Articular cartilage plays a vital role in joint movement and shock absorption, yet its natural ability to heal after injury is extremely limited. Traditional treatments like microfracture surgery and autologous chondrocyte implantation offer some relief but often come with significant drawbacks, including donor site complications and inconsistent long-term results. As a result, cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) has gained momentum as a promising approach to truly restore damaged cartilage. At its heart, CTE combines the right cells, supportive scaffolds, and carefully tuned signals to rebuild healthy tissue. This chapter explores key cell sources—from mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells to the intriguing use of nasal chondrocytes—and highlights the growing role of in situ gellable hydrogels. These hydrogels, designed to closely mimic the natural extracellular matrix, offer a flexible and minimally invasive way to deliver cells and guide tissue repair. Together, these advances are paving the way toward more effective, lasting solutions for cartilage regeneration.