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    Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern

    4.8 (148 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    OLD MAN RIVERS TABLE AND TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern

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    PAN SEARED CATFISH PO BOY
    David S.

    The ambition of this restaurant is admirable; however, the execution of the food itself was imperfect, resulting in this 4-star review. The restaurant is located in a cute house, with limited seating inside and out, with parking in the rear. One can't make a reservation, which provides a burden for customers seeking a "date experience" or those not wanting to wait in a long line for lunch in inclement weather. We chose to arrive at 2PM (knowing we'd likely miss the daily special) and only had to wait outside for about 10 minutes. The service was impeccable. Everyone working there was super-friendly, with kitchen staff offering smiles to customers. Everyone (including customers, mostly loyal regulars) seemed glad to be there. Our server Alex (apparently co-owner): a nice friendly guy! Patient. Attentive. Anticipated every need even though the restaurant was packed. At first glance, the menu (which rotates weekly) had creative offerings and "unusual takes." Since the daily special was sold out by the time we arrived, we ordered the catfish po-boy, chicken salad, wedge, pimento cheese, a beer, and a slice of cake. The prices were more than reasonable, and the portions were generous with fresh ingredients. However: just about every dish was just a bit off. For example, the wedge was good except for the tomato chutney that was overwhelming in proportion and flavor. It turned the salad into a mushy mess. And the catfish: chewy bread (biting into it forced one to smash the tender well-prepared catfish, again, making a mess). That same tomato chutney was there too, overwhelming and making the bottom of the bread soggy. For dessert, I ordered the crème brûlée cake. But I don't think I got the creme brûlée cake. There was nothing identifiable as crème brûlée. It seemed to me to more closely resembling a tres leches cake, but not well executed as a tres leches cake. I asked a very friendly service person if I had accidentally received the wrong cake, and she said she didn't know because their desserts were not made in house and are all pretty similar. She couldn't tell which cake it was. I had a delightful beer, a Gaelic ale. And the grilled asparagus was excellent. Those were the highlights. I wanted so badly to love this meal and dining experience. But, in the end, I don't think I'll be back.

    Awesome! The rest of this message is going to be me rambling, so this gets posted. The service, food, atmosphere, smiles, and overall vibe was great! Oh, AND they knew a lot of the customers' names too! As I said, it was Amazing.

    smoked trout dip
    Hanna H.

    Back again at Old Man Rivers as I know it would guarantee a delicious meal on my birthday! As wednesday begins their new weekly menu, I enjoyed two cocktails- The Hundred Acre Wood and Life on Mars. Starters ordered were the spring mix salad and bacon wrapped quail. Perfect pairing of sweet and salty for both dishes. For my main entree, I ordered the pork chop- though this is what I got last time I visited, it was prepared with different flavors, spices, and sides and was just as good. Service was quick and tailored towards our preferences on seating, as well as all involved in our direct experience were kind. The place was packed! Everyone seemed pleased with their meals and experience. My only disappointment was that both desserts were fruit-oriented (lemon blueberry bundt cake and peaches and cream) therefore we opted out. Regardless, I don't think i could've completed dessert anyway by the time we finished all of our food. Until next time, OMR!

    3 Galentines girlfriends for lunch.  This Hummus plate was delish as was the special. Dessert of chocolate covered cherrys
    Mary M.

    These lovely people invite you into their home when you go there. Wonderful food. Wonderful Folks. Shitty parking issues. Get there early or I don't even know where to park.

    Nick's Special Omelette
    Timothy S.

    I'd heard wonderful things about Old Man River, and I finally was able to make it out for brunch with the family. The location is a converted small home, so there is limited seating inside, as well as a bit on the outside porch. The staff here is absolutely the friendliest I have ever seen, they are spectacular! The owner is actively engaging with the customers, I have a feeling he is the man setting the tone to insure the customers enjoy their eating experience. It looks they are keeping the food selection fresh, rotating new items in continually. Everyone at our table raved about their food, as for me, I had the Nick's Special Omelette, it contained andouille sausage, cajun shrimp, and lots of other wonderful "stuff". It was a delight! While I was at it, sampled the biscuits and gravy, cheese grits (not a grits guys, these were delish) and that pimento cheese spread, OMG! You've got to try one or two of their specialty drinks, start with the Rabbiteye Cobbler. Looking forward to my next visit, got to see what the chef has up his sleeves for dinner fare.

    Chicken Cesar Salad
    Lori D.

    We are in from out of town. Was found on Google then checked on Yelp. When we pulled up we were so worried about the parking and sitting area since it's such a small place. I'm so glad we didn't change our mind. It was BY FAR THE BEST FOOD. The blue cheese dressing was nothing like we had experienced. Service was fun and attentive. And the outside seating was perfect in a day lunch with family. We may not be from here but will be recommending for anyone visiting Chattanooga.

    Our food was delicious

    awesome place food was delicious atmosphere was great. Our server was super. we had a marvelous time highly recommend this place.

    The Hundred Acre Wood cocktail was delicious and delightful.
    Brit W.

