Bluff View Art District - History and Frequently Asked Questions

Background and Vision

At the turn of the 18th century, as the Tennessee River Valley began booming with wealth and industry, many of the city's most influential families built their homes and raised their children in a neighborhood known as Bluff View. This unique neighborhood was originally fashioned in the style of a small European Village, and many of those elements are still seen today throughout Bluff View Art District in the art, architecture, landscaping, and food. 

Bluff View Art District is nationally and internationally recognized as a creative haven of restaurants, galleries, and shops that beckons visitors to spend time exploring its unique and colorful setting. "The District'' as employees and loyal customers often call it, is comprised of Bluff View Bakery, Bluff View Inn, Rembrandt's Coffee House, Rembrandt's Coffee Company, River Gallery, River Gallery Sculpture Garden and Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria. Excellence is the District's number one priority, and it is evident in everything we do. For example, in an effort to provide our guests with the highest quality and freshest ingredients, we offer hand-dipped chocolates, freshly baked bread, house-roasted coffees, and hand-made pastries from our very own facilities. Rarely can you find the attention to detail, culinary innovation, and superior quality that is a part of every day in Bluff View Art District 

The Founders of the Bluff View Art District

In the early 1990's, Dr. Charles and Mary Portera began a journey to pursue their dream of revitalizing the historic neighborhood of Bluff View. In 1991, they purchased the first building that now houses Rembrandt's Coffee House and River Gallery. Bluff View Art District began in this building with the opening of River Gallery; which the Porteras believed would complement the Hunter Museum of American Art and the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts. The rest of the story unfolds rapidly: as the Porteras saw the need to offer additional resources to visitors, they renovated each facility and, within a few years, the whole neighborhood had been recreated to house a family of businesses with one thing in common - QUALITY. That is the tradition of this great city and this beautiful neighborhood, and the Porteras, along with every staff member of Bluff View Art District, seek to preserve it for many years to come.

General

• Where is the Bluff View Art District located?

  • The historic Bluff View Art District is perched high on the bluffs above the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga.

• What is there to do in the Bluff View Art District?

  • There are many activities for our guests to enjoy throughout the district. You can stay overnight at the historic Bluff View Inn and enjoy breakfast at Rembrandt’s Coffee House. Tony’s Pasta Shop offers classic italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere daily for lunch & dinner. River Gallery is free & open to the public - come take a stroll through our scenic sanctuary on the bluff!

• Where can we park in the district?

  • Free parking is available throughout the district for our customers. Please refer to our Parking in the District page for more information.

• Do you have event venues for intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners and corporate meetings?

  • We have many beautiful outdoor and indoor venues perfect for your private event. Please contact our Event Coordinator at 423-321-0235 x4 or email eventcoordinator@bluffview.com.

• Are pets allowed?

  • Leashed pets are allowed on the patios of our restaurants and throughout the outdoor areas in the district.

• Is WiFi available?

  • Free WiFi is available throughout the district.

• Is the Bluff View Art District kid friendly?

  • Yes! Kid friendly food & drinks are available at our restaurants and there’s plenty of unique areas throughout the district for kids and their family to explore.

• Can we book an overnight at the Bluff View Inn?

  • Yes, we have sixteen rooms in three historic renovated mansions here on the bluff and breakfast at Rembrandt’s Coffee House is included! Please call our innkeeper at 423-321-0235 x2 or book online to make your reservations.

Restaurants

• Does Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria take reservations?

  • Call ahead seating & reservations are not taken at Tony’s Pasta Shop. Please let our host know how many will be in your party when you arrive, and they will seat you as soon as possible.

• Does Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria offer catering?

  • Yes, we do offer pick up catering for our customers. See our catering menu here.

• Do you offer gluten-safe foods?

  • Yes, both Rembrandt’s Coffee House & Tony’s Pasta Shop offer gluten-safe foods.

Bluff View Products

• What products are made at the Bluff View Art District?

  • Our bakers, coffee roasters, pastry chefs and other working artists throughout the district make fresh-baked bread, house-roasted coffee, decadent chocolates, breakfast & dessert pastries and fine arts & craft. All of these natural, hand-made food products supply our restaurants and many businesses in the greater Chattanooga area.

• Do you ship any of your products?

  • We ship our house-roasted coffee, but we do not offer shipping on our hand-made bread or hand-dipped chocolates.

• Do you sell gift cards?

  • Gift cards are available for purchase, and they can be used throughout the district at Rembrandt’s Coffee House, Tony’s Pasta Shop, River Gallery and the Bluff View Inn.