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  5. Chattanooga

Primo

4.9
4.9
143 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Primo, which opened in the spring of 2014, is restaurateur Nathan Lindley’s tribute to his own North Chattanooga neighborhood, presented as a classic American-Italian neighborhood restaurant. Taking its culinary direction from the traditional Italian restaurants of the Northeast, Primo celebrates the rich and comforting dishes that were inspired by Italian cooking and influenced by American prosperity.
As a casual neighborhood bar and restaurant, Primo does not accept reservations for a specific time. A limited number of guests may guarantee a waiting table at the 5:00 opening each night. Also, throughout the night guests may call ahead to the restaurant at 423.602.5555 to be added to the waiting list. The dedicated staff and lively communal environment make for a short and enjoyable wait. Come see us soon.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 1 time today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Wine Bar

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (423) 602-5555

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Nathan Lindley

  • Catering

    Primo Caters! Contact Josh at 423.602.5555 for a catering menu and more information.

  • Neighborhood

    Chattanooga

  • Cross street

    Hanover St.

  • Parking details

    Large, attached private lot. Also, ample street parking.

  • Additional

    Beer, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine

What 143 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Tennessee

    Best Overall

  • East Tennessee

    Best Food

  • East Tennessee

    Best Service

  • East Tennessee

    Best Ambiance

  • East Tennessee

    Best Value

  • East Tennessee

    Healthy

  • East Tennessee

    Neighborhood gem

  • East Tennessee

    Lively

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Best Overall

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Best Food

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Best Service

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Best Ambiance

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Best Value

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Healthy

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Hot spot

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Neighborhood gem

  • Chattanooga / Cleveland

    Lively

Sort by

  1. RichardS

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    This is a great restaurant the food and service are very good. It can get a little noisy at times but that is not a deal breaker.
  2. KaylaE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was my first time, and I was very pleased. Great food, service was excellent.
  3. ShirleyV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorite local restaurants with a great friendly and super efficient staff. The atmosphere is upbeat and fun and the food is always delicious. The lasagna is so good but you can’t make a bad choice when ordering any of their menu items. Try to get a reservation or arrive early because it’s busy every night. Love everything about this great place.
  4. KarenB

    Jacksonville

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were phenomenal!! We will definitely be back!
  5. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place. Not been there in a few years and so glad we stopped in. Started at. At with two perfect martini’s. The to cozy booth and had the feta bolognese sauce appetizer. Next was most incredible Lasagna and outstanding Caesar Salad. BOOM! Already l have plans to go. Ack in two weeks
  6. Nana

    E. Tennessee

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappoints. Great value. Excellent service.
  7. JDEVS

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    We love this restaurant! Food is excellent! However, our waiter didn’t seem very friendly. He was knowledgeable yet not very personable. We usually have a friendly server but not this time
  8. JeanD

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 21, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Il Primo was excellent. The food and service was top knotch!
  9. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was our first time at Primo! Everything was great! Our good did take a LONG time to come out though. No worries. We loved the food, drinks, server, and everything else!
  10. NancyM

    E. Tennessee

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall2food3service4ambience1
    Sat by the kitchen…too noisy!
  11. JennyP

    Charleston

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always one of the top dining experiences in Chattanooga. Never disappoints.
  12. EmilyF

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is good, Taylor was an excellent server!
  13. SaraP

    Tampa

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The best Italian meal we’ve ever had! Stop thinking about it and just go here! Everything was amazing. Service was top notch as well.
  14. TNDOC

    New Orleans

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great!
  15. baldvol

    E. Tennessee

    40 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    Food was good but slow to come out. We had a 5 o'clock reservation and a show at 7. The food did not come out until 6:30.
  16. Becky

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food is fantastic! Their seafood specials are always interesting and yummy.
  17. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful time!
  18. Becky

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Their fresh fish specials are always delicious.
  19. VMVAtlanta

    Atlanta Metro

    343 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    343 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Alan, the Server, provided impressive service. He was friendly, helpful, and attentive. The food is delicious. Recommend the Toasted Ravioli, the Special Salad, the Rigatoni, the Chicken Picatta, and the Limoncello Pie. The Marinara was so flavorful that we purchased some to take home. This was our first time dining at Primo. It was an enjoyable dining experience, and we look forward to returning the next time we are in Chattanooga!
  20. ShellyM

    E. Tennessee

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and atmosphere! Love taking guests here.
  21. DavidF

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The flavors in all of the food are well balanced. All of the food was cooked perfectly. The butternut squash risotto with scallops was excellent. Service was great.
  22. TNDOC

