Perched on the banks of the Cumberland River near the Kentucky border, Clarksville carries the rhythm of both Southern tradition and military community energy.
Home to Fort Campbell and Austin Peay State University, the city pulses with a unique blend of longtime residents and temporary arrivals, all seeking comfort food that feels like home—whether that home is Tennessee, Kentucky, or somewhere far away.
1. The Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
Housed in a restored tobacco warehouse with soaring ceilings and exposed brick walls, The Blackhorse represents Clarksville’s evolution from sleepy river town to vibrant community.
The brewery produces small-batch beers that reflect local tastes—a smooth amber that appeals to bourbon drinkers, a hoppy IPA for adventurous palates, and seasonal selections that incorporate regional ingredients like sorghum and Tennessee whiskey.
The food menu celebrates Southern comfort with contemporary twists: beer-cheese soup made with their own amber ale, Nashville hot chicken served over buttermilk biscuits, and barbecue nachos that could feed a platoon from nearby Fort Campbell.
2. Silke’s Old World Breads
What began as a German immigrant’s homesickness cure has evolved into Clarksville’s most beloved bakery and café.
Silke’s produces authentic European breads—crusty sourdough, dense pumpernickel, sweet challah—alongside American breakfast favorites like cinnamon rolls the size of dinner plates.
The café menu reflects owner Silke’s journey from Bavaria to Tennessee: bratwurst and sauerkraut served alongside country ham biscuits, German potato salad sharing space with Southern coleslaw.
3. The Strawberry Patch Restaurant
For over four decades, The Strawberry Patch has served as Clarksville’s comfort food headquarters, the kind of place where waitresses call everyone “honey” and the pie case changes with whatever fruit is in season.
The restaurant occupies a converted house with multiple dining rooms, each decorated with antique quilts and local historical photographs that tell the story of Clarksville’s river heritage.
The menu reads like a Southern cookbook’s greatest hits: country-fried steak with white gravy, catfish with hush puppies, and chicken and dumplings that taste like someone’s grandmother spent all day in the kitchen.
4. Yada Thai
Clarksville’s military connections have created demand for international cuisine, and Yada Thai satisfies cravings for authentic Southeast Asian flavors.
The small restaurant, operated by a Thai family who understands both traditional preparation and American palates, serves dishes that balance heat, sweet, sour, and salt in perfect harmony.
The pad thai achieves the ideal texture—rice noodles that retain slight firmness, vegetables that provide crunch, and sauce that coats without overwhelming.
5. Riverfest Pizza & Pub
Located near the Cumberland River with outdoor seating that takes advantage of Clarksville’s mild climate, Riverfest serves pizza that rivals anything found in larger cities while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that defines small-town Tennessee.
The wood-fired oven produces pies with perfectly charred crusts and toppings that celebrate both Italian tradition and Southern ingredients—the “Tennessee Hot” features Nashville hot chicken with ranch drizzle, while the “Fort Campbell Special” loads pepperoni, sausage, and jalapeños on a crust that can handle serious appetite.
Get the All-American Travel Secrets!
Don't miss out on America's hidden gems!
