If you love road trips and food that tastes like it’s got a story to tell, this one’s gonna be your jam.
This tasty road trip in Tennessee is going to take you to some of the oldest restaurants in the state.
We’re talking old-school diners, cozy cafes, and family-run spots that have been around since way before smartphones, fast food apps, or even sliced bread (seriously).
From crispy fried chicken to secret-recipe chili and pies that’ll make you emotional, this trip is all about classic flavors and timeless charm.
And the best part?
You’ll be eating your way across Tennessee while stepping into places that have seen more than 100 years of history, one plate at a time.
1. The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis
Established: 1919
The Arcade Restaurant in Memphis is the oldest diner in the city, and it’s been flipping delicious pancakes since 1919.
You’ll find it on South Main Street, just steps from the National Civil Rights Museum, with retro booths, neon signs, and some serious Elvis vibes (he had a favorite booth here).
They’re famous for Southern comfort food like country fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and old-school milkshakes that taste like pure nostalgia.
2. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, Memphis
Established: 1948
Just a short walk from Beale Street, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous has been serving up legendary Memphis-style dry rub ribs since 1948—and trust me, they’re worth the hype.
This spot is hidden down an alley and tucked in a basement, but the smoky aroma of its charcoal grill makes it super easy to find.
The ribs are the star, but don’t skip the BBQ shrimp or their famous red beans and rice.
3. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, Jackson
Established: 1965
Next up is Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store in Jackson, where you can load your plate with all-you-can-eat fried chicken, turnip greens, and cornbread dressing that tastes like it came straight out of grandma’s kitchen.
It’s part buffet, part museum, with shelves full of vintage toys, signs, and antiques that make the whole place feel like a time capsule.
Don’t miss their irresistible homemade cobbler and banana pudding that will make you want to finish every bite.
4. Elliston Place Soda Shop, Nashville
Established: 1939
In Nashville, Elliston Place Soda Shop is your go-to for thick milkshakes, crispy fried bologna sandwiches, and all the jukebox charm you can handle.
It first opened in 1939 and still rocks those red booths and soda fountains like it’s frozen in the best part of the ’50s.
Grab a seat at the counter, order a ‘Soda Shop Burger’, and take in the nostalgia all around you, because this place is straight-up diner magic.
5. Varallo’s, Nashville
Established: 1907
Just a few blocks away, Varallo’s holds the title of the oldest operating restaurant in Nashville, and it’s been ladling out bowls of chili since 1907.
Their signature “three-way” comes stacked with spaghetti, tamales, and chili all in one glorious pile (don’t knock it till you try it).
It’s a no-frills, counter-service kind of spot, perfect for a quick bite that’s packed with over 100 years of flavor and history.
6. Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe, Tracy City
Established: 1902
In the tiny mountain town of Tracy City, Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe has been baking fresh bread and cookies since 1902, making it the oldest bakery in the state.
You’ll smell the fresh-baked breads and pastries before you even walk in the door, and yes, you’ll want one of everything.
There’s even an old-school oven still in use, plus a little gift shop full of jams, jellies, and local goodies you didn’t know you needed.
7. Zarzour’s, Chattanooga
Established: 1918
Over in Chattanooga, Zarzour’s is a tiny lunch spot that’s been cranking out homemade Southern eats since 1918.
The cheeseburgers are a legendary part of the regular menu, but they also have rotating daily specials to keep things fresh.
Oh, and make sure you don’t forget to try the peach cobbler.
It’s cozy, it’s quirky, and it feels like walking into your great-aunt’s kitchen.
8. The Original Louis Drive In Restaurant, Knoxville
Established: 1958
In Knoxville, The Original Louis Drive-In Restaurant has been serving up Italian dishes since 1958, and it’s the kind of place that takes you back to the heyday of Drive-In restaurants.
It’s a classic drive-in packed with nostalgia, serving Italian favorites like spaghetti, baked lasagna, and onion rings that keep locals coming back.
Savor the flavors of classic Italian dishes inside because this place is pure retro fun, right down to the last bite.
9. Pizza Palace, Knoxville
Established: 1961
Just a few minutes down the road, Pizza Palace has been slinging crispy, cheesy pies from behind its iconic neon sign since 1961.
It’s a drive-in too, keeping its retro carhop style, with a menu featuring thin-crust pizza, homemade spaghetti with meat sauce, and hand-breaded onion rings that always come out perfectly golden.
They even got a shoutout from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so yeah, this little Knoxville legend is the real deal.
10. Hale Springs Inn, Rogersville
Established: 1824
Last stop on the list is the Hale Springs Inn in Rogersville, a historic inn and restaurant that’s been around since 1824, and Andrew Jackson (7th President of the United States) supposedly stayed here.
The on-site McKinney’s Tavern offers a Southern-style dining experience within a historic setting, featuring a dining room with old portraits and creaky wood floors.
It’s part history lesson, part comfort food heaven, and the perfect spot to wrap up a road trip through Tennessee’s oldest eats.
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