An Eater’s Guide to Nashville

Yes, it’s the birthplace of Nashville hot chicken. Yes, it’s easy to find biscuits and barbecue by the bucket-full. And yes, there’s more country music (and bachelorette parties) than you can shake a stick at. But with roots set in decades of Southern cooking meshed with the influence of immigrants from the far reaches of the globe, Nashville has quickly furthered its restaurant repertoire with a variety of noteworthy spots, far from basic.

Nashville has become known for a lot of those touristy things, but there’s really so much more to it than that — and Eater’s here to help. Use this handy guide to experience the best dining Nashville restaurants have to offer—no cowboy boots, matching pink tank tops, or pedal taverns required.

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Welcome to Music City

Country music wasn’t born in Nashville — the genre’s roots run much deeper than that, drawing from Kentucky bluegrass, Southern gospel hymns, Appalachian folk music, Mississippi Delta blues, and other regional formats that have influenced history’s most beloved country hits. But while it didn’t originate here, country music certainly evolved in Nashville, in the basement studios of Music Row, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and in the hearts of the thousands of hopeful musicians who call Music City home.

Country music may have put Nashville on the map, but today the city is known for much more, including its bustling healthcare industry, flourishing art scene, ace hockey team, and of course, its growing list of impressive offerings when it comes to food. Whether visiting Nashville to try some homegrown barbecue and fiery hot chicken, or a local looking to expand your circle of go-to joints, this guide will help navigate all things food in Music City.

Where to Start on Eater Nashville’s Best Maps

Eater provides dozens of maps to guide you to the top places and things to eat and drink in Nashville. Below, we pull the top one or two points on the most popular maps to help time-starved eaters prioritize which spots to visit.

John Troxell/June

Hot Restaurants: You can find the hottest of the hot restaurants right now in Nashville on the regularly updated Heatmap. Among the still-hot recent additions: the new location of community-focused Scout’s Pub and the three-level Love Language Nashville.

Essential Restaurants: If you need to whittle down the Essential 38 (updated quarterly), reserve a coveted spot at Sean Brock’s ambitious East Nashville restaurant Audrey, which was recently named one of Eater’s Best New Restaurants in America. You should also check out International Market, which elicited sighs of relief when it reopened right across the street from its original location; preorder 24 hours in advance to ensure you don’t miss the Hatyai Thai fried chicken.

Hot Chicken: A true Nashville original, hot chicken was born more than 70 years ago at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. The Ewing Drive location is sadly now permanently closed, but there’s an outpost on the south side and a counter at the new Assembly Food Hall still cranking out that familiar fiery fowl. Today several restaurants get accolades for their take on the iconic dish, and of course, Nashvillians argue over which version is the best. Now tourists can find dishes featuring hot chicken at hundreds of local restaurants, but only a few stand out among locals, who have even formed a Facebook group to discuss the topic. Also, here’s a fun running list of all hot chicken-inspired dishes around town that color outside the lines with creative takes like Nashville hot oysters, Nashville hot ice cream, and a Nashville hot bloody mary.

Meat and Three: For a meat-and-three plate with a side of nostalgia, visit Elliston Place Soda Shop in Midtown. If you’re looking to get out of town, head to Franklin for Bishop’s. See the glossary below for more about the meat and three.

Brunch: Bevies of bachelorettes show up looking for the best of Nashville brunches. Fortunately, there is no shortage of restaurants catering to the bubbly-drinking, breakfast food-loving crowd. Butcher & Bee routinely fills up for weekend brunch, and the whipped feta alone is worth a visit. Also on the east side, the charming and always interesting menu at lou. South of town and looking for brunch in Franklin? Mimosas, they’re flowing there too.

