Eat beyond Cookeville: day-trip towns & nearby communities.
Cookeville is the hub of Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland, with dozens of small towns and communities within an easy drive. Use this page to discover nearby spots like Crossville, Sparta, Livingston, Monterey, Smithville, Gainesboro, Baxter, Algood, and more when you want a short drive and a new place to eat.
Upper Cumberland counties at a glance
Tap a county to explore. Or tap a town marker to jump directly to that town page.
Go-to nearby towns from Cookeville
Towns most Cookeville locals visit for food, lakes, and small-town downtowns.
Sparta
~25 minutes south on US-111Small-town square, access to Calfkiller River, and a handful of classic diners and meat-and-threes.
Crossville
~45 minutes east on I-40Golf capital of Tennessee with plenty of casual spots, chains, and local restaurants on the Cumberland Plateau.
Livingston
~25 minutes north on TN-111Historic courthouse square with cafes and easy access toward Dale Hollow Lake.
Monterey
~20 minutes east on I-40High-elevation railroad town with a couple of local restaurants and quick access to state parks.
Smithville
~45 minutes southwest toward Center Hill LakeGateway to Center Hill Lake with seasonal traffic, marinas, and local spots to grab a bite.
Gainesboro
~30 minutes northwestQuiet riverside town on the Cumberland River with a small downtown and access to fishing and boating.
Baxter
~15 minutes westSmall community just off I-40 with a growing mix of local spots and quick highway access.
Algood
~10 minutes northSuburban-style area just north of Cookeville with several everyday restaurants and chains.
McMinnville
~1 hour southNursery capital of the world with a revitalizing downtown and access to Cumberland Caverns.
Lake & outdoor day-trip spots
Communities near Center Hill, Dale Hollow, Cordell Hull, and Cumberland Plateau parks.
Byrdstown
~1 hour northClose to Dale Hollow Lake marinas and fishing spots; expect marina grills and seasonal eateries.
Celina
~1 hour northAnother Dale Hollow gateway town with a few local restaurants and lake-going traffic.
Carthage
~50 minutes westHistoric town on the Cumberland River with nearby Cordell Hull Lake access.
Granville
~50 minutes northwestTiny historic river town with festivals, a riverboat feel, and limited but charming food options.
Fairfield Glade
~55 minutes eastResort and retirement community near Crossville with golf, lakes, and on-site dining.
Crab Orchard
~50 minutes eastPlateau community between Cookeville and Knoxville with a few local options and scenic rock outcrops.
Pleasant Hill
~50 minutes eastSmall historic community west of Crossville with a quiet, rural feel.
Jamestown
~1 hour northeastGateway to Big South Fork with trail access, horseback riding, and a few local restaurants.
Clarkrange
≈50 minutes northeastPlateau community on TN-62, often used as a pass-through toward Big South Fork and East Tennessee.
Explore Upper Cumberland cities & towns
These are cities and communities that make up Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region.
We’re gradually adding more detail pages and restaurant coverage for these towns. Have a restaurant you love in one of these communities? Tell us about it here.