10 Best Restaurants In Cookeville, Tennessee After A Day Of Chasing Waterfalls

A day spent chasing waterfalls has a funny way of making dinner feel urgent.

Around Cookeville, Tennessee, that usually means muddy shoes, tired legs, and a serious appetite by the time you get back to town. Luckily, the local food scene gives you plenty of reasons to keep the day going.

You might want barbecue after a long hike, a big plate of pasta, hot pizza, Southern comfort food, or something a little lighter before calling it a night. Cookeville covers all of those moods without making you drive far once the trails are behind you.

That makes the city a great final stop after places like Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls. The waterfalls may get you out the door, but these restaurants can easily become part of the memory too.

By the end of the day, the hardest decision might not be which trail to take. It might be where to eat afterward.

1. Crawdaddy’s

New Orleans energy shows up in an unexpected place at 53 W Broad St, where a century-old building holds one of the liveliest dining rooms downtown.

Rustic brick, warm wood, and upbeat ’60s music set the mood. The patio spreads across several levels, balcony included, which feels great after a day outdoors.

The kitchen leans Creole-American, and the appetizers make a bold first impression. Gator Bites arrive Cajun-battered and fried.

Pesto Goat Cheese Dip comes with toasted French bread.

Bayou Shrimp Dip pairs creamy richness with chipotle chips. Fried Green Tomatoes sometimes wear a lump crab cream sauce, which is a fine Southern flourish.

Larger plates cover plenty of ground. The Carpet Bagger Filet is an eight-ounce tenderloin under that same crab cream sauce.

The French Cut Pork Chop is seasoned and grilled with care.

Seafood fans have choices too, like Citrus Glazed Salmon with orange-ginger sauce and goat cheese, or California Sea Bass over rice. Shrimp and Grits, Crawfish Etouffee, and Jambalaya with chicken and Andouille sausage round things out.

Save space for homemade Crème Brulee or Bread Pudding.

Sitting at Broad and Cedar, the spot is near the Cookeville Depot Museum and not far from Tennessee Technological University. A festive finish to a waterfall day.

2. World Foods

Half market, half deli, entirely welcoming. At 22 N Cedar Ave in the historic WestSide District, World Foods counter serves international comfort food with almost no fuss.

An open kitchen keeps things transparent, and the original ceiling was hand-repaired, giving the room real character. Conversation flows easily between tables.

Old family recipes shape the menu, which drifts between Italian, Mediterranean, and American deli traditions. Pizza is a headliner, with dough made fresh daily.

Instead of a standard sauce, crushed tomatoes go on top, joined by good mozzarella. Cheese and Tomato, Pepperoni, and Gyro and Feta are all popular picks.

Here is a fun local detail: a Red Silo spent grain crust was created with a nearby brewery, giving the base a heartier chew.

Sandwich lovers gravitate toward the Pastrami on seeded rye with Dijon mustard and Swiss. The Muffuletta, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Philly Cheesesteak also hold their own.

Wraps include Shawarma with chicken or sirloin, a vegetarian Falafel version, and the classic Gyro. Dolma, Hummus with toasted pita, and Tabouli Salad add Mediterranean brightness.

A Large Cannoli makes a sweet ending. Quick, filling, and easy on tired legs after a long Tennessee hike.

3. Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant

Dinner inside a 1910 house feels different, and that is exactly the appeal at 232 N Peachtree Ave.

Hardwood floors and 12-foot ceilings stretch across five separate dining rooms. Three of them have fireplaces, and soft music from the ’40s and ’50s drifts through the air.

A patio opens up when the weather cooperates. The whole setup feels like being invited into someone’s home for a scratch-made Italian dinner.

Starters set a confident tone. Pomodoro Fresco Bruschetta arrives with vine-ripened tomatoes and feta.

Calamari is hand-breaded and lightly fried.

Fried Ravioli comes stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, and romano. Specialty pastas draw the most attention, including Seafood Mauricio, Lobster Ravioli, and Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini.

Blackened Salmon is pan-seared and served with fresh risotto and grilled asparagus. The Tuscan Ribeye uses Certified Angus Beef with a house seasoning blend, seasoned red potatoes alongside.

Grilled Lamb Chops get caramelized balsamic onion jam over sautéed napa cabbage, onion, and bacon. Lasagna and Chicken Parmesan cover the classics beautifully.

Crème Brulee or a cannoli closes the evening.

