Best hummus I have ever had. Best shrimp dish I have had in recent memory. Amazing whole branzino. Excellent bar service. Friendly and knowledgeable bartender. Best restaurant in Chattanooga? I would say so!
I am so disappointed in my experience here. We walked in the door and weren’t greeted for a good while. Then we were finally seated at a table directly in front of the bar. We were complaining about our wait time for the server at the table, only to find out that our server was the bar tender who was sitting behind the bar talking to his friends. He finally came to give us water, and then took forever to come back and take our order. We sat without water for a majority of our dinner due to the waiter socializing with friends. At one point, there were 5 staff members congregated around the bar and we were still without service. I am not one to complain, but the food is too expensive to get this horrible of service. We ordered chicken shawarma, mushrooms, falafel, and the lamb. The only thing that was good was the chicken shawarma. Everything else was over cooked and tasted like the cook top. By the end of dinner, the bar tender had taken off his apron and was hovering by the table waiting for us to pay/his tip. So we get no service until it comes to his tip? And you’re going to be out of uniform? Just extremely unprofessional. Too expensive to receive this kind of service AND burnt food.Edit to add: i do not care about the alcohol? Yes, i forgot my ID? The server came to the table three times. We waited 8 minutes at the door and 10 at the table? Our food was most definitely burnt? We didn’t have an opportunity to complain considering the server was never at the table? Confused by your response.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Chicken Shawarma
Taylor Beckett
Best food in town. Most welcoming. Would choose this experience over any other refined restaurant in town.
Chattanooga could not be luckier to have this restaurant. Hands down one of the best in the city. The service, drinks, food, all 5 stars. Every time I dine here it’s a near emotional experience. Always left speechless. Thank you for this gift, Calliope!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parker Goodner
Calliope provided one of the very best dining experiences I have ever had in my life tonight. The service, the food, the drinks, the atmosphere — all were top-tier. All of the dishes were very fresh, and the portion sizes were just right for sharing with a date. I am not a food critic, but I like to think that I have good taste, and Calliope checks all the boxes for something fresh and deliciously different. I’m very excited to plan my next visit to this delightful and unique establishment, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Food was spectacular! Atmosphere was upscale urban, definitely didn't feel like I was in Chattanooga. Will 100% go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Ember Roasted Chicken, Hummus with Chicken Shawarma, Burnt Carrots
leighanne moreland
I have NEVER been asked to leave my table right after I’ve paid. The hostess seated us (myself+one other guest) at a four top for our meal around 5:45. Right after we paid and as we were finishing our drinks, the manager approached our table and said we needed to leave because they had a reservation. I did not appreciate being asked to cut my evening short. I still had a few sips of my cocktail and 3/4 or so of my water left. It’s not my fault they can’t properly accommodate reservations.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Caleb Jenkins
Pretty good. Servings are meal sized, so no left overs. Cocktails insane
Adekunle Adebamowo
Reflecting on our visit to Calliope, I offer a comprehensive evaluation encompassing various facets of the dining experience.Parking - 3/10While street parking was limited and a dedicated lot absent, our reliance on Uber mitigated any inconvenience, allowing us to focus on the culinary journey ahead.Initial Reception and Service - 7/10Though not exceptional, the reception and service were satisfactory, ensuring a smooth transition into the dining experience.Seating - 7/10Our seating on the upper level provided comfort overall, notwithstanding occasional discomfort from the higher table and abundance of ordered items. However, this did not detract significantly from our overall enjoyment.Noise Level - 6/10The ambiance boasted decent noise levels and acoustics, although we noted potential for increased noise at peak times, suggesting the need for strategic planning during busier periods.Ambiance - 8/10The dimly lit, warmly inviting atmosphere of Calliope contributed positively to our dining experience, earning commendation for its thoughtful ambiance.Appetizers - 8/10Our exploration of the appetizer offerings revealed a satisfactory variety and taste profile, setting a promising tone for the remainder of the meal.Drinks - 8/10With well-crafted, quality beverages served promptly, the drink selection at Calliope complemented our dining experience admirably.Entrees - 9/10The pinnacle of our culinary journey, the entrees at Calliope were exemplary, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity with a remarkable array of flavors and textures.Dessert - N/AWhile we forwent traditional desserts, the inclusion of a celebratory cake added a thoughtful touch to our experience, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to guest satisfaction.Final Thoughts - 7/10In conclusion, our experience at Calliope yielded a commendable overall rating of 7/10. Despite minor considerations such as parking limitations and seating comfort, the restaurant's strengths in ambiance, cuisine, and service underscore its status as a noteworthy dining destination.This thoughtful review aims to provide insights for future patrons while acknowledging the restaurant's distinctive qualities and areas for potential enhancement.
