The Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee is one of those crowning jewels you just can’t stop exploring. With attractions like Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Fall Creek Falls and Foster Falls, you’re sure to work up an appetite, well beyond your stash of trail mix and jerky. Hit an Upper Cumberland trail of a different kind by eating your way through the area at these establishments.
What Are the Best Restaurants in Upper Cumberland Tennessee?
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Upper Cumberland Tennessee Culinary Highlights
Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region is a premier culinary destination known for scratch-made Southern comfort food, hickory-smoked barbecue, historic downtown taverns, and craft beverages. From house-cured deli favorites and fresh Mennonite bakeries to riverfront breweries and local wineries, the region offers travelers authentic farm-to-table dining rooted in local tradition.
Must-Try Dishes:
- House-Cured Pastrami Reuben – Gibson’s Cafe (Lafayette)
- Chargrilled Oysters – Ebel’s Tavern (Carthage)
- Fresh-Baked Cinnamon Rolls – Country Porch (Monterey)
- The "Nasty Biscuit" (Cathead biscuit with fried chicken gravy) – The Pour House Bistro (Crossville)
- Hickory-Smoked Ribs basted in Local Honey – Collin's River BBQ & Cafe (McMinnville)
- Bacon Cheese Grit Puppies with Dijonnaise – Seven Senses Food and Cheer (Cookeville)
- Ribeye Sandwich with Horseradish Aioli – 37 Cedar Restaurant and Bar (Cookeville)
Great Restaurants in Lafyette, TN
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Menu Highlights from Gibson’s Cafe in Lafyette
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: Gibson’s Cafe is housed in an 1850s former post office filled with pop culture memorabilia and concert posters; features Friday night live music by co-owner Miles Gibson.
- Popular Menu Options: House-cured Pastrami Reuben, seasonal New York Cheesecake, Friday night steak and seafood feast.
- Address: 100 East Locust St, Lafayette, TN 37083
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Thu 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM | Fri 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Closed Sat–Sun
- Parking: Free street parking on the Lafayette square.
- Reservations: Walk-ins welcome; early arrival strongly recommended for Friday night dinners (BYOB location).
Top Places to Eat in McMinnville, TN
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What You Should Know About Collin’s River BBQ and Cafe in McMinnville
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: Searching for the best places to eat in McMinnville, TN? Collin’s River BBQ and Cafe is a Downtown McMinnville staple with exposed brick walls, vintage booths, an upstairs bar/dance floor, and family recipe barbecue.
- Popular Menu Options: Smoked and flash-fried wings with house ranch, hickory-smoked ribs basted in local honey, brisket with Alabama White Sauce, house cornbread salad.
- Address: 1117 E Main St, McMinnville, TN 37110
- Hours of Operation: Tue–Thu 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Closed Sun–Mon
- Parking: Street parking on East Main Street and nearby municipal lots.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served (Family Pack picnic to-go orders available).
Must-Try Restaurants In Cookeville, TN
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Important Information for 37 Cedar Restaurant and Bar, Cookeville
- Restaurant Highlights: Among the top restaurants in Cookeville, TN, 37 Cedar is a vibrant downtown spot with rustic brick accents, extensive craft beer taps, gourmet sandwiches, and regular live music performances.
- Popular Menu Options: Ribeye Sandwich on house-made buns with horseradish aioli, Filet Mignon, specialty flatbreads, hand-cut French fries.
- Address: 37 N Cedar Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Wed 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM | Closed Thu & Sun
- Parking: Street parking on N Cedar Ave and nearby public lots.
- Reservations: Recommended for dinner hours and weekend live music nights.
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What to Know About Seven Senses Food and Cheer in Cookeville
- Restaurant Highlights: Seven Senses Food and Cheer is an upscale-casual downtown Cookeville restaurant featuring a scratch kitchen, house-butchered meats, and patio seating perfect for people-watching.
- Popular Menu Options: Bacon Cheese Grit Puppies with dijonnaise, Grilled Atlantic Salmon with garlic herb rice, daily homemade desserts.
- Address: 32 W Broad St, Cookeville, TN 38501
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Thu 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Closed Sunday
- Parking: Street parking on Broad Street and nearby public lots.
- Reservations: Accepted online or by phone; recommended for weekend dinner hours.
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Menu Highlights for Ebel’s Tavern in Carthage
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: Ebel’s Tavern is a penthouse tavern located in a historic turn-of-the-century building. It was Carthage’s first liquor-by-the-drink establishment since Prohibition, featuring a modern-rustic atmosphere.
- Popular Menu Options: Smoky charbroiled oysters, River City Rum Runner cocktail, local Del Monaco and Cellar 58 wine pairings.
- Address: 104 3rd Ave E, Carthage, TN 37030
- Hours of Operation: Tue–Thu 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Fri–Sat 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Closed Sun–Mon
- Parking: Street parking along 3rd Avenue East.
- Reservations: Walk-ins welcome; reservations recommended for weekend group dining.
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Things To Know About Country Porch, Monterey
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: Country Porch is a charming general store in the Muddy Pond Mennonite community; features rocking chairs on the front porch and locally made sorghum molasses.
- Popular Menu Options: Daily baked cinnamon rolls, specialty pastries, made-to-order deli sandwiches on fresh-baked bread.
- Address: 3130 Muddy Pond Rd, Monterey, TN 38574
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Sat 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Closed Sunday
- Parking: Free on-site gravel parking lot.
- Reservations: Not applicable (Counter service / General store).
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Menu Highlights at Red Silo Brewing Company, Cookeville
- Restaurant Highlights: Red Silo Brewing Company is Cookeville’s first microbrewery located in the WestSide Cultural District. It's known for having a relaxed atmosphere featuring rotating food trucks and community events.