Bars: Nashville is nothing if not a drinking town, and the bar scene here holds its own against other larger cities. There are plenty of places to grab a drink, from the city’s oldest dives to its newest watering holes. Head to Robert’s Western World for cheap beer and an old-school honky-tonk experience, or take in the speakeasy vibes at cocktail bar the Patterson House (part of Ben and Max Goldberg’s Strategic Hospitality). Nashville’s Attaboy recently showed up on the James Beard Awards semifinalist list for its outstanding bar program.

Live Music: Most anyone visiting Nashville wants to know where to eat, yes, but they also want to locate some legit live music. Lower Broadway’s many country music bars, aka honky-tonks, make Nashville an iconic party destination; you’ll want to check out the essential honky-tonks, including landmarks like Tootsie’s and the Stage. The city’s also home to an ever-increasing number of eponymous country-singer-owned honky-tonks.

Beyond country music, lots of entertaining bars host live music from jazz to bluegrass and also serve food and drink that can stand on its own. Tucked into Printers Alley downtown, Skull’s Rainbow Room does it all, from fabulous cocktails to live jazz to burlesque, while its former neighbor, Jane’s Hideaway, has a new East Nashville home for eclectic cuisine and Americana and roots performances. Also on the east side, record shop Grimey’s has some cool in-store events, so check the website before your visit. An interesting note: Hardcore Exit/In fans can get an Exit/In tattoo to score free admission (for life) to every single show held at the Elliston Place rock venue.

Nashville Food Neighborhoods to Know

These are the key areas of the city every self-proclaimed food person needs to get acquainted with — with what to eat and drink in each.

Germantown

This bedroom community just north of downtown is home to some of the most nationally recognized restaurants in Nashville. There’s the newly renovated Rolf and Daughters, Philip Krajeck’s neighborhood restaurant that has earned multiple “best restaurant” awards, and City House, James Beard Award Winner Tandy Wilson’s Southern-influenced Italian restaurant. The raw bar at Henrietta Red is the perfect place to grab oysters and a cocktail, and Vivek Surti’s Germantown restaurant Tailor continues to dazzle. For traditional Southern fare in a casual setting, Monell’s family-style dining experience is unlike any other in town. Trying to keep it casual? Try the crispy fried chicken sandwiches and comforting sides from Waldo’s Chicken and Beer. Find more suggestions in Eater’s guide to dining and drinking in Germantown.

East Nashville

This rapidly-changing portion of the city is now one of its most popular neighborhoods —home to many of Nashville’s creatives, independent shops, art galleries, and plenty of effortlessly cool places to eat and drink. At Peninsula, chef Jake Howell (a recent Beard semifinalist) executes Spanish- and Portuguese-inspired fare flawlessly with French techniques. Husband-and-wife duo Nick and Audra Guidry opened Pelican & Pig in early 2019 in a converted mid-century auto upholstery shop, serving his creative wood-fired creations alongside her lovely desserts. Lockeland Table is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant with solid cocktails and a menu heavy on Southern ingredients. A great stop for lunch, Mas Tacos Por Favor offers street-style tacos with unexpected fillings like fried avocado, quinoa, and sweet potato.

Looking for a beer? There are several taprooms on the east side, including East Nashville Beer Works, Smith and Lentz, and Southern Grist, whose restaurant, Lauter, lives up to the brewery’s inventive reputation. Cocktail lovers can make themselves comfortable on the patio at Rosemary (1102 Forrest Ave.) under string lights in what feels like it could be a friend’s backyard. Urban Cowboy Public House is a trendy place to drink craft cocktails (and eat Roberta’s pizza) among a mix of hipsters, Instagram influencers, and musicians.

Downtown

Thousands of tourists descend on Nashville’s Lower Broadway each year, looking to boogie at the area’s dozens of honky-tonks; many locals try to avoid the city’s epicenter and its bands of bachelorette parties like the plague. However, the recent influx of new restaurants to the area makes going downtown a more pleasant experience for everyone. Black Rabbit has a cool speakeasy vibe, a nice cocktail selection, and small plates like charred octopus ceviche. Deb Paquette’s Etch has been around since 2012, yet it remains one of the most revered restaurants in the city, serving unexpected items like duck tart, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, and carrot enchilada. Looking for barbecue? Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint’s downtown location is the best option to experience authentic West Tennessee whole hog-style barbecue.