We went to Calliope as I love Levantine/Mediterranean cuisine. I had made a reservation a few days before. When we arrived, we were told we would have to wait 20 minutes for our table to be ready, which was a bit annoying since usually with reservations we are seated within 5-10 minutes of checking in, sometimes less. Tried to be understanding, but was frustrated.The food was good, but our server wasn't very interactive or engaging at all, and for the most part other servers brought our food or cleared our table. He also forgot to put in one of our orders, though maybe it was just a miscommunication. That said, service didn't positively contribute to our overall experience, especially since it was our first time and we weren't introduced to the menu or asked if we needed anything.Loved the falafel dish, though the flavor profile was a bit similar to the branzino. The mushrooms were much spicier than I thought they would be, I couldn't full enjoy them. The spreads and pita are yummy.For the two of us, we got and shared 1 glass of wine, 2 spreads, 2 small plates (mezze) and 1 entree, and we probably could have gotten more. Spent around $120.Next time, we hope to try different dishes (maybe the chef's special) and have an engaging server to contribute to the experience.Vegetarian options: Sofra cannot be made vegetarian or vegan, but a lot of small plates and sides are vegetarian.
My husband and I had the chicken shawarma, falafel, and potato wedges. Everything was fabulous! All the food had excellent taste and seasoning. Maddie our waitress was exceptional and professional! Will be back again this upcoming week.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L Johnson
I am so glad we picked this out of the list of restaurants on Google maps. We were looking for some quality dinner and couldn't be more satisfied. The food was absolutely top notch as well as the service. Great little spot for ambiance as well. Our server and bartender, Calvin, took such good care of us. Perfect recommendations as well as attention to detail. Definitely would recommend sharing a bunch of dishes as it's more of a Tapas style serving. The flavor and depth more than make up for it though. I'd recommend the whipped feta, burnt carrots, falafel, and chicken shwarma. 10/10 across the board.
We ordered the meal for 2 at $130. We were assured that there would be a variety of chef’s recommendations of entrees. I also specifically asked if the food would be spicy and was assured that the entrees that would be served would not be spicy. 2 days later and my digestive tract is still suffering from the small bites of the food that I forced myself to eat. For the price, the value just wasn’t there for us. I would recommend the brisket and artichokes. Although our waiter Cory was quite busy, he was friendly and went above and beyond to make our dining experience enjoyable. The dessert that was served with the meal for 2 tasted like eating mini wheats. It would have been nice to have an option. The staff was definitely professional and accommodating.
Best hummus I have ever had. Best shrimp dish I have had in recent memory. Amazing whole branzino. Excellent bar service. Friendly and knowledgeable bartender. Best restaurant in Chattanooga? I would say so!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gulf Shrimp, Whole Branzino, Burnt Carrots, Carrots, Hummus
I am so disappointed in my experience here. We walked in the door and weren’t greeted for a good while. Then we were finally seated at a table directly in front of the bar. We were complaining about our wait time for the server at the table, only to find out that our server was the bar tender who was sitting behind the bar talking to his friends. He finally came to give us water, and then took forever to come back and take our order. We sat without water for a majority of our dinner due to the waiter socializing with friends. At one point, there were 5 staff members congregated around the bar and we were still without service. I am not one to complain, but the food is too expensive to get this horrible of service. We ordered chicken shawarma, mushrooms, falafel, and the lamb. The only thing that was good was the chicken shawarma. Everything else was over cooked and tasted like the cook top. By the end of dinner, the bar tender had taken off his apron and was hovering by the table waiting for us to pay/his tip. So we get no service until it comes to his tip? And you’re going to be out of uniform? Just extremely unprofessional. Too expensive to receive this kind of service AND burnt food.Edit to add: i do not care about the alcohol? Yes, i forgot my ID? The server came to the table three times. We waited 8 minutes at the door and 10 at the table? Our food was most definitely burnt? We didn’t have an opportunity to complain considering the server was never at the table? Confused by your response.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Chicken Shawarma
Best food in town. Most welcoming. Would choose this experience over any other refined restaurant in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ember Roasted Chicken, Chicken Shawarma Hummus, Fattoush, Burnt Carrots
My favorite restaurant in Chattanooga!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chattanooga could not be luckier to have this restaurant. Hands down one of the best in the city. The service, drinks, food, all 5 stars. Every time I dine here it’s a near emotional experience. Always left speechless. Thank you for this gift, Calliope!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Calliope provided one of the very best dining experiences I have ever had in my life tonight. The service, the food, the drinks, the atmosphere — all were top-tier. All of the dishes were very fresh, and the portion sizes were just right for sharing with a date. I am not a food critic, but I like to think that I have good taste, and Calliope checks all the boxes for something fresh and deliciously different. I’m very excited to plan my next visit to this delightful and unique establishment, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafel, Whole Branzino, Burnt Carrots
Food was spectacular! Atmosphere was upscale urban, definitely didn't feel like I was in Chattanooga. Will 100% go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Ember Roasted Chicken, Hummus with Chicken Shawarma, Burnt Carrots
