Happy 2026! We rang in the New Year with an incredible meal at 2nd on NYE, and it was the perfect way to start the year. I made reservations about a week in advance (highly recommend), and even arriving a few minutes early at 5:00 pm, the place was already buzzing. The hostess greeted us immediately and had us seated right away. Our server was on it from the start: waters filled, drink orders taken quickly, and excellent guidance on appetizers. We went with the tomato pie, which sounds simple... but don't be fooled. The flavors are anything but basic. This is not an appetizer you politely share and move on from. It's plenty for four people, though you may find yourself quietly plotting how to secure the last bite. For our mains, we shared the warm beet salad and the beef picanha. The salad had such a great flavor pairing that even my husband, who is not a beet fan, loved it (a true culinary miracle). The picanha was incredibly flavorful and may very well be the best thing on the menu... except for the mashed potatoes. Honestly, I would go back just to order my own bowl of those mashed potatoes and call it dinner. Amazing service, outstanding food, and a great atmosphere. We will definitely be back very soon. read more

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I fell in love with mashed potatoes again after eating here. I was not ready for it to be so creamy, dreamy, potato-y heaven. Then came the dinner roll. I grabbed it because I needed some carb, and honestly... I think I just fell in love again. The server? Absolute legend. Super friendly and when I told her the roll was amazing she brought out some JAM for the roll. And it was magical. My taste buds were throwing a party. The bacon-wrapped quails. Perfect. Can't complain. Cozy little ambiance that makes it perfect for a date or catching up with your bestie or just existing while eating great food. My only tiny complaint? I wish they opened in the morning so I could get one of those rolls for breakfast read more

Mashed potatoes!!! I love that they offer mashed potatoes as a given endless side - they are some of the best I've ever had! The spaghetti squash was great as were the appetizers (fried green tomatoes + biscuits) - highly recommend! Service was friendly and quick + the ambiance is very modern but also comfortable. read more

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Mashed potatoes weird. Give me bread. I want to like this place but sidetrack is by far the superior upscale American eatery in town. The entrees have been okay, service is always good. read more

Loved everything about 2nd. From the almost hidden aspect of the restaurant, dimmer lighting, open and yet still intimate sitting. The food is amazing and the endless mashed potatoes were just the icing on the cake. Please try the tomato pie, you won't be disappointed. read more

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Very classy place, food is incredible & ambiance even better. Must try in Chattanooga.

One of best restaurants I've been to. Top experience end to end. Food is amazing. The building and setup is an architectural marvel. read more

2nd - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

While I was a little hesitant to try 2nd, due to the review on parking and the smell from the chicken, neither of those was an issue for us on Tuesday night. So, I would recommend going on a weeknight for the parking--as we were able to park right in front of the restaurant. The atmosphere was great. I love the brick walls, the large windows at the front, and the lighting. By the time we left, the candles at each table also added to the warm feel. We first started with a basic Charcuterie Board with the cumberland cheese and strawberry jam. It was the one things I forgot to take a picture of. For the salad, we ordered the warm beet salad. The flavor mix of the beets, peaches, and peppers was amazing. The creamy goat's cheese and walnut pieces tied it all together. For the main course, my wife ordered the beer can chicken. The flavor was amazing and the chicken was very moist. The gravy and green beans, along with the endless mashed potatoes, were almost like having a Thanksgiving dinner with chicken, which I'm all for doing. I ordered the grilled lamb loin (medium rare). The lamb was tender and flavorful--as was the confit shoulder. The glazed onions was uniquely prepared and could be eaten on their own. The gravy was like a mole sauce -- flavorful and spicy! For dessert, we got the peach pie with ice cream and caramel sauce. It tasted more like an apple pie, but that's not a complaint. It was delicious! From start to finish, it took about an hour and a half. Each dish isn't rushed and the menu changes with the season. I would highly recommend giving 2nd a try (especially on a weeknight)! read more

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Food is outstanding. Service is as close to perfect as can be. Atmosphere is warm and comfortable.

Walked in and had a strong sense of Deja Vu, and that's because this is the sister restaurant of 5th and Taylor in Nashville, a place I've frequented a lot. The menu is similar, the cucumber gimlet is on the cocktail menu, and vibe is similar. Love it! read more

2nd - Mashed potatoes - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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I wish I got our server's name but he was amazing! We came to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and he was so patient even though I had so many questions. So refreshing to see a server extremely knowledgeable of the menu which made it easier to agree to his recommendations and comforting in asking questions about the menu. We started off with the Sausage Cheddar Biscuits which were the perfect appetizer. A good savory bite with a little sweetness and kick from the jam that's served on the side. I ordered the Pork Shoulder and my boyfriend ordered the Fried Chicken and both dishes were amazing. I was unaware my dish had onions which I'm not a fan of but I pushed them off to the side. Other than that, this was an amazing experience and a beautiful way for me and my partner to celebrate our anniversary. read more

