Before our 20th anniversary in 2024, my husband and I decided we needed to bring some fun to date night and try new places to eat. (I say “we” like this was my idea and not totally his…but I was on board!)
With our four kids getting older and having a built-in babysitter most of the time, it’s definitely become easier for us to get away for a dinner. Do we do it every week? Nope. Still too much going on with kid stuff, our stuff, and Baylor stuff (where we live).
Still, working through restaurants alphabetically has made us try some new places, and we’ve really enjoyed it!
Our only parameters are that we’d like them to be local restaurants and not chains. Otherwise, anything is on the table!
Here is where we’ve gone for letters A-O. I’d love to hear your suggestions for P and beyond! (Our restaurants skew heavily to North Chattanooga, because that’s where we live, but we are not against driving for good food!)
A – Alleia
Alleia isn’t new to us, but it’s one we usually only go to with a gift card. Probably my favorite place in Chattanooga, everything at Alleia is fresh and they offer tons of seasonal specials.
My recommendation: grilled romaine salad and seasonal Sangria. My husband loves the bacon-wrapped quail.
Other great options: Alimentari, Amada (my parents enjoy this tapas place), Agave & Rye.
B – Brewhaus
I think we’d only been to Brewhaus once before this trip. It’s delicious, casual German food, which makes my German genes quite happy!
My recommendation: any kind of sausage, spaetzle, and kraut, plus a mug of cider
Other great options: Boathouse, Brother’s Bagel, Bleu Fox Cheese Shop.
C – Clever Alehouse
This little Red Bank spot is always a fun trip. They have good beer on tap if you’re into that and food influenced by Mexican and Korean flavors. They’ve changed the menu since we’ve been there, but I’d eat just about anything on it, especially if it involves kimchi.
Other great option: Calliope (definitely hoping to make it here someday!)
D – Daily Ration
Delicious breakfast and brunch options in North Chatt!
My recommendation: Southern Benedict
E – Embargo 62
We had never been to the Cuban restaurant, despite the fact that it’s been on North Shore since 2015. It was fun, absolutely delicious, and surprisingly affordable for the area.
I can’t remember exactly what we had, it might have been on special, but it was all delicious! (Although neither of us loved the ham croquettes.)
Other great options: Can I squeeze 1885 here? Ha! Also Easy Bistro, Elsie’s Daughter
F – Frazier Five and Dime
Another new-to-us place, this opened in 2022 at the former Beast & Barrel location on North Shore. We loved nabbing the reservations at the Chef’s Counter, where we could see what was happening in the kitchen!
My recommendation: My husband had their tomato soup and was blown away by the flavor. I think they had a special pimento cheese deviled egg, too, that was amazing.
Other great option: Feed Table and Tavern
G – Goodfella’s Pizza
After trying a couple times to go to Mama G’s in Rossville but not finding it open, we decided to go to Goodfella’s, which is a small chain. The pizza was great, though, and the atmosphere is fun. We keep meaning to take the kids back here to hang out in the arcade.
My recommendation: I’m always going to go white pizza with ricotta if it’s on offer! Theirs is called The Vinny.
H – Han Mi
This Korean hole-in-the-wall on Broad Street is a huge favorite for us. I’d eat there almost any day. The service can be a little slow, so don’t go if you’re in a rush, but it’s well worth the wait!
My recommendation: My husband loves the Korean fried chicken, which you can get to your level of spice. I usually get Bimimbap or one of the meats with sides. I looooove Korean potato salad!
Other great options: Hello Monty is one I really want to try, Hennen’s
I – Il Primo
Another Italian favorite and one we save for when we have a gift card or coupon usually. We went here for my birthday with another couple and it was perfection!
My recommendation: My husband always gets Rigatoni al’Arrabbiata & Sausage and recommends it if you like spice. Seasonal specials usually draw me in.
J – Jack Brown’s Burgers
This is another small chain (if we are cheating our own rules, oh well!). I always crack up at the bras handing from Christmas lights and other fun decor. If that’s your kind of thing, they also have fantastic burgers.
My recommendation: It’s all good! Dr. Gonzo is one of my favorite burgers. Fries are shareable.
K – Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches
I’d never heard of this Market Street spot, but it was the perfect pick for a summer breakfast after dropping the kids off for camp. We were really impressed with their generous breakfast offerings, and it is such a cheerful and lovely little place!
My recommendation: My husband had the chicken biscuit with apple butter and it was shockingly delicious as a combo and also gigantic.
Other good option: Kai Bistro
L – La Santa
La Santa was formerly Poblano’s, tucked behind North Shore very near the Theatre Centre. The couple who owned it divorced, and now one partner runs it as La Santa. The offerings are similar although not all the same.
We had a little difficulty with the frozen margarita machine not working, but the array of tacos at lunchtime were so tasty!
My recommendation: Tacos for lunch. On another trip, I had the Enchiladas de la Casa and they were amazing (with shredded pork, although you can get whatever meat you want). I also have to call out the side salad as being above and beyond; their house made mango vinaigrette is craveable.
Other good option: Lupi’s
M – Mike’s Hole in the Wall
Mike’s is a North Shore staple, a bar with both indoor and outdoor seating.
My recommendation: Bold Rock Cider on tap and anything with onion rings.
Other great options: Merv’s, Main Street Meats, Milk & Honey, Massey’s Kitchen
N – Number 10
Neither of us had ever heard of Number 10, but it’s a steakhouse with gorgeous ambiance and great eats!
My recommendation: Everything from the grill looked great. I had the Number 10 Salad (sweet and savory and creamy and crunchy, everything a really good salad should be) and the burger, which is fancy and incredible.
Other great options: Nic & Norman’s, Niedlov’s
O – Old Man River’s
Old Man River’s is in the former Big Table spot behind Merv’s on Mountain Creek Road. It is a small, seasonal menu with “eco-conscious food and creative cocktails.” We went at lunchtime, because it’s about half the price, and although a few items had run out we were very satisfied with our choices!
My recommendation: I had the steak tips salad with Caesar dressing (because I don’t do blue cheese), and it is great, especially the tomato jam. I also had an on-special hibiscus French 75, which was dreamy. I heard some people at the bar letting the bartender just make up something for them! It’s a tiny place, so just beware that it might be better to go on off-hours.
Other options: Ox2 is one we really want to try but it’s farther away from us ;), OddStory Brewing, Old Gilman Grill
That’s as far as we have made it in the alphabet, but here are some other local favorites to fill in the rest of the alphabet if you’re looking!
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- P – Public House is one of my very favorite places to go; Pickle Barrel has the best Reuben ever
- Q – ??? Help me out if you know any Q restaurants!
- R – River Drifters is a favorite for burgers and bar food; I really want to try The Reading Room (bar and books!!)
- S – State of Confusion is always a winner, St. John’s, Scottie’s on the River
- T – Taco Mamacita, Tony’s Pasta Shop, Totto Sushi
- U – Uncle Larry’s, Universal Joint, Urban Stack
- V – Vine Street Market
- W – White Duck Taco, Whitebird, Wanderlinger Brewery, Wooden City
- X – We think we’ve going to have to do the oX2 for this ;). Nooga Today suggested SiX-Eighteen in their alphabet list, if you’re looking for something more nightclub-adjacent
- Y – Yummy Thai (we prefer the food truck!)
- Z – Zaya Steakhouse
We love Hennens for a special dinner. Thanks for adding River Drifters. It’s a funky place but I’ve never had anything that wasn’t delicious. My absolute favorite go to for burgers. Also owned by River Drifters is Cesarios in Rossville. Their pizza is fabulous. The crust is delicious. Worth the drive from Red Bank.
Upperbank is great, Sidetracks is great, we also loved Zois Harbor Lights, Boathouse has great margarita I feel their food is good however portions are small for the price. Love Paloma at the Westin for their Tapas which are actually very large portions. We are from Chicago the best pizza so far here is Fiamma and Southside. Love Old Man River’s Chatt but that wait is really tough. Love Doc Holiday’s too for some live music and egg rolls. PourHouse has great wings on Wednesdays. I am working on putting together a Happy Hour list with food and drink specials. If you have 1 please share.
When you get to Z—-for sure Zaya Korean Steakhouse! It’s our fave. Best steak in town.
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