    Old Man RIvers offers one of the best dining experiences in Chattanooga. The food is what keeps us coming back, but the ambiance also has a special kind of charm to it. The building itself is a small house on a side street at the base of Signal mountain. If you go after 5:30, you're likely to see folks hanging around on ther porch waiting for a table. The vibe is casual, bordering on pleasantly chaotic as it's a tight space inside, especially when they're busy. They don't take reservations. If there are people on the porch, the owner or a server will pop out and jot your name down. We've never waited longer than 20 minutes and it has always been well worth it. I would actually wait a lot l longer even because there isn't anything as good anywhere near this part of town. This place is probably most ideal for the child free, couples or double dates, but I'm sure they would do their best to accommodate anyone. Come early, be patient, and you will be rewarded with an amazing meal, one of the very best Chattanooga has to offer.

    Watermelon salad. So refreshing and delicious.
    Wendy B.

    Creative! A welcome addition to the Chattanooga dining scene. My husband and brother joined me for a birthday experience at Old Man Rivers and im so grateful they did because it was worth it. First off- listen to the advice of others and go early. The restaurant is cozy so if you're not an early bird (pre 5pm) be prepared to kick back a couple cocktails on the patio before you get your seat. Now to the food. Old Man Rivers' chef had me scratching my head- putting together flavors I wouldn't have guessed would work, but totally did. Tomatoes and grilled peaches? But yes! A tastebud delight! I kept looking at my bro and asking curiously, "What is that? Corriander?" The subtle herby nuances dusted on the dishes blew my mind. The vibe is super casual but dont mistake the dressed down attire for a lack of punchy deciousness when it comes to the flavor department. Wine list is brief but thoughtful. As a Cali native im a bit high brow when it comes to wine selections but my cab was a perfect match for the coffee rubbed short ribs. Perfection. If you love bland, boring food stay home. If you want to really love yourself, then plan for a luxuriant balmy evening of cocktails and sexy food at Old Man Rivers.

    Camille M.

    From the moment we walked in the door and were greeted by Rivers himself, we knew we were in for something special. As fellow small business owners, we're always on the lookout for places that go above and beyond--and Old Man Rivers did just that in every way. The cocktails were beautifully curated, the food was thoughtful and delicious, and the dessert? Perfection. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance of charm and character, but what truly stood out was the service--genuine, warm, and incredibly attentive. It's rare to find this level of hospitality in Chattanooga these days, and it honestly left us a little speechless. We can't wait to come back and bring friends. A gem of a place that deserves every bit of praise.

    Japanese Maple even in dead of winter
    Sassey E.

    I was impressed with this little nugget. Kind of quaint and service really good. The food is outstanding

    Kathy F.

    Wow! What a great find for us! Lunch was so delicious. I had the hummus plate and my husband had the meatloaf. Both were terrific. The hummus was fresh and seasoned well. The vegetables were amazing! Little baby cucumbers were to die for !!! And my husband loved the meatloaf. The service was excellent. Very fast, friendly, and informative about the history of the restaurant. I love the fact that father and son were involved in its development. It's a small place, but it feels cozy, not crowded. We'll be back for certain !

    pan seared scallops

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    3 days ago

    The food, service and ambiance were perfect! The food was freshly prepared. Our server was great, friendly and efficient.

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    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alexander R.

    Alexander R.

    This is a restaurant. I will hire Erica if I ever meet her.

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    1 month ago

    Rotating menu, dishes are awesome. Braised short rib was immaculate. Old man rivers is very welcoming and makes the experience pleasant.

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    2 months ago

    Amazing place! The food and service were spot on. You can tell the chef and staff love what the do.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern

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    Whiskey Thief - Half drank House Expresso Martini

    Whiskey Thief

    4.1(163 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$$

    Can't recommend this cocktail bar enough!…read more We visited the bar late night while staying at the hotel and it did not disappoint. Despite clearly being short staffed and having a busy night - we were greeted almost immediately and encouraged to help ourselves to a seat. We sat at a table away from the bar (only one available) and a server came by to take our drink order. Before he could return, another employee - who was running food to another table - immediately came over to us after to see if we wanted to order food (which we did!). She took our order, then the drinks arrived and before we knew it the food was out and was incredible! The menu is quite limited - and even more so when you one of you doesn't eat meat - and yet we were able to make a meal out of 2 caesar salads, the hummus plate and the deviled eggs. And don't even get me started on the cocktails! We started with a Manhattan and an Espresso Martini that were perfectly crafted. And then for our dessert round switched to their signature Old Fashioned. Each one was better than the next! Thanks for an incredible time, Whiskey Thief. We will definitely we back!

    This place definitely has the "wow" factor when you walk in. The beautiful bar glowing from the…read moresunset immediately sets the mood. If you want outdoor seating, get here early because space outside is limited. Inside, there's plenty of seating options with high-top tables, couches, and bar seating that create a relaxed atmosphere. We came mainly for the view and drinks, and the view absolutely delivered. Watching the sunset over the river was easily the highlight of the experience and worth seeing at least once. For drinks, we ordered Old Fashioneds and Margaritas. Unfortunately, both were just average and didn't live up to the setting or atmosphere. Service was also disappointing. The staff was not very attentive, and at one point we actually had to leave our table and go to the bar to find our waiter. In the end, the incredible view couldn't make up for the mediocre drinks and poor service. Great view, but this ended up being a one-and-done visit for us.

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    Whiskey Thief - Margarita

    Margarita

    Whiskey Thief
    Whiskey Thief - Old Fashioned

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    Old Fashioned

    Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern - southern - Updated May 2026

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