    New Orleans

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome as usual!
  23. JJBC

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We’ve been to Primo multiple times and it has never disappointed in either quality of food or service. Our server last night was phenomenal in his ability to juggle multiple tables (indoors and outdoors) and still keep up with every detail requested by every table. It got a bit noisier than we usually like but we find that happens some nights with the open plan seating. But if you go early it usually stays a social buzz rather than a Saturday night roar.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Jacksonville

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was good and the food was delicious
  25. TNDOC

    New Orleans

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent as always
  26. karen

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Absolutely one of our favorite restaurants. The food is always delicious and the wait staff is the best!
  27. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was great. Caprese salad was awesome.
  28. MarkS

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    My wife and I are regulars to El Primo Hixon location. Food is excellent ! The last few times we visited the restaurant we were less than impressed with the waitstaff. We were seated at 5:00pm. Waiter came to the table to take our drink and cocktail order. He was friendly, talked about specials. We asked for bread. At 5:30, no drinks, no bread, no waiter. He walked by again and we ask for bread and to check on our drinks. Drinks arrived 5 minutes later and still no bread. We asked a third time and someone else brought the bread. When he finally came back to the table we asked him why he disappeared. He said, they were very busy. He had 4 to 5 tables and did not know how to work them simultaneously. He went to every table and discussed the specials and took drink orders for all 4 tables. That is the wrong protocol for waiting on groups of people. I've been in in the food business for 48 years and I can tell you firsthand that this gentleman needed training and assistance! We love Primo, and we will keep going back, however, someone needs to work with their waitstaff to improve their interaction with their customers. Very frustrating!!
  29. Jimmy

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Wonderful dinner on the patio. Quickly becoming one of our local favs.
  30. MJLS

    Baltimore

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious as always. Our server was super friendly and steered me to the carbonara. It was rich and delicious! (all restaurants don't make it right)
  31. PhilipL

    E. Tennessee

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful Italian food and very attentive service! Great specialty cocktails and dinner specials. One of our Chattanooga favorites!
  32. CharlesR

    Western NC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Waiter was very knowledgeable, efficient and good personality. Food great as always. Our fav Italian.
  33. Armtdm

    E. Tennessee

    16 reviews

    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    First, do not use open table for a reservation. It seems that Primo only gives them 10% and all at 5PM. If you want another time call the restaurant directly. Been here many times, almost all great but this time really disappointing. The sausage and peppers were significantly overcooked. The order taking forever to arrive was an indicator. They offered to replace etc. but not worth the hassle, did present a free dessert. Every restaurant bombs at some point and this was one of theirs, we will go back eventually but this one was a disaster.
  34. Mimi

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 6, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Food is always yummy! Disappointed they were out of gluten free noodles. Service was slow.
  35. FallGuy

    Toronto

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time at PRIMO, after having it recommended to us by many new friends in the Chattanooga area, as we just moved to the area recently. I made reservations for 19:30, and arrived at 19:25, after a 40 minute drive. The place was packed, and we weren’t seated at our table until one minute before 20:00… I thought we made a mistake making reservations here, and wasn’t impressed. It took another 12 minutes to get glasses water and 5 more minutes after that to receive a requested plate of bread while we were looking at the menus. At this point I was certain I was going to give this restaurant two stars at the most. But as the place started being a little less packed from the dinner rush, the service was impeccable, and the food simply incredible. We ordered Beef Carpaccio, olives, and Burrata for appetizers, Spinach Strawberry Salads, and five different main courses with several sides for the four of us. The food was absolutely amazing, and the presentation was fantastic, despite a rocky start of being seated almost 1/2 hour after our reservations, the restaurant, and the staff completely changed my initial impression, and they absolutely deserved the five star rating. We will definitely be back there in the very near future.
  36. Catt

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food!! Great staff!!! We love it there!!!
  37. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful, some of the best food
  38. SKS1

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    This was our first time to Primo. In from WI for the 70.3 Ironman race. All of the entrees were excellent-salmon, filet, four cheese pasta and pasta special. Our server new the details of the menu well and was attentive, but not overwhelming. Overall a good experience. Would highly recommend.
  39. CalebW

    E. Tennessee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Primo! We’re there at least twice a month!
  40. MaggieL

    E. Tennessee

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sat outside. Fans made it comfortable. Food didn’t disappoint. Had the Halibut. Delicious. My friend had the ribeye.

FAQs

Primo does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Primo also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (423) 602-5555.

Primo is rated 4.9 stars by 143 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 1 time today
Google Map for Primo

1100 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Hanover St.

  • Neighborhood

    Chattanooga

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Wine Bar

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Large, attached private lot. Also, ample street parking.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Nathan Lindley

  • Additional

    Beer, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine

  • Phone number

    (423) 602-5555

  • Catering

    Primo Caters! Contact Josh at 423.602.5555 for a catering menu and more information.

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