Just south of Broadway is Liberty Commons, an all-day cafe turning out French dishes with Southern flair; Husk, Nashville’s location of the renowned Charleston restaurant; and Pinewood Social, a coffee shop/restaurant/bowling alley. Prefer staying just outside of downtown? Yolan, just a handful of blocks from Broadway, is a worthy destination for wine, pasta, and ambiance.

12 South

This rapidly-changing commercial strip just a few miles from downtown is extremely popular with tourists and the college set, though not quite deserving of its vaunted status from the masses as a food destination. But, there are a few places worth checking out here. Lebanese bistro Epice offers a different-for-Nashville menu of Middle Eastern food and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. Chef Andy Little’s Josephine restaurant is well-known for its contemporary American cuisine and seasonally changing menu, though brunch (and the cinnamon sugar doughnuts) should not be overlooked. Mafiaoza’s is a popular spot on Tuesdays for its 2-for-1 pizza slices and beer deals, and Edley’s Bar-B-Cue provides a fix of barbecue and sides. For a quick coffee break, the ever-popular Frothy Monkey remains the neighborhood’s go-to place, but those looking to skip the line and get an equally satisfying cup of joe can walk one block south to nearby Portland Brew. Craving dumplings? Pop into Locust for some of the best you’ll ever eat, and finish with a fluffy heap of shaved ice loaded with goodies.

Wedgewood-Houston

The Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, just south of downtown Nashville, is characterized by railroad tracks, warehouses, and art galleries. Bastion is part bar, part fine-dining restaurant, with some of the best bar nachos in town; snag one of the spots at the 24-seat restaurant for a multi-course fine dining experience. Gabby’s Burgers & Fries serves a solid burger and has a secret menu full of unusual options. The freshly baked bread, pastries, and cookies draw crowds to Dozen Bakery, but its baguette sandwiches keep regulars coming back every week. For spirits, tiki-style cocktails are at Flamingo Cocktail Club. Take a tour of the distillery and then sampling the product at Corsair, or sip a crisp cider at the Diskin Cider taproom. Finally, Lucky’s 3-Star is a newer watering hole to open in the neighborhood; it’s welcoming with a vintage vibe and affordable.

Sylvan Park

This west Nashville neighborhood’s strip of bars and restaurants has a more local vibe than other similar areas of town. St. Louis chef Gerard Craft’s Nashville outpost of Pastaria serves up Italian favorites including pasta, pizza, and gelato—and don’t overlook the crispy risotto balls. Nashville is of course synonymous with hot chicken, and Hattie B’s is one of the most popular places to get the fiery fowl. Please everyone in the group with the extensive beer list at M.L. Rose and soak up the Tennessee summer heat on the cozy, dog-friendly front patio. Answer (32 46th Ave. N) is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant everyone wishes was down the street from their house, serving quality food in an unpretentious and welcoming setting.

The Nations

Yet another Nashville neighborhood in the midst of redevelopment, The Nations continues to attract an abundance of bars and restaurants. Start at Big Bad Breakfast, the delicious breakfast-for-lunch restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with a classic deli sandwich with a Nashville twist at 51st Deli, before easing into dinner at Nicky’s Coal Fired (5026 Centennial Blvd), the Italian restaurant concept from 2015 Eater Nashville Chef of the Year winner Tony Galzin and Caroline Galzin, serves high-quality pasta and pizzas cooked in a coal-burning oven. Hugh-Baby’s (4816 Charlotte Ave.) is a fast-food restaurant from Pat Martin (Martin’s Bar-B-Cue Joint) that serves burgers, hot dogs, and shakes. For an afternoon drinking with friends, The Hopyard at Fat Bottom is the perfect place to enjoy beers on the spacious outdoor patio. The local honey and sorghum cinnamon latte at cozy coffee shop Headquarters is perfect for a morning caffeine fix or afternoon pick-me-up. A full guide to the neighborhood is here.

