When people think of visiting Tennessee, they usually think of Nashville or Memphis or visiting the Smokey Mountains. It’s rare to hear someone say they plan to visit Clarksville. +
They would if they knew they could experience history, enjoy outdoor activities, and sample some top-flight craft beers and local wines while avoiding the hassle of finding their way around a large city.
They’d also be surprised at the number and diversity of outstanding restaurants in Clarksville that they can try. You can get traditional Southern specialties like barbeque, brisket, and biscuits, but there’s so much more. Here’s a list of nine restaurants you should plan to visit during your trip to Clarksville.
The Nine Best Restaurants in Clarksville TN
Wild Flour Bake Shop
2237 Lowes Dr., Suite E, Clarksville, TN 37040 // 919-310-2692
Wild Flour Bake Shop serves breakfast and lunch. We were there for breakfast, and I had a delicious Sausage and Cheese Sammy.
If you’re really hungry or plan to skip lunch, try their Cinnamon Toast or Banana Bread French Toast. Two of my friends ordered them and each gave me a bite. They’re as amazing as they sound.
We didn’t have lunch there, but locals say to try the Pulled Pork, Cuban, or Pimento and Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches if you do.
The Wild Flour Bake Shop is located in a small shopping center. Seating is indoors only, and parking is available in the lot in front of the restaurant. Hours are from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, and they’re closed on Tuesdays.
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
132 Franklin St., Clarksville, TN 37040 // 931-552-3726
When Jeff Robinson returned home from Desert Storm in 1991, he opened a pub with his wife Sherri, a former helicopter pilot for the 101st Airborne Division.
His dream became a reality the following year when they opened the Blackhorse Pub and Brewery. The “Blackhorse” name honors the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Neither served in that unit, but Jeff admired its spirit and energy. They added a craft brewery in 1995, which made them one of the first craft brew houses in the Southeast.
The Blackhorse Pub and Brewery is known for its specialty pizzas and flatbreads, but the menu includes a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, and salads.
Our group shared a basket of Tortilla Chips with Beer Cheese Dip and an order of Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Both were first-rate! Several people ordered specialty pizzas and flatbreads and said they were wonderful.
I enjoyed the Sweet Summer Salad, which contains spinach, fruit, candied walnut, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am, Saturday from 10:30 am to 12:00 am, and Sunday from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Seating is available at tables in the restaurant and at the bar. Parking is available along the street and in several public lots.
Pro Tip: Parking is free after 5:00 pm and on weekends but costs $1.50 per hour between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. Parking meters are coin only; to pay by credit card, scan the ParkMobile QR code on the front of the meter.
The Mailroom
116 N. 2nd St., Clarksville, TN 37040 // 901-919-5020
The Mailroom is in a building that once served as the Clarksville Post Office, which explains the name and some of the décor. It was also the Federal Building for years and served as a fallout shelter and the local FBI office.
The menu features classic American favorites with a healthy dose of international flavor. Everything is made from scratch and cooked on an Argentinian parrilla (i.e., wood-fired) grill while you enjoy one of their specialty cocktails.
Our group shared the Cheeseburger Egg Rolls and Monkey Bread. My Pecan-Crusted Trout with Spiced Beurre Blanc and Grilled Vegetables was tasty, and several people gave the Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken a thumbs up.
Be sure to save room for dessert. Many people recommended the Warm Red Velvet Pudding with cream cheese frosting, strawberry sauce, and homemade chocolate sauce. We tried it and agreed no one should end their meal without it! Top to bottom, this is one of the best restaurants in Clarksville.
The Mailroom is in downtown Clarksville. Indoor seating is at tables and around the spacious bar. They also have an incredible outdoor area with covered patio seating and fire pits. Parking is available along the street and in several public lots. Hours are from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday, 10:30 am to 11:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:30 am to 10:00 pm on Sunday.
Pro Tip: Parking is free after 5:00 pm and on weekends but costs $1.50 per hour between 8:00 and 5:00 pm weekdays. Parking meters are coin only; to pay by credit card, scan the ParkMobile QR code on the front of the meter.
