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A Foodie's Guide to Tennessee's South Cumberland

There’s always something tasty to enjoy, here in the Mountains of Adventure!

Stop by the Beersheba Springs Market after hiking to Stone Door for homemade hot fudge cake topped with vanilla ice cream. A community fixture for decades, the mom-and-pop general store features an old-fashioned ice cream bar guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth with its hand-dipped ice cream and banana splits. For something heartier, try the market burger or order a hand-tossed pizza. Daily specials include stick-to-your-ribs meat-and-threes to velvety-rich potato soup. And the coconut cake? It’s out of this world. Be sure to check out the candy aisle with its funky collection of retro treats too.

Goodies galore at Hwy 56
Goodies galore at Hwy 56

The best-kept secret at Hwy 56, downtown Altamont’s coffee, ice cream, and creative eats spot, might be its house-made chicken salad. Get it on a buttery croissant or by the scoop. There’s also a killer avocado toast with bacon, feta, and tomato. Need a cold caffeine fix? These folks make frappes like nobody’s business. Hardcore ice cream aficionados will delight in the ice cream flight, three scoops of ice cream and toppings, or the affogato, a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with an espresso shot. The homemade cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee. Or ice cream. You pick.


Indulge your taste for sweets at the iconic Dutch Maid Bakery & Café in Tracy City [above]. Everything’s baked from scratch at Tennessee’s oldest family-owned bakery. Kids of all ages can’t resist the Yo-Yo’s—a cookie sandwich with a thick layer of buttercream frosting in between that’s dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with M&M’S. Take home a box packed with cinnamon rolls, caramel apple dumplings, and fancy French pastries as well as a loaf of Salt Rise bread—they’re all delicious. The café claims bragging rights to the best Rueben sandwich on the mountain, and the homemade fruit tea is not to be missed.


Calories don't count at Rosie's
Calories don't count at Rosie's

For a mouth-watering plate of downhome Southern goodness like your granny used to make, visit Rosie’s Farmhouse Kitchen in Tracy City. Locals love it for good reason—the Mississippi Pot Roast is famous around here. Load up on comfort food like mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and cinnamon apples on the buffet, or order from the menu. Craving a huge burger? Try the Jethro, a 10-oz. hand-patted burger with all the fixings on a toasted bun. Don’t forget to order the original fat fries topped with cheddar, queso, onions, peppers, jalapeños, bacon and homemade ranch. Calories don’t count at Rosie’s.


Steak night at Hank's Corner Grille in Tracy City
Steak night at Hank's Corner Grille in Tracy City

Need to refuel after a day at Foster Falls or Denny Cove? Head over to Hank’s Corner Grille, located a block off the Mountain Goat Trail in downtown Tracy City, for a juicy, tender ribeye steak flame-grilled to absolute perfection. Or try the Soldier Burger—Hereford ground beef served between two slices of melted pepper jack cheese with grilled onions, red bell pepper, jalapeños, bacon, and a drizzle of Hank’s Sauce. Ask about the story behind this burger. Hank’s prides itself on being a family-friendly restaurant with a sports-bar feel, and the weekly Trivia Night is a blast. Visitors are always welcome.


Be sure to enjoy a meal at the Mountain Goat Market, right off I-24 in Monteagle (exit 135). Tourists and locals alike love this quirky eatery, with its “Killer Eats. Eclectic Finds” motto. Sample the Elana Ruz, honey turkey with cream cheese and strawberry jam on a French baguette, or bite into the melty goodness of a grilled Gooey with ham, cheddar, and pimento cheese on sourdough. Browse the coolest gift shop on the mountain while your pizza bakes. The pizzas—Chika Boom, Goodfella, and Fancy Pants to name a few—are worth the wait. The Killer Kale salad is banging too. Delicious. No judgment if you eat dessert first either: Oreo truffles, classic cannoli, peanut butter cheesecake. It’s all good.

Live music at the Smoke House Patio Grill
Live music at the Smoke House Patio Grill

The Smoke House Patio Grill is a South Cumberland legend, dating back to 1962.  After the original restaurant burned in 2021, the Grill opened, just behind the original, and every weekend features some of the best live music you’ll hear anywhere on the Mountain, including some of the most talented singers and songwriters from Nashville.  With a great hot food menu, a wide selection of ice cold beers, seltzers and coolers, the Smoke House is a great family-friendly place to spend an enjoyable weekend evening.


A long-time Monteagle staple, Papa Ron’s Italian Steakhouse is much more than the name implies. On the right as you enter Monteagle from I-24 (exit 135), it’s a great lunch place, as well as for dinner, with a broad menu covering everything from comfort foods to, yes, Italian dishes and juicy steaks. Their signature pizzas are made with fresh ingredients from a secret family recipe! If you like martinis, be sure to order their Pomegranate Martini – it’s beyond delicious!

