Well-known for its natural wonders and ties to the Civil War, Chattanooga may not stand out to foodies as a must-visit destination at first glance. But at closer inspection, visitors looking for a great bite will see that there is much more to this town than fried chicken. Chattanooga's dining scene is filled with comfort dishes, yes, but it's also involved in the farm-to-table culinary movement. Many of Chattanooga's beloved local eateries source produce, meat and dairy products from farms within a 100-mile radius of town. Most notable of which is the upscale TerraMae, whose owner started a farm to ensure the freshest ingredients, which are grown in compost fertilizer, are utilized in the bistro's Appalachian cuisine. Along with sourcing regional ingredients, Chattanooga prides itself on its large community of local eateries. You won't find a Starbucks on every block here, and the city doesn't even have a Chipotle.

Taco Mamacita reigns supreme as the area's top Mexican joint, while GOOD DOG is the only restaurant of its kind in the city, offering nothing but hot dogs and sausages with loads of toppings. If hot dogs aren't enough to satisfy your carnivorous appetite, head to Urban Stack Burger Lounge for a variety of flavorful patties, including the Philly Cheesesteak Burger. For a great cup of joe, wander to Rembrandt's and indulge in anyone of its house-made breads, French pastries or chocolates. St. John's Restaurant and the Italian eatery Alleia are run by Daniel Lindley, a Chattanooga native and five-time semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. All of these restaurants are a part of the "Harvested Here" farm-to-table program in Chattanooga.

When you're craving something sweet, sample some of the handcrafted ice cream from Clumpies, referred to by the Chattanooga tourism board as an "institution."

There's also the beer. Chattanoogans love beer. Along with the Chattanooga Brewing Company, which was restored in 2010, the city hosts the Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival and the Southern Brewers Festival, where more than 100 different types of brews are regularly showcased from some of the country's most popular craft breweries. If you aren't in town for the festivals, squeeze in Brewhaus, Chattanooga's only German-American-style gastro pub.

And last but not least, MoonPies. MoonPies were invented in Chattanooga. For those unfamiliar, MoonPies are graham cracker marshmallow sandwiches covered entirely in melted chocolate. The name originated when a local coal miner asked a traveling salesman for a snack "as big as the moon" at the beginning of the 20th century. The traveling salesman brought the request back to the Chattanooga Bakery and thus MoonPies were born. Because of their low cost (5 cents!) and small size, they were bought up quickly and eventually sent to the front lines of World War II to give soldiers a taste of home. Today, the Chattanooga Bakery that originally mass-produced the MoonPie is no longer around, but you can still find some at the MoonPie General Store in downtown Chattanooga.