14 Underrated Tennessee Restaurants That Locals Quietly Rave About
Tennessee’s food scene goes way beyond the famous Nashville hot chicken and Memphis barbecue.
Hidden throughout the Volunteer State are culinary gems that don’t make headlines but keep locals coming back for more.
I’ve spent years exploring Tennessee’s back roads and small towns, discovering restaurants where the parking lots are always full of cars with local license plates.
These spots might not have fancy marketing or social media presence, but what they lack in publicity they make up for in flavor, character, and that special something that makes a restaurant truly unforgettable
1. The Loveless Cafe: Nashville’s Hidden Biscuit Paradise
Last summer, I stumbled upon this unassuming spot while taking the scenic route to Nashville. The moment those warm, cloud-like biscuits touched my lips, I knew I’d found something special. Tucked away on Highway 100, The Loveless has been serving their secret recipe biscuits since 1951.
What strikes you first isn’t the retro neon sign or the quaint country store attached to the restaurant—it’s the smell. That heavenly aroma of butter and fresh-baked goodness hits you before you even park your car.
The fried chicken pairs perfectly with those famous biscuits, while the country ham brings just the right amount of saltiness to balance the sweet preserves. Locals know to come early on weekends or be prepared to wait, chatting with strangers who’ll soon feel like neighbors.
2. Colonel’s Cafe: Tiny Kitchen, Massive Flavors
“You’ll drive right past it if you blink,” my Tennessee cousin warned before directing me to Colonel’s Cafe. He wasn’t exaggerating! This pint-sized eatery in a converted gas station looks unimpressive until you taste what comes out of the kitchen.
Morning regulars crowd around mismatched tables, sipping coffee and trading stories while waiting for the best breakfast sandwich in three counties. The owner, Miss Patty (never just “Patty”), remembers everyone’s order and probably their grandma’s birthday too.
Their country gravy contains a secret spice blend that locals have tried—and failed—to replicate for years. When I asked about it, Miss Patty just winked and said, “Sugar, some things are worth keeping secret.” The hand-cut home fries, crispy outside and fluffy inside, might actually be worth fighting over.
3. Plum Tree Chinese Restaurant: Authentic Flavors In Knoxville
My first bite of Plum Tree’s handmade dumplings transported me straight to China, despite being firmly planted in Knoxville. This family-owned gem has been quietly serving authentic Chinese cuisine for over two decades, refusing to water down flavors for American palates.
The menu might intimidate first-timers with its extensive offerings and minimal descriptions. Pro tip: ask for the Chinese menu, even if you can’t read it—just point to what locals are eating or trust the server’s recommendations.
Mr. Zhang, the owner-chef, sources ingredients from specialty markets in bigger cities, making weekly drives to ensure freshness. His twice-cooked pork belly has converted even the most stubborn meat-and-potatoes diners. Regulars know to order the seasonal vegetables, which aren’t listed on the menu but showcase whatever Mr. Zhang found at the farmers market that morning.
4. Sabor Latino: Chattanooga’s South American Secret
“Where do you want to eat?” my Chattanooga friend asked. When I shrugged, she grinned mischievously and drove us to an industrial area where Sabor Latino sits like a colorful oasis among warehouses. One bite of their pupusas—thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and pork—and I forgot we were in Tennessee altogether.
The restaurant’s walls burst with vibrant murals depicting scenes from El Salvador, Honduras, and Colombia. Weekends bring live music that has diners dancing between courses, creating an atmosphere more block party than restaurant.
Grandmothers work in the open kitchen, patting tortillas by hand and tending to bubbling pots of beans. Their weekend special—a seafood soup rumored to cure everything from hangovers to heartbreak—sells out by noon. Cash only, but there’s an ATM next door that the owner’s cousin helpfully installed after years of turning away card-carrying customers.
5. Aroma Cuban Cafe: Memphis’ Havana Hideaway
Walking into Aroma Cuban Cafe feels like stepping through a portal directly to Havana. The rhythmic beats of son cubano music, the heady scent of garlic and citrus, and the chatter of Spanish conversations create an experience that’s transported straight from the Caribbean to Memphis.
