The best restaurants in Cookeville

45 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 45 places · showing the latest additions first

1091 Rooftop

Restaurants

If your week’s dragging, 1091 Rooftop is a dependable mood lift with a breezy dining room and patio, a legit dinner lineup, and cocktails…

1091 S Willow Ave

If your week’s dragging, 1091 Rooftop is a dependable mood lift with a breezy dining room and patio, a legit dinner lineup, and cocktails plus craft beer that actually taste like a night off. Pro move, circle back for the breakfast buffet when morning sneaks up.

From the Cookeville newsletter, August 4, 2026

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The Slice Pizza and Games is Cookeville’s go-to for scratch-made pies and over 20 arcade games, so you can chase high scores between…

408 W Jackson St · ✓ checked Jul 27

The Slice Pizza and Games is Cookeville’s go-to for scratch-made pies and over 20 arcade games, so you can chase high scores between slices. House-made dough and sauce, freshly grated mozzarella, easy dine-in, takeout, or delivery, plus party-friendly vibes make it a midweek hero.

From the Cookeville newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

112 Bradford Blvd Ste 100 (Gordonsville)

Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

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Nobels

Restaurants

Laid-back eatery serving pizza, smashburgers, salads and wraps, plus burgers.

323 Main St N (Carthage)

Laid-back eatery serving pizza, smashburgers, salads and wraps, plus burgers.

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Pizza Hut

Restaurants

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

53 Dixon Springs Hwy (Carthage)

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

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Hardee's

Restaurants

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

84 Dixon Springs Hwy (Carthage)

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

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Waffle House

Restaurants

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

465 Gordonsville Hwy (Gordonsville)

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

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Family-run pizzeria specializing in New York-style pies along with meatballs, strombolis and other Italian fare.

866 E 10th St

Family-run pizzeria specializing in New York-style pies along with meatballs, strombolis and other Italian fare.

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Modern restaurant serving up comfort food and unique dishes, plus an extensive beer selection.

1227 N Washington Ave Ste 100

Modern restaurant serving up comfort food and unique dishes, plus an extensive beer selection.

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Relaxed locale for pick-your-own sushi and Hibachi grilling and American-style Chinese fare plus a buffet.

791 S Jefferson Ave #4028

Relaxed locale for pick-your-own sushi and Hibachi grilling and American-style Chinese fare plus a buffet.

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Shopping-center tavern with sports on TV, many beers, a jukebox & traditional pub grub.

586 S Jefferson Ave

Shopping-center tavern with sports on TV, many beers, a jukebox & traditional pub grub.

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Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

1385 Interstate Dr

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

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Midtown Social

Restaurants

Laid-back venue churning out burgers and other casual fare such as hot chicken sandwiches and cheese curds.

565 S Jefferson Ave Ste A

Laid-back venue churning out burgers and other casual fare such as hot chicken sandwiches and cheese curds.

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Pizza Hut

Restaurants

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

641 N Willow Ave

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

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Understated restaurant offering classic sandwiches & flatbread, plus pasta dishes.

37 N Cedar Ave

Understated restaurant offering classic sandwiches & flatbread, plus pasta dishes.

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Waffle House

Restaurants

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

1079 S Willow Ave

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

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Italian comfort fare such as spaghetti, pizza & stromboli made to order in an unassuming space.

200 S Lowe Ave

Italian comfort fare such as spaghetti, pizza & stromboli made to order in an unassuming space.

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Fazoli's

Restaurants

Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.

1063 S Walnut Ave

Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.

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Bobby Q's

Restaurants

Laid-back restaurant serving barbecue favorites such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches.

428 E Broad St

Laid-back restaurant serving barbecue favorites such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches.

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Straightforward barbecue chain known for ribs, with classic sides, kids' eats & sandwiches.

1431 Interstate Dr

Straightforward barbecue chain known for ribs, with classic sides, kids' eats & sandwiches.

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Tender brisket, ribs and pulled pork highlight the menu at this casual eatery.

851-A S Willow Ave

Tender brisket, ribs and pulled pork highlight the menu at this casual eatery.

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Cook Out

Restaurants

Branch of a fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & over 40 milkshake flavors.

