Nashville, Tennessee, a city well-known for its thriving music industry, has a gastronomic scene that is just as vibrant and varied. The flavors, customs, and innovations that make Nashville’s culinary scene one of the most fascinating in the nation are explored in this guide to the top 26 restaurants in the city.
Nashville’s restaurants, which range from the city’s renowned hot chicken stands to fine dining options, provide a distinctive fusion of Southern hospitality, global influence, and fresh food that is grown right on the premises.
1. The Catbird Seat
Photo credit: instagram.com
The Catbird Seat is a small, interactive restaurant with a chef’s tasting menu that is updated on a regular basis. This restaurant is a treasure for food lovers, renowned for its creative dishes and top-notch service. Every meal is a fusion of regional ingredients and flavors from around the world, making each visit a special culinary experience.
The interactive dining experience here is enhanced by chefs who prepare and serve food to patrons directly, giving it a more intimate feel. Because of the restricted seating and reservation-only policy, each meal is unique and unforgettable.
2. Husk Nashville
Photo credit: instagram.com
Husk, housed in a stunning historic mansion, reinvents Southern cooking by focusing on its ingredients. Chef Sean Brock uses heirloom products and locally sourced produce to highlight the essence of Southern cuisine. The atmosphere creates a cozy and welcoming dining experience that goes well with the menu.
Husk’s ever-evolving menu honors Southern culinary traditions while embracing contemporary methods, demonstrating its dedication to authenticity. The restaurant’s inventive cocktail menu and large, well-curated wine list enhance the dining experience.
3. Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Photo credit: instagram.com
Arnold’s Country Kitchen is a Nashville mainstay that’s well-known for its “meat and three” – a selection of meat and three side dishes. This family-owned restaurant offers a taste of authentic Nashville culture while serving up traditional Southern comfort food in a cafeteria-style setting.
For many years, both locals and tourists have cherished Arnold’s because of its hearty portions and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant has won multiple awards for its consistently delicious food and nostalgic charm, including James Beard recognition.
4. City House
Photo credit: instagram.com
City House’s fusion of Southern and Italian cuisine makes it stand out. The restaurant is well-known for its handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas, and it takes great satisfaction in using regional ingredients. It is a locals’ favorite because of its cozy and rustic atmosphere.
The inventive menu at City House embodies the creative spirit of Nashville’s culinary scene with its frequent, unexpected, yet delightful twists on classic dishes. It’s perfect for special occasions and informal dinners because of its cozy, welcoming atmosphere and superb wine and spirit selection.
5. Rolf and Daughters
Photo credit: instagram.com
Rolf and Daughters serve contemporary Italian cuisine with a constantly rotating menu. Highlights include their creative dishes and handcrafted pasta, served in a trendy, industrial-chic setting.
The restaurant is especially well-known for its inventive use of seasonal ingredients, which makes every meal unique. Rolf and Daughters’ lively atmosphere and communal dining options make for a vibrant and social dining experience that’s perfect for enjoying with friends and family.
More: 10 Top-Flight US Airport Restaurants
6. Butcher & Bee
Photo credit: instagram.com
Butcher & Bee, which focuses on sophisticated casual dining, serves a varied menu inspired by different cuisines and made with locally sourced ingredients. Their sandwiches are incredibly well-known, and they have a fantastic selection of small plates.
This restaurant promotes sustainability and community in addition to serving delicious food. With its eclectic decor, the open and airy space offers a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere that’s ideal for dining at any time of day.
7. Josephine
Photo credit: instagram.com
Modern touches are added to traditional American dishes at Josephine on 12th. The restaurant’s elegant yet cozy decor is ideal for a laid-back eating experience. Their menu emphasizes farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on fresh, premium ingredients.
Josephine is renowned for its outstanding brunch selections as well as its inventive and traditional dessert menu. It’s an excellent option for private and large dinners because of the attentive service and cozy atmosphere.
8. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
Photo credit: instagram.com
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, the creator of Nashville’s well-known hot chicken, offers different spice levels to accommodate all palates. If you want to taste real Nashville flavors, you have to go to this famous location.
Prince’s has a rich history and a loyal customer base, and it is well-known for its spicy and flavorful chicken. The simplistic atmosphere highlights the importance of the chicken. In Nashville’s food culture, dining at Prince’s is more than just a meal – it’s a ritual.
9. Lockeland Table
Photo credit: instagram.com
A community kitchen and bar with a cozy neighborhood feel, Lockeland Table is situated in the center of East Nashville. They use locally sourced ingredients to create their menu, which specializes in New American cuisine with a Southern touch.