Legends Smokehouse & Grill
803 South Riverside Drive, Clarksville, TN 37040 // 931-320-7095
2030 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, Clarksville, TN 37040 // 931-538-3223
Legends Smokehouse & Grill is owned by Kevin Smith, an Air Force veteran, and his wife Yvette, an Army veteran. Their specialties are traditional smoked BBQ simmered in one of 13 original barbeque sauces, gourmet BBQ burgers, and desserts.
We visited the South Riverside Drive location and tried Pulled Pork, Brisket, and Cinnamon Roll (yes, Cinnamon Rolls) Breakfast Tacos.
We also sampled all the BBQ sauces. It was hard to choose a favorite, but many of us liked the Peach Bourbon, Apple Cinnamon, and Pineapple Habanero. Others include Blueberry and Chocolate Habanero, and if you’re really brave, Lucy, which is short for Lucifer. Consider yourself warned!
We didn’t try the burgers, but locals rave about the Mr. Nasty, which consists of beef, smoked pulled pork, sausage, pineapple, and cheese with Legends Original and White Lightning BBQ Sauces.
They also like the PB&J Bacon Burger, with beef, smoked pulled pork, onion rings, and cheeses topped with peanut butter and jelly, and Legends Original & White Lightning BBQ Sauces.
Be sure to save room for dessert so you can try the daily cobbler special– if you can pass up the Banana Pudding and Oreo Cookie Banana Pudding Milkshakes.
Both locations are open Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and are closed on Monday. Seating is available inside and outside (Riverside Dr. only) and parking is available in front of the building.
Pro Tip: Check out the Jack Daniels décor throughout the restaurant and read the signs in the bathrooms for a good laugh.
Mad Herbalist
1601 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37040 // (931) 919-8084
The Mad Herbalist is a teahouse in a forest. Although you’re minutes from downtown Clarksville, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the country. The lunch menu features a variety of freshly made sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. No wonder it’s one of the best restaurants in Clarksville TN.
Once you choose three favorites from the menu, the friendly staff serves them beautifully arranged on a three-tiered tray.
Food offerings change based on ingredient availability and the chef’s inspiration, but each order includes savory, spread, and sweet tiers. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free substitutions are available.
The Mad Herbalist’s specialty is unique loose-leaf teas. Choose from distinctive flavors such as Berry Mojito, Lemon Buzz, Prickly Pear, and Jasmine Honeysuckle, or order a flight of three if you can’t decide.
Tea blends rotate seasonally and can be served hot, iced, sparkling, latte, and nitro. You’ll also find specialty teas on the menu, including matcha, kava, kombucha, and exclusive all-natural cocktails.
The Mad Herbalist is open for lunch Thursday through Saturday and brunch (seasonally) on Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. It is closed Monday through Wednesday. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available and parking is available onsite. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Clarksville TN.
Pro Tip: The Mad Herbalist custom blends bath and body products. Stick around after you eat to experiment with seasonal fragrance oils. When you decide on a combination of scents, they’ll turn it into body spray or lotion while you wait.
Shelby’s Trio
304 N. 2nd St., Clarksville, TN 37040 // 931-919-3373
Shelby’s Trio is a three-story restaurant with a different concept on each floor. On the first floor, Joe’s Garage is an all-American, family-friendly restaurant that serves sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Looks like one of the best restaurants in Clarksville, TN, so let’s find out.
All the menu items are car-themed, such as Zero to Sixty (chicken breast with Buffalo sauce and gorgonzola cheese) and Nuts and Bolts (beer-battered fish and chips). Seating is inside and outside and at the bar. Check out Joe’s collection of muscle cars while you enjoy your drinks and appetizers.
On the second floor, Trattoria di Cat provides an elevated Italian dining experience in Clarksville. Order specialties such as homemade Tuscan Gnocchi, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Baked Rigatoni paired with the perfect wine, followed by Limoncello Cake or a Chocolate Cannoli.
The Skyline 500 Bar on the third floor is Clarksville’s first rooftop bar. Order a specialty cocktail such as a Shady Madam (Crown Apple Whisky, El Jimador Tequila, and cranberry juice) or Chocolate Therapy (Smirnoff Caramel Kiss, Crème de Cacao, Disaronno Amaretto, and Bailey’s).
You can enjoy these and other specialty drinks while you sample some tapas and enjoy the nice view from the patio or glassed-in bar.
