11 Remote Tennessee Restaurants Totally Worth The Long Drive
If you love a good back road as much as a great meal, you’re in the right place. Tennessee hides some unforgettable bites down winding lanes and sleepy main streets where the porch lights glow and the biscuits come out steaming.
I’ve chased smoky ribs, slaw-stacked burgers, and hushpuppies so crisp they crackle, and I’m sharing the spots that made the miles melt away. These are the kinds of stops where directions come with landmarks instead of postcodes and strangers still swap table recommendations.
Expect screen doors swinging, coffee refilled without asking, and plates that reward every extra mile. Long after the road straightens out again, the flavors tend to linger.
Buckle up, bring an appetite, and let’s eat our way across the Volunteer State.
1. Log Cabin Restaurant
There is a certain hush that hits when you walk into a real country cabin and the scent of skillet gravy wraps around you. At Log Cabin Restaurant, the fried chicken arrives with a shattering crust and tender center, while fluffy biscuits beg for butter.
You will love the easy pace, the friendly nods, and those big-plated Southern staples that feel like Sunday supper.
Set your GPS for 15530 TN-13 in Hurricane Mills, TN 37078, a stretch of highway flanked by woods and wide sky. The chicken and dumplings carry soft, comforting heft, and the mashed potatoes keep their creamy dignity under peppered gravy.
Ask for the cornbread hot, then dunk it into potlikker greens for a salty-sour kick.
Hearty portions make sharing smart, though leftovers are a badge of honor. Save room for pie, particularly the coconut cream that tastes like a church bake sale victory lap.
Come hungry, leave content, and let the drive home feel shorter.
2. Hagy’s Catfish Hotel Restaurant
Some meals taste like place, and this one tastes like the Tennessee River with a squeeze of lemon. At Hagy’s Catfish Hotel Restaurant, the fillets land crisp and clean, never greasy, with hushpuppies that whisper sweet onion and corn.
You will hear stories of generations coming here after church or after fishing, swapping tales over tartar-sauced bites.
Find it at 1140 Hagy Ln, Shiloh, TN 38376, tucked near the Shiloh battlefield where history lingers. Order the river catfish blackened for smoky spice, then chase it with vinegar-sparked slaw.
Beans, fries, and that soft, butter-brushed roll turn the table into a full Southern chorus.
Service hums along neighborly and unhurried, the way you want by the water. If pie is on the chalkboard, banana or chocolate, consider it nonnegotiable.
The ride feels like a pilgrimage, and the first crunchy bite makes it obvious why locals keep returning.
3. Honey’s Restaurant
Old-school diners have a rhythm, and Honey’s taps it like a drumbeat of sizzling griddles and quick smiles. The legend here is the slawburger, a juicy patty crowned with tangy chopped slaw that drips in all the right ways.
You will want extra napkins and maybe a side of onion rings that crunch like radio static.
Slide over to 109 Market St E, Fayetteville, TN 37334, where the storefront sits like a chapter from a hometown scrapbook. Breakfast plates come honest and hearty, with biscuits wearing sausage gravy like a weighted blanket.
Milkshakes tilt toward nostalgia, thick and perfectly sweet without crossing the line.
Prices feel friendly, and the crowd moves between regulars and road trippers swapping tips. Grab a counter seat to watch the cook flip patties and press buns on the flat-top.
One slawburger becomes two, and suddenly you’re planning the return drive.
4. One22West
Diversity on a menu can feel scattered, but One22West threads it with intention and skill. You can go steak with herb butter, or drift toward tacos with bright slaw and citrusy crema, and both feel equally dialled.
Cocktails lean balanced, not sugary, letting dinner lean into conversation. The dining room carries a relaxed polish that suits everything from easy weeknights to celebratory catch-ups.
Even when the room fills, the energy stays calm and welcoming.
Find it at 122 W Lincoln St, Tullahoma, TN 37388, set along a tidy main street that looks movie-ready. The shrimp and grits bring creamy corn and peppered gravy together in a satisfying handshake.
A burger with house pickles hits the right char, while seasonal vegetables get treated like stars.
Service is warm without hovering, and pacing allows for that second drink. Order a shareable starter – the pimento cheese with toast points never lasts long.
By the end, you will be plotting another visit just to try what you skipped.
5. Main Street Eatery
Mornings deserve celebration, and Main Street Eatery answers with pancakes that change like seasons. One week it is blueberry lemon zest, the next it is pecan praline with buttery swagger.
You will want coffee poured steady, because the stacks arrive fluffy and aromatic. Sunlight filters through the windows and settles into a gentle buzz of conversation, giving the room an easy, unhurried feel.
It is the kind of place where mornings stretch happily rather than rush past.
Make your way to 13075 N Main St, Somerville, TN 38068, where locals chat over biscuits and eggs. Lunch brings meatloaf with ketchup glaze, chicken salad on toasted wheat, and soups that taste carefully simmered.
Portions are sensible enough to save space for a sugar-dusted dessert square.
The dining room glows with small-town ease, and the staff remembers faces. Ask what pancake special is truly popping that day, then add bacon for balance.
A late morning here sets the tone for the rest of the drive in the best way.
6. Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q
Smoke hangs in the air like a promise at Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q, and the pit delivers. Ribs tug clean with a gentle pull, and the bark has that peppery-sweet balance you chase.
You will want slaw on the sandwich, because the crunchy cool bite flips the richness. Picnic tables fill quickly, chatter rises with the smoke, and the mood stays easy and unpretentious.
It feels like the kind of stop where everyone arrives hungry and leaves happily scented with barbecue.
Set course for 342 US-70 W, Mason, TN 38049, a crossroads tradition since mid-century days. Pulled pork rides a soft bun with sauce options that range from zippy to mellow.
Beans come smoky and slightly sweet, and the potato salad leans creamy with a welcome tang.
Order a half-slab and a sandwich if you are sharing, then add banana pudding to end on a smile. The counter crew moves fast, no fuss, just plates that speak for themselves.
Smoky perfume follows you to the car, a souvenir better than any postcard.
7. High Point Restaurant
Romance and road trips meet happily at High Point Restaurant, where candlelight flatters every plate. Think perfectly seared steaks, thoughtful sauces, and wines chosen with care rather than swagger.
You will notice the hush of a special-occasion room without any stiffness. Soft lighting and attentive pacing give the evening a gentle sense of occasion, making even a midweek dinner feel quietly memorable.
Conversations linger easily, encouraged by the calm, intimate mood.
Navigate to 224 Main St, Monteagle, TN 37356, a highland town that makes the approach part of the fun. The crab cakes wear crisp edges and little filler, while a filet lands rosy and buttery.
Seasonal vegetables arrive bright, retaining snap and colour.
Dessert deserves respect – go for a chocolate torte or crème brûlée, both impeccably done. Service feels polished yet kind, the right balance for a date night.
As the mountain air cools outside, you will already be planning another excuse to return.
8. Grindstone Cowboy
Mornings hit different when biscuits are tall and the coffee is poured with care. At Grindstone Cowboy, breakfast burritos come stuffed and well-seasoned, while pancakes wear butter like a crown.
You will find that perfect corner table where conversation stretches and seconds feel earned. Sunlight spills across the counter, catching steam from mugs and giving the room a gentle morning glow.
It feels like a place designed for lingering rather than rushing.
Drive to 115 N Main St Ste C, Eagleville, TN 37060, a tiny downtown packed with charm. The chicken salad sandwich makes a tidy lunch, and the patty melt brings nostalgic diner comfort.
Lattes arrive silky, not overly sweet, with foam art that makes you grin.
Weekends get lively, so arrive early or pack patience. Grab a pastry for the road – a cinnamon roll travels especially well.
With bellies happy and thermoses full, the next leg of the journey feels easy.
9. Split Rail Eats
Hiking appetites deserve playful food, and Split Rail Eats nails it with comfort that winks. Chicken and waffle sliders bring sweet-savory joy you can eat with one hand, while tater bowls stack flavour high.
You will appreciate the pace – cheerful, quick, and ready for another adventure. Bright murals and easy chatter give the room a lighthearted buzz that matches the menu’s energy.
It feels like a natural reset button after time on the trail.
Roll into 849 Glades Rd Suite 1B1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, tucked in the artsy Glades area. The fry on the chicken stays crisp even under syrup, and the sauces hit bright notes.
Lemonade tastes like summer in a cup, and the salads avoid afterthought territory.
Grab a seat by the window to watch mountain traffic drift by. Portions feel generous without toppling into excess, perfect after a trail morning.
When you leave with sticky fingers and a grin, the day feels officially upgraded.
10. Red Oak Bistro
Quiet roads lead to clinking glasses at Red Oak Bistro, where small plates turn into long conversations. Charcuterie boards arrive curated and generous, while seared scallops get caramelised edges and silky centres.
You will find the wine list thoughtful, with pours that invite exploration rather than intimidation. Soft lighting and warm wood tones give the room an intimate, unhurried feel that encourages lingering.
Even a simple midweek visit carries the ease of a small celebration.
Navigate to 669 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, a wooded stretch that feels worlds from downtown clamour. The lamb lollipops carry herb brightness, and the roasted vegetables show real attention to texture.
Share a few plates, then add one more because the table consensus demands it.
Service feels like a friend who knows good food and trusts your curiosity. Desserts lean refined – try the panna cotta if it appears.
By the time the last candle flickers, the mountains feel like part of the meal.
11. CJ Papadops (Bybee)
Word of mouth travels fast in the hills, and CJ Papadops earns every mile of chatter. Expect a menu that shifts from classic comfort to white-tablecloth polish without losing heart.
You will taste care in sauces that simmer long and steaks rested properly. The dining room carries a quiet elegance that never feels stiff, balancing candlelight warmth with confident craftsmanship.
Conversations settle into an easy rhythm, the kind that makes time stretch pleasantly.
Plan your drive to Bybee, TN, a rural community where directions include creeks and churchyards. The exact address is easily found with a quick search, and the arrival feels like a reveal.
Pasta dishes carry al dente integrity, and seafood specials show bright seasoning and restraint.
Service reads intuitive, like they know when you are deciding or just enjoying the moment. Finish with a citrusy cheesecake or a chocolate-forward finale.
When headlights trace the road back out, you will already be plotting another date here.