Earlier this month, we shared news of the MICHELIN Guide launching its American South regional guide. This means Chattanooga restaurants have a new opportunity to be awarded a MICHELIN Star.

We asked our readers which eateries in the Scenic City they believe should receive this prestigious dining recognition. Here are a few spots that received several nominations.

2nd American Restaurant
This Southside eatery’s menu is inspired by Sunday dinners from James Beard nominee Chef Daniel Lindley's childhood, and every entree is served with a communal bowl of mashed potatoes, similar to the ones his mother would prepare.

Easy Bistro & Bar
James Beard semi-finalist Chef Erik Niel and his wife, Amanda, opened this West Village restaurant in 2005, and it has since become a pillar in Chattanooga’s food scene. The menu is inspired by Erik Niel’s childhood in Louisiana, his training in classic French fare, plus local flavors and ingredients from the Tennessee River Valley.

Good food is putting Chattanooga ~~on the map~~ in the guide. | Photo provided by Tim Moore

Calliope
Since opening in 2022, this downtown spot has gained quite a reputation in the Scenic City’s culinary scene. Chef Khaled AlBanna blends Southern influences, a Levantine cooking style, and rich, diverse flavors from the Middle East in his dishes.

Old Man Rivers
This neighborhood tavern, located at the base of Signal Mountain, serves up elevated, local Southern cuisine alongside a full-service bar. Chef Andrew Millsap crafts a weekly rotating menu based on in-season produce and local, sustainably-sourced products.