The dynamic restaurants in Downtown Chattanooga are easily one of the biggest reasons to visit the city. From upscale Italian plates of homemade pasta to elevated Appalachian cuisine, flame-kissed meats, and modern Levantine dishes, Downtown Chattanooga restaurants offer an array of flavors and dining options that will delight you. Be sure to stop by a few of these eateries on your next visit to Chattanooga — come dine with us!

For Upscale Italian: Alleia

Headed by Chef Daniel Lindley, this rustic Italian restaurant uses local ingredients to dress its seven types of house-made pasta and brick-fired oven pies. (Local Tip: Order the 750-degree blasted classic Margherita, which is simply divine). The menu changes to match the availability of produce, so one week you might find your favorite gnocchi paired with chicken sausage instead of blue crab, but it’s all good. Just don’t skip ending the meal with a scoop of their in-house silky gelato.

For Elevated Appalachian Cuisine: Whitebird

With a prime location on Walnut Street, the menu of “artful Appalachian cuisine” features polished, pretty dishes such as smoked beets and fried green tomatoes alongside butter-basted freshwater trout and whiskey-braised barbecue pork belly, all sourced from the Tennessee River Valley.

For Wood-Fired Fare: Hello Monty 

Head here for icy cold brews and flame-kissed American classics. Run by brothers Rob and Clay Gentry, Hello Monty’s menu of blistered and charred favorites has made this neighborhood eatery a local favorite. You can’t go wrong with dishes like the charcoal-roasted bone-in rib-eye, a fire-flamed burger made with Creekstone Farm beef on a Niedlov Bakery bun, and their Collard Greens Melt crafted with Sweetwater Valley white cheddar, provolone, and a potlikker au jus.

For Modern Levantine: Calliope

Helmed by Chef Khaled Albanna, originally from Jordan, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Chattanooga. Indulge in a feast of original flavors and textures, with traditional Levantine cuisine given a Southern twist: slow-cooked lamb prepared with Yemeni spices, spicy harissa snapper with cabbage slaw, creamy, silky hummus with homemade pita, and drinks like the Tree of Joy, a signature whiskey cocktail infused with honey and dates that takes two days to make.

For Special Occasions: Zaya 1943

Save this reservation for a milestone celebration. Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse offers an upscale fine dining experience, known for its elegant ambiance and exceptional service. Their fusion of Korean cuisine and top-tier steakhouse fare makes a memorable meal for any occasion. Indulge in their sophisticated plates like a spicy Kimchi stew, A5 Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu steak, and classic Korean Banchan side dishes, accompanied by crafted cocktails that raise the bar.

For Farm To Table Flavors: Main Street Meats

Part artisanal neighborhood butcher, part restaurant, Main Street Meats is as farm-to-table as it gets. They are highly selective about the local farms they work with to source produce and meats, and it's evident with every meal on their menu. The menu rotates to make the most of in-season produce, but some of their staples like the local beef burger  + potato salad are fan favorites. 

For Seafood & Cocktails: STIR

A destination for freshly shucked oysters and creative cocktails made with house-blended bitters and syrups. The menu surprises with novel creations like Cheeseburger Egg Rolls and perfectly executed standards like Goat Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Chicken and the STIR Chopped Seafood Salad with chunks of lobster and shrimp.