869 S Jefferson Ave

Branch of a fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & over 40 milkshake flavors.

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Drake's

Restaurants

Laid-back eatery with an extensive menu, including burgers, steaks and sushi rolls.

1010 S Walnut Ave

Laid-back eatery with an extensive menu, including burgers, steaks and sushi rolls.

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Crawdaddy's

Restaurants

Laid-back choice with New Orleans-style dishes, 2 levels of outdoor seating & a full bar.

53 W Broad St

Laid-back choice with New Orleans-style dishes, 2 levels of outdoor seating & a full bar.

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Rustic-chic smokehouse with a cozy backyard offering classic BBQ meats & Southern-style sides.

260 Hall Farm Ln (Whitleyville)

Rustic-chic smokehouse with a cozy backyard offering classic BBQ meats & Southern-style sides.

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Five Guys

Restaurants

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

1265 Interstate Dr #211

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

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Casual pub dishing up pizza with a range of toppings, plus craft beer, and vegetarian options.

707 Mahler Ave

Casual pub dishing up pizza with a range of toppings, plus craft beer, and vegetarian options.

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Waffle House

Restaurants

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

1121 S Jefferson Ave

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

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Diner offering American and Greek food, including breakfast, in an informal setting.

514 N Willow Ave

Diner offering American and Greek food, including breakfast, in an informal setting.

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Whitt's Barbecue

Restaurants

Local BBQ chain offering hickory-smoked meats, wings & sides in a low-key counter-service setting.

280 W Broad St #2469

Local BBQ chain offering hickory-smoked meats, wings & sides in a low-key counter-service setting.

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CH Steak Lounge

Restaurants

Relaxed American spot with a menu of steaks, seafood, pasta & burgers plus occasional live music.

14 S Washington Ave

Relaxed American spot with a menu of steaks, seafood, pasta & burgers plus occasional live music.

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Wingstop

Restaurants

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

1265 Interstate Dr Ste 201A

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

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Counter-serve BBQ joint with a drive-thru offering hearty sandwiches, meat by the pound & sides.

1201 E Spring St

Counter-serve BBQ joint with a drive-thru offering hearty sandwiches, meat by the pound & sides.

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A menu specializing in sushi rolls & an array of classic Asian dishes in a no-frills setting.

864 S Jefferson Ave

A menu specializing in sushi rolls & an array of classic Asian dishes in a no-frills setting.

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Pizza Hut

Restaurants

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

470 Neal St B

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

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Steak 'n Shake

Restaurants

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

1125 Interstate Dr

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

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Pizza restaurant offering appetizers and a selection of draft beers in a relaxed atmosphere.

4 W Spring St

Pizza restaurant offering appetizers and a selection of draft beers in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Cute, horse trailer-based bakery for breakfast fare and specialty drinks, plus iced coffee options.

801 S Jefferson Ave

Cute, horse trailer-based bakery for breakfast fare and specialty drinks, plus iced coffee options.

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Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

377 W Jackson St Ste 1F

Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

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Casual eatery dishing up Japanese standards such as teriyaki and fried rice, with a drive through.

220 S Willow Ave

Casual eatery dishing up Japanese standards such as teriyaki and fried rice, with a drive through.

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The Putnam Room

Restaurants

Upscale spot serving steak and other classic mains alongside small plates and cocktails.

319 E Spring St

Upscale spot serving steak and other classic mains alongside small plates and cocktails.

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Fire & Vine

Restaurants

Pizza bar featuring pies along with rooftop seating.

115 W 1st St

Pizza bar featuring pies along with rooftop seating.

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Long-running, old-school resource for American standards like steak, seafood & pasta.

895 S Jefferson Ave

Long-running, old-school resource for American standards like steak, seafood & pasta.

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Savor Cookeville

Restaurants

Casual, brick-lined place offering comfort food with a Southern twist & a full bar with beer on tap.

35 W Broad St

Casual, brick-lined place offering comfort food with a Southern twist & a full bar with beer on tap.

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Food-truck spot featuring an Airstream, plus live music, clean restrooms and an open-air setting.

172 W Broad St

Food-truck spot featuring an Airstream, plus live music, clean restrooms and an open-air setting.

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