I have NEVER been asked to leave my table right after I’ve paid. The hostess seated us (myself+one other guest) at a four top for our meal around 5:45. Right after we paid and as we were finishing our drinks, the manager approached our table and said we needed to leave because they had a reservation. I did not appreciate being asked to cut my evening short. I still had a few sips of my cocktail and 3/4 or so of my water left. It’s not my fault they can’t properly accommodate reservations.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Pretty good. Servings are meal sized, so no left overs. Cocktails insane
Reflecting on our visit to Calliope, I offer a comprehensive evaluation encompassing various facets of the dining experience.Parking - 3/10While street parking was limited and a dedicated lot absent, our reliance on Uber mitigated any inconvenience, allowing us to focus on the culinary journey ahead.Initial Reception and Service - 7/10Though not exceptional, the reception and service were satisfactory, ensuring a smooth transition into the dining experience.Seating - 7/10Our seating on the upper level provided comfort overall, notwithstanding occasional discomfort from the higher table and abundance of ordered items. However, this did not detract significantly from our overall enjoyment.Noise Level - 6/10The ambiance boasted decent noise levels and acoustics, although we noted potential for increased noise at peak times, suggesting the need for strategic planning during busier periods.Ambiance - 8/10The dimly lit, warmly inviting atmosphere of Calliope contributed positively to our dining experience, earning commendation for its thoughtful ambiance.Appetizers - 8/10Our exploration of the appetizer offerings revealed a satisfactory variety and taste profile, setting a promising tone for the remainder of the meal.Drinks - 8/10With well-crafted, quality beverages served promptly, the drink selection at Calliope complemented our dining experience admirably.Entrees - 9/10The pinnacle of our culinary journey, the entrees at Calliope were exemplary, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity with a remarkable array of flavors and textures.Dessert - N/AWhile we forwent traditional desserts, the inclusion of a celebratory cake added a thoughtful touch to our experience, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to guest satisfaction.Final Thoughts - 7/10In conclusion, our experience at Calliope yielded a commendable overall rating of 7/10. Despite minor considerations such as parking limitations and seating comfort, the restaurant's strengths in ambiance, cuisine, and service underscore its status as a noteworthy dining destination.This thoughtful review aims to provide insights for future patrons while acknowledging the restaurant's distinctive qualities and areas for potential enhancement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank, Whole Branzino
Restaurantji Recommends
Magnificent food for gluten-free!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Calliope as I love Levantine/Mediterranean cuisine. I had made a reservation a few days before. When we arrived, we were told we would have to wait 20 minutes for our table to be ready, which was a bit annoying since usually with reservations we are seated within 5-10 minutes of checking in, sometimes less. Tried to be understanding, but was frustrated.The food was good, but our server wasn't very interactive or engaging at all, and for the most part other servers brought our food or cleared our table. He also forgot to put in one of our orders, though maybe it was just a miscommunication. That said, service didn't positively contribute to our overall experience, especially since it was our first time and we weren't introduced to the menu or asked if we needed anything.Loved the falafel dish, though the flavor profile was a bit similar to the branzino. The mushrooms were much spicier than I thought they would be, I couldn't full enjoy them. The spreads and pita are yummy.For the two of us, we got and shared 1 glass of wine, 2 spreads, 2 small plates (mezze) and 1 entree, and we probably could have gotten more. Spent around $120.Next time, we hope to try different dishes (maybe the chef's special) and have an engaging server to contribute to the experience.Vegetarian options: Sofra cannot be made vegetarian or vegan, but a lot of small plates and sides are vegetarian.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chicken Shawarma Hummus, Falafel
My husband and I had the chicken shawarma, falafel, and potato wedges. Everything was fabulous! All the food had excellent taste and seasoning. Maddie our waitress was exceptional and professional! Will be back again this upcoming week.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am so glad we picked this out of the list of restaurants on Google maps. We were looking for some quality dinner and couldn't be more satisfied. The food was absolutely top notch as well as the service. Great little spot for ambiance as well. Our server and bartender, Calvin, took such good care of us. Perfect recommendations as well as attention to detail. Definitely would recommend sharing a bunch of dishes as it's more of a Tapas style serving. The flavor and depth more than make up for it though. I'd recommend the whipped feta, burnt carrots, falafel, and chicken shwarma. 10/10 across the board.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gulf Shrimp, Chicken Shawarma Hummus, Falafel, Lamb Neck, Burnt Carrots
We ordered the meal for 2 at $130. We were assured that there would be a variety of chef’s recommendations of entrees. I also specifically asked if the food would be spicy and was assured that the entrees that would be served would not be spicy. 2 days later and my digestive tract is still suffering from the small bites of the food that I forced myself to eat. For the price, the value just wasn’t there for us. I would recommend the brisket and artichokes. Although our waiter Cory was quite busy, he was friendly and went above and beyond to make our dining experience enjoyable. The dessert that was served with the meal for 2 tasted like eating mini wheats. It would have been nice to have an option. The staff was definitely professional and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket