We all know that Tennessee is home to some of the best food in the country, hands down. There’s simply nothing as good as homemade biscuits served up with fresh hot chicken, grits, and washed down with a glass of sweet tea. These restaurants are known for having some of the best food around, and they get tons of visitors because of it. Even still, each of these is worth a visit, no matter how long the line.
Loveless Café - Nashville
jshyun - Flickr
jshyun - Flickr Loveless Cafe sits at the head of the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, and it’s a must-visit for anyone in the area. They are famous for their biscuits, but everything on the menu is good enough to be “fresh out of grandma’s kitchen” certified. Be sure to try the country ham, too! (8400 TN-100)
Rendezvous - Memphis
H Michael Miley - Flick
Lindsey Turner - Flickr There’s barbecue, then there’s Memphis barbecue, and then there’s Rendezvous. The restaurant is in the basement of a building downtown, but they serve up the best dry rubbed ribs you’ve ever had. There’s definitely a reason there’s always a line here. (52 S 2nd St)
City House - Nashville
City House - Facebook
City House - Facebook Located in the foodie heaven that is Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, City House is consistently recognized as one of the best restaurants in the city. While you can wait in line if you want, making a reservation is usually a better call. Be sure to try their famous Belly Ham Pizza that comes with an egg on it. (1222 4th Ave N)
The Bull & Thistle Pub - Gainesboro
The Bull & Thistle Pub - Facebook Located just under two hours East of Nashville, the Bull and Thistle Pub in Gainesboro is one of Tennessee’s most underrated and under-visited restaurants. We recommend their classic but incredible Fish and Chips for the full Pub experience. (102 S Main St)
High Point Restaurant - Monteagle
High Point Restaurant - Facebook
High Point Restaurant - Facebook Housed in a century-old mansion in Monteagle, this restaurant has an interesting history. The building used to have escape hatches that led to underground tunnels so that its occupants (Al Capone and his gang) could get away quickly. Be sure to save room for the grilled pound cake for dessert! (224 Main St)
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse - Columbia
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook Marcy Jo’s is famous for being owned by the late Joey Feek, but it could be just as famous for their incredible food. They do dessert better than anybody in Middle Tennessee, so whatever you get (you can’t go wrong), make sure to save room. (4205 US-431)
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge - Nashville
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge - Facebook Tootsie’s might seem like a tourist trap, but it’s actually full of some truly incredible history. Legends like Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson were both regulars at Tootsies, playing frequent gigs before their careers took off. Grab a drink and check out all of the pictures of famous past patrons and memorabilia. (422 Broadway)
Alcenia’s - Memphis
Sean Davis - Flickr
Memphis CVB - Flickr Alcenia’s in Memphis is what all soul food should be. Over the years, the restaurant’s famous cook and owner B.J. has perfected the art of soul cooking and has been spreading the wonder of her mother’s famous and coveted preserves. (317 N Main St)
Siler’s Old Time BBQ - Henderson
Siler’s Old Time BBQ - Henderson Siler’s may not look like much, but you’d be missing out big time if you passed up on this restaurant simply because of the wait. Located in Henderson, about half an hour Southeast of Jackson, Siler’s serves up some of the best barbecue in the state. They use hickory wood from a local saw mill and have one of the best secret sauce recipes you’ll ever find. (6060 TN-100)
Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken - Chattanooga
Champy’s - Facebook
Champy’s - Facebook Okay, so every restaurant in Tennessee has fried chicken. But this chicken from Champy’s will change how you think about the food forever. Grab some chicken and sit outside on their patio for the full Champy’s experience. (526 E M L King Blvd)
Aretha Frankenstein’s - Chattanooga
Aretha Frankenstein’s -Facebook
Aretha Frankenstein’s -Facebook Winning the award for strangest restaurant name is Aretha Frankenstein’s. But don’t let the name deter you, this food is absolutely to die for. They serve up some of the best pancakes in the state, and they’re definitely worth the wait. (518 Tremont St)
Milk and Honey - Nashville
Milk and Honey Nashville - Facebook
Milk and Honey Nashville - Facebook Milk and Honey’s new location in Nashville offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, and they’re all incredible. Try one of the pizzas from their traditional wood-fired oven – we highly recommend the Melrose! (214 11th Ave S)
Need to work off a few meals after this list? Try one of these great 7 trails across Tennessee. They’re even great for winter!
