Southern comfort food is best in Tennessee. Am I biased, as a native Tennesseean? Sure. But it’s the hill I’m dying on today. From smoked meats to sweet cobblers and mac and cheese for my baby girl, we came hungry and left full, body and soul. Here is the best food we ate in Chattanooga, y’all.
Tupelo Honey
First order of business after a 2-hour road trip to Chattanooga? Lunch! Southern lunch, to be precise. Tupelo Honey is Southern at its best, but they also fuse with other cuisines well. Just take a look at what we ordered. Fried chicken tenders, green beans, and cheesy grits for my mom. Meatloaf with fried okra and green beans for my dad. Baby Iris was delighted for a soft, fluffy waffle slathered in butter, with cheesy eggs.
But me? I had to try their Southern Shakshuka. It’s an American Southern take on the Middle Eastern breakfast favorite of eggs cooked in tomato sauce and veggies. What makes it Southern? It’s served over grits y’all. Delicious!
Read on: The Best Tips for Packing with a Baby
Hot Chocolatier
What a cool place! They have “real” food, like soup and sandwiches, but the real star is, of course, the chocolate. We stopped in with my parents one afternoon and immediately started salivating at all the beautiful sweets—and not just chocolate! You can also snag a hot chocolate (or frozen one), espresso drinks, and more, if you need a liquid pick-me-up. I got a white chocolate-lavender truffle, buckeye (peanut butter and chocolate is the best flavor combo, you know), and an amazing cookie butter macaron as an afternoon sweet treat. I can definitely recommend all three!
(Coming soon) More here: Staying at the Chalet Hotel at the Choo Choo
The Feed Table and Tavern
Since lunch was such a hearty meal, I wanted to find a place that offered something classically Southern, but wouldn’t make me feel like a slug when I finish. After examining several online menus, The Feed Table and Tavern fit the bill. Iris got some truly delicious mashed potatoes, and I was very satisfied with my fried Brussels sprouts salad and salmon. The finish, though? That was the best part: Blackberry cobbler and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. I’d eat that every day if I could!
(Coming soon) Also helpful: What to Do with a Toddler in Chattanooga
Rembrandt’s Coffee House
If you’re looking for a breakfast recommendation in Chattanooga, I have to highlight Rembrandt’s Coffee House for you. It’s cute, cozy, and the food is delicious! Iris was so excited for her croissant and fruit, and the bagel breakfast sandwich kept me full for hours, even after a long walk with a toddler attached to me. And, of course, the coffee was the star. You’ll have to read my post all about the coffee shops in Chattanooga to find out more details!
Read next: How to Treat Yourself as a Single Parent on Travel
Wooden City
This upscale spot near the Tennessee Aquarium was a great place for an early dinner—even with a toddler! If we’d gone around 6:00 or 7:00pm, we would have definitely needed a reservation, but because we eat closer to 5:00pm (toddler time), we got right in. My friend got the Fancy Burger, which was quite elaborate, and Iris and I split the bread and butter and a veggie pizza. Well, that was the idea. I ended up eating the pizza and Iris ended up working on the bread. It was fresh-made focaccia.
(Coming soon) Read on: The Best Tips for Your Visit Chattanooga
Frothy Monkey
If you’ve been to Nashville, you might recognize this name. It’s a popular Nashville coffee house that has branched out into wine, sit-down dining, and beyond. The Chattanooga location is inside the old train station, just steps away from our hotel, so it was a perfect spot for breakfast. They have a pretty good kids’ menu, but the portion was a bit more than Iris was ever going to eat in a single sitting. The Broadbent Omelette, however, was the perfect way to start my day. The best part, though? My personal favorite: Gone Bananas Mocha! Chocolate and banana make a great coffee drink combo.
Did I get photos? No. I blame the toddler.
Read next: How to Travel Abroad for a Month with a Toddler (even as a single parent)
Trail Town Coffee
What a fun spot! Chattanooga is known for being an active city, and I love that this coffee shop has combined two of my favorites: Coffee and rock climbing! Attached to a climbing gym and selling high-quality climbing gear, they also have an amazing breakfast menu and coffee selection. They even made Iris feel welcome with a yummy ham and cheese croissant and a coffee that was just her size. Me? I devoured the breakfast burrito with bacon and a lavender-white chocolate mocha. I love springtime coffee specials!
Special thanks to Trail Town Coffee for hosting us for brunch! 100/10 would recommend.
More details here: The Best Coffee Shops in Chattanooga
Puckett’s Restaurant
Recognize this one, too? It’s also a Nashville-based favorite. For true, Tennessee fare, you have to go to Puckett’s. Located near the riverfront, it’s the perfect lunch or supper spot if you’re visiting the Aquarium or strolling the Tennessee Riverwalk. Not many places serve smoked turkey on a strawberry salad. They also have a good kids’ menu, if you’re traveling with little ones. Enjoy every bite, but be sure to save room for dessert!
Keep eating: The best food from around the world
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