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We had the absolute worst waitresses, Adrian. If you go, do not get her area. We have been here a few times but will never be back She was rude the whole time we have been here. We had a 1 drink, no appetizers, then she refused to serve us any further. Absolutely ridiculous. We left & went to Stir had a few drinks dinner then home. Stir was fabulous!!! ​ read more

Very few restaurants check all the boxes and 2nd American has that status. Ambiance, service, food, and drink all are the highest quality. My wife loved the Beef Short Rib that was as tender as a filet. The Date Compote added the sweet to the savory meat. I went out of my comfort zone with the Rabbit and Pork Belly and was not disappointed. The lean rabbit with the fatty pork belly together was tremendous. Who knew mustard greens were so delicious. Huge shout out to Marissa and Jesse for making the experience so special. read more

I always have extremely high expectations for Daniel Lindley, and was apprehensive after scrolling through Yelp reviews. I am happy to say I was NOT let down. We scheduled a 5:30 reservation and were seated promptly. The staff were very sociable and friendly. I make a point to ask menu questions, get suggestions on drinks and compare entree options- the server didn't skip a beat. Absolutely lovely. The food was delicious, and I loved the complimentary mashed potatoes (unique and different to being brought bread). The ambience was unlike other restaurants in Chattanooga, I am assuming this was a warehouse that was renovated. The high ceilings and open space give opportunities for socialization. The bar is the focal point with an incredible statue and the art throughout is striking. Daniel has always cared for his restaurants to showcase his artistic "vision" as well as culinary excellence. We ordered: - Bacon wrapped quail - Rabbit & Pork Belly - Beef Shortrib - Chocolate cake + ice cream The only reason I am giving 4 stars is for the pricing, I feel it's slightly over where I would like to see it. However, I am comparing it to Alleia and they are different "types" of food. I will be revisiting and may up to five stars- I like to go somewhere at least 2-3 times to be able to give a full five star rating (UNLESS it's a Michelin restaurant). read more

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Everything is in balance here. A gem in Chattanooga. The cocktails are well prepped and very well composed - well done; I had the Summer Daze. The beef tartare (pictured) is a carnivore must-have. The team is respectfully available when you need them. read more

2nd - Beef tartare with Summer Daze cocktail - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Amazing food, great service and the ambiance is so cozy! One of my favorite restaurants downtown read more

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Really good cocktails. Fun environment. The duck wings were really good! We came back the next night. Wish we would have gotten the scallops.. they looked so good! read more

2nd - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

What a fabulous new restaurant in Chattanooga!! Ambiance: open space with the bar as the focal point of the restaurant. The kitchen is open to the side, making it fun to watch all the action. Lighting is low giving a romantic or close and quaint experience. Each table feels tucked away and private even with tables being close by. Service: staff were very friendly, and knowledgeable about each menu item. They came with recommendations for both food and cocktails. Food: every item we tried was incredible! Rolls, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and tomato pie all came as starters and were perfectly prepared and presented. The table got many different entrees ranging from the chopped salad, to the Picanha, and trout. The Picanha was perfectly cooked and so tender. I can't wait to eat it again. The chopped salad came out very fun and in a mason jar like serving with the staff playing the meal once it arrived. The beet salad was incredible, with so many delicious flavors packed into one dish. FWIW, I brought home many of the leftovers and everything reheated so well!! read more

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Loved the feel of the space itself, it was roomy and comforting with a beautiful open kitchen view. The service and drinks were great, with some interesting options. The Beef Tartare was the most flavorful version of the dish my wife and I have ever had. It is our favorite dish that we have whenever it is on a menu and this one was so good. ALSO, they put enough crostini with the dish to have one for the entire serving. That never happens, so bravo! The Smoked Cheddar biscuits app was excellent as well. The entrees were solid as well. read more

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Exceptional Meal! Six of us had an amazing meal with all entrees so flavorful and service friendly and efficient! The sauces accompanying the various dishes were so great. read more

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You have NO idea how incredible this place is. Jesse is a fantastic server, and the ambiance, service and food is unlike anything you've ever had. The sausage buiscuit app (pictured) is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. The mashed potatoes are the best I've ever had. Can't recommend enough! read more

