A family restaurant in Tennessee isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a home. It’s where you come to be treated kindly by folks who care, where you fall in love with menu items that just don’t taste the same anywhere else, where you find a space to simply be yourself and rest in the moment. Do you have that kind of a place, somewhere in your favorite town? These 10 family-owned restaurants in Tennessee are great no matter where you are, driving by on a road trip or maybe for your Sunday afternoon lunch. Did your favorite make the list?
- Urban Plantation Restaurant - Shelbyville
Urban Plantation - Facebook
Urban Plantation - Facebook The Urban Plantation in Shelbyville likes to stick to the basics. They keep everything local, fresh, and homemade, meaning you’re never going to get a bad meal! They’re open from 9 AM to 8 PM on weekdays - so plan ahead. (764 N Main Street)
- Miller’s Grocery - Christiana
Miller’s Cafe - Facebook
Miller’s Cafe - Facebook Miller’s Grocery has been serving up delicious Southern food since 1995, but the general store across the street has been open since the 40’s. They’re open for lunch only every day but Monday, but they also serve dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. (7011 Main Street)
- Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant - Lynchburg
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant - Facebook
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant - Facebook Miss Mary Bobo’s in the heart of downtown Lynchburg is the country meal you’ve been looking for. Many visitors discover it when visiting the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, but this place could be a destination in itself. They’re only open for lunch, every day but Sunday. (295 Main Street)
- Dutch Maid Bakery - Tracy City
Dutch Maid Bakery - Facebook
Dutch Maid Bakery - Facebook Owned and operated by the Baggenstoss family since 1902, the Dutch Maid Bakery is the oldest family-owned bakery in the state! They’re open every day, but we recommend getting there early before they sell out of anything. (109 Main Street)
- Starlight Cafe - Cornersville
Starlight Cafe - Facebook
Starlight Cafe - Facebook The Starlight Café in Cornersville is the quintessential Southern meat-and-three. They’re open for Breakfast and lunch on weekdays, as well as dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Be sure to try the hand-cut steak! (509 N Main Street)
- Apple Cake Tea Room - Farragut
Apple Cake Tea Room - Facebook
Apple Cake Tea Room - Facebook This Farragut, Tennessee eatery is a sweet space that’s perfect for the whole family. The restaurant is known for its delicious quiche and openness to little ones in the tea room. Great for families and moms with their little ones, we’d recommend this cozy space any day! (11312 Station West Boulevard)
- Prince’s Hot Chicken - Nashville
Prince’s Hot Chicken - Facebook
Prince’s Hot Chicken - Facebook Prince’s started the whole hot chicken craze here in Nashville (kind of? It’s a toss up!), and they have continued the local obsession with the cayenne slathered poultry with a fabulous restaurant that truly cares for its customers. Come ready for a wait, but leave with a full belly. (123 Ewing Drive)
- Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Columbia
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook This Columbia treasure is a family owned space open from Thursday to Saturday, and it’s great for breakfast and lunch - but only if you’re hungry! We’d recommend trying their biscuits and gravy, as well as a cinnamon roll. Everything is made from scratch and you can tell! (4205 Highway 431)
- Side Porch Steakhouse - Bartlett
Side Porch Steakhouse - Facebook
Side Porch Steakhouse - Facebook Established in 1976, Side Porch is Bartlett’s oldest steakhouse - and it sure is delicious! Their recipes have been perfected and honed, which means you’ll have the chance to enjoy a high class meal in the heart of the south. What a joy. (5689 Stage Road)
- Atrium Pancakes - Gatlinburg
Photo Credit
Atrium Pancakes - Gatlinburg This Gatlinburg gem is famous for their baked apple pancake (pictured) and small town hospitality. Although they’re located in a touristy city, this is where you need to hide for good food and kind folk. No quirky tourist traps here! Just fabulous food. (432 Parkway)
PS: Still looking for somewhere to visit? Check out these 15 welcoming towns throughout the state. They’re wonderful!
Urban Plantation - Facebook
The Urban Plantation in Shelbyville likes to stick to the basics. They keep everything local, fresh, and homemade, meaning you’re never going to get a bad meal! They’re open from 9 AM to 8 PM on weekdays - so plan ahead. (764 N Main Street)
Miller’s Cafe - Facebook
Miller’s Grocery has been serving up delicious Southern food since 1995, but the general store across the street has been open since the 40’s. They’re open for lunch only every day but Monday, but they also serve dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. (7011 Main Street)
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant - Facebook
Miss Mary Bobo’s in the heart of downtown Lynchburg is the country meal you’ve been looking for. Many visitors discover it when visiting the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, but this place could be a destination in itself. They’re only open for lunch, every day but Sunday. (295 Main Street)
Dutch Maid Bakery - Facebook
Owned and operated by the Baggenstoss family since 1902, the Dutch Maid Bakery is the oldest family-owned bakery in the state! They’re open every day, but we recommend getting there early before they sell out of anything. (109 Main Street)
Starlight Cafe - Facebook
The Starlight Café in Cornersville is the quintessential Southern meat-and-three. They’re open for Breakfast and lunch on weekdays, as well as dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Be sure to try the hand-cut steak! (509 N Main Street)
Apple Cake Tea Room - Facebook
This Farragut, Tennessee eatery is a sweet space that’s perfect for the whole family. The restaurant is known for its delicious quiche and openness to little ones in the tea room. Great for families and moms with their little ones, we’d recommend this cozy space any day! (11312 Station West Boulevard)
Prince’s Hot Chicken - Facebook
Prince’s started the whole hot chicken craze here in Nashville (kind of? It’s a toss up!), and they have continued the local obsession with the cayenne slathered poultry with a fabulous restaurant that truly cares for its customers. Come ready for a wait, but leave with a full belly. (123 Ewing Drive)
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook
This Columbia treasure is a family owned space open from Thursday to Saturday, and it’s great for breakfast and lunch - but only if you’re hungry! We’d recommend trying their biscuits and gravy, as well as a cinnamon roll. Everything is made from scratch and you can tell! (4205 Highway 431)
Side Porch Steakhouse - Facebook
Established in 1976, Side Porch is Bartlett’s oldest steakhouse - and it sure is delicious! Their recipes have been perfected and honed, which means you’ll have the chance to enjoy a high class meal in the heart of the south. What a joy. (5689 Stage Road)
Photo Credit
Atrium Pancakes - Gatlinburg
This Gatlinburg gem is famous for their baked apple pancake (pictured) and small town hospitality. Although they’re located in a touristy city, this is where you need to hide for good food and kind folk. No quirky tourist traps here! Just fabulous food. (432 Parkway)
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