Joe’s Garage is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm on Saturday, and 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Sunday.
Trattoria di Cat is open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Skyline 500 Bar is open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Friday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm on Saturday, and 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Sunday.
Pro Tip: The Skyline 500 Bar hosts Trivia Night each Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Stop by to join in the fun and win prizes at this “best of” Clarksville restaurant.
Café 931
2551 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37043 // (931) 999-5503
Café 931 is a family-run business that serves breakfast and lunch burritos, burrito bowls, acai bowls, and fresh juices. Claudia and Barry Oaks opened it two years ago after running a successful catering business and make everything fresh daily using local ingredients.
I had the Acai Bowl, which included blended acai topped with strawberries, blueberries, bananas, granola, honey, and chai seeds.
You can add peanut butter, coconut, cocoa nibs, goji berries, or bee pollen. Fresh juices are named after family members and employees. I enjoyed a glass of “Erin,” a mixture of pineapple, mango, orange, apple, and peach juices.
Café 931 is open from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday through Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. It’s also open Tuesday evenings from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for Taco Tuesday. It’s closed on Sunday and Monday. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and parking is available in front of the building.
Miss Lucille’s Café
2231-L Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37043 // 931-919-5050
Miss Lucille’s is a down-home Southern restaurant located inside Miss Lucille’s Marketplace, a huge bazaar with over 200 vendor booths. So, it’s the perfect place to plan a shopping spree followed by lunch.
The menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads. I couldn’t decide between the Chicken Almond Soup and the Picky Eunice Salad (lettuce, grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, almonds, coconut, and carrots topped with honey curry sauce and plum wine dressing).
Luckily, they had a combo option so I could try both. They were both delicious, along with a refreshing glass of Mango Mint Lemonade.
Miss Lucille’s Café is open from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and there’s an onsite parking lot.
Pro Tip: Miss Lucille’s fresh, homemade kettle corn is famous for miles around. Try the original or caramel flavors or something more adventurous like Cincinnati Chili or Chunky Monkey.
Edward’s Steakhouse
107 Franklin St., Clarksville, TN 37040 // 931-906-8877
John Shephard grew up in Clarksville and dreamed of owning a restaurant that would encourage more people to come downtown. His dream came true when Benne’s Steakhouse across from the Roxy Regional Theatre announced it was closing. He bought it with his parents, Gary and Linda Shephard, and renamed it “Edward’s Steak House” in honor of his grandfather. Here’s why it’s one of the best restaurants in Clarksville TN.
The Shephards kept the original Franklin Street brick walls and hung historic pictures of Clarksville. The bar up the stairs in the back of the restaurant features live piano music on Friday and Saturday nights.
In addition to steaks, Edward’s menu features lamb, fish, and chicken and the most extensive wine selection in Clarksville.
My lamb chops were tender and juicy and included a salad and nicely seasoned mixed vegetables. Several of my friends had steaks and said they didn’t disappoint. Be sure to save room for dessert because you won’t want to leave without trying the Bourbon Pecan Pie or the Crème Brûlée.
Edward’s Steakhouse is open from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Seating is in either the restaurant or the bar. Parking is available along the street and in several public lots downtown.
Pro Tip: Parking is free after 5:00 pm and on weekends but costs $1.50 per hour between 8:00 and 5:00 pm weekdays. Parking meters are coin only; to pay by credit card, scan the ParkMobile QR code on the front of the meter.
Restaurants in Clarksville, TN: Conclusion
Whether you want to visit breweries and wineries, enjoy outdoor activities, explore history, or shop for antiques, you can do it in Clarksville.
You’ll also find beautiful scenery and friendly people and avoid the crowds in Nashville and Memphis. The restaurants on this list will get you started on your Clarksville foodie journey. Be sure to try them and discover others while you’re there. Happy eating!
Visiting other destinations in Tennessee? Check out our other delicious guides:
Marni Patterson is a travel writer, photographer and videographer in Phoenix, AZ. She has lived and traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe and is gradually making it to all the destinations on her “bucket list” in Asia/Pacific, Africa and South America. After years of writing web content and marketing materials in the high-tech industry, she’s applying her experience writing about software, cloud computing and cybersecurity services to promote destinations and provide travel tips.