7 Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Chattanooga

Posted by on Thursday, July 27th, 2017 at 11:09am.

Chattanooga is not short on amazing food. But there may be a few delicious restaurants you’ve passed right by and never even seen! Whether you’re a local or just here for a visit, we’ve got you covered with some of the Scenic City’s best hidden restaurants to try.  

Opa 

249 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

When we think about best kept secret kinds of restaurants, Opa tops the list! This white-washed, blue accented teeny tiny building near Coolidge Park hardly looks like a restaurant at all considering it’s only large enough to hold about three tables max. If you can find yourself a seat inside or outside on their patio, make sure to have a big fat authentic Greek lunch at Opa with favorites like spanakopita, tzatziki and gyro. We recommend the Opa plate which includes a little bit of everything with produce from local farms and meats grilled right outside the restaurant. If you want to indulge a bit, grab a slice of homemade baklava for dessert. 


Mrs. B’s Reggae Cafe

3103 Broad St.

While not exactly “hidden,” this Broad Street restaurant is a little off the beaten path and does not look like much from the outside, so it made our list anyway! It’s an easy one to drive past and not think a thing about, but oh man, is it worth a stop. Mrs. B’s offers authentic Jamaican fare from jerk chicken to callaloo to Ting sodas available by the bottle. The ambiance is pretty no frills, but the food all but makes up for that small factor. Be sure to try the braised oxtail only available on Thursdays (and it sells out fast!) and the rum cake, which are both to die for. Pro tip: The cooking smell is pretty strong in there, and although you might not notice it while dining, you’ll notice it on your clothes when you leave. Point being, don’t wear anything dry clean only. You’re welcome in advance. 

Menu: https://www.facebook.com/pg/mrsbsreggaecafe/menu/?p_ref=pa


The Yellow Deli

737 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Ok, before you locals kill me … this one is for the out of towners who may not know about our beloved Yellow Deli. Although located in the heart of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus, this one is easy to miss if you’re not familiar with the city. The Yellow Deli is a restaurant known for being owned and operated by a religious commune and also for looking less like a restaurant and more like the inside of the Keebler elf tree (you’ll have to check it out for yourself to see what we mean). This eatery serves up lots of organic and freshly-made soup, salad and sandwich options. Don’t come expecting quick service, but definitely check it out for their yummy food and people watching opportunities.

Menu: http://yellowdeli.com/our-menu-chattanooga


Boccaccia

3077 South Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

This Chattanooga hidden gem is located just between downtown and St. Elmo in the old Southern Saddlery Building. Although it’s barely visible from the road, this tucked away restaurant offers the most authentic Italian dining experience in the city. With a brick interior and a quiet ambiance, Boccaccia is the perfect place for a romantic date night out. We recommend the Orecchiette con Salsiccia alla Piemontese, an orecchietta pasta with braised Italian sausage, roasted peppers and fresh goat cheese—yum! Bonus: Come to Boccacia with your ID on your birthday for a free pasta and dessert with purchase of an entree of greater or equal value.

Menu: www.boccacciarestaurant.com/menu


River Street Deli

151 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

I almost don’t want to tell you about this one and just keep it to myself … but, if you are in the market for a true New York style delicatessen lunch, River Street Deli really delivers. This sandwich stop is tucked away on the Coolidge Park side of the Frazier Avenue shopping area. The owner of this counter-order deli can seem a little bit on the gruff side—for example, sometimes you might order something and he’ll tell you you’re getting something else that you’ll like better. But trust me, he’s always right. Start with one of the daily special soups and then on to whatever sandwich the owner recommends. You won’t be disappointed! 

Menu: http://riverstreet-deli.com/menu


Bluegrass Grill 

55 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

This one may be on the very well-trafficked Main Street, but I’m always so surprised at how many people have never heard of it! Bluegrass Grill is a family-owned breakfast and lunch spot that serves up freshly-made Southern and Mediterranean influenced dishes. No matter what time you arrive at this eatery, the odds are good that there will be a line out the door—but we promise it’s worth the wait. There’s a great menu selection, including several options for vegetarians. Try our personal favorite, the Spanakopita omelet, for breakfast with one of the restaurant’s delicious homemade biscuits.

Menu: http://bluegrassgrillchattanooga.com/page/menu


Aretha Frankensteins 

518 Tremont St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

No list of Chattanooga’s hidden restaurant gems is complete without Aretha Frankensteins. I hesitated a but in including it because of it’s long wait times and basically nonexistent service … but the pancakes are just so good. Open from 7 a.m. to midnight daily, Aretha’s offers a pretty large breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Again, we recommend any iteration of the famous pancakes, which between those and the restaurant’s cool ambiance earned it some Food Network fame a few years back. Whatever you decide to order for your meal, don’t miss the Chai Tea Latte or other specialty coffee options. 

Menu: http://www.arethas.com/

 

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