Ghost & Grits @ The Battery Tasting House - Unique New American Dining

Ghost & Grits @ The Battery Tasting House is a standout New American restaurant nestled in the heart of Jefferson City, TN, offering a truly distinctive culinary experience that beautifully blends local flavors with sophisticated flair. This venue boasts an upscale yet inviting atmosphere marked by comfortable couches and thoughtfully curated seating arrangements, making it an ideal spot for everything from casual brunches to lively dinners with friends.

The menu is a celebration of farm-to-fork philosophy, artfully crafted by a skilled chef who clearly takes pride in his use of fresh, local ingredients and unique spice blends. Diners frequently rave about the memorable dishes such as the soulful grits topped with perfectly poached eggs, rich Mac & Cheese that lingers in your memory, and the decadently seasoned chicken tenders. Brunch selections like savory crepes and fluffy French omelets showcase a harmonious balance of flavors that delight the palate without overwhelming it.

One can’t help but be enticed by the sensory layers woven into every plate—from the crispy, smoky bacon that crackles with flavor, to the fresh, buttery smoked salmon that pairs flawlessly with creative accompaniments. Each bite feels thoughtfully composed, inviting you to savor the nuances of seasoning and the genuine freshness of every ingredient.

The drink program is equally impressive and thoughtfully curated, featuring uniquely crafted cocktails made from their own distillery. Lovers of straight whiskey and cocktails like the tangy Bloody Mary or a vibrant Cubano will find plenty to admire here, though it’s worth noting the absence of traditional brunch cocktails like mimosas or Irish coffee. Nonetheless, the artisanal approach to mixology enhances the overall experience, perfectly complementing the vibrant menu.

While some guests have noted that the ordering process—requiring a visit to the bar corner—can create a bottleneck, this minor hurdle does little to detract from the overall warmth and charm of the venue. The attentive staff, the chef’s personal engagement with diners, and the palpable care in both food and drink make the experience genuinely memorable.

Ghost & Grits is, without doubt, a hidden gem in Jefferson City. Whether you’re a local or a traveler drawn by culinary curiosity, this spot promises an unexpected, delightful journey through contemporary Southern-inspired cuisine served with authenticity and flare. It’s a place that invites you not just to eat, but to truly experience the magic of thoughtful cooking and inspired mixology.

Outdoor seating
Kerbside pickup
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery

Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Richard Dietzman

12/12/2025

Speak easy is more like uneasy. Very strange way to place orders as customers have to bottleneck at the register in the shotty corner of bar with 4 workers standing watching/waiting to take order. Made the whole experience lack luster. Good food & drinks at decent prices with nice upscale atmosphere. Loved the straight whiskey and Cubano

Christopher DeMarcus

02/12/2025

Finally get a chance to go here and eat and it did not disappoint! We drove here on our electric bikes and sat down for a brunch. Would like to have seen mimosas or bellini's, but they only serve hard alcohol. Was hoping to see maybe a alcoholic coffee like a Jamaican coffee or an Irish coffee on the menu as well but that was not there either. So we decided to get a Bloody Mary, surely they can do a Bloody Mary, but was told they could not make that either (that day for some reason), super disappointed But.... the food made up for it. Ya'll owe us a Bloddy Mary .... The food made up for the lack of drink. I do not think I've had a breakfast brunch that good in a long time. We will be going back.

MARK T

09/11/2025

Totally unexpected. A great speakeasy that that has farm to fork food prepared by an excellent chef. The cocktails were amazing and made from their own distillery. Don't expect this to be an hour long dinner. This is an experience. Well worth going just for the drinks and atmosphere also.

Joahna Hall

29/10/2025

We had a very pleasant first experience at Ghost and Grits! Between 5 of us, we enjoyed both burgers, the crepes, omelets and the chicken tenders. All were fabulous and everyone was very impressed. Everything had unique and seasoned flavors that complimented each other well. Will definitely be back again!

Ella Dockery

17/09/2025

We had an exceptional brunch at Ghost & Grits, the menu is quite interesting and they have very reasonable portions. They start by bringing you a pitcher of water, which is very appreciated and thoughtful. Their bacon is to die for. The smoked salmon on my dish tasted so fresh and flavorful and the combination of flavors were a match made in heaven. My husband got a Cubana that is not pictured and it was excellent, too. I had two of their cocktails, the Blackberry Mule on their brunch drinks and the Honeysuckle cocktail on the regular menu, both were well crafted and tasty, I think I favored the blackberry mule the most. Locally sourced ingredients are a big win. The atmosphere is incredible, relaxing, and feels upscale. We look forward to coming back for dinner sometime and enjoying a tasting and maybe even some trivia! (hosted every 3rd Thursday of the month). So so so glad to have such a nice spot in our little (but continuously growing) town!

Keith Bailey

31/08/2025

What a gem in Jefferson City! Unique menu...the chef came to our table and described the dishes and his use of spices and local ingredients. A fun drink menu and an abundance of comfy couches to sit with a group of friends. Just wish you didn't have to go to the bar to order food and drink...but not a deal breaker.

Jen @ Cobble & Spoke

18/08/2025

Absolutely phenomenal food! We stopped in for dinner (grits with poached egg + the Mac & cheese… I’ll be dreaming about that Mac & cheese for a long time ) and loved it so much we came back the next morning for breakfast (French omelets = perfection). Honestly did not expect this level of quality and creativity in a small town - Ghost & Grits is a gem in Jefferson City.