Nolensville Road

Trek south down Nolensville Road to find some of Nashville’s most culturally diverse cuisine. Devour tacos for $1.25 each at Carniceria Y Taqueria Don Juan (2910 Nolensville Pike), a colorful stand that also serves Mexican food favorites such as sopes, tortas, and burritos. Las Americas (4715 Nolensville Pike) serves a mix of Mexican and Central American dishes and also has a small market attached where you can find Latin American ingredients and prepackaged goods. A stroll through the Plaza Mariachi marketplace (3955 Nolensville Pike) allows guests to sample several different Latin American cuisines and catch some entertainment, which includes live music, acrobatic performers, and dancers. And don’t forget to stop by La Hacienda, the Mexican restaurant former President Barack Obama visited during his 2014 visit to Nashville.

The Gulch

As far as dining goes, The Gulch has come a long way over the last couple of years, but it still has room to grow. For now, best bets for the belly begin with Sarah Gavigan’s Otaku Ramen (1104 Division Street) — is another solid Gulch destination (and one of very few in the city) for solid ramen. Her Tennessee tonkotsu is an essential Nashville dish. Marsh House (401 11th Avenue South) menu offers a solid seafood offering for a landlocked city. Head to Eater’s 2018 Restaurant Import of the Year Emmy Squared (404 12th Avenue S) for both Detroit-style pizza and a burger that quickly crept their way onto the top spots of nearly every “best of” list in the city. Meat fans can munch on ribs at Peg Leg Porker or feast on steak at 404 Kitchen or Kayne Prime. Jolts of caffeine await at Barista Parlour Golden Sound — good for holding you over/keeping you sane if someone in your party insists on waiting in line two hours for Biscuit Love (hello, Hillsboro Village location), Tex-Mex fare at Superica, or those darned angel wing photos.

Nashville Glossary of Terms

Meat and Three:

Exactly what it sounds like, a meat-and-three restaurant offers customers a plated lunch with meat (often a choice of fried chicken, pulled pork, brisket, country ham, or another quintessential Southern main) and choice of three sides. Mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, and fried green tomatoes are all among the frequently found side dishes as some of Nashville’s most beloved meat and threes.

Honky-Tonk:

A honky-tonk is quite simply a bar that plays country music, and the sheer number of Lower Broadway honky-tonks make downtown Nashville one of the country’s most popular party destinations — narrow down the field with this guide to the essentials. Depending on the night of the week and who you ask, the term honky-tonk can elicit feelings of nostalgia and excitement or dread and utter annoyance, likely correlating with the number of bachelorette parties to be found on Broadway on said night.

Nashville Hot Chicken:

The super spicy fried chicken Nashville has become known for (see sidebar).

Tandy Wilson:

James Beard Award-winner for Best Chef: Southeast and owner/executive chef at City House in Germantown.

Margot McCormack:

Trailblazing chef and owner of Margot Cafe and Marché Artisan Foods (which closed during the pandemic). McCormack opened Margot Cafe in East Nashville in 2001, before there was much of anything to note east of the Cumberland River.

Ben and Max Goldberg:

These brothers are owners and founders of Nashville-based Strategic Hospitality, an organization whose concepts include the aforementioned Patterson House, Bastion, the Catbird Seat, and Henrietta Red, plus several other local establishments, including Paradise Park, a Lower Broadway institution they recently brought back to life inside their Downtown Sporting Club.

André Prince Jeffries:

Current owner of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, hot chicken heiress, and great-niece of Thornton Prince, the individual credited with opening the first Nashville hot chicken restaurant in 1945.

Reservations to Make in Advance

Be sure to book a table ahead of time for these restaurants: City House, Rolf and Daughters, Catbird Seat, Bastion, Yolan, Audrey, Husk.

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