Simply Southern Cafe

Wow! Smoked wings, proper Manhattan, caesar done right, hazy IPA, beyond nice bartender and…read morewaitress. Nirvana

Great beer. Nice selection of greasy-fork foods. Generous person for the hungry diner. The service…read moreis friendly, and the owner is present and funny. This cafe is more of a bistro or bar, but with a country-style. The food was yummy. A lot of fried food, but very satisfying.

What a great place,

The town pub

See all

Tess's Kitchen Cafe

4.8(21 reviews)

0.4 mi

I'm from Long Beach CA and this is a hidden gem…read more Food taste home made, service is like being at your families place, and the place feels nice and cozy. If you're reading this go ahead and just put this in your maps and drive here. Came here a hungry stranger, and left full and as a new family member.

We ate at Tess's kitchen last night, and it was a great experience! The people were very friendly…read moreand the food was wonderful. It's like an old fashion diner. I don't usually eat dessert, but you have to plan for it at Tess's kitchen. If you're in the area, it's definitely the place to eat!

Outside the restaurant...with a view of the Smokey Mountains

Catfish...perfectly fried, not greasy, hush puppies, fried apples, fried squash

See all

Calling your name

Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe

4.3(83 reviews)

8.8 mi

Stopped in after long bike ride on the mountain goat trail. Everyone was very kind and welcoming…read more I ordered the chicken salad sandwich on rosemary bread- DELICIOUS! I got a cinnamon bread loaf to go and it's half gone already. I also purchased apple butter and can't wait to try it in the morning.

Went for an early lunch and had the chicken salad and turkey bacon club both on rosemary olive oil…read morebread. The bread was amazing and both sandwiches were fresh and delicious. Both came with chips. After lunch we had to buy a variety of baked goods and ALL of choices ( chess pie square , butter cream horn, cannoli and cookies ) were AMAZING! Highly recommend. Service was excellent.

Cookies from Dutch Maid (ours were stale) and jams from a local Mennonite family.

Local soaps

See all

Wander Brew

4.7(7 reviews)

5.6 mi

Cool little coffee shop with perfect distance to all the climbing in hiking in Denny Cove. Very…read moreclean and nice staff and great coffee. Perfect for a stop if you are passing through or remote workers.

A cute spot in the center of Monteagle! The barista working was kind and helpful with any questions…read morewe had. The coffee was good but not my favorite! We got a maple French toast latte and a spiced mocha. The maple French toast could have been a bit more flavorful but the spiced mocha had a very prominent flavor!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Iced latte made with Oatmilk

See all

La Bella Pearl

4.2(38 reviews)

6.2 mi

You cannot get a more gourmet meal for a better price! The first time we ate here, I actually…read morethought there had been a mistake on the bill because I couldn't believe we had gotten this level of food for the price. The food at La Bella Pearl is thoughtfully created and beautifully executed, with French and Cajun influences woven into a farm-to-table, mountaintop dining experience. Every dish feels intentional without ever feeling fussy. The restaurant itself is set inside a beautiful old home, which makes the experience feel less like going out to a restaurant and more like being welcomed into Chef Tom's home for an incredible meal. The service and atmosphere are warm, relaxed, and unpretentious. You could absolutely dress up for a special date night, but you would feel just as comfortable coming in casually. They do not sell alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own bottle, and the corkage fee is one of the lowest I have ever seen. La Bella Pearl is a true gem. From the moment you pull up, it feels as though you have stumbled upon the pearl inside an oyster, tucked away on the mountain and waiting to be discovered. Do not sleep on this place. It is easily one of the best dining values I have found anywhere, and the kind of restaurant you almost want to keep a secret.

Great food with a wonderful wait staff friendly and experienced…read more Fast service Wonderful cocktails

Dining room

Grape leaf. The red sauce was Devine. Tasted like Vodka sauce to me. The grape leaf was tough

See all

La Bella Pearls Restaurant entrance

Russell Stover Chocolates

4.0(14 reviews)

14.3 mi

Had never been to the actual Russell Stover Chocolates store. I was close and was asked to pick…read moresome different candies and chocolates. The store was filled with Valentine's Day decor because it was the day after. Everything was 50% off. I thought about purchasing ice cream but it was 10 o'clock in the morning. Customer service was also great. I think with everything I got it would have been at least $60 more if it weren't on sale.

