October 7th, 2025
Welcome to the Tennessee Valley area and SLTC! This area has so much to offer and we’re excited for you to call it home for the next few weeks. Our staff has hand selected some of their favorite local restaurants in the Chattanooga area for you to try and enjoy!
Looking for a fun dinner with your roommates? Or maybe your family is coming to town and you want to show them the best local restaurants! Either way, this list has been curated by SLTC faculty and staff (and even lists some of their favorite menu selections!).
Casual eatery for smoked meats including brisket, pork and ribs, plus burgers, tots and more.
Location: 12366 S Main St Trenton, GA 30752
Staff Pick: BBQ Baked Spuds, Brisket Plate, and Banana Pudding
Casual Mexican spot offering a menu of classic fare, including carnitas, fajitas, and margaritas.
Location: 12553 N Main St, Trenton, GA 30752
Staff Pick: 3 Amigos Special, Street Tacos, or Fajitas
Easygoing American chain specializing in chicken wings, burgers & oysters.
Location: 4276 GA-136, Trenton, GA 30752
Staff Pick: Wings, Sauced Chicken Tenders, or the Jefferson's Burger
Classic wood-fired pizza atop Lookout Mountain in a small setting
Location: Lookout Mountain (203 Scenic Highway, Rising Fawn, GA 30738)
Staff Pick: Rosina Pizza
Local Mexican chain serving a menu of classic dishes in a relaxed setting.
Location: Multiple locations in Chattanooga area
Staff Pick: Soggy Tacos, Pollo Loco, or Veggie Enchiladas with a Kick
Wide variety of seafood & barbecued meats served in a casual bar & grill with an expansive deck.
Location: Chattanooga RiverFront (1459 Riverside Drive #4312, Chattanooga, TN 37406)
Staff Pick: Fresh Shucked Chesapeake Bay Oysters, Fried Shrimp or the Lotta Lotta Garlic Chicken
Best fried chicken in Chattanooga, this local establishment has three locations in the area, all with their own quirky flare.
Location: Multiple locations in Chattanooga
Staff Pick: Buttermilk Fried Pickle Spears, 2 Piece White or Dark Meat Plate with Baked Beans and Mac n Cheese
Collegial honky-tonk with a retro vibe & BBQ bites, plus ping-pong/shuffleboard tables & live music.
Location: Southside Historic District (122 W Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408)
Staff Pick: Smoked Brisket Nachos
Hip pub with vintage decor serving Neapolitan & New York-style pizza & homemade gelati
Location: Downtown Chattanooga (850 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402)
Staff Pick: Garlic Knots & Drunk Pig Pizza
Easygoing gathering place with a patio specializing in New York-style pizza & hearty sandwiches.
Location: Southside Chattanooga & North Shore
Staff Pick: The Yeti Pizza or Honey Calabrese Wings
Mexican-Peruvian eatery featuring tacos & rotisserie chicken in rustic digs with a patio.
Location: North Shore (109 North Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405)
Staff Pick: Enchiladas Suizas with a side of Sweet Potato Fries, Sloppy Jose and Vegetarian Jerk Tacos
Traditional Italian & Sicilian meals made with garden ingredients & served in a casual ambiance.
Location: Art District (212 High Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403)
Staff Pick: Bruschetta, Spaghettini Carbonara or Chicken Parmesan
Contemporary Japanese restaurant serving sushi & sashimi rolls, plus a roster of grilled classics.
Location: North Shore (330 Frazier Ave Suite 124, Chattanooga, TN 37405)
Staff Pick: Totto Crunch Roll, Tennessee Crunch Roll, Crab Tempura Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll
Long menu of inventive burgers & a bustling scene attract visitors to this woodsy modern tavern.
Location: Historic Southside District (12 West 13th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402)
Staff Pick: Good Day, Sunshine Burger or the The Dirty Bird Stack
Out on the town and trying one of these recommendations? Snap a photo and tag us on social media @sltc99.