Carlos and Elena, the husband-wife team who opened this spot after moving from Miami, pour their homesickness into every dish. Their ropa vieja—shredded beef slow-cooked until it practically melts—comes with a story about Carlos’ grandmother and her secret ingredient (hint: it involves a splash of something that makes adults very happy).
Don’t miss their Cuban coffee, served in tiny cups with enough caffeine to power you through a week. Locals know to save room for Elena’s flan, made from a recipe she guards more carefully than her jewelry. “My mother would haunt me if I shared it,” she told me with a wink.
6. Tokyo: Knoxville’s Unassuming Sushi Sanctuary
My sushi standards skyrocketed after discovering Tokyo in Knoxville. Housed in what looks like a former Pizza Hut, this unassuming restaurant doesn’t waste energy on flashy decor—all their attention goes straight to the fish.
Chef Tanaka, who rarely emerges from behind the sushi counter except to personally greet regulars, trained in Japan for 15 years before bringing his knife skills to Tennessee. His apprentices must practice cutting cucumbers for six months before touching fish, a detail that explains the precision in every bite.
The menu’s “Trust Me” option puts your meal entirely in the chef’s hands, bringing whatever’s freshest that day. Locals whisper about the secret menu, accessible only if you speak Japanese or come with someone who’s earned Chef Tanaka’s respect. Even the wasabi is real—freshly grated, not the green paste found elsewhere—delivering a clean heat that opens sinuses you didn’t know you had.
7. Bailey & Cato: Soul Food That Speaks To Your Heart
“Take a number and prepare to wait,” warned the gentleman behind me at Bailey & Cato. His well-worn Bible suggested he’d come straight from church, as had most of the Sunday crowd. “But honey, this food is worth missing the football game for.”
Located in a modest building that’s changed little since the 1960s, this soul food institution serves plates heavy enough to test the strength of their vintage Formica tables. The mac and cheese—with its perfect crust and five-cheese blend—converted me from a lifetime of boxed versions.
Miss Bailey, now in her 80s, still inspects every plate before it leaves the kitchen. Her grandson handles the smoker out back, where pork shoulders spend 14 hours becoming something transcendent. The cornbread comes with a story about a family feud over whether sugar belongs in the recipe. Spoiler alert: Miss Bailey won, and yes, there’s sugar.
8. Delauder’s BBQ: Smoky Mountain Meat Magic
The smell hit me before I even turned onto the gravel driveway of Delauder’s—that intoxicating combination of hickory smoke and rendering fat that triggers something primal in your brain. Located in a converted barn with mismatched chairs and tables made from old doors, this place screams authentic Tennessee.
Third-generation pitmaster Jimmy Delauder starts his fires at 3 AM using wood he splits himself. “Electricity is for lights, not for cooking meat,” he told me while showing off smokers that have never seen a temperature gauge. “You feel when it’s right.”
The brisket, with its pink smoke ring and pepper-crusted exterior, dissolves on your tongue like meat butter. Their sauce—tangy with a subtle sweetness—comes in mason jars that locals bring back for refills. Cash only, no reservations, and they close when they sell out, which happens most days before 2 PM.
9. The Donut Friar: Gatlinburg’s Sweet Morning Tradition
Stumbling through Gatlinburg’s morning fog last fall, I followed my nose to The Donut Friar, hidden in a European-style alley called The Village. The line of sleepy tourists and knowing locals told me I’d found something special before I even reached the door.
Since 1969, this tiny bakery has been churning out hand-cut, freshly fried donuts using a recipe unchanged by time or trends. The cinnamon-sugar cake donuts, still warm from the fryer, dissolve on your tongue in a way that makes you question all other breakfast choices.
The monk-like dedication to simplicity extends to their space—no tables, no fancy coffee drinks, just a counter, a case of donuts, and basic coffee strong enough to wake the bears in nearby Smoky Mountains National Park. Locals know to arrive before 9 AM when tour buses disgorge hungry visitors, though the heavenly smell might wake you early anyway if you’re staying nearby.