In addition to serving delicious food, Lockeland Table serves as a hub for social interaction and a sense of community. Thanks to its dedication to quality and friendly atmosphere, the restaurant is a well-liked mainstay in the neighborhood dining scene.
10. Margot Café & Bar
Photo credit: instagram.com
In Nashville, Margot Café & Bar initiated the farm-to-table movement. The menu, featuring French and Italian country cooking, is updated daily to take advantage of the freshest ingredients.
Margot Café & Bar’s charming, bistro-style setting contributes to its allure and offers a cozy dining experience. The restaurant’s commitment to using seasonal and locally sourced food guarantees a delightful and distinctive meal every time, further enhanced by an excellent wine selection.
More: 20 Best California Beach Towns for Your Perfect Getaway
11. Etch
Photo credit: instagram.com
Etch offers upscale dining with a view of the world. The eatery is renowned for both its sophisticated atmosphere and its creatively presented and inventive cuisine. Etch is distinguished by its use of strong flavors and unusual ingredients to create unforgettable gastronomic experiences.
Diners can see the creative process and are further captivated by the stylish interior and open kitchen. The restaurant’s dedication to quality is apparent in all areas, from the superb service to the carefully chosen wine selection.
12. Folk
Photo credit: instagram.com
Modern Italian cuisine and artisanal pizzas are Folk’s areas of expertise. Quality ingredients and straightforward, tasty combinations are the restaurant’s main selling points, and they have quickly become a local favorite. A highlight is the wood-fired pizzas, which have creative toppings and perfectly charred crusts.
Their modern, minimalistic décor complements folk’s simple yet elegant food philosophy. To further improve the eating experience, the restaurant offers a great assortment of handcrafted wines and cocktails.
13. Tailor Nashville
Photo credit: instagram.com
Tailor Nashville is a unique fusion of American South and South Asian cuisines that serves a seasonal tasting menu in a cozy setting. The dishes add a unique touch to the dining experience by telling as much of a story as they do serving food.
With only a few tables available, this cozy restaurant exudes exclusivity, and each dish showcases the chef’s unique background and favorite foods. In the busy culinary scene of Nashville, Tailor Nashville stands out for its unique dining experience, resulting from a fusion of flavors and techniques.
14. Henrietta Red
Photo credit: instagram.com
Henrietta Red is a seafood and vegetable-forward restaurant with a light, airy vibe. The restaurant is well-known for its creative small plates and raw bar. With its inventive fish preparations, fresh oysters, and crudos, the menu honors the abundance of the sea.
The carefully chosen ingredients used by Henrietta Red demonstrate their dedication to sustainability. It’s the perfect spot for special occasions as well as informal meals thanks to its elegant yet understated setting.
15. Peg Leg Porker
Photo credit: instagram.com
Tennessee-style BBQ is served at Peg Leg Porker, a genuine Nashville barbecue experience that offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Legendary in the area are their pulled pork and dry-rub ribs. The excellence of the meat and their house-made sauces and rubs are the main attractions at this simple restaurant.
It’s a terrific spot to enjoy traditional Southern barbecue with friends and family because of the outdoor seating and lively atmosphere. Peg Leg Porker is more than just delicious food; it’s about Tennessee BBQ culture and tradition.
More: 10 Most Crowded Beaches in the U.S.
16. Bastion
Photo credit: instagram.com
Bastion’s compact, cozy layout and few seats create a distinctive dining experience. The menu is short but bold, emphasizing imaginative small plates. Because the chefs frequently interact directly with guests, this exclusive setting allows for a more personalized and interactive dining experience.
Each visit to Bastion is a new culinary adventure because of the chef’s inventive approach, reflected in the constantly changing menu. The carefully selected cocktail menu and industrial-chic décor contribute to the restaurant’s sophisticated and modern atmosphere.
17. Loveless Cafe
Photo credit: instagram.com
Loveless Cafe is a Nashville mainstay, well-known for its red-eye gravy, country ham, and biscuits. This diner on the side of the road provides a traditional Southern meal.
Loveless is a legendary restaurant known for its consistently delicious, made-from-scratch comfort food and cozy, retro atmosphere that transports patrons back in time. The cafe’s charm doesn’t end in the dining area; guests can bring a bit of Loveless home with them in its on-site shops, which sell handmade preserves and locally produced goods.
18. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Photo credit: instagram.com
With a variety of heat levels and mouthwatering Southern sides, Hattie B’s has elevated Nashville hot chicken to a whole new level. It’s a bustling place with a reputation for long waits and delicious food. Even during busy times, Hattie B’s offers a pleasant dining experience thanks to its lively atmosphere and welcoming staff.
