air while you watch skilled chocolatiers craft treats right before your eyes. Family-owned and operated, this European-style chocolate shop creates handmade confections that taste just like …
Tennessee is known for its music, mountains, and mouthwatering barbecue, but some of its restaurants go way beyond just serving good food. Across the state, you’ll find dining spots that double as entertainment venues, historic landmarks, or full-blown themed adventures. These wonderfully weird restaurants prove that where you eat can be just as memorable as …
Tennessee’s restaurant scene offers more than a good meal. Across the state, you can dine inside beautiful old buildings that bring a sense of history to the table, from grand train stations and Victorian storefronts to working mills and converted churches. Whether you’re in Nashville, Memphis, or near the Smokies, these spots show that sometimes …
Tennessee has some really special places tucked away in its forests and mountains—restaurants that feel a little bit magical once you find them. Surrounded by trees, with the sound of water nearby and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, they make it easy to forget everything else for a while. Whether you’re celebrating something or just want …
Tennessee’s state parks aren’t just for hiking and camping anymore. Some of them are home to surprisingly great restaurants where you can sit down to a warm, comforting meal while taking in peaceful, scenic views. It’s the kind of experience that just feels different—in a good way. Whether you’re winding down after a day on …