- Popular Menu Options: Micro-batch craft IPAs, stouts, fruit beers, local guest ciders.
- Address: 118 West 1st Street Cookeville, TN 38501
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Thu 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Fri–Sat 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Sun 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Parking: Free street parking and adjacent municipal public lot.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served taproom seating.
Top Restaurants in Crossville, TN
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What to Know Before You Go to The Pour House Bistro and Wine Bar
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: Looking for things to do in Crossville, TN? Start by exploring its local food scene. One of the best restaurants in Crossville, The Pour House Bistro and Wine Bar, is a cozy bistro and wine bar in the heart of the Golf Capital of Tennessee. This restaurant uses locally sourced beef from Hidden Valley Farm.
- Popular Menu Options: Alexander’s Chicken Flatbread, Juddah Buddah sandwich, Southern Scarlett pulled pork, Saturday brunch "Nasty Biscuit."
- Address: 1269 West Ave, Crossville, TN 38555
- Hours of Operation: Tue–Sat 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Saturday Brunch 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) | Closed Sun–Mon
- Parking: Dedicated private parking lot on site.
- Reservations: Accepted and recommended for peak weekend dining and Saturday brunch.
Best Restaurants in Jamestown, TN
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What to Know About Highland Manor Winery and Vineyards
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin
- Restaurant Highlights: As Tennessee’s oldest winery (opened 1980), Highland Manor Winery and Vineyards is a 75-acre estate featuring wine tasting rooms, hiking trails, vinyl record player lounge, and equestrian gifts.
- Popular Menu Options: Cab Berry wine (sweet blackberry-concord blend), 14 signature wine varieties (dry, semi-dry, sweet, and dessert).
- Address: 2965 South York Hwy, Jamestown, TN 38556
- Hours of Operation: Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sun 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Parking: Free on-site paved/gravel parking.
- Reservations: Walk-in tastings welcome; advance notice required for large group tours.
Great Restaurants in Sparta, TN
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Menu Highlights at Calfkiller Brewing Company
- Restaurant Highlights: Among the top restaurants in Sparta, TN, Calfkiller Brewing Company is a countryside microbrewery along the Calfkiller River set in a rustic converted 1970s ranch home with a shaded, wooded beer garden.
- Popular Menu Options: Smokey Treat (smoked barley ale), rotating tap list of unfiltered craft beers brewed with Belgian Trappist yeast, growlers to-go.
- Address: 1839 Blue Springs Rd, Sparta, TN 38583
- Hours of Operation: Tue–Sat 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Closed Sun–Mon
- Parking: Free on-site parking lot.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served open seating in the taproom and beer garden.
Best Places to Stay in Tennessee's Upper Cumberland
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What to Know Before Staying at Wildwood Resort and Marina
- Accommodation Highlights: Wildwood Resort and Marina is a scenic lakefront resort on Cordell Hull Lake featuring waterfront dining, cozy lakeside cabins, floating inns, live music, and boat rentals.
- Popular Restaurant Menu Options: Waterfront Sunday brunch, fried catfish platters, house smoked ribs, craft cocktails.
- Address: 7316 Granville Hwy, Granville, TN 38564
- Hours of Operation: Resort front desk 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (Lakeside restaurant hours vary seasonally).
- Parking: Complimentary guest parking on site
- Reservations: Lodging reservations required; dining reservations strongly recommended during peak summer weekends.
Wildwood Resort & Maria has an onsite restaurant, Timberloft, available for guests and visitors alike.
- Restaurant Highlights: Timberloft is a scenic waterfront dining situated directly on Cordell Hull Lake. It features an on-site smoker for authentic Tennessee slow-smoked meats, outdoor boardwalk seating, a full bar serving signature craft cocktails (like the Blackberry Margarita), and live music performances on weekends.
- Popular Menu Options: On-site smoked baby back ribs, pulled pork, smoked brisket served with Texas garlic toast, Smoked Wings with Alabama white BBQ sauce, Bang Bang Shrimp, and the Lakeside Angus Burger topped with pimento cheese and bacon.
- Address: 7316 Granville Hwy, Granville, TN 38564
- Hours of Operation: Wed–Thu 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Fri–Sat 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Breakfast 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM) | Sun 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Mon–Tue Closed (Special events only)
- Parking: Complimentary on-site self-parking lot available for restaurant diners, resort guests, and marina visitors.
- Reservations: Accepted online via the resort website or by phone; strongly recommended for peak weekend dining and live music nights.
Where to Eat After Outdoor Adventures
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Refuel At These Restaurants After Your Outdoor Adventures
The Upper Cumberland is home to some of Tennessee's best state parks and waterfalls. Pair your scenic day trips with nearby local eats:
- After Hiking Fall Creek Falls or Rock Island State Park: For restaurants near Fall Creek Falls, head into nearby McMinnville for slow-smoked barbecue and cornbread salad at Collin's River BBQ, or swing by Sparta for a cold, unfiltered craft beer in the garden at Calfkiller Brewing Company.
- After Exploring Big South Fork or Pickett State Park: Drive through Jamestown for a sweet Cab Berry wine tasting at Highland Manor Winery, or detour through Muddy Pond in Monterey for homemade deli sandwiches and warm pastries at Country Porch.
- After Chasing Waterfalls at Cummins Falls or Burgess Falls: Head into downtown Cookeville’s WestSide cultural district for upscale Southern dishes at Seven Senses Food and Cheer, live music at 37 Cedar, or a craft pint at Red Silo Brewing Company.
- After Boating on Cordell Hull Lake or Center Hill Lake: Relax waterfront at Wildwood Resort & Marina in Granville for lakeside dining, live music, and scenic sunset views.
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