Best Dining Spots for Business Professionals

As the city warms up and people return to the office, dining options for Chattanooga professionals start to open. Whether it’s a client meeting, a team lunch, or just an office social hour, finding the right dining spot is key for building relationships and bonding with coworkers.

Here are Trend‘s best dining and drink spots that cater to business professionals.

Southside: Flying Squirrel Bar

With modern cocktails and an elegant interior, Flying Squirrel is the perfect place for professionals to unwind after work. Their menu features fresh food, made from scratch with quality ingredients. Diners come together to share seasonal offerings like miso glazed salmon and pork belly pasta, as well as restaurant staples like house-cut garlic, spicy, and truffle fries. Flying Squirrel sets itself apart by providing the space for intimate experiences with close friends and coworkers, without the distraction of bright screens or TVs.

“It’s a proud symptom of who we are; your Third Place,” Max Poppel, Co-Owner says.

“Your First Place is your home. Your Second Place is your work. Your Third Place is where you go to take a moment to stop and enjoy life and those you choose to spend it with. So next time you need to take a pause from the rigors of life, come spend a couple hours with us unwinding and enjoying good company.”

Flying Squirrel is now open seven nights a week from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday with bar service going until 11:30 p.m.

North Shore: Taco Mamacita

Taco Mamacita is the go-to for laid-back dining in Chattanooga. This North Shore staple features some of the best local Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine as well as award-winning tacos. The restaurant also offers half-price sangria on Sundays from 11 p.m. to close and $5 specialty drinks on Wednesdays, including their signature drinks Elves and El Camino.

City Center: Community Pie

This popular and locally-owned restaurant is known for its authentic Neapolitan, New York, and Detroit-style pizzas, as well as homemade gelato from Milk & Honey, and an extensive selection of 40 beers on tap.

The restaurant boasts a spacious all-weather patio, perfect for team outings and those who prefer open-air dining. They also offer exciting weekly specials, including half-price Margaritas on Tuesdays, half-price well drinks on Wednesdays, half-price sangria on Saturdays, and half-price Bloody Marys and Mimosas on Sundays.

Community Pie is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and from Friday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, providing plenty of opportunities to stop by and enjoy its mouthwatering cuisine and lively ambiance.

Downtown: Six 18 Restaurant and Lounge

Located on Georgia Avenue, Six 18 Restaurant and Lounge offers an upscale yet intimate dining experience for those working in-between MLK and UTC.

The restaurant’s friendly service, lavish decor and soul-warming cuisine make it feel like a second home for Chattanooga’s Downtown professionals. The menu features classic Southern staples like fried catfish and fried chicken sandwiches, as well as fusion finger foods like Southern-style wings and eggrolls. Six 18 diners can also enjoy sandwiches, entree salads, high-quality meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables during lunch and after hours. Those looking to host a private or corporate event can choose between Six 18’s elegant dining room, lounge, martini room or outside patio.

Six 18 is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Riverfront: Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

Located just steps from the Tennessee River, Puckett’s is a beloved community restaurant that specializes in Southern-style comfort food, such as fried chicken, meatloaf, and biscuits. The restaurant’s signature meat-and-three lunch special, which includes vegetarian options, is served daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In addition to dine-in options, Puckett’s also offers take-out and delivery services, as well as a selection of grocery staples, specialty sauces and rubs. For those looking to take some Southern comfort food back to the office, Puckett’s conveniently offers to-go meals and packs. 

Some of Puckett’s must-try menu items include the strawberry spinach salad, cherry-smoked wings, and the Mojo Burger. Happy Hour drinks and appetizer specials are available Monday through Friday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with $2 off draft beers, $5 Mules, $5 A. Marshall Wine by the glass, and half-off appetizers. 

For a memorable evening, stay a little longer to enjoy live music on Mondays and Fridays in Puckett’s laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Check their online calendar to find out which bands will be performing, or drop by for an exciting night after work.

Operating hours for Puckett’s are 7:00 am to 11:00 am for breakfast, with meat-and-three lunch specials from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and lunch and dinner served daily starting at 11:00 am. 

St. Elmo: 1885 Grill

If you’re looking for a Southern coastal restaurant that offers a unique combination of fresh seafood and Southern sides, look no further than 1885 Grill. This restaurant offers weekly specials including their award-winning-wing night Mondays, Fiesta Tuesdays, Wednesday “Sips and Dips,” and Thursday “Sangria Flight Night.”

They also have monthly live music entertainment events that add to the restaurant’s experience.

But it’s not just the food and entertainment that makes 1885 Grill a great place to visit. The restaurant takes pride in having a friendly team of employees who care for their communities. In fact, a previous Trend article highlights how the restaurant put its employees first during the pandemic and continues caring for the St. Elmo community it calls homes.

1885 Grill’s hours of operation are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.