classic burger and fries
Salad at restaurant in tn
Barbeue with grilled chicken and potatoes

Your Guide to Tennessee Food and Drink

Welcome to your Tennessee food and drink guide! Wondering what to eat in Tennessee? We’ve got you covered — from the best Tennessee restaurants and southern food classics to moonshine, cocktails, and family recipes. Jump in and explore below!

Eat, Sip, Explore: Our Latest Reads

Our newest Tennessee food and drink posts — fresh picks, favorite spots, Southern recipes, and cocktails to try!

Tennessee winery vineyard scenery with a glass of wine on a barrel in East Tennessee

Great Valley Wine Trail: Indulge in the Rich Flavors of East Tennessee

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If you love pretty drives and a good pour, you’ll definitely want to explore the Great Valley Wine Trail in East Tennessee. This Tennessee wine trail includes four wineries with beautiful vineyards, making it perfect for sipping, sampling, and discovering more of Tennessee wine along the way. The route winds through small towns like Blaine…

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Smoky Mountains inspired espresso martini cocktail recipe with fresh espresso foam served in a martini glass

How to Make an Espresso Martini With a Tennessee Twist

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I love a good espresso martini, and I’m excited to share this cocktail recipe with a Southern twist. This martini cocktail is made with Tennessee moonshine and a little Tennessee spirits. It has bold espresso flavor and a smooth, sippable finish. So whether you’re on the porch, by the fire, or hosting friends at home,…

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Homemade pecan pie from Meme’s Southern kitchen, served as a holiday dessert in Tennessee.

Pecan Pie: The Best Southern Dessert Everyone Will Love

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Pecan pie? Yes, please! This easy southern pecan pie recipe features a rich, buttery filling and crunchy pecans for the perfect mix of sweetness and texture. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or sneaking a slice for yourself, it’s always a hit. And truly, it’s Southern tradition—right here from our Tennessee kitchen—baked into…

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Ole Smoky Moonshine location at The Island, perfect for a moonshine tasting in Pigeon Forge and one of the most popular things to do in the Smokies.

Ole Smoky Moonshine: A Ultimate Must-Stop Spot in the Smokies

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Ole Smoky Moonshine is a must-stop when you’re visiting the Smoky Mountains. Here you can taste real mountain moonshine, listen to live music, and relax with friends. Their moonshine tastings in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge feel more like a laid-back party than a tour. So when you’re making your list of things to do in…

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Meet Angela

Angela Ray

Hey there, I’m Angela, and I’m thrilled you’re here! Welcome to Tennessee Trekkn, your ultimate go-to spot to plan your next adventure in this fabulous state. Get ready for some serious fun as I gear up to explore and invite you to join the adventure too!

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Taste Your Way Through Tennessee

From handcrafted cocktails and smoky BBQ to family recipes passed down through generations, there’s a flavor of Tennessee for everyone. Jump in and explore our favorite sips, stops, and Southern eats — or plan a tasting tour to experience it all firsthand.

Tennessee BBQ platter with brisket, ribs, and Southern sides on a wooden table
Dig Into Tennessee BBQ →
Smoky, saucy, and Southern to the core.
Friends toasting Tennessee cocktails and spirits, a favorite Tennessee food and drink experience
Explore Tennessee Sips & Spirits →
Whiskey, moonshine, cocktails, and more.
Friends sharing classic Tennessee food and drinks at a local Southern restaurant
Find Your Favorite Food Stop → (Coming Soon)
Local eats and Southern favorites across the state.
whiskey glass on a wooden barrel at a local distillery
Tennessee Distilleries → (Coming Soon)
Visit the stills behind our favorite spirits.
Tennessee family recipes with fresh baking ingredients and vintage kitchen tools
Try Our Family Recipes
Southern favorites straight from our kitchen.
Tennessee whiskey tasting flight poured into glasses at a local distillery
Book a Tennessee Tasting Tour
Sip, swirl, and savor on a guided experience.