Worth a stop. Prices are better than in stores, but not a huge discount which is why I didn't make…read morethis a 5 star review. Great selection and very good prices on out of season items....think solid milk chocolate Easter bunnies, Valentines hearts filled with assorted chocolates, etc. If you are a Forrest Gump kind of dude, they have 3lb boxes of 'bloopers' for $9.99, that's a steal! Alas, I like to know what I'm going to get when I bite into a chocolate so left these for other shoppers. Free sampled a sugar free caramel and was pleasantly surprised. Will add to our list. Store was clean and well organized, parking was plentiful and store is located right off of an exit. Sales woman asked if we needed help and found us chocolate covered raisins on sale. We will be back.

Advert from National Geographic Magazine February 1932

Jelly Belly!

See all

Brown's Dairy Bar

3.3(10 reviews)

12.3 mi

Food was delicious and a lot of it ! Reasonable priced . Great workers friendly ... will definitely…read morebe eating there again . Milk shakes are amazing too

So for 80$ was NOT worth it at all! I usually don't leave reviews but this is needed I feel. the…read morequality was crap for what I paid . I'm used to spending at least 40-60$ and that's for just normal McDonald's and they were better than this. Will not recommend nor will I be back. I usually love helping businesses but this one I will not sadly . The sandwiches I got was smushed and just thrown together. the poppers seem freezer burnt, fries were not good at all! First time ever being this disappointed!

See all

TOTS!!!

Pita bite

5.0(1 review)

13.7 mi

Where we live there isn't alot of diversity food choices as there used to be when I lived up north…read more. But this is the second Greek place we found and it just opened and decided to give it a try. The restaurant had a small seating area and you basically order and they have it ready fast. I had a regular gyro which was very good and a decent size for like 8 bucks or so . Wife had a chicken gyro with feta cheese with tzazkiki sauce . We didn't stay to eat but we both enjoyed them and would go back again. They got good reviews from store owners that eat there regularly. Theres a good selection of other Greek specialties. Worth giving a shot .

From the owner: Greek restaurant Gyro…read moreChicken Sub Wings Burgers

Try our blasting flavors subs! Philly sticks, chicken cheese

See all

H & H Mexican Grille

5.0(2 reviews)

0.1 mi

H & H is a great stop right off Interstate 24 in Pelham if you're looking for a quick meal on the…read moreway home from the airport. Take the Pelham exit, turn left, and you'll find it just a couple of miles down the road on the left. The restaurant has a unique mom-and-pop atmosphere with country-style décor and a Mexican-inspired menu. While it's not traditional Mexican cuisine, they've done a pretty good job and offer tasty food at very reasonable prices. The service was friendly and genuine, especially from our waitress, Stephanie, who took great care of us. They also have ice cream and cold Cokes available for purchase, making it an easy place to grab a quick treat. The bathrooms were clean, and the whole experience was a fast, convenient stop with good food and welcoming people.

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant! We have eaten here three times and have never had a…read morecomplaint about the food. It is always fresh, hot and delicious! All the wait staff is very friendly and good. I tell anyone I know to eat here. We want them to be successful!

Road sign

Nachos Gringo

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

1 review that is not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Pixie R.

1

23

0

15 years ago

simply amazing. eat here and love it.

Simply Southern Cafe - southern - Updated September 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Restaurants near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Coffee near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Things to Do near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Lunch near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Breakfast & Brunch near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee BBQ near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Dinner near Simply Southern Cafe

BEST of Pelham, Tennessee Hiking near Simply Southern Cafe

Best of Pelham

Things to do in Pelham

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Simply Southern Cafe also viewed

The Mercantile Cafe

4.7

(49 reviews)

This place is a jewel. The food is great! Wonderful catfish and all the veggies are delicious…read more Comfortable booths or bigger tables. Lots of desserts that are so hard to choose. Take some to go like we did! Anytime that we are passing through, we will stop here

While in Manchester Dana and Steven remembered it the first Friday of the month and that means it…read moreShrimp Boil time 5 pm till close with kielbasa, red potatoes and Fried Catfish with their fabulous fries. Be sure and come in, its worth stopping for.

The Roost

5.0

(1 review)

Our second stop here which we expect will grow into many more! Amazing little stop with both…read moreindoor and outdoor seating. Delicious sandwiches and wraps. Creative combinations of great flavors. Spicy chicken wrap was a treat. Buffalo sauce and ranch included. Figgy Piggy and BarBQ are also faves. Chicken salad has a hint of curry. Chips are excellent and of course a pickle spear. Then, dessert. Chess bars big enough for the whole chess "board". Brownies and cookies also generous and really good. Creative coffees and drinks. Ice cream too!

