Cross Roads Cafe

I have never written a review– but I was so impressed by this restaurant that I decided to write one. The owner is from Singapore– and the food is authentic. My wife and I really enjoyed the meal. We also noted that that the restaurant is spotlessly clean. I would return in a heartbeat!

We love this place, and our family dines here at least once a week. The flavors are bold, interesting, and delicious. We love the dumplings, of course, but we always struggle to choose from the wonderful (and always varied) selections on the menu: pork vindaloo, unagi, beef rendang, or swai simmered with tomatoes in a yummy ginger broth. Also, this is a place that takes care of little diners, too! We have a little boy and the proprietors always make sure that he gets a special spoon and a little surprise treat. (He LOVES Irene, and so do we, because she’s helping him try new things and appreciate the fantastic taste of fresh, healthy food.)

Who would ever guess that there would be a FANTASTIC asian restaurant in lil’ ol’ Sewanee, TN? This is not your usual Middle TN Chinese Buffet fiasco. This is authentic, fresh, and delicious dishes from Singapore – dumplings that pop with fresh lemongrass and ginger, slow-​cooked pork ribs in broth (OMG! YUM!), beets simmered in coconut milk and cardamom… Delish! This is the kind of fare you’d expect to run across in Manhattan, but instead it’s hidden away on Monteagle Mountain. What a find!

Fresh, fresh, fresh. A bowl of noodles (with shrimp or chicken) and tea, and an order of dumplings to share makes a perfect lunch. There is always something green, like bok choi, to help you celebrate spring. Reasonably priced, great setting, and feels very urban.

Thank you Irene! This is a wonderful restaurant and addition to our plateau dining options. Having moved here from the New York area, I have craved high quality Asian food. Crossroads is presenting a variety of fresh ingredients in a beautiful space.

Singaporean food in Sewanee, Tennessee?! Yes, you heard right. Answering years of local prayers for good Asian food (and this is a prayerful town), Crossroads opened early this year next to Sewanee’s finest dining establishment, IvyWild. The menu changes daily and I am there almost as often so I can tell you that the glass noodles and pork belly dishes are especially to die for, but I haven’t tried anything yet that isn’t good. Each day offers a different array of teas, too. Satay and dumplings are always on the menu and they are happy to accommodate vegetarians. Whatever you order, be sure to ask for an extra side of chile slices. They are awesome. They haven’t quite figured out the dessert thing yet, but Julia’s up the street has a Mexican chocolate torte that would be the perfect ending.
The restaurant is in a converted laundry and has a very hip urban feel. Casually comfortable but with a lot of thought to making the diner feel special. (The owners lived in Singapore and Sri Lanka — he’s an architect — and some of the art they have picked up along their travels is on display.)
Word is that a beer license and music may be in the future. That will only make a great thing even better.