Southern Food and Drinks Across Tennessee

From the hills to the honky-tonks, every corner of Tennessee has its own flavor, foods, and drinks. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find as you trekk across the state.

West Tennessee — Memphis BBQ & Southern Eats

Platter of Memphis barbeque - a tennessee food and drink favorite
Memphis BBQ — the flavor of West Tennessee

West Tennessee is a Southern food lover’s dream. Memphis, Tennessee leads the way with legendary BBQ, but the city’s food and drink scene goes way beyond the smoker.

  • World-famous Memphis BBQ, dry-rubbed ribs, and pulled pork
  • The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Contest every spring
  • Soul food, fried chicken, and Southern classics on every corner
  • Gibson’s Donuts, a 24/7 Memphis favorite serving fresh donuts since 1967

Explore our favorite Memphis barbeque spots

Middle Tennessee — Nashville Flavor & Southern Spirits

Nashville hot chicken sandwich with fries, a Tennessee food and Southern cuisine favorite
Nashville hot chicken — a Music City classic

Middle Tennessee’s food and drink scene is where great eats meet great spirits. Downtown Nashville is packed with buzzing restaurants, rooftop bars, and honky-tonks — plus the surrounding area is home to some of Tennessee’s best distilleries and a growing wine scene.

  • Famous Nashville hot chicken and Southern comfort classics
  • Rooftop bars and honky-tonks in downtown Nashville
  • Iconic Tennessee distilleries, including Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg
  • A growing Middle Tennessee wine scene with local vineyards to visit

East Tennessee — Smoky Mountain Moonshine & Mountain Eats

Southern cherry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, a Tennessee food and dessert favorite
Southern desserts — always a good choice

East Tennessee’s food and drink scene blends Southern home cooking with mountain heritage — with a growing craft dining scene too. Downtown areas across the east are becoming real culinary destinations, while the Smokies bring the moonshine, cabin comfort food, and family favorites — plus surprising finds in local wine country.

  • Famous Tennessee moonshine tastings in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
  • Growing craft dining and restaurant scenes in East Tennessee’s downtowns
  • Local wineries and vineyards scattered across East Tennessee
  • Family pancake houses, cozy cafes, and Southern classics in the Smokies

A FEW OF OUR FOODIE FAVORITES

Over the years, we’ve eaten (and sipped!) our way across Tennessee. Here are a few of our favorite Tennessee food and drink spots — the ones we keep coming back to.

  • Central BBQ in Memphis — classic Memphis BBQ done right, every single time
  • Hattie B’s Hot Chicken — Nashville hot chicken done right (bring a cold drink!)
  • Appalachian Bistro in Townsend — a cozy Smoky Mountain favorite with big flavor
  • Spout Spring Estates Winery in Blaine — unbelievable views with your glass of Tennessee wine
  • Screen Door Kitchen in Dayton — scratch-made Southern food and the best greens we’ve ever had
  • Five Daughters Bakery in Franklin — home of the famous 100 Layer Donut (worth every bite!)
    Check out their donuts HERE

Book a Tennessee Tasting Experience

Want to taste your way through Tennessee in person? These guided tours are some of the best ways to explore the state’s distilleries, BBQ joints, and local flavor — book one for your next trip!

Wherever your Tennessee food adventure takes you, we hope you come hungry and leave happy. There’s a flavor waiting for you in every corner of the state — go find your favorite!

Happy Trekkn’, Friends! 🌲

Plan Your Trip to Tennessee

Ready to turn your Tennessee food adventures into a full trip? These are our go-to booking sites for cabins, hotels, tours, and experiences across the state — all places we trust and use ourselves.

Explore More of Tennessee

Looking for more ways to explore the Volunteer State? Dive into a few of our favorite Tennessee guides below.

Smoky Mountains Parking Pass Guide
15 FREE Things to Do in Pigeon Forge
Our Ultimate Tennessee Travel Guide

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