jshyun - Flickr
Loveless Cafe sits at the head of the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, and it’s a must-visit for anyone in the area. They are famous for their biscuits, but everything on the menu is good enough to be “fresh out of grandma’s kitchen” certified. Be sure to try the country ham, too! (8400 TN-100)
H Michael Miley - Flick
Lindsey Turner - Flickr
There’s barbecue, then there’s Memphis barbecue, and then there’s Rendezvous. The restaurant is in the basement of a building downtown, but they serve up the best dry rubbed ribs you’ve ever had. There’s definitely a reason there’s always a line here. (52 S 2nd St)
City House - Facebook
Located in the foodie heaven that is Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, City House is consistently recognized as one of the best restaurants in the city. While you can wait in line if you want, making a reservation is usually a better call. Be sure to try their famous Belly Ham Pizza that comes with an egg on it. (1222 4th Ave N)
The Bull & Thistle Pub - Facebook
Located just under two hours East of Nashville, the Bull and Thistle Pub in Gainesboro is one of Tennessee’s most underrated and under-visited restaurants. We recommend their classic but incredible Fish and Chips for the full Pub experience. (102 S Main St)
High Point Restaurant - Facebook
Housed in a century-old mansion in Monteagle, this restaurant has an interesting history. The building used to have escape hatches that led to underground tunnels so that its occupants (Al Capone and his gang) could get away quickly. Be sure to save room for the grilled pound cake for dessert! (224 Main St)
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook
Marcy Jo’s is famous for being owned by the late Joey Feek, but it could be just as famous for their incredible food. They do dessert better than anybody in Middle Tennessee, so whatever you get (you can’t go wrong), make sure to save room. (4205 US-431)
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge - Facebook
Tootsie’s might seem like a tourist trap, but it’s actually full of some truly incredible history. Legends like Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson were both regulars at Tootsies, playing frequent gigs before their careers took off. Grab a drink and check out all of the pictures of famous past patrons and memorabilia. (422 Broadway)
Sean Davis - Flickr
Memphis CVB - Flickr
Alcenia’s in Memphis is what all soul food should be. Over the years, the restaurant’s famous cook and owner B.J. has perfected the art of soul cooking and has been spreading the wonder of her mother’s famous and coveted preserves. (317 N Main St)
Siler’s Old Time BBQ - Henderson
Siler’s may not look like much, but you’d be missing out big time if you passed up on this restaurant simply because of the wait. Located in Henderson, about half an hour Southeast of Jackson, Siler’s serves up some of the best barbecue in the state. They use hickory wood from a local saw mill and have one of the best secret sauce recipes you’ll ever find. (6060 TN-100)
Champy’s - Facebook
Okay, so every restaurant in Tennessee has fried chicken. But this chicken from Champy’s will change how you think about the food forever. Grab some chicken and sit outside on their patio for the full Champy’s experience. (526 E M L King Blvd)
Aretha Frankenstein’s -Facebook
Winning the award for strangest restaurant name is Aretha Frankenstein’s. But don’t let the name deter you, this food is absolutely to die for. They serve up some of the best pancakes in the state, and they’re definitely worth the wait. (518 Tremont St)
Milk and Honey Nashville - Facebook
Milk and Honey’s new location in Nashville offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, and they’re all incredible. Try one of the pizzas from their traditional wood-fired oven – we highly recommend the Melrose! (214 11th Ave S)
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