After a day of exploring the popular museums in Oak Ridge or learning important parts about the city’s history, you’re sure to have worked up quite the appetite. Luckily, Oak Ridge has a number of delicious dining options, whether you just want to grab a drink and a quick bite, or enjoy a family meal. To help you decide where to eat, we’ve put together a list of 5 of the best restaurants in Oak Ridge TN that you have to try:

1. Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery

If you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned Southern cooking, head to Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery. This restaurant is simple yet scrumptious. The restaurant serves fresh dishes that reflect its Appalachian roots. The menu features favorites like turkey and dressing, salmon patties, pot roast and fried catfish. And you can’t leave without trying something fresh from the bakery! All the desserts are homemade. You can even grab a pie to take back home with you.

2. Crafter’s Brew Market and Social

Crafter’s Brew Market & Social is Oak Ridge’s first beer market and social! With 24 craft beers on tap, a spacious patio and various food trucks, this is the perfect place to go for a small bite to eat, good drinks and a great time. Crafter’s Brew in Oak Ridge is all about creating an entertaining experience for guests. Visit their Facebook page to see what live entertainment and food trucks you can expect to see there when you go!

3. Aubrey’s Restaurant

Aubrey’s in Oak Ridge serves fresh and delicious foods that everyone will love! The menu features a variety of homestyle favorites, like Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Barbeque Ribs and an Old Fashioned Patty Melt. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll be able to find it at Aubrey’s, from salads, to sandwiches, to steaks. Aubrey’s even serves special dishes just for the kids, like a PB&J sandwich, grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

4. Calhoun’s

For both a mouth-watering dinner and an incredible view, head to Calhoun’s in Oak Ridge. This is the newest Calhoun’s location and is located along the banks of Melton Hill Lake and the Oak Ridge greenway. No matter where you are seated, you’ll have beautiful views of the water. The restaurant is accessible by boat as well, so if you’re out on the lake, you can enjoy a nice dinner at Calhoun’s! There is even a covered outdoor dining patio and seating around a fire pit that offers a panoramic view of Melton Hill Lake. Dine on favorites like Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Ribs, Calhoun’s Trio or the Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Pork Plate.

5. Big Ed’s Pizza

Everyone loves pizza, but have you ever tried Big Ed’s Pizza? Big Ed’s Pizza is the most popular pizza place in Oak Ridge. With a simple menu of just pizza and beverages, Big Ed’s uses only the highest quality of ingredients for its pizza. Customers are able to watch their pizza being made in the open kitchen, as the pizza makers make it by hand, slide it into the stone floor gas ovens, then cut it into slices using large scissors. You can enjoy BBQ Chicken or Big Ed’s Special that has ham, sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers, or you can build your own pizza! Big Ed’s offers a unique dining experience you can’t get at any other pizza place.

Be sure to try one of these places to eat next time you’re in Oak Ridge. Check out more restaurants in Oak Ridge, TN and decide where you want to eat when you visit!