A variety of barbecue from Nashville's Martin's Bar-B-Que
Photo Credit: Martin's Bar-B-Que

Food TN is Known For

Eat your way through the state to discover a wealth of flavors.

 

Featured in this Article:

Banana Pudding
Barbecue
Beer, Wine & Cocktails
Biscuits
Catfish
Country Ham
Flapjacks
Fried Chicken
Hot Chicken
Ice Cream & Milkshakes
Meat & Three
Tacos
Vegetarian & Vegan

When you come to Tennessee, you don't leave hungry. What food is Tennessee known for? Plenty. Head to these restaurants and many more that serve savory eats and sweet treats like low-and-slow barbecue, fried-to-perfection catfish and ice cream concoctions of your wildest dreams. Here's where to fully indulge in mouthwatering foods.

Banana Pudding

Barbecue

Beer, wine & Cocktails

Sip through Tennessee.
  • When the weather is picture perfect, it's time to find the nearest patio, soak up the sun and sip on crafted cocktails, Tennessee brewed beer and wines pressed from in-state grapes.

  • Enjoy the vineyards on Tennessee's Wine Trails that wind through the state.

  • At Crown Winery in Humboldt, you can enjoy one of the Crown Picnics, private picnics with local and regional cheeses, meats, crackers and more paired perfectly with the wine of your choice.

  • Tennessee has a wealth of brews to choose from across the state like Johnson City Brewing Company in Johnson City which has small batch, specialty, seasonal brews from IPAs to stouts to pale ales.

  • Embark on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail to see the methods behind small-batch whiskey production to world-famous like Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg

Biscuits

CATFISH

Country Ham

Flapjacks

Fried Chicken

  • You know this next food Tenneessee is known for: Fried chicken.

  • Gloriously good fried chicken derives from Tennessee family recipes that now grace the kitchens of renowned restaurant establishments.

  • Fried chicken is the foundation of Southern cuisine, and its styles, while varied and sometimes considered competitive, consistently draw a worldwide audience.

  • Get a taste at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Memphis, Bea’s Restaurant in Chattanooga or Monell’s in Nashville.

Hot Chicken

Ice Cream & Milkshakes

Ice Cream

Milkshakes

  • For Instagram-worthy milkshakes, head to The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar in Martin and order one of their monster shakes like the Churro Champion - a cinnamon bun milkshake rimmed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, topped with four churros, whipped cream, caramel syrup, a dash of cinnamon and a cherry.

  • In Nashville, slide into Legendairy Milkshake Bar where your milkshake comes in a mason jar piled high with toppings like a cheesecake slice, brownie, toasted marshmallows, cookies and more.

  • At Gracie's Milkshake Bar, located in Nashville as well, choose between The Unicorn - a strawberry milkshake base topped with a Poptart, waffle cone and a lolly pop, The Franklin Mud - a chocolate milkshake topped with a brownie, chocolate wafers, gummy worms and sprinkles and The Fuego - a spicy chocolate milkshake with ghost pepper salt, mini donuts and chocolate wafers on top.

Meat and Three

  • The phrase “better together” reflects Tennessee’s soulful meat-and-three dining option, not necessarily one of the most famous foods in Tennessee, but a famous way of serving. 

  • This collective presentation of protein and rich sides far outweighs its individual flavor profiles.

  • Mix and match your favorites for a sweet and savory feast – and yes, mac and cheese does count as a “veggie.”

  • For an unforgettable meat-and-three experience, you can’t go wrong at the Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village in Jackson, Alcenia’s in Memphis, Chandler’s in Knoxville or Moss’s Southern Cooking in Clarksville.

Tacos

Eat tacos across the state.
Photo Credit: Josh Ness
  • Craving dinner on a patio with tacos, roasted corn and margaritas piled on your table?

  • If so,  grab a seat at Swanky's Taco Shop in Memphis and order steaming fajitas, chimichangas stuffed with chicken or barbacoa, enchiladas.

    • Try one (or a few) of the many signature tacos including seared tuna tacos, crawfish tacos, steak carbon tacos, veggie tacos and barbecue tacos.

  • In Clarksville, make a stop at The West Coast Taco Shop for meat and fish tacos, taco salads, nachos and more.

  • Taco Mamacita in Chattanooga and Nashville is famous for its can't-get-enough tacos like black bean tacos, vegan tacos, hot chicken tacos, barbecue tacos and Chipotle beef brisket tacos. 

  • Have a memorable meal at Mas Tacos Por Favor in Nashville with tacos of all types, tamales and chilaquiles with sides like Mexican street corn, fresh guacamole and chips.

Vegetarian & Vegan 

Come to Tennessee for vegetarian and vegan-inspired meals.
Photo Credit: @tactilefood
  • If you want plant-based meals, Tennessee has a variety to choose from.

  • In Knoxville, go to Sunspot where fresh, crafted food for vegetarians features a multicultural blend of Southwestern, Caribbean and Latin American flavors. 

  • In Cookeville, grab a fresh smoothie from The Turn Around like the Green Pina Colada, Berry Healthy and Go Bananas.

  • The Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis has been lauded in a variety of publications and serves up vegan barbecue sandwiches, vegan hot dogs loaded with chili, cheese, sauerkraut, veganaise and more, potato skins, chili cheese fries and loads of other dishes.

  • The Southern V in Nashville offers vegan Southern classics, even Nashville hot chicken!

Whatever you're craving, Tennessee delivers. Explore even more restaurants across the state.

Places in this article

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