Best road-trip restaurants in Tennessee

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West Village Chattanooga bistro in a converted bottling plant, leaning on a deep raw bar of oysters and crudo with a serious cocktail list.

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North Chattanooga neighborhood tavern since 2006, a staple for craft beer, elevated pub fare and a beloved burger.

$$ · Newfound Gap Road

A Gatlinburg trout dinner that fits Newfound Gap Road better than another generic strip meal.

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Michelin-noted north Gay Street deli serving Eastern European and Jewish fare like lox bialys, matzoh ball soup and house babka.

$$ · Bonnaroo

Vegetable-forward Middle Eastern small plates with a standout whipped feta. (East Nashville)

$$$ · Bonnaroo

Maneet Chauhan's playful Indian-Southern fusion in a converted brick garage. (Germantown)

$$$ · Bonnaroo

Julia Sullivan's airy oyster-and-cocktail room with a rotating raw bar. (Germantown)

$$$ · Bonnaroo

Margot McCormack's market-driven French-Italian bistro since 2001. (East Nashville)

$$$ · Bonnaroo

Upscale sushi room sourcing pristine fish for inventive rolls and nigiri. (The Gulch)

$$ · Bonnaroo

Southern-soul-meets-Tokyo ramen bar famous for Tonkotsu and a hot-chicken bun. (The Gulch)

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Candlelit East Nashville spot serving Spanish-inspired small plates meant for lingering over vermouth and sherry.

$ · Bonnaroo

A Charlotte Pike staple widely called the best pho and banh mi in the city.

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Time-capsule meat-and-three in The Nations serving a rotating Southern menu from vinyl booths that have barely changed in seventy years.

$ · Bonnaroo

An all-vegetarian South Indian favorite whose dosas convert carnivores. (Elliston Place)

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Buzzy East Nashville kitchen slinging an ever-changing menu of Asian street food alongside a cult griddled cheeseburger.

$$ · Natchez Trace Parkway

A Tennessee River catfish stop that pairs well with the Trace’s Meriwether Lewis and northwest Alabama stretches.

$$ · Cherohala Skyway

A Tellico Plains bakery and pizza stop at the western gate of the Cherohala Skyway.

$$ · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Craft beer and riverfront pub food on the peaceful side of the Smokies, perfect after Cades Cove without leaving Townsend.