Tennessee has a few extremely well known restaurants (cough Loveless Cafe cough), but we’ve scoured the state for twelve unsuspecting restaurants that serve up a solid meal with a southern smile. You don’t have to elbow tourists to have a great dinner, and our local Tennesseans are about to show you how.
- Cajun Cookers Restaurant - Humboldt/Jackson
Cajun Cookers Restaurant - Facebook
Cajun Cookers Restaurant - Facebook Once of the best things about Cajun Cookers is its ease of accessibility and fantastic bbq. There’s parking for semi’s, and you walk up to their front window and order a well-priced, delicious meal that will keep you full ’til tomorrow. They’re only open on the weekends, though - so plan for Satuday! (18 Three Way Lane)
- Nona Lisa Pizzeria - Watertown
Nona Lisa Pizzeria - Facebook
Nona Lisa Pizzeria - Facebook We’re BIG fans of Nona Lisa Pizzeria. The darling pizza spot is tucked back in Watertown, a small city that’s roughly 45 minutes from Nashville. Their food is phenomenal, harkening back to the old country and serving up pizza dinners that drip with cheese and authenticity. (208 E Main St)
- Sky Blue - Nashville
Sky Blue - Facebook
Sky Blue - Facebook Little Sky Blue in East Nashville is an unassuming corner spot that serves up a hefty breakfast and wonderful cup of joe. We’d recommend coming early, because seating fills up fast and quite a few tables are seated communally. The price is right and the breakfast is grand, so we’d say Sky Blue is a must. (700 Fatherland Street)
- The Beacon Light Tea Room - Bon Aqua
4bird1 - TripAdvisor
Bon Aqua Tea Room - Facebook Open every day but Monday, the Beacon Light Tea Room is an easily passed over but not as easily forgotten eatery that boasts friendly service and southern comfort food. We’d recommend their country ham and biscuits, but you really can’t go wrong with the whole of their menu. (6276 TN-100)
- Readyville Mill - Readyville
Readyville Mill - Facebook
Readyville Mill - Facebook Open Friday through Sunday, you really have to plan ahead for a meal at Readyville Mill. The Goodness Gracious At the Mill Cafe is a great place for an atmospheric meal tempered with an excellent offering of southern food at its finest. (5418 Murfreesboro Road)
- Bull and Thistle - Gainesboro
Bull and Thistle - Facebook Bull and Thistle deserves rave reviews for their service, an atmospheric kindness and comfort that transcends to their menu. An easy, low-key pub, you may want to avoid if you’re on a diet. (102 S Main St)
- Bryant’s Breakfast - Memphis
JackiLaw - TripAdvisor
Bryant’s Breakfast - Facebook Bryant’s opened in 1968 as a barbecue restaurant, and is still owned and operated by the Bryant family. The tiny spot has since become known for their amazing breakfast and sensationally HUGE biscuits. They’re amazing! You can visit from 5am-2pm Wednesday through Saturday. (3965 Summer Avenue)
- Lottie’s Diner - Benton
BigDaddyD - Tripadvisor
Lottie’s Diner - Facebook Lottie’s Diner is home to the world famous cat head biscuit, so called because it’s the size of a cat’s head. We’d like to check with the person that measured that one out…They’re also known for their epic one pound burgers. (5790 Old Highway 411)
- Jenkins Deli - Cleveland
Robert D - TripAdvisor
Jenkins Deli - Facebook Jenkins Deli is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and lunch on Sunday. They opened in 1976, and their speciality item? The ever delicious chicken salad. It has also been featured in National Geographic and Southern Living. Psst - try the fiery cheese cubes for your appetizer! (2390 Spring Creek Blvd)
- Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook
Marcy Jo’s - Facebook Marcy Jo’s is open Thursday through Sunday, a fabulous place to enjoy a bit of small-town comfort and biscuits the size of your head. They have a great Elvis cake and phenomenal sweet rolls, too - if you’re in the mood. (4205 US-431)
- High Point Restaurant - Monteagle
High Point Restaurant - Facebook
High Pointe Restaurant - Facebook Located in Monteagle, High Point Restaurant is a manor that hails back to the 1920’s and has a solid reputation - Al Capone once frequented its hallowed halls. High Point doesn’t have to stand on a bit of trivia, though. Their entire menu is delicious - if a bit pricey - and great for a celebratory meal out with a bit of history to it. (224 Main Street)
- Amis Mill Eatery - Rogersville
Amis Mill Eatery - Facebook
BeachLove - TripAdvisor Amis Mill Eatery is an experience, and a pleasure. Located on a bluff situated over the overlooking Big Creek Dam and waterfall, the stunning locale dovetails perfectly with a high-end, comfort based eating experience. You can eat on the covered porch when the weather allows, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. (127 W Bear Hollow Road)
We even have 15 Insanely Beautiful Photos Of East Tennessee That Will Make You Want To Visit for an adventure after your meal. Ready to explore?