Hattie B’s has become a landmark for hot chicken in Nashville thanks to its dedication to flavor and quality, drawing in both locals and visitors. This well-known hotspot offers a range of heat levels, from mild to “shut the cluck up,” so there’s something for everyone.
19. 5th & Taylor
Photo credit: instagram.com
5th & Taylor honors American family dinners. Offering substantial, flavorful dishes, the restaurant’s decor and menu are inspired by the artistry and ethics of the American worker.
The interior, which is roomy and beautifully decorated with murals and sculptures, exudes an inviting and cozy feeling. With an emphasis on American classics, the menu offers the best of traditional cooking with a modern twist, making it both refined and cozy. 5th & Taylor celebrates American culture and food, not just a place to eat.
20. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Photo credit: instagram.com
A popular spot for great burgers and a wide assortment of beers, The Pharmacy provides a laid-back dining experience. Its outdoor beer garden is a favorite hangout for both locals and tourists. The Pharmacy blends the vibrant energy of a contemporary restaurant with the charm of an old-fashioned soda shop.
The menu offers a wide range of sausages, shakes, and an amazing assortment of domestic and foreign beers in addition to their well-known burgers. It’s the ideal location for a laid-back evening out or a casual lunch because of the lively atmosphere.
More: 20 Most Romantic Weekend Getaways in the U.S. for 2024
21. Kayne Prime
Photo credit: instagram.com
Kayne Prime is a classy steakhouse well-known for its creative side dishes and premium cuts of meat. It’s an excellent option for a special night out because of its sophisticated ambiance and impeccable service.
The restaurant offers a creative menu beyond standard steakhouse fare and a chic, modern design that pays homage to the classic steakhouse experience. For those looking for a posh dining experience in Nashville, Kayne Prime stands out for its meticulous attention to detail in the food and dining areas.
22. Biscuit Love
Photo credit: instagram.com
Biscuit Love is a homage to the Southern biscuit, born out of a popular food truck. This busy restaurant offers a range of biscuit-based dishes, from traditional to creative. Thanks to its inventive toppings and fluffy buttery biscuits, the restaurant has become a local favorite.
Biscuit Love has something to sate every craving, from classic Southern gravy to contemporary spins like the East Nasty, a fried chicken biscuit with cheddar and gravy. Breakfast and brunch lovers should not miss the laid-back, friendly ambiance and their dedication to using only the best, locally sourced ingredients.
23. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Photo credit: instagram.com
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint provides authentic Tennessee barbecue with its whole-hog BBQ and classic Southern sides. The original Southern charm is enhanced by the lively atmosphere. Martin’s is well-known for their low-and-slow cooking technique, which produces succulent, flavorful meats that epitomize the craft of barbecuing.
For fans of barbecue, the restaurant is a must-visit because of its dedication to using traditional methods, which includes creating its renowned whole-hog barbecue. A communal dining experience is encouraged by the rustic decor and seating arrangements, which are reminiscent of traditional Southern barbecues.
24. Adele’s
Photo credit: instagram.com
Adele’s specializes in approachable, seasonal comfort food. The restaurant is great for any occasion, from special gatherings to casual meals, thanks to its open kitchen and laid-back atmosphere. Adele’s menu features classic and inventive dishes, reflecting a simple yet elegant cooking style.
The restaurant’s cozy, industrial-chic decor makes for a great place to hang out with loved ones and enjoy a meal. Adele stands out in Nashville’s dining scene thanks to its skill at fusing a laid-back atmosphere with excellent seasonal cuisine.
25. The Southern Steak & Oyster
Photo credit: instagram.com
The lively Southern Steak & Oyster enhances Nashville’s dining scene, which offers a distinctive blend of Southern charm and cosmopolitan flair. This downtown gem is well-known for its creative twists on traditional Southern fare, superb steaks, and an extensive menu of freshly shucked oysters.
The Southern is a well-liked hangout for both locals and visitors because of its sophisticated, modern decor and vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant’s bar area is lively and offers a wide variety of wines, craft beers from the area, and cocktails. Excellent food, friendly service, and a lively atmosphere make The Southern Steak & Oyster a culinary treasure in Nashville.
More: 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in North America
26. Lyra
Photo credit: instagram.com
Nestled in the heart of the city, Lyra offers an unforgettable dining experience that tantalizes the taste buds and delights the senses. Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean region and beyond, the restaurant offers a unique fusion of flavors that reflect the diverse backgrounds of its chefs. The restaurant boasts a stylish and inviting interior, featuring modern décor accented by subtle nods to its cultural heritage.