10. Chubby’s Restaurant: Johnson City’s Blue-Collar Feast
“You want the special?” asked the waitress at Chubby’s, not bothering with menus or pleasantries. When I hesitated, the truck driver at the next table leaned over. “Say yes, city boy. Trust me.” That advice led to the best country-fried steak of my life—crispy outside, tender inside, smothered in pepper gravy that should be illegal.
Chubby’s looks frozen in 1975, from the wood-paneled walls to the cigarette-burned counter. The clientele consists mostly of workers from nearby factories and warehouses, their hands still bearing the honest dirt of manual labor.
Breakfast runs all day, with biscuits large enough to use as pillows and gravy thick enough to stand a spoon in. The owner, who is decidedly not chubby despite the name, works the grill with balletic precision, flipping eggs while keeping one eye on the dining room to ensure no coffee cup sits empty for more than thirty seconds.
11. Thai Basil: Murfreesboro’s Spice Sanctuary
My first visit to Thai Basil came after a local friend promised, “They don’t dumb down the heat for Americans.” She wasn’t kidding! When I requested my curry “Thai hot,” the server paused, studied my face, and asked, “Are you sure?” with such concern I nearly changed my mind.
Tucked between a laundromat and a vape shop in a strip mall, this family-run restaurant serves dishes that transport you straight to Bangkok. The dining room’s modest appearance—think grandma’s living room meets Buddhist temple—belies the flavor explosions happening on each plate.
The pad thai balances sweet, sour, and savory notes perfectly, while their tom kha soup could cure anything from homesickness to the common cold. Regulars know to order off-menu items like the crispy rice salad that requires 24-hour notice. Owner Khun Mae treats everyone like family, remembering preferences and asking about children by name, creating a community that extends well beyond the food.
12. Holston’s Kitchen: Sevierville’s Farm-Fresh Phenomenon
“Everything on your plate was within 20 miles of here yesterday,” explained my server at Holston’s Kitchen when I asked about the vibrant colors of my vegetable plate. That farm-to-table philosophy isn’t just marketing—it’s evident in every bite of their seasonal offerings.
Chef James Holston left a high-end restaurant in Knoxville to open this unpretentious spot in his hometown. His menu changes weekly based on what local farmers bring to his back door. The restaurant’s walls showcase photos of these same farmers, along with the fields and animals that supply the kitchen.
Their signature dish—rainbow trout caught from nearby mountain streams—comes simply prepared with brown butter and whatever herbs look best that morning. The cornbread arrives in cast iron skillets so hot the servers wear welder’s gloves, with honey butter melting into every crevice. Reservations aren’t accepted, but the porch rockers make waiting a pleasure rather than a chore.
13. Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant: Sevierville’s Apple-Infused Haven
Grandma’s kitchen never smelled this good! Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant hits you with the aroma of apple fritters and cinnamon the moment you step through the door of this converted farmhouse. I couldn’t stop myself from immediately asking if they sold candles with that scent (they do).
The sprawling property includes apple orchards where kids can watch the source of their treats growing while parents finish their meal.
Their fried chicken rivals any in the state, with a coating so crisp it practically shatters when your fork touches it. The vegetable sides change with the seasons, often featuring heirloom varieties grown specifically for the restaurant. Servers dressed in period clothing add to the charm without feeling gimmicky, sharing the history of the 1921 farmhouse as they refill your julep glass.
14. Red Perch: Nashville’s Riverside Fish Feast
Finding Red Perch requires determination—and possibly a good GPS. Nestled along the Cumberland River in a converted boathouse, this seafood spot doesn’t advertise. “We’d be too busy if everyone knew about us,” admitted the owner when I asked about their lack of social media presence.
The restaurant’s wooden deck extends over the water, where fishing boats occasionally dock to deliver the day’s catch directly to the kitchen. My catfish had likely been swimming that morning—it arrived cornmeal-crusted and so fresh it needed nothing more than a squeeze of lemon.
Local musicians often appear unannounced for impromptu performances, playing for tips and plates of food rather than formal payment. The hushpuppies—golden-brown with crispy exteriors giving way to steamy, onion-flecked centers—are worth the drive alone. Weeknights bring out Nashville locals avoiding the tourist crowds downtown, creating a relaxed atmosphere where conversations flow as freely as the river below.