Mountain Top

4.4

(20 reviews)

Definitely becoming one of our favorites, if not the favorite local restaurant in Monteagle. Serves…read moreamazing farm to table options with a diverse menu. Didn't realize they had lunch weekdays and brunch on Saturdays. Every time we've gone, we're treated kindly with attentive service. Our most recent visit, Stephanie offered guidance on their sides, shared information on the brunch, and made sure we had a good experience. From the burgers to the shrimp Poboy at lunch, you also have steak and fresh fish options for dinner. The truffle fries are a favorite for our group as well as the pasta specials. If you have a little one, be sure to ask your server if they have any options available for children. They've been very kind to our granddaughter when she's gone along with us and we are grateful. While there is a small bar, it's quaint and cozy and actually holds more than you expect as they're seating near the kitchen. UPDATE: return the next day for the brunch. Had the Nashville hot chicken and waffles. Mic drop!

Positive - Except for the watery, chunky, bitter tasting remoulade sauce, the Po Boy was excellent…read more Large, flavorful shrimp, nice bun, and fries were good. It would have been one of the best ever if not for the remoulade, which appeared to be either homemade (poorly), spoiled, or both. Negatives - Arriving, waiting to be seated, a young man behind the bar (dark hair, beard), glanced our way but never acknowledged us. A young woman finally seated us, and took our drink orders. Friendly, but incompetent. My wife ordered the Club Sandwich, NO AVOCADO, NO TOMATO. I ordered the Po Boy. My wife then asked for some mayo on the side. Since the server wrote down nothing, I then had to repeat my order. Food arrives, my wife's sandwich is loaded down with avocado and tomato. And here's why we will NEVER return. I went to the restroom. It's early, 11:30, only 3 other tables were occupied. The restroom was disgustingly FILTHY. Long ago dried excrement on the bottom of the seat, no toilet paper, and to top it off, NO SOAP in the dispenser, or anywhere. Meaning, employees using that restroom were not sanitizing their hands. Given that, do you want to eat food that's been handled by them? Attractive restaurant, obviously a lot of money invested to renovate it, so unfortunate no one is properly running it.

Sunrise the Breakfast Place

4.3

(97 reviews)

We had a large party on a Saturday morning. We were easily accommodated and the separate checks…read morewere not an issue. Basic breakfast, chocolate gravy, and pancakes were all great! Good hot coffee and special hot cocoa for the littles. We will definitely be back.

10:25 on a Thursday morning. Party of four. Although it was kinda late for breakfast there were…read morestill a few people there. I get the feeling this joint stays steady because they're so swift and efficient. We didn't have to wait for a table and had coffee within 5 minutes. We placed our orders and received our meal at 10:37. I mean we just walked in 13 minutes ago!!! Anyhoo- talk about delicious!! We tried to eat everything!! Couldn't. But I tried. We made a mess of the table and left at 11:10. Fat, full, happy .

Granny Fishes' House

4.5

(57 reviews)

This was my 3rd time at Granny Fishes. I always look forward to eating here when I'm in town…read morevisiting family. But something is changing and not for the better. Don't get me wrong, it's still down home fried catfish. And they have some of the best hush puppies you can find. But the quality of the fish, the declining service, and the uneven cooking is concerning. First off, you will have to wait to be seated. That is a given no matter what time you go. They are simply that popular. I expect that and have no problem with waiting. But don't seat my party and make us wait another 10-15 minutes to be acknowledged by the server. There is clearly not enough staff to handle the tables they have. I'd rather sit out front talking with friends and family than be sitting at a table being ignored. Once our server came and took our food and drink orders (she was really nice but obviously overwhelmed), she came back with all of the beverages but one iced tea. When we flagged her down, she apologized and said she'd be right back with it. She didn't return until our food was served. She apologized again about the missing tea and finally got it. The hush puppies were outstanding as always. But the fried catfish had an off taste. And she forgot one of the side dishes on three of our plates. I'm not sure if that was her fault or the kitchen but that doesn't make it right. My baked potato was not cooked through (yes, I had the baked potato instead of the standard fries, an odd choice I admit). The white beans were tasty but on the verge of mush, nothing like the saucy beans I'd had here previously. And our drinks sat empty for long periods of time before anyone noticed. This place is a hidden gem, out in the middle of nowhere, and people drive quite a distance to come here. It's a shame that the food and service seem to be declining because I always enjoy coming here....until this trip.

OK. So this one's kinda tough to rate because it's atypical of the regular dining experience you…read moreread reviews for on Yelp. First and foremost: The food is all homemade and awesome! Waitress brings out a basket of huge hush puppies and is quick and generous with drink refills. I had fried catfish and grilled trout with beans and baked potato. It was all delicious (beans needed a little salt). By the way, my friend had a thick, juicy ribeye; probably one of the best restaurant steak values you could find these days. Now here's the caveat: go with friends and have a nice, relaxing conversation either on the front porch or in the comfy waiting room while you wait to be seated. It's a long wait. When you finally do get seated and place your order, continue that conversation over drinks and those delicious hushpuppies. Did I mention it's a long wait? If you're not in a hurry to get somewhere else, I'd recommend this out-of-the-way little place for a nice, long, laid-back, old-fashioned casual experience. If you go expecting quick seating and a fast kitchen, you'll likely ruin your day.

Eighteen58

3.9

(8 reviews)

Food was good. Server was super friendly. The interior is lovely... and given so few options in the…read morearea it was AWESOME to have this spot for a quick dinner after a long drive. The inn and restaurant are both super lovely inside.

My wife and I stayed at the Swanee Inn for a getaway from Nashville. We thought we might as well…read moreeat there as well. There are not that many choices to eat in the area. We were there on a Thursday night so there was no problem getting a table. The service was great and the food was good. Highlights were the fried spicey brussel sprouts and the skillet desert. They were wonderful.i got the hamburger and my wife got the chicken. They were good but not great. We would go back if we return.

Big Bad Breakfast - Lodge

4.4

(120 reviews)

Holy moly! This brunch spot is so good! Living in a large city we have so many options and I…read morethought no way this could be fantastic. IT IS! The breakfast burrito had sausage in it and the flavors were there. They have tomato gravy which is great (not as good as our family secret recipe) but it felt like home ordering this. Hash cakes are dense but still crispy and airy at the same time. The museum is only $10 so may as well walk around after to let the food settle in and shop at the lodge store which has soooo many options. Will be coming here every time I visit family. Best place to eat on this area! And can't forget the fantastic service we received. The sweetest waitress that new the menu front and back with great recommendations

Finally a great breakfast place on I-24 between monteagle and Chattanooga! Connected to the lodge…read moreCast-Iron factory, this place is just minutes off the interstate, easy to find and plenty of parking. It has a bright and open welcoming vibe and our server was outstanding, responsive, courteous and efficient. The selection is large and both of our big breakfasts were very tasty and filling. I had the big bad skillet: scrambled eggs, skillet fried red potatoes and all the meats--bacon, ham and sausage. The combination really works! My partner had the Jack Benny, their version of eggs hollandaise but with a nice slice of ham. I also got their biscuit, which others had recommended to me. Huge biscuits are the rage but not really my fav. This one was crumbly but well baked. The blueberry jam gave it a high yummy rating. Know it is a new southern chain but hey this place and location made it feel like you were back home.

Emma's Family Restaurant

3.7

(101 reviews)

The breakfast buffet at Emma's is fantastic! Delicious food, friendly staff, and great prices. It's…read moremy go-to breakfast spot in Manchester.

5 stars for the type of restaurant this is. You can't come here expecting fine dining, but for the…read moreprice, I think they deserve the 5 stars. We come here when we're in the area for lunch. We've gotten the buffet both times. The buffet is only around $10. I think it's pretty good for that price. I haven't had anything bad here. I like their fried chicken. It's not overcooked or undercooked. The flavor is also good. The skin has a nice crunch to it. I also didn't think their bbq ribs were bad, either. It was nice and tender. I haven't had a bad side dish here. So I really don't have complaints about their sides. They also had a nice salad bar going. They had a lot on their salad bar. The staff were also pretty friendly. Will definitely be back if I'm ever in the area again!

High Point Restaurant

4.1

(183 reviews)

•$$$

The food was amazing and the service was great! We really enjoyed our meal. The ambiance was…read morewonderful with building and outside seating. We definitely recommend High Point to everyone interested in a truly memorable dining experience. Don't forget to try the grilled pound cake!! It was delicious!!

Had our Birthday dinner Friday night and it was spectacular. Beautiful restaurant with a very…read morecomfortable atmosphere. We try to make it up here every year. We also had their Ribeye steak and loaded baked potatoes. This place is definitely worth the trip.

Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe

4.3

(83 reviews)