2nd - Sausage biscuits - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

We had high-hopes for this restaurant, but like its sister Alleia, it was nothing worth visiting twice. The highlight was the house salad substituting the blue cheese with Norwood cheese. The beef short rib was a dry version of crock pot roast and the veal meatloaf was not bad, but nothing to write home about. The brussels were about average; our waitress forgot to put those in but they were a welcoming taste as we tried to understand the entree hipe. Our waitress also suggested the carrot ice cream cake. She said it was the best dessert she had ever had; my wife and I thought it was one of the worst desserts we have ever had. It's hard to mix cake with ice cream that has to be frozen; the cake was dry and hard. We like to experiment with new restaurants in our area, but we expected and experienced nothing special to return to at 2nd American Restaurant. read more

I took my wife here for a date night, and it was absolutely wonderful. We had an 8:30 PM reservation but arrived early at 8 PM. Expecting to pass the time at the bar, we were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. Despite the place being packed, the ambiance was perfect--my wife couldn't stop raving about how everything felt just right. The service was excellent, but the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the food. We started with the chopped salad, which was generous enough to feed 2-3 people. For the main course, my wife chose the scallops, which she described as perfectly cooked, while I had the trout with beautifully crisp skin. The mashed potatoes, served family-style with the entrées, were a delightful addition. To accompany our meal, I enjoyed a well-made Old Fashioned, and my wife savored a Tito's martini. We loved everything so much that we couldn't resist ordering dessert--an apple pie turnover with ice cream and caramel, which was the perfect sweet ending to our evening. This restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way and truly delivered a fantastic experience. The $145 bill was worth every penny! This is our new Go-To restaurant. read more

The food. The service. The experience. A culinary delight. If you find yourself in Chattanooga, treat yourself to a dinner here. You're welcome. read more

This place was a gem! Amazing drink choices, phenomenal food, and great service. I can't have dairy and asked what my options were and they brought me a whole special menu breaking down every allergy. I am glad I don't live locally because I would be eating here too often. My only wish is that I could have eaten the mashed potatoes or dinner rolls because they both looked amazing. My husband got the rabbit and was also super happy with it. We had brussel sprouts for an appetizer and it was also yummy! Can't say enough. We did have a long delay getting dessert and they took it off the bill. But hey... stuff happens. read more

2nd - Twice baked spaghetti squash. - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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This restaurant was incredible. A couple of my friends rated it as a top 3 restaurant in town so I had to check it out! We had the bacon wrapped quail and sausage and cheese biscuits to start. THEY WERE INCREDIBLE! Beef cheek pot roast was absolutely insane. They gave me a knife but when I stuck my fork in the meat just fell off entirely. Our server was INSANELY AMAZING. Ambiance was amazing, upscale vibes and made us feel especially fancy read more

2nd - Drinking an old fashioned. - American Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Excellent food. Great service. Not a cheap meal, but nice place for a date or an upscale dining experience

Amazing food. Fabulous ambiance- big city feel but like- still Chattanooga. They nailed the ambiance! Food was so good! The menu is an exciting one! My butternut squash w crab soup was insane- so much crab! Also, I'm a wine professional and the wine menu- and prices, is superb! Yay 2nd American!!! read more

We went for dinner about 2 weeks after it opened. Ambiance and setting was great; beautiful, post-industrial space with vaulted ceilings. Service was warm and attentive; gave us a comp appetizer when there was a little delay in the entree! Wine list is great. Cocktails are good but nothing to write home about. Food is excellent as you'd expect. Very good on flavor and portions are generous. read more

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Had a friend recommend 2nd and so my husband and I decided to try it for our anniversary dinner! We had the bacon wrapped quail for our appetizer - delicious. Then we chose our entrees, mixed meat and the lamb loin. The mashed potatoes are included in the entree but we also ordered the brussel sprouts and dinner roll. Cannot give a bad critique on any of those choices but the dinner roll was phenomenal. The sides seemed to be better than the main entrees but the entrees themselves were already pretty fantastic. We decided to complete the dinner with a dessert and the strawberry shortcake was, no pun intended, the icing on the cake. Jacob, our waiter, was incredibly helpful with all our choices and made our dinner a smooth one as we can be very indecisive. Cannot recommend this restaurant enough! read more

Third visit over the past nine months. The food is absolutely amazing and creative!!! I always want to return for the ingenuity and beauty of the food but ...folks come on !!! The parking situation is abysmal. When the server came to our table asking if it was this our first time dining with them, I said no, but it'll be my LAST The staff will offer all kinds of excuses about the parking situation but there is never any parking on the street -completely full every time despite circling area repeatedly (And this was our fault because we did not read the restaurant's website warning) We paid $31 to park Ridiculous! Yet leads me to my 2nd objection , proximity to the chicken processing plant directly across street Last night fortunately the chicken plant was not spewing noxious fumes but typically the smell -as we all know how it is a constant malodorous assault of the senses on the south side - is overwhelmingly nauseous. It was all I could do to choke down my very delightful and expensive meal knowing I had to go back out across the street and smell burnt feathers and chicken waste Let me say I'm a farm girl and have spent my share of time in the chicken house, I'm not an amateur wrinkling my nose at these types of odors Let this review serve as a warning. Though 2nd is a delightful beautiful space with attentive service plus delicious food, if you wish to pay the price of a drink and appetizer, a Herculean fruitless search for a parking space and inhale, obnoxious poultry fumes you should visit read more

