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Chattanooga's dining scene gets a MICHELIN boost, but change is constant

Four local restaurants made the 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South, while old favorites close and new ones open.

By Chattanooga Things-to-do Desk · Published July 24, 2026

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Four Chattanooga restaurants earned recognition in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South: Easy Bistro, Main Street Meats, Little Coyote, and The Rosecomb, according to sources tracking the city's dining scene [1][2][3][4]. The nod puts the Scenic City on a map usually dominated by Atlanta and Nashville.

The recognition arrives amid a period of turnover. Flying Squirrel has closed, but the same owners opened Ernest Chinese at the same Southside location [2][3]. Mac’s is temporarily closed as of January 2025, though it continues popup events and plans to open a new location soon; fans are told to check its Instagram for updates [2].

Where to eat right now

Easy Bistro remains a reliable bet. It offers happy hour daily from 4-5pm with BOGO free oysters, and dishes are made with ingredients from local farms [1][4]. Tony’s Pasta Shop and Trattoria, located in the Bluff View Art District, serves handmade pasta and is a top choice for Italian cuisine [2][5].

Whitebird, inside The Edwin hotel, specializes in updated Appalachian farm-to-table classics and is considered a standout for upscale dining [2][3][4]. The FEED Co. Table & Tavern, at 201 West Main Street, serves rustic Southern cuisine from award-winning chef Charlie Loomis, offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch [3].

Breakfast, barbecue and old standbys

For breakfast, Frothy Monkey at the Choo Choo complex is open 7am-9pm daily, while Milk & Honey on the Northside runs 6am-3pm daily [2]. Bluegrass Grill on Main Street draws weekend lines for its diner-style breakfast [2][4].

Bea’s Restaurant offers classic Southern family-style dining but is closed on Mondays [3]. Dub’s Place has been serving crumble burgers since the 1950s. Champy’s is the go-to for fried chicken [3]. Niedlov’s Breadworks is an organic, family-owned bakery selling fresh bread and sandwiches [4].

Alleia serves rustic Italian cuisine on the Southside [4].

The opening of Ernest Chinese gives the Southside a new option in Flying Squirrel’s old spot. Mac’s fans are watching for the popup schedule and the promised new location. For now, the MICHELIN-recognized foursome gives visitors and locals alike a clear starting point.

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