Cajun Cookers Restaurant - Facebook
Once of the best things about Cajun Cookers is its ease of accessibility and fantastic bbq. There’s parking for semi’s, and you walk up to their front window and order a well-priced, delicious meal that will keep you full ’til tomorrow. They’re only open on the weekends, though - so plan for Satuday! (18 Three Way Lane)
Nona Lisa Pizzeria - Facebook
We’re BIG fans of Nona Lisa Pizzeria. The darling pizza spot is tucked back in Watertown, a small city that’s roughly 45 minutes from Nashville. Their food is phenomenal, harkening back to the old country and serving up pizza dinners that drip with cheese and authenticity. (208 E Main St)
Sky Blue - Facebook
Little Sky Blue in East Nashville is an unassuming corner spot that serves up a hefty breakfast and wonderful cup of joe. We’d recommend coming early, because seating fills up fast and quite a few tables are seated communally. The price is right and the breakfast is grand, so we’d say Sky Blue is a must. (700 Fatherland Street)
4bird1 - TripAdvisor
Bon Aqua Tea Room - Facebook
Open every day but Monday, the Beacon Light Tea Room is an easily passed over but not as easily forgotten eatery that boasts friendly service and southern comfort food. We’d recommend their country ham and biscuits, but you really can’t go wrong with the whole of their menu. (6276 TN-100)
Readyville Mill - Facebook
Open Friday through Sunday, you really have to plan ahead for a meal at Readyville Mill. The Goodness Gracious At the Mill Cafe is a great place for an atmospheric meal tempered with an excellent offering of southern food at its finest. (5418 Murfreesboro Road)
Bull and Thistle - Facebook
Bull and Thistle deserves rave reviews for their service, an atmospheric kindness and comfort that transcends to their menu. An easy, low-key pub, you may want to avoid if you’re on a diet. (102 S Main St)
JackiLaw - TripAdvisor
Bryant’s Breakfast - Facebook
Bryant’s opened in 1968 as a barbecue restaurant, and is still owned and operated by the Bryant family. The tiny spot has since become known for their amazing breakfast and sensationally HUGE biscuits. They’re amazing! You can visit from 5am-2pm Wednesday through Saturday. (3965 Summer Avenue)
BigDaddyD - Tripadvisor
Lottie’s Diner - Facebook
Lottie’s Diner is home to the world famous cat head biscuit, so called because it’s the size of a cat’s head. We’d like to check with the person that measured that one out…They’re also known for their epic one pound burgers. (5790 Old Highway 411)
Robert D - TripAdvisor
Jenkins Deli - Facebook
Jenkins Deli is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and lunch on Sunday. They opened in 1976, and their speciality item? The ever delicious chicken salad. It has also been featured in National Geographic and Southern Living. Psst - try the fiery cheese cubes for your appetizer! (2390 Spring Creek Blvd)
Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery - Facebook
Marcy Jo’s - Facebook
Marcy Jo’s is open Thursday through Sunday, a fabulous place to enjoy a bit of small-town comfort and biscuits the size of your head. They have a great Elvis cake and phenomenal sweet rolls, too - if you’re in the mood. (4205 US-431)
High Point Restaurant - Facebook
High Pointe Restaurant - Facebook
Located in Monteagle, High Point Restaurant is a manor that hails back to the 1920’s and has a solid reputation - Al Capone once frequented its hallowed halls. High Point doesn’t have to stand on a bit of trivia, though. Their entire menu is delicious - if a bit pricey - and great for a celebratory meal out with a bit of history to it. (224 Main Street)
Amis Mill Eatery - Facebook
BeachLove - TripAdvisor
Amis Mill Eatery is an experience, and a pleasure. Located on a bluff situated over the overlooking Big Creek Dam and waterfall, the stunning locale dovetails perfectly with a high-end, comfort based eating experience. You can eat on the covered porch when the weather allows, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. (127 W Bear Hollow Road)
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