Outstanding experience! Food - recommend tomato pie and beer can chicken Ambiance - simple and sophisticated Service - excellent My new favorite restaurant! Bruce read more

Delicious, familiar foods that are nicely crafted. The service was great too. It's special without being pretentious. That peach pie could bring world peace. We will definitely be back. read more

Amazingly great food. However Wine selections very weak an d "overpriced" Will visit again soon, fingers crossed wine selections improved by adding "King Eststes" Pinot Noir read more

Unbelievable food!! Service is just as good. High recommend!! And if you ever need an event space talk to them about the space behind.

I'm excited to have another great restaurant in Chattanooga. My French 75 was excellent, and my fried chicken was good. The star of the show was the tomato pie appetizer. I wish I had ordered it as my meal! Several things I would like to try on the menu, so I'll be back. Service was great. I would recommend making a reservation in advance as it was packed on a Wednesday night. read more

PLACES LIKE THIS DESERVE TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS. THE ABSOLUTE WORST EXAMPLE OF HOSPITALITY I HAVE EVER WITNESSED IN 44 YEARS OF LIFE. Let me start by saying, I know this industry and how restaurants and bars work. I have personally managed 4 locations in Scottsdale, Las Vegas, and Nashville. I have also bartended in over 15 locations over a period of 20 years. I was previously the Marketing Director for a Nashville-based restaurant group (8 locations). Presently, I am the Chief Marketing Officer for a concert/promotion company and we tour some of the largest acts in comedy (Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Nate Bargatze, etc.). So, I know a little bit about the hospitality industry. I say that to qualify what I say below so it is not written off as a disgruntled customer. What I witnessed at this location this evening is the absolute worst example of hospitality I have ever witnessed in my 44 years of life. The manager that was on duty this evening would be immediately terminated if she had worked for me and I had witnessed this happening. Immediately. Pack your bags. Goodbye. I was invited this evening to join some family friends for dinner. Our reservation was at 5:30 and I arrived on time and prior to the others. I checked in with the hostess, who then seated us at a table for 5 people. However, there were 6 of us. My friend who had made the reservation had forgotten to update from 5 to 6 people. The table we were sat at could not accommodate 6 people and I returned to the hostess to ask to change to another location. We are talking about 5:30 on a Sunday evening, so this is not exactly prime time. After Thanksgiving weekend, so even less prime time than normal. I was informed that this could not be done, despite the fact that the restaurant was no more than 25% occupied at the time and there were countless tables available. I requested to speak with the manager and waited to do so. When she arrived, she informed me that she could not switch us to another location due to all of their reservations (mind you the restaurant was ~25% sat at this time with absolutely nobody waiting behind us at the entrance). She also then informed me that I could not sit with my family friends at their table as it could only hold 5 people. She then proceeded to watch me the entire time I stayed to visit with them until the moment I left. Circling the table. I turned down the offer from the server who continually asked me if he could bring me anything, offer me a seat, and inform me that he would be happy to serve me and that he has served 6 people at that very table previously. So, rather than provide HOSPITALITY in the SERVICE INDUSTRY, I was informed that the additional person (me in this case) could not be accommodated and informed by both the hostess (just doing her job) and her manager (an atrocious example of a service industry leader) they could not make a change. I stayed for a few moments to converse with my family friends and then left because they were "so busy" and "full" that they could not accommodate one more person. At the time I left the restaurant was still only ~30% sat and there was enough room to perform a gymnastics routine on their main dining floor. I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THIS LOCATION. YOU NEED TO EVALUATE THE WAY YOUR STAFF HANDLES CUSTOMERS AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE "SERVICE INDUSTRY" ENTAILS. Why would people choose to spend their money in a location that will openly deny service to a paying customer at 25% capacity because they "don't have room"? I choose to spend my time and money at locations that appreciate their customers are choosing to be there and do everything they can to accommodate them. read more

Excellent service. Large portions. Appetizers were like tapas or small plates you can share.

Food and service are incredible. Brain, our waiter, knew the menu and wine list front to back. The food was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Everything we order was delicious. All the food came out quickly but with enough time between courses that you can talk and enjoy the food. read more

Posting on behalf of my friend and her fiancé, they cannot stop raving about this new place. The food was excellent, the ambiance is untouchable. Ten gold stars!!!! read more