Cookeville, Tennessee · Published by Emberlight Studios
Updated October 2026 · 7 places · Cookeville
Quick answer
Our top picks are The Back Room Bistro, Bobby Q’s and Savor Cookeville.
Here are eight locally owned Cookeville restaurants with current source-confirmed listings and food options around $15 or less. The prices noted are menu examples, not a claim that every meal costs $15 or less.
$ · 39 West Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
The Back Room Bistro is a local restaurant focused on breakfast and lunch. It serves sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast entrees and daily hot specials.
Best for: breakfast and lunch
$ · 428 E Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
Bobby Q’s is a barbecue restaurant in downtown Cookeville. It is known for smoked barbecue meats, with menu listings for pork and beef plates priced under $15.
Best for: barbecue
$ · 35 W Broad St, Cookeville, TN 38501
Savor Cookeville is a locally owned American restaurant. Its menu includes items such as a $10 half-sandwich-and-soup option and a $13 ham sandwich.
Best for: lunch
$ · 32 North Cedar Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501
Father Tom’s Pub is a pub serving food in Cookeville. Its menu includes a $12 deluxe quesadilla and $13 pasta and potato-chip options.
Best for: pub food
37 North Cedar Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501
37 Cedar is a restaurant and bar in Cookeville. The Tennessee tourism listing gives its address and operating hours; an inexpensive meal price was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Best for: lunch
1 N Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
Cinco Amigos is a Mexican restaurant serving lunch and dinner in Cookeville. Its listing confirms the location and regular daily operating hours; a specific menu price was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Best for: Mexican
900 S Jefferson Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
El Tapatio is a Mexican restaurant in Cookeville serving lunch and dinner. Its listing confirms the address and regular hours; a specific menu price was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Best for: Mexican