High Point fine dining
High Point fine dining

Step back in time at High Point, the crown jewel of fine dining in Monteagle. Built in 1929 by a lady-friend of gangster Al Capone, the historic mansion still has original underground tunnels used to transport liquor during Prohibition. Start off with the lobster bisque or classic Oysters Rockefeller and then pick from delectable entrees like filet mignon, blackberry duck, grilled Atlantic salmon, or High Point Oscar, a succulent grilled beef tenderloin topped with crab meat, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce. Save room for dessert. Try the mile-high buttery Grilled Pound Cake with homemade caramel sauce and butter pecan ice cream or Chocolate Lava Cake, a dense chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate ganache and served warm with vanilla ice cream. Reservations are recommended for this gourmet dining experience.


The Mountain Top Restaurant in Monteagle, a half-mile west of I-24, has lunch entrees like Rigatoni ala Vodka and Salmon Hollandaise along with a selection of gourmet burgers, sandwiches and salads plus rotating daily specials. Their delicious Saturday brunch ranges from Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles to Eggs Benedict to Creme Brûlée French Toast. Delectable weekend dinners and cooking classes are also part of their repertoire.


Green's View Grill
Green's View Grill

La Bella Pearl, on US41A ’tween Monteagle and Sewanee is a remarkable culinary destination, renowned for its captivating blend of Italian and Mediterranean influences. The menu features an impressive variety of dishes (with generous portions!), including an awesome antipasto bar. LaBella Pearl has a unique BYOB policy, which allows guests to pair their meals with their favorite beverages. Whether for a casual brunch or celebratory dinner, La Bella Pearl has an eclectic charm that will make you eager to return.


As the name implies, Green’s View Grill overlooks a golf course — in this case, the Course at Sewanee, the University of the South.  Located at the Golf Lodge, Green’s View Grill is a great place to eat outdoors in the summertime, and in the cozy dining area in winter.  Legendary burgers, excellent salads — simple but delicious fare in an interesting location.  Green’s View Grill is primarily a daytime venue.  Be sure to check their hours, as they close in the late afternoon, after the golfers head home.


If you’re looking for a classic college hang-out, look no further than Shenanigans, in the Sewanee Village at the University of the South.  Featuring a full deli menu with awesome subs and a wide variety of other go-to college town foods, the beloved restaurant, pub and community landmark is housed in the oldest building in the Sewanee Village.  It’s bright-blue exterior is home to casual grilled fare, dynamite made-from-scratch pizzas, feel good southern comfort food, and kicked-up deli love, including massive, mesmerizing cheeseburgers, gooey, crispy grilled sandwiches, heaping, savory deli subs and sandwiches. A lineup of award-winning regional craft beers rounds out the menu.

Alfresco dining at Shakerag
Alfresco dining at Shakerag

Inside the Sewanee Inn, on University Avenue at the University of the South, you’ll find Shakerag, serving a menu of Southern-inspired dishes and upscale comfort food. The cozy atmosphere provides a relaxing retreat for dinner and drinks. Shakerag specialties include scratch-made cocktails and unique wines in a welcoming atmosphere, fit for entertaining. You can also enjoy your beverage on the Peachtree Terrace, with expansive views of the Sewanee golf course just above the restaurant’s legendary namesake, Shakerag Hollow.


Arguably the best breakfast in Sewanee is at The Blue Chair, an iconic eatery in the Sewanee Village.  The Blue Chair begins each day with a great breakfast menu, including the legendary Tiger Breakfast Bowl, several signature omelets, lox and bagel delights, plus an assortment of tasty grab-n-go breakfast sandwiches. Nurse a great cup of coffee with a delicious cookie or muffin from the bakery.

Later in the day, over at the adjacent Tavern, check out the Whipped Chèvre, Crawfish Pub Pie, Classic Patty Melt or The Burger, featured in Garden & Gun magazine’s “Best of Dixie” list. Meet a friend or business client over lunch, play trivia on a Tuesday night with a craft beer, enjoy a cocktail in the Tavern or take advantage of the outdoor seating.

Judith, a new American tavern
Judith, a new American tavern

Judith is a recent addition to the restaurant scene in the Mountains of Adventure.  Located just behind the Sewanee Market in the Sewanee Village, this new American tavern is the brainchild of Julia Sullivan (chef at Henrietta Red in Nashville). The name is an homage to Judith Ward Lineback, the first woman to matriculate at the University in 1969. Judith features a seasonal menu of creative and approachable dishes including a selection of small, shareable plates, perfect for the bar crowd.  The beverage program mirrors the food with accessible wines and a cocktail list created by Henrietta Red’s Beverage Manager, Patrick Halloran.


LUNCH is the actual name of the place in the Sewanee Village where you can enjoy a unique meal of the same name. The LUNCH counter features a rotating menu based on what’s being harvested by local farmers. Alongside fresh baked goods, coffee, snacks, and craft beers, LUNCH also has dry goods, picnic provisions, and made-in-house-treats. The community-style seating at LUNCH is cozy, and its kitchen is small, so they do sell out of certain menu items, but they have a broad and varied menu, bake fresh pastries daily, and stock their market fridge/freezer with take home goods. LUNCH also hosts monthly dinners and offers cooking classes


So, now you know: there’s always something tasty to enjoy, here in the Mountains of Adventure!

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