Hungry Mother

825 Houston St, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
+1 423-464-0009
$$$ Cafe , Coffee shop
(42 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Hungry Mother fits comfortably into Chattanooga’s café scene, offering a space that draws in a mix of locals and travelers looking for quality coffee paired with thoughtfully crafted food. Located on Houston Street, it’s the kind of spot that immediately signals a hands-on approach to every detail—whether in the perfectly baked bread or the carefully calibrated espresso servings.

The atmosphere leans cozy and approachable, with a welcoming vibe that makes it ideal for a morning stop before work or a laid-back afternoon break. Many visitors remark on the friendly staff and owners who are clearly passionate about the community and take time to walk guests through the menu, which reflects the same level of care found in their drinks and dishes.

Coffee here stands out not just for its quality but also for adventurous flavor combinations, from a watermelon mint cold brew to unique lattes with salted maple or tahini, hinting at a place unafraid to explore beyond traditional offerings. For those who prefer simple classics, the presence of a Slayer espresso machine guarantees a serious cup, appreciated by even the most discerning riders and road-trippers passing through.

Hungry Mother’s food menu balances comfort with freshness. The sandwiches—especially options like the fried zucchini and the Italian—are praised for perfect bread and fresh ingredients, making each bite memorable without being fussy. There’s also a notable pastry selection, with items like the double chocolate sugar cookie featuring prominently as a sweet finish or mid-day treat.

Best times to visit are mornings for a fresh start or early afternoons when the café fills with locals catching up or working quietly. The overall setting offers a lived-in comfort, like cozying up at home but with the bonus of delicious smells from freshly baked goods and expertly brewed coffee in the air. Whether stopping by for a quick espresso or settling in with a pastry and one of the more inventive cold brews, Hungry Mother reflects a blend of quality, care, and community that resonates well beyond its walls.

What they serve
Coffee
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

42 Reviews
Jack Winningham

01 Jan 2026

How does one fully describe just how good Hungry Mother is? I'm going to try, first off you can tell as soon as you walk in just how much attention to detail and care is put into every aspect. The owners and staff are always so welcoming and take their time describing new specials. Don't know if I can say "specials" because everything is SPECIAL!! You really can't go wrong with anything! And I don't know how they do it but their coffees are so unique and flavorful. It takes incredible talent to pack so much flavor into a cappuccino or latte without making it overly sweet but they do it!! Very flavor forward without the crazy sweetness like other shops. AND the cortado and cappuccino cups are made by a local potter, AWESOME! So do yourself a favor and stop here for breakfast or lunch to experience the magic.

seth quest

18 Dec 2025

One of the best café stops on my ride from Florida to NYC. I had the everything bagel with cream cheese and scallions—hands down the best bagel I’ve had in a long time. The coffee was amazing. They’ve got a Slayer espresso machine, which is seriously legit. Matt, one of the owners, was super friendly and welcoming. You can tell they care about quality and community. This place is a gem. I’m already planning to come back tomorrow to try one of their sandwiches. Highly recommend.

Esther L

10 Dec 2025

The fried zucchini is one of the best sandwiches I think I've ever had. Not exaggerating. The bread? Perfection. The ingredients? Fresh. Don't even get me started on their drinks! The watermelon mint cold brew is an unexpected and refreshing flavor combo.

Danika Williams

06 Dec 2025

Came to Chatt from Atlanta for my boyfriend’s birthday and we heard about this place from a video we saw online and decided to come check it out. The guy working the counter was so knowledgeable about the drinks and man was he spot on! We had the pecan latte and also the italian sandwich - TO DIE FOR!! Everyone was so kind and the atmosphere was perfect. It literally felt like cozying up at home. We will be back to chattanooga just to come here again!

Meli Mel

27 Nov 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Best Smelling Cafe with Must-Try Coffee! For real, the smell of fresh bread as you walk in is all you can focus on! This place is beautiful, quaint, and has a chill vibe. The food and coffee are exceptional! I ordered the Trout Bagel (fresh bread, so good! FYI: the trout is blended into the cream cheese spread). I also tried two lattes: the Salted Maple & Tahini and the Orange & Honey Cappuccino. If I had to choose(which is difficult), it would be the Orange & Honey Cappuccino—the subtle orange flavor,mixed with the espresso is delicious!

Jennifer Grisham

03 Nov 2025

Great bagels, coming from someone who lived in NY their entire life. Scallion cream cheese was excellent. The environment is cute and cozy. Will be back for sure.

Sean Koo

30 Oct 2025

Love this place! I got a vanilla latte and their special chocolate matcha, both were a solid 10/10. Especially the matcha… I’d say it’s the best in town. The bagels were amazing too. We tried the trout bagel and the egg bagel. The ingredients are simple but everything is so fresh and flavorful that you can really taste each component. I highly recommend the egg bagel, the texture of the egg is perfect. The people and the service were awesome as well. Super friendly and easy to talk to. I genuinely enjoyed my time here.

Ashton Kelley

14 Oct 2025

Hungry Mother is a consistent place to get a killer meal. Breakfast or lunch or even just a coffee, everything at HM is artfully crafted and delicious. Every. Single. Detail. Of the food has been thought through. Complex flavors that still taste like home. There aren’t many places I would be willing to try the whole menu blindfolded, but Hungry Mother is on that list. Actually they’re probably the entire list.

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