Tennessee’s fall food scene stretches far beyond barbecue and hot chicken (although both should be on your foodie bucket list). Here’s what’s new for 2026, followed by my firsthand Franklin-to-Nashville-to-Memphis culinary road trip. Nearly every stop offered a surprise alongside the Southern dishes I already loved.
Highlights
- Explore what’s new in Tennessee’s culinary scene this fall, including fun fall food festivals and events.
- Find my favorite places to eat in Franklin, Nashville and Memphis, including the one restaurant I would choose for a romantic dinner.
- Use my firsthand planning tips to decide where to stay, how long to spend in each city and which experiences require reservations.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
What’s New in Tennessee’s Culinary Scene This Fall
Tennessee’s fall food calendar extends well beyond barbecue. The recently launched Cork to Fork Culinary Trail connects Tennessee distilleries with restaurants serving dishes designed to accompany local spirits. New restaurants, a distillery and a full calendar of fall food festivals make me want to plan a return trip this autumn.
Tennessee’s Fantastic Fall Culinary and Beverage Festivals
BearVarian Fall Festival(Gatlinburg)
- Why Go: Anakeesta celebrates fall with Smoky Mountain views, live entertainment and Bavarian-inspired food throughout the park.
- Logistics: August 28 – Nov. 1 | 10am – 9pm | 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | Basic Admission $39.99, Child $27.99, Senior $34.99: Additional fees for Beer Tasting and other activities.
Cheekwood Harvest Night Evening Cocktails (Nashville)
- Why Go: Cheekwood offers a quieter alternative to a crowded street festival. Walk through 55 acres of fall color before stopping for a craft beer or cocktail and live music.
- Logistics: On Thursdays, September 24 – October 29, 2026, from 5 – 9pm | Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN | Tickets ~$21 per adult. Reserve tickets online. | Non-Members: $5 per order parking fee
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival (Pigeon Forge)
- Why Go: Dollywood’s fall celebration combines seasonal dishes and live music with Great Pumpkin LumiNights. After dark, thousands of illuminated pumpkins transform parts of the park. I would visit this festival for the Cinnamon Bread alone.
- Logistics: Sept. 14 – Oct. 31, 2026 | Time varies by date. | 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | Included with regular admission.
Unicoi County Apple Festival (Erwin)
- Why Go: Celebrate apple season in downtown Erwin with hundreds of vendors, arts and crafts, food, live entertainment and family activities. The two-day festival has become one of Northeast Tennessee’s signature fall traditions. I haven’t attended this one yet, but a cold glass of apple cider would be enough to draw me to Erwin.
- Logistics: Oct. 2 – 3 | 8am – 8pm | Downtown Erwin, TN | Free Admission
National Banana Pudding Festival (Centerville)
- Why Go: Banana pudding! Need I say more? In addition to honoring one of the South’s favorite desserts, the festival also features live entertainment, vendors, family activities and its popular Puddin’ Path.
- Logistics: Oct. 3-4, 2026 | Sat.: 9am–5pm; Sun.: Noon–5pm | Hickman County Ag Pavilion, Upper Shipps Bend Rd., Centerville, TN 37033 | $10 adults; $5 children ages 5–12; under 5 free; active military free with ID. Advance one-day adult tickets are currently $7. Puddin’ Path tasting is an additional $10. Free offsite parking/shuttle or $20 onsite parking.
Jack Daniel’s World Championship Barbecue Invitational(Lynchburg)
- Why Go: Sample award-winning barbecue from world-class pitmasters paired with private distillery access and exclusive single-barrel whiskey tastings. I especially enjoyed watching the pitmasters work at the Jack Daniel’s barbecue competition. The smell alone makes it impossible to walk through Wiseman Park without getting hungry.
- Logistics: October 9-10, 2026 | 9am – 5pm | Wiseman Park & Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg, TN) | Free grounds admission; tasting/tour passes ~$25–$75.
Wine Over Water Food & Wine Festival(Chattanooga)
- Why Go: Sample hundreds of regional and international wines alongside local chef pairings while strolling across the historic Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge spanning the Tennessee River.
- Logistics: October 10, 2026 | 4 – 6:30pm | Renaissance Park, 133 River St, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405 | Tickets: $95.
Franklin Pumpkinfest (Franklin)
- Why Go: Downtown Franklin transforms into a lively fall street festival filled with costumes, seasonal entertainment, food, vendors and family activities. The historic Main Street setting makes it an especially picturesque place to celebrate Halloween weekend.
- Logistics: Oct. 24-25, 2026 | Sat.: 10am – 6pm; Sun.: 11am – 5pm | Main Street, Historic Downtown Franklin, TN 37064 | FREE admission
- Add an Orchard: Pick some apples at Morning Glory Orchard (Nolensville), which is a short drive from Franklin.
Townsend Grain & Grits Festival (Townsend)
- Why Go: Tennessee distillers and Southern culinary talent come together for an evening of tastings in the Smoky Mountains. Guests can sample craft spirits and chef-created dishes while enjoying live music and the relaxed atmosphere of Townsend.
- Logistics: Nov. 7, 2026 | 6–9pm, Parking opens 5pm; gates open 6pm; entertainment 7–8:30pm; event ends 9pm. | Townsend Event Center, 7930 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Townsend, TN 37882 | Ticketed, ages 21+ only. $106.60
- Add an Orchard: Pick up some fresh apples and all types of apple products at Carver’s Applehouse Restaurant & Orchard (Cosby) or The Apple Barn (Sevierville). Both in the Smokies gateway area.
Tennessee’s Latest Culinary Openings and Experiences
- Cork to Fork Culinary Trail (Statewide)Recently launched by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, this new culinary experience pairs distilleries with local restaurants to create whiskey-inspired dishes and curated tasting experiences like maple bread pudding and smoked old-fashioned bone-in pork loin. Sure sounds like fall food to me. I can’t wait to follow this portion of the trail.
- Leatherwood Distillery(Clarksville)This new Clarksville distillery adds another stop for whiskey lovers exploring Tennessee’s growing spirits scene.
New Restaurant Openings On My Radar
- W Nashville: This hotel has two new restaurants, Bar Mar, which focuses on seafood, cocktails and dishes influenced by Spanish coastal cooking, and Butterfly, a rooftop restaurant that combines city views with a menu influenced by the cultures and cuisines found along the monarch butterfly’s migration route.
- Valley Kitchen Restaurant: HampshireValley Kitchen brings a more polished dining option to Tennessee’s countryside.
- The Family Diner: WaynesboroCasual comfort food paired with community events and hometown charm.
Tennessee Foodie Road Trip
We began in Franklin, continued to Nashville and ended in Memphis. Along the way, our meals ranged from cafeteria-style catfish and biscuits to handmade pasta, blindfolded honey tastings and formal fine dining.
Chelsea Trott, Communications Manager for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, commented, “Tennessee’s culinary scene is rooted in tradition and elevated by innovation, featuring everything from hot chicken, barbecue and Appalachian fare to chef-driven cuisine inspired by global flavors.
Across the state, our restaurants and award-winning chefs tell the story of Tennessee’s people and places, a story now recognized on the national stage with 36 restaurants featured in the MICHELIN Guide to the American South.”…