Serving diners since 2002, Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant sits near Leslie Town Centre, Dogwood Park, and the Cookeville Depot Museum.

4. Savor Cookeville

Food that photographs as well as it tastes is the calling card of this WestSide favorite at 35 W Broad St.

Brick walls give the room a friendly, grown-up feel. Roughly 100 seats fill the interior, and the patio adds about 25 more for anyone craving fresh air after the trail.

American classics get a Southern nudge here, with Asian, Creole, and Southwestern flavors mixed in. Charred Salsa with tortilla chips is an easy opener.

Soft Pretzel Bites disappear fast at a shared table.

Spinach Dip comes loaded with bacon and jalapenos. Fried Green Tomatoes arrive with chipotle ranch and dijonnaise, while Smoked Pork Queso and Bacon Cheese Grit Puppies satisfy bigger hunger.

Seared Ahi Tuna, served rare with creamy cucumber slaw and chipotle aioli, keeps things lighter. Main plates include Lemon Butter Linguine with toasted garlic, spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Tennessee Meatloaf comes with parmesan mashed potatoes and garlic green beans. Grilled Atlantic Salmon pairs feta spread with fried okra, and the 14-ounce Truffled Ribeye handles serious appetites.

Hot Chicken is another standout.

The restaurant sits across the street from its earlier home, proof of deep roots in this corner of Tennessee.

5. The Putnam Room

Some meals deserve a little polish, especially after hours of gravel roads and overlooks. Near the courthouse square at 319 E Spring St, this upscale American kitchen delivers exactly that.

Plates arrive composed like small pieces of art. The room suits a quiet dinner for two or a celebration, with a semi-private space seating up to 25 guests.

Small plates start strong. Fried Green Tomatoes come with Boursin cheese and bacon onion jam.

Sweet Chili Shrimp is served with dirty rice.

Sweet Potato Croquettes hide a delicate cheese sauce inside. Carpaccio adds balsamic pearls and grated parmesan for something sharper.

Low Country Mac and Cheese blends Gruyere and gouda with crawfish and shrimp etouffee, which is about as indulgent as it sounds.

Entrees keep the momentum going. Fried Catfish arrives with dirty rice, collard greens, and crawfish cream sauce.

Pan-seared Cod pairs cream corn puree with garlic red pepper aioli.

Meatloaf comes with mashed potatoes, green beans, and onion gravy, and a vegetarian version exists too. Steak options include an 8 oz Filet and a 14 oz Ribeye, both with pomme puree and port demi-glace.

Truffle Pasta and Lobster Mac and Cheese are strong finishes in waterfall country.

6. Hardwoods Smokehouse And Catering

Smoke drifting across a parking lot is a promising sign, and South Willow Avenue delivers it. Parked at 851 A S Willow Ave, this Texas-style barbecue operation runs a main truck in town plus another that travels to nearby communities.

The vibe is casual and friendly. Methods and seasonings have been refined since 1998, which shows in every tray handed over the counter.

Pulled Pork is slow-smoked and hand-shredded. Texas Style Sliced Brisket brings rich seasoning and a tender bite.

Smoked Andouille Sausage, hefty Chicken Leg Quarters, Shredded Chicken, and St. Louis Style Pork Spare Ribs fill out the meat lineup. Texas Style Turkey is there for a leaner choice.

The sandwich called the Hardwoods Heart Attack stacks brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage together. Brisket nachos built on Doritos and a porker spud add playful options.

Sides earn their own attention. Wood Fired Mac and Cheese uses five cheeses.

Mama Ada’s Slaw follows an old family recipe, slightly sweet and creamy.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad mixes skin-on potatoes with sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and chives. Famous Smokehouse Beans lean South Texas.

Catering is available, trailer included, for larger gatherings across the area.

7. Big Tony’s Pizzeria

Few things fix tired hiking legs faster than a giant slice of New York-style pizza. On East 10th Street at number 866, a family-owned pizzeria has been handling that job since 2001.

The room stays casual and busy, with the smell of baking dough and bubbling cheese doing most of the advertising. Families fit in easily here.

Slices are generous, and the thin crust manages crispy edges with a soft, buttery center. The homemade sauce brings a tangy kick.

Classic Cheese, Classic Pepperoni, and Margherita cover the basics. BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, and the loaded Big Tony’s Supreme with Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, onion, peppers, and black olives go bigger.

Rotating flavors such as Prosciutto Pepper Jam and Chicken Bacon Ranch keep regulars curious.

Calzones are a serious option at Big Tony’s Pizzeria, too, from the Cheese Calzone to the stacked Big Tone Calzone. The Classic Pepperoni version bakes golden with gooey cheese inside.

Baked Ziti, Cheese Ravioli, and pasta under homemade marinara round out the Italian side. Garlic Knots, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Arancini work as starters.

Subs include Meatball Parmesan and Chicken Parmesan. Cookie Dough Cheesecake or a cannoli ends things sweetly, close to Tennessee Tech.

8. El Tapatío On Willow

Sizzling fajita platters have a way of turning heads across a dining room, and this South Willow Avenue mainstay at 190 has been doing it since 1992.

Warm, family-friendly, and comfortable, El Tapatío On Willow feels like a reliable dinner plan. Service moves at a steady, unhurried pace.

Chips and salsa land on the table first, no ordering required. Cheese Dip, Bean Dip, Guacamole Dip, and Chiles Toreados, which are fried jalapeños, make good openers.

The Tapatio Sampler gathers house favorites like nachos, mini-quesadillas, and taquitos onto one plate.

Fajitas headline the menu. Jalisco Fajitas combine steak, chicken, and shrimp, while Mixed Fajitas stick with steak and grilled chicken.

Hawaianas Fajitas add bacon and diced pineapple for a sweet twist.

Street Tacos come with carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, or chorizo. The Burrito Grande packs melted cheese, beans, rice, and grilled steak into a large flour tortilla.

Chile Verde is a frequent recommendation. Choripollo layers grilled chicken and chorizo under melted cheese, and Pollo Chipotle swims in creamy chipotle sauce.

Carne Asada brings a grilled rib-eye with onions and jalapeño. Supremas Enchiladas and vegetarian combinations keep everyone at the table happy in the Upper Cumberland.

9. Pho Kitchen

A steaming bowl of noodle soup might be the smartest choice after a chilly waterfall hike. Downtown at 109 N Cedar Ave, a family-owned Vietnamese kitchen makes that easy.

Pho Kitchen is spotless, cozy, and comfortable for solo diners or a full table of friends.

Broth is the star, simmered slowly for 24 hours until it turns rich and aromatic. Pho Tai uses tender rare beef, and other versions feature well-done beef, brisket, fatty brisket, or beef meatballs.

Pho Ga swaps in chicken, while shrimp and vegetable options are available too. Bun Bo Hue, the spicy beef noodle soup, offers a bolder route.

Fresh Spring Rolls with shrimp and pork are a reliable starter, along with a vegetarian version. Crispy Pork Egg Rolls and Shrimp Egg Rolls satisfy anyone craving crunch, and Pork Belly Bao Buns add something modern.

Banh Mi sandwiches arrive on warm baguettes with grilled pork or grilled chicken, plus Vietnamese mayonnaise, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables.

Vermicelli Bowls layer your chosen protein over rice noodles with lettuce, cucumbers, mint, and crushed peanuts. Fried rice and Korean BBQ fill out the menu.

Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee or ginger tea makes a fitting Middle Tennessee send-off.

10. Bobby Q’s

Hickory smoke and banana pudding have kept this Broad Street favorite busy since 1985. Find Bobby Q’s at 428 E Broad St, just off the Courthouse Square in historic downtown.

Inside, the mood is cozy and unhurried, the kind of classic barbecue setting where nobody minds a little trail dust.

Plates focus on properly smoked meat. The Pulled Pork Plate is Southern-style and hand-pulled.

Barbecued Pork Ribs come out tender, and the Barbecued Chicken is hearty.

Sliced beef gets smoked over hickory coals for the Barbecued Beef Plate. Undecided guests can order the Sampler Platter with pulled pork, sliced beef, and ribs.

Sandwiches are popular, especially the Famous Pork Barbecue served with coleslaw on top. A Barbecue Beef sandwich and a Catfish Sandwich are also on offer.

Out of the Water selections include Fried Catfish, pond-raised and tender, plus Grilled Catfish seasoned with lemon pepper.

Home-style sides do heavy lifting here. Baked Beans, Green Beans, creamy Corn Pudding, Potato Salad, and Mama’s Slaw all appear, with a spicier Pool Room Slaw available.

Dessert deserves attention. Famous Banana Pudding, Chocolate Fudge Pie, and Deep Dish Apple Pie are honest Southern classics.

A fitting last stop in Tennessee waterfall country.