14 Our Chattanooga Favorites
An ever evolving list that's easier than sharing my Notes App with the world.
From time to time I get DM’s on Instagram asking for my favorite things in Chattanooga. We’ve only been living here for 3 years this June, but during our time in Atlanta we came up regularly. I’d hardly consider myself a Chattanooga expert — and because I’m both a home cook and a home body, we don’t get out that much!
Here’s what I hope will be a good first draft to build on over the years and I’ll work to update this list quarterly. Look for a “last updated” here!
Things to Do
Take a class at The Chattery - I don’t get here nearly enough but there are dozens of classes each week and sometime markets or day parties. Worth checking out their calendar if you’re in town.
Rock City (Lookout mountain) - if its warm it is really great to go in the morning and it stays cool in the rocks. There’s a Starbucks across the street to get breakfast before you go in. Walking around takes about 2 hours.
Chattanooga Aquarium (Downtown) is really lovely and can take up most of a rainy day and then you can also explore the Riverwalk area of down town. There are two buildings so you can do one, leave for lunch and go back for the second building.
Hunter Art Museum (Bluff View Arts District) - Wonderful space and they have a scavenger hunt for the kids as well as a kids section. We like to get coffees and pastries at Rembrandts before. There is also a cool trail/walkway just below the museum that can connect you to downtown or walnut street bridge.
Walnut Street Bridge/Coolidge Park (Northshore) is an excellent view of the city river & the city, connects you to downtown and the art museum. We usually hit up Clumpies Ice Cream before or after the walk or have lunch at Basecamp.
Sculpture Park (Southside) is a great walking area, you could bring a picnic from Bleu Fox and just hang out there, lots of sculptures to check out
Go to a Lookouts Game - We prefer a night game in spring or fall. Summer games do get hot and most of the stadium is NOT shaded, but for the price of admission you can pop in for a few innings get a pretzel and leave when everyone is tired of the heat.
Attended a Chattanooga Footballs Club Match - One side of the stadium has a grassy hill where you’ll find tons of families hanging out, taking in the match and kids playing.
Books!
Book and Cover (Riverview) - very cute little bookshop - they sell bread and butter pastries (my fave) and have a great kids section.
McKays (A little drive from the city, I think technically East Brainerd) huge used book store with records etc.
Beer
Odd Story Brewing - they have a new location, so make sure you're not headed to MLK. We love the beer and the food is really great too.
Chattanooga Brewing (Westside) - good food, great beer
Coffee & Breakfast/Pastries
Milk and Honey - (Northshore)
Rembrandts (Bluff View Arts District) - great pastries and you can walk to the art museum from there!
Bread and Butter Bakery (Red Bank, so not close to downtown) - its just my absolute favorite.
Lunch & Dinner
Bleu Fox Cheese Shop (Southside)- simply because I love cheese and their sandwiches are excellent
Tremont Tavern (Riverview) - excellent burger, great beer selection, tavern energy
Hi-Fi Clyde's (Southside)
Taqueria Jalisco (Southside) - beloved restaurant with just such delicious tacos!
Wooden City (Downtown) - chill date night vibe
Monty’s on Main - Dynamo brewing is in house and their beers are great! I get the collard green melt every time but
Old Man River’s - A cute little house turned restaurant with delicious food and cocktails. I always get whatever the lunch special is because it is a steal for $10
Primo - Your classic pasta joint with really well curated wine. Could be a date night or a family tradition kind of place.
Drinks
The Rosecomb (Riverview) - cute little cocktail bar near the cute little book store
No Hard Feelings - this is probably our favorite cocktail bar!
Broads - Female forward bar with a very good vegan food program.
Etc
Clumpies Ice Cream - there are several locations and we do just love their ice cream. We went to The Ice Cream Show and do not recommend it.
Imbibe Chattanooga - nice bottle shop in Southside
After I asked for local favorites on Instagram I have a few more to try and I pinkie promise to update this list! If you were coming for a visit, what else would you want on this list?