Noko and Kase X Noko Courtesy of Mick Jacob

Written by Margaret Littman, Image Courtesy of Mick Jacob

The Ultimate Tennessee Dining Guide 2026

By: The Local Palate

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Chef Chef Dung “Junior” Vo is known by his mononym “Junior,” having racked up culinary nods such as being the youngest chef in Nashville to be recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist, and for owning a restaurant—Kase x Noko—that is one of the hardest reservations to get in the city.

Dung Vo’s Recommendations:

Breakfast: Hearts Nashville

Hearts is my neighborhood spot. I always get the Aussie Sausage Roll and dunk it in the sauce. It’s simple and hits every time before a busy day at the restaurants.

Lunch: S.S. Gai

I go for the grilled chicken with sticky rice and the dipping sauce, plus crispy chicken skins. It’s the kind of meal you share, eat with your hands, and don’t overthink.

Dinner: Korea House

On his night off, he lands at Korea House. “I start with the fried seaweed rolls, noodles, dumplings, and the seafood pancake. Then I get the Korean short ribs and the gamja-tang with steamed rice, plus all the banchan.” Gamja-tang, made with pork neck bones, bone broth, homemade kimchi, and potatoes will “fix a hangover, a bad day, or maybe even heartbreak.”

Drinks: Schulman’s Neighborhood Bar

Schulman’s is my late night go-to for when I want a low-key drink after work with friends.

Food at Noko Image courtesy of Mick Jacob — Image courtesy of Mick Jacob

Best Beverage Pro: Alexis Soler

Eleven11, Nashville

Alexis Soler is the visionary behind many of Nashville’s buzziest cocktail spots, including Old Glory, The Sun Room, and the new Eleven 11, a new Vietnamese-inspired restaurant and bar where dance parties are encouraged.

Arjav Ezekiel’s Current Favorites:

TENNESSEE PRODUCT

Belle Meade Bourbon and Chattanooga Whiskey are two of my favorites. If you’re not in the mood for liquor, Barrique Brewing makes a stellar beer.

BEVERAGE TREND

I’m not big on following trends—or even keeping up with them—because I want what I put out there to reflect my own taste and creativity. However, I am excited about the variety of agave spirits, such as mezcal and tequila, that are now accessible to us in Tennessee.

DRINK SOMEWHERE ELSE

The Deadbolt at Attaboy, East Nashville’s no-reservation cocktail bar.

The Best of Tennessee

Best New Restaurant: Tarik’s North African, Knoxville

Knoxvillians love Tarik Becha’s Imazighen recipes using spices his mother sends from Algeria. They used to search for his pop-ups and plan accordingly. In July 2025, Becha made it easier, opening Tarik’s North African’s first brick-and- mortar spot. Now everyone can feast on cast iron-skillet lamb and chicken and couscous with vegetables any time.

Best Culinary Hotel: RT Lodge , Maryville

This oasis in the woods has been many things over its century-long history, including a corporate retreat center. Since the current owners took over in 2021, it’s been transformed, and one gem of that transformation is chef Trevor Stockton’s kitchen. Dinner at The Restaurant at RT offers modern takes on Southern classics and a chance to disconnect without a trek higher into the mountains.

Best Bakery: Hive, Memphis

Chef Josh Steiner has helmed the kitchens of fine-dining restaurants, but opening a “seed-to-plate” bakery and deli is when he came into his own. The kitchen excels at both great bagels and great laminated pastries, not a typical combination, and uses honey from bees that Steiner raises.

Most Niche Bar: Broads Lounge, Chattanooga

The majority—nearly 95 percent—of brands served at this Chattanooga bar are female-owned or female-led, including Gate 11 gin from Chattanooga and Jackalope beer from Nashville. The menu changes seasonally, but the vibe remains inclusive and female-forward. Look for unusual beer taps and vintage glassware.

Best New Standard: Calliope Restaurant, Chattanooga

Featuring dishes from Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, France, and Spain, the menu at Calliope tells a different story than many of its neighbors. Chef Khaled Albanna worked at Chattanooga’s acclaimed Whitebird restaurant before opening his Levantine cuisine gem in 2021. The intentional wine list pairs well with Albanna’s flavors.

Most On-the-Nose Restaurant Name: Lunch, Sewanee

A counter-service spot that only serves breakfast and lunch made from ingredients grown on the Cumberland Plateau might sound like a niche spot. But LUNCH regularly sells out of its soups, salads, and plates. Any good lunch date is about the company as well as the food, and LUNCH offers it, building community in this small town.

Best Tea Intelligence: The Mad Herbalist, Clarksville

Turning off busy Madison Street, it’s hard to imagine that if you continue up the driveway you’ll reach a forest getaway. Located in a historic cabin saved by chef Phila Hach in 1968, The Mad Herbalist serves custom blended teas, tea flights, brunch, and lunch to you while you feel like a forest nymph in their garden.