Photo: Ben WockenPlace
Photo: Ben Wocken
Place
Brass Rail
The Brass Rail is the oldest bar and restaurant in Cookeville, operating continuously since 1950 on the downtown square. This no-frills neighborhood bar is a true Upper Cumberland institution, cold beer, great burgers, and a worn-in atmosphere that no modern restaurant can fake. If you want to understand Cookeville, you need to sit at the Brass Rail.
Photo: Vintage MarioPlace
Buffalo Brew Coffee House
Place
CH Steak Lounge
A downtown Cookeville steakhouse and bar on S Washington Avenue with over 1,100 reviews - one of the city's anchor dining destinations for steak and American food.
Place
Chapahali
Chapahali is a family-owned Ethiopian restaurant on S Jefferson Ave, serving authentic East African cuisine to Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland. It's one of the most genuinely unique dining experiences in the region, dishes are served on injera (a tangy fermented flatbread), meant to be eaten communally by hand. Whether you're new to Ethiopian food or a longtime fan, Chapahali is a special place.
Photo: Allan H.Place
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Photo: Chill Billy's LoungePlace
Chill Billy's Lounge
Photo: Kim BridgesPlace
Crawdaddy's
Place
Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee
Cream City is a beloved Cookeville institution on W Broad St, serving handmade ice cream in 40+ rotating flavors alongside locally roasted coffee. Family-owned and operated, Cream City is famous for its handmade waffle cones and one of the oldest working neon signs in Tennessee. It's a downtown gathering spot that spans generations, the kind of place grandparents bring their grandkids and college students hit after dinner. With a 4.8-star Google rating from over 800 reviews, it's one of the highest-rated spots in the entire city.
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