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A top-down view of a New York strip steak atop a bed of green beans surrounded by cherry tomatoes — A New York strip steak at Lockeland Table in East Nashville.

38 Essential Restaurants in Nashville

A guide to the best restaurants in Nashville, spanning neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices

by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones and Eater Staff Updated Apr 12, 2023, 10:43am CDT

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A New York strip steak at Lockeland Table in East Nashville.

| Lockeland Table

by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones and Eater Staff Updated Apr 12, 2023, 10:43am CDT

Welcome to the Eater 38, the answer to the question, “Where should we eat in Nashville?” This essential group of restaurants covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines and price points, and collectively satisfies virtually all dining needs — from a reliable quick bite to a special-occasion dinner worth the splurge.

Each quarter the list is updated to reflect restaurants that have been omitted, those that have become newly eligible (restaurants must have been open at least six months), and a few being welcomed back into the 38 fold. Removal from the Eater 38 does not mean a restaurant isn’t still great and won’t return in the future, but allows for new additions, keeping the 38 a fresh, inclusive representation of what Nashville has to offer. For the April 2023 update, we welcome quite a few new entries, including recent James Beard Award semifinalist Maiz de la Vida, Italian chophouse Carne Mare, and longtime meat-and-three standby Swett’s.

For newer Nashville restaurants, check out the Heatmap, a periodically updated collection of the city’s hot new dining options that have opened in the last six months.

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Shotgun Willie's BBQ

Named after Texas’s own Willie Nelson, Shotgun Willie’s in East Nashville is leveling up the Nashville barbecue game — it’s all about the slow-cooked meats and Bournana (bourbon-banana) pudding here. In a simple space adorned with plenty of Texas memorabilia, Bill Laviolette’s menu nods to both his Texas upbringing and his new Tennessee digs with award-winning brisket, Tennessee-style pulled pork shoulder, and smoked chicken.

4000 Gallatin Pike Suite B, Nashville, TN 37216

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Lou Nashville

Open since late 2019, Mailea Weger’s cozy, Parisian-inspired Riverside Village cafe offers one of the most unique menus in the city alongside one of Nashville’s best wine lists, centering natural options. Over the past year, Weger and the Lou team have expanded outdoor dining options and hosted several first-class bake sales fundraising for causes like Planned Parenthood and helping fight anti-trans legislation. The deliciously funky brunch menu is still one of the best in the city (if you know, you know).

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1304 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37216

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wide shot showing front door on left, original brick fireplace, and wine wall plus floral wallpaper on the far right — Lou Nashville.

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Soy Cubano

Cuban food gets its due thanks to Javier Salado’s Soy Cubano. The mini-restaurant inside the Wash, East Nashville’s restaurant incubator, brings a taste of the Caribbean island’s flavors to landlocked Tennessee in the form of croquetas (breaded rolls stuffed with a creamy bechamel), picadillo (seasoned ground beef), and of course, the classic Cubano sandwich. Do as the Cubans do and top off your meal with a deceptively unassuming colada — a sweet, highly caffeinated jolt of espresso that’ll keep you running for hours.

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1101 McKennie Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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Two meaty sandwiches on a griddle with someone brushing something on one of the sandwiches — Soy Cubano.

Pelican & Pig

Nick and Audra Guidry had their hands in every aspect of their first full-service restaurant, a cozy spot carved into a former auto upholstery shop. Flavor-packed wood-fired dishes are equally enjoyable at Pelican & Pig’s bar or in the dining room. Standouts include fried provolone with chile crisp, local sweet corn ribs, and a Bear Creek Farm pork chop in a charred vegetable sauce.

1010 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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The interior of Pelican & Pig, including some low-top tables, stools at the bar, and lots of firewood stacked above it all. — Pelican & Pig.

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East Side Banh Mi

Industry vets Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton opened their fast-casual banh mi shop in August 2020, and it’s been a favorite ever since. Diners swarm to East Side Banh Mi for a concise Vietnamese menu that includes highlights like a sandwich with smoked Gifford’s bologna, ham hock terrine, and pate as well as a vegetarian option featuring chile crisp tofu and roasted eggplant. The shop sources from local vendors like Bear Creek Farm for beef and pork, Bloomsbury Farm for vegetables, and Nguyen Coffee Supply. Speaking of, don’t miss the half-and-half, a caffeinated delight mixing toasted peanut rice milk and Vietnamese iced coffee.

1000 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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East Side Banh Mi.

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Xiao Bao

When expanding their Pan-Asian restaurant from South Carolina to Nashville, husband-and-wife owners Joshua Walker and Duolan Li set up residence in a trailer at the Dive Motel. The idea proved successful enough to move Xiao Bao into permanent digs in East Nashville, improving the city’s options for pork belly bao buns, okonomiyaki, fried dumplings, and hand-pulled noodles alongside natural wine in a space that artfully blends ’50s diner and Chinese American restaurant vibes. Xiao Bao doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a wait.

830 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

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A top-down view of a Japanese okonomiyaki topped with pork candy, a sunny side up egg, stripes of mayo and a red sauce, and lots of seasoning — Xiao Bao.

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Big Al's Deli

Big Al’s comforting hospitality and reliable homestyle cooking merge seamlessly, making the Salemtown deli a top pick for breakfast and lunch. Big Al’s opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, serving classic breakfast items and Southern lunch staples — from fried catfish to spicy South Carolinian shrimp and grits — in an atmosphere that actually feels like a family member’s home.

1828 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

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A closeup of fried food with gravy and greens. — Big Al’s Deli.

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Folk

Philip Krajeck’s pizza-focused Folk has earned its way into many restaurant rotations. Consistency, clam pies, and pork Milanesa from the McFerrin Park restaurant prove that yes, Krajeck can steer two ships at once — both Folk in East Nashville and Krajeck’s second restaurant, Rolf and Daughters in Germantown, remain local favorites.

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823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

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A top-down view of pizza with slices of onion, hunks of sausage, dollops of melted cheese, red sauce, and a blistered crust. — Folk.

Lyra

Local hospitality veterans Hrant Arakelian and Elizabeth Endicott opened hip Lyra in the summer of 2018, bringing man’oushe, hummus, baba ghanoush, and lamb manti to East Nashville. Beyond the refreshing (and vegan-friendly) menu, Lyra’s bar program impresses with a diverse, whiskey-forward slate of cocktails. Save room for baklava with some Turkish coffee.

935 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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A closeup of a vegan dish of butternut Sfouf cake, harissa glaze, cashew “yogurt” and dressed cucumbers — Lyra.

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Audrey

One of Eater’s 2022 picks for best new restaurants in the country, Sean Brock’s East Nashville ode to his grandmother Audrey boasts a museum-worthy art collection, historic photographs, patchwork quilts on the walls, and, of course, a world-class kitchen. If you snag a reservation, look for Appalachian-inspired dishes — like the heirloom Jimmy Red corn grits topped with sorghum-cured egg yolk and Appalachian salt-risen bread — served on incredible plateware.

809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

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The interior of Audrey, with plants on a counter in the foreground, low-top wooden tables, and lots of art on the walls. — Audrey.

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Maíz De La Vida

In 2020, Julio Hernandez gifted Nashville with some traditional Mexican eats in the form of heirloom corn he painstakingly nixtamalizes and mills himself. He turns that corn into richly flavored tortillas that hold firm no matter what fillings you throw in them — try the quesabirria tacos with a side of crunchy churros — and offset the bombastic tropical drinks at delightful East Nashville bar Chopper Tiki, where the Maíz De La Vida food truck holds a permanent spot.

Outside Chopper tiki, 1100 B Stratton Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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A stack of corn tortillas of different colors — Maíz De La Vida.

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Graze Nashville

East Nashville’s rustic meat-free gastropub from Nick and Ashley Davis goes way beyond just salads, serving beautiful riffs on loaded potatoes, crab cakes (using chickpeas instead of the sweet crustacean), and Szechuan Brussels sprouts alongside a tightly curated cocktail menu. The casual vegetarian charmer also serves brunch daily, with highlights like blueberry pancakes and tostadas.

1888 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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Dino's Bar

East Nashville’s essential late-night haunt is also Nashville’s oldest dive bar. Dino’s now boasts an outdoor patio for enjoying some standout cheeseburgers, hot chicken, animal-style fries smothered in cheese, and ice-cold beer in the fresh air. Not to worry though, as the busted brick-front entrance and dimly lit interior retain the beloved dive’s familiar vibe.

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411 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

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A top-down view of food like a burger and fries smothered in cheese in disposable containers. — Dino’s Bar.

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Lockeland Table

At East Nashville neighborhood favorite Lockeland Table, chef Hal Holden-Bache puts a new spin on a Nashville icon with crispy pork belly and empanadas, but there’s also a lot more going on here. Order some of the city’s best seasonally adorned wood-fired pizza and red Thai curry mussels. The restaurant’s reconstructed storefront is a nod to the original 1930s H.G. Hills store that once called the space home.

1520 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

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A top-down view of a variety of dishes, including rolls and a dip with carrots, olives, and cucumbers, on top of a food menu — Lockeland Table.

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Butcher & Bee

This Charleston-born restaurant is a transplant in name only, as chefs Bryan Lee Weaver and Christopher DeJesus have made Butcher & Bee’s ever-changing menu entirely their own in East Nashville. It’s hard to go wrong with any choice but definitely start by ordering all of the meze (including the crowd-favorite whipped feta). Want to avoid the decisions altogether? A chef’s choice option lets the team choose the courses, which finish strong with stunning desserts like the baklava sundae with orange blossom honey and chocolate tahini.

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902 Main Street, Nashville, TN, 37207

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A couple of low-top tables and the bar with stools at Butcher & Bee — Butcher & Bee.

Riddim n Spice

Chef Kamal Kalokoh and his brother and business partner, Rashean Conaway, grew up working alongside their mother, Ouida Bradshaw, at Jamaicaway, the popular Jamaican restaurant, before launching their catering company a decade ago. A food truck followed, leading in 2019 to this buoyant restaurant offering Caribbean culture and dishes like rice and peas, oxtail, jerk chicken, and cucumber-mango slaw near the historic Jefferson Street neighborhood.

2116 Meharry Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208

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Skillet mac and cheese on a wooden table — Riddim n Spice.

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Skull's Rainbow Room

The original Skull’s Rainbow Room opened in the 1940s and was a legendary local hangout for live performances for nearly 60 years before shuttering in 1999. The downtown icon in Printers Alley reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz shows and many of the vintage touches of the original, not to mention burlesque shows every weekend. The revamped dinner menu features soul-warming lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, and an excellent garlic honey-glazed pork chop.

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201

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Leather booths and wooden tables — Skull’s Rainbow Room.

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La Juquilita

This unassuming orange building on Morrow Road serves some of the best tacos in town. La Juquilita owners Jose and Maria Cepeda also welcome diners with loaded pupusas and tlayudas (a traditional Oaxacan dish of a toasted tortilla with toppings like refried beans, slaw, avocado, tomato, Oaxacan cheese, and asiento) that only add to the appeal. Ask for the chile and verde sauces, both of which pack pleasant heat.

5913 Morrow Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

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Meats on the grill — La Juquilita.

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Pinewood Social

Tucked into Nashville’s historic Trolley Barns, Pinewood Social is everything to everyone: Part coffee shop, part bowling alley, part bistro, and part poolside hang, it’s a great place to keep in your back pocket for when you’re entertaining a mixed crowd. Every meal here fires on all cylinders, from the brown butter waffles with candied pecans at breakfast to the short rib mac and cheese on the dinner menu.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210

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Swett's

For nearly 70 years, the family-owned Swett’s has been dishing up homestyle Southern food to hungry Nashvillians from a low-key space off Clifton Avenue. In classic meat-and-three fashion, Swett’s serves its menu cafeteria-style; proteins like country-fried steak, meatloaf, and pork chops hold court alongside candied yams, fried cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. Note that your Swett’s experience isn’t complete without a peach cobbler or a slice of chess pie.

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2725 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

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The interior of Swett’s with brick walls, artwork featuring Black military men, an American flag, tables and chairs, and a light streaming through the windows — Swett’s.

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Yolan

Nashville scored big when James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and wine expert Cathy Mantuano came to town. The powerhouse couple brought the fine dining Italian menu and see-through cheese cave Nashville had been missing, along with standout service and a welcoming atmosphere inside the Joseph hotel. A chef’s tasting menu is always a solid move — there’s even a vegetarian option — as are any and all of the pasta options. Just save some room for jaw-dropping desserts from executive pastry chef Noelle Marchetti.

403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

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A pasta dish in a wide white bowl. — Yolan.

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Carne Mare

Andrew Carmellini’s Italian chophouse at the W Nashville in the Gulch feels like a traditional steakhouse with an edge. The sleek space lined with dark wood and black leather leads the way to artful plates that give conventional items a pleasant twist, like the mozzarella sticks garnished with caviar and mini-ice cream cones topped with a swirl of foie gras. While the aged beef is the star attraction, the steak alternatives like salt-baked Florida red snapper are satisfying as well.

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300 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

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The interior of Carne Mare with black leather seats, dark wooden tables, and a view out to the patio through large windows — Carne Mare.

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Hathorne

Sylvan Park’s Hathorne takes cues from its building’s previous incarnation as the former fellowship hall of a historic church — the restaurant, which also has a large heated patio, is warm, unpretentious, and encourages conversation among its congregants. Chef-owner John Stephenson takes great care with the New American fare here, where vegetarian dishes like golden beets in a tahini-onion puree and sweet potato agnolotti hold their own against or even outshine their meat-filled counterparts. Similarly, beverage director Hayley Teague’s thoughtful mocktail menu keeps things interesting.

4708 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

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Bar seating and low-top tables in a large dining room. — Hathorne.

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Black Dynasty Secret Ramen House

Everyone needs a solid ramen bar in the rotation, especially when the weather dips. Black Dynasty is Nashville’s. Newly relocated inside Bearded Iris Brewing at Sylvan Supply, the cool, casual restaurant makes everything from scratch, dunking noodles