Here’s our honest weekend getaway guide to the best restaurants and cocktail spots in Chattanooga Tennessee
By Michelle Wilson | sipstosugars.com | May 2026
Planning a Chattanooga weekend getaway? You’re in the right place. This city is only 2.5 hours from Franklin, Tennessee, and it never disappoints. We have been going for years — Ruby Falls, the aquarium, the riverboat tour, all of it — but this trip we had one mission: eat and drink as much of this city as possible. No agenda, no activities, just good food and great cocktails.
This is our honest food and cocktail guide from that trip. Every spot on this list is one we actually went to and genuinely loved. Consider this part one — the full Chattanooga guide with all the things to do and see is coming soon.
Pro tip: Plan to walk or Uber everywhere. Most places in downtown Chattanooga require paid parking so leave your car at the hotel and explore on foot. The downtown is incredibly walkable and that’s honestly half the fun.
Where We Stayed
For our Chattanooga weekend getaway we stayed at The Chattanoogan for the first time on this trip and we absolutely loved it. Gorgeous property, spotlessly clean, and perfectly located — we walked to everything on this list without a single Uber. The Starbucks in the lobby was a nice touch for slow mornings, and the High Rail Rooftop Bar became our nightly home base. Live music, made-from-scratch food and drinks, and Lexi the restaurant manager who went so far above and beyond to take care of us. We ended up on that rooftop all three nights. A full hotel review is coming soon but the short version is: highly recommend, would book again.
Note: Plan to pay for hotel parking — standard in Chattanooga and worth factoring into your budget.
Where We Ate
Burgers and Brunch
Urban Stack
Burgers are my love language and Urban Stack is the reason. Gourmet, locally sourced burgers in a historic building — if you love a great burger, this is a non-negotiable stop. And the burgers are the star of the show every single time.
Kenny’s
We stop here every single time we come to Chattanooga — probably four or five trips now — and it never gets old. The fried chicken is the reason. Juicy, perfectly crispy, seasoned just right, and genuinely my favorite fried chicken I’ve ever had. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you wish you lived nearby. Check their hours before you go as they may vary by day.
Dinner Worth Dressing Up For
Wooden City
This is your special occasion dinner spot. Wood-fired kitchen, beautiful atmosphere, and a menu that delivers from start to finish. The cocktails are incredible — don’t skip a drink. We had the pizza and it was outstanding. Everything about this place feels intentional and elevated without being stuffy.
State of Confusion
This is hands down one of my favorite meals of the whole trip and I am already planning my next visit because I want to try everything else on the menu. The concept pulls from Latin America, New Orleans, and the Carolinas and it works beautifully. We shared three apps — the savory monkey bread, nachos, and fried beef tacos — and every single one was phenomenal. Great outdoor seating too. Go hungry.
Where We Drank
The Speakeasies — Chattanooga’s Hidden Bar Scene
This is where Chattanooga really surprises people. The city has a genuinely excellent speakeasy scene and these three are must-dos:
Unknown Caller
Find the industrial door on Cherry Street, dial a code on the keypad, and suddenly you’re inside one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been in. The retro telephone wallpaper covering every inch of the interior sets the tone immediately — it’s wild, it’s fun, and the cocktails match the energy. This one is an experience from start to finish.
No Hard Feelings
Right on Broad Street with a bold sign you won’t miss. The cocktails are great, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s the kind of bar where you sit down and suddenly an hour has passed. Don’t let the visible signage fool you — the cocktail program is really well done.
Company (at the Kinley Hotel)
Hidden behind a bookcase inside the Kinley Hotel — yes, a bookcase. Southern takes on classic 1920s cocktails in one of the most beautifully designed bar spaces I’ve seen. They also have a great food menu if you want to make a full night of it. Moody, sophisticated, and absolutely worth seeking out.
More Chattanooga Bars Worth Your Time
Gate 11 Distillery
Gate 11 is a family owned small batch distillery tucked inside the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station — and the cocktail bar matches the craft of the distillery itself. Their mixologists work with house-made syrups and infusions to create cocktails that feel genuinely unique. Plus the indoor and outdoor bar spaces both have great energy and there’s live music on select nights. If you love supporting a local craft operation that takes quality seriously, this one is absolutely worth your time.
Chattanooga Whiskey
Also worth a stop if you’re a whiskey lover — they do experimental batches you can only find at the distillery. They were busy when we visited so we didn’t stay long, but even a quick look at what’s on offer is worth it. Since Gate 11 is right across the street, make an afternoon of both.
Located inside the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo complex, Stir takes their cocktail program seriously — and we mean seriously. They freeze and carve their own artisanal ice, blend their own bitters and syrups, and age certain cocktails in oak barrels. On top of that they carry rare spirits you won’t find most places. This visit we stopped in for a quick espresso martini and kept moving, but other trips we’ve eaten here and loved everything we had. Stir is worth a much longer visit than we gave it this time.
High Rail Rooftop Bar at The Chattanoogan
We ended up here all three nights and would do it again without hesitation. The made-from-scratch food and drinks are excellent, the live music adds to the vibe, and the rooftop terrace is the perfect place to end any night. We had the wings and key lime pie and there is so much more on the menu I need to try next time. Whether you’re staying at The Chattanoogan or not, this is your spot.
Worth the Detour: Top of the Rock Restaurant & Brewery
On your way home, add this stop in Kimball, Tennessee — it’s only about 20 minutes off the route and absolutely worth it. You wind up a mountain road and suddenly you’re sitting on a wrap-around deck at 1,584 feet with views of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia all meeting in the valley below.
The food is excellent — we split a BBQ chicken salad and a pesto artichoke pizza, both really good. They brew their own craft beer on site and do flights if you want to sample a few. The whole experience feels like the perfect send-off to a great weekend.
Heads up: The drive up is winding but well-maintained. Just enjoy the views on the way up.
Quick Tips for Your Chattanooga Weekend Getaway
- Getting there: About 2.5 hours from Franklin, TN. Easy drive, no flight needed.
- Getting around: Walk or Uber. Paid parking is standard downtown so leave the car at the hotel.
- Budget: Chattanooga has options at every price point. The spots on this list were mid-range — drinks typically $14–16, food reasonably priced across the board.
- Rain plan: Chattanooga gets its fair share of rain. It’s not a trip-ender — most of these spots have great indoor spaces and a rainy afternoon is a great excuse to settle into a speakeasy.
More Chattanooga Coming Soon
This trip was all about the food and drinks but Chattanooga has so much more to offer. Over the years we’ve done Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium, the riverboat tour, and a lot more. A full Chattanooga guide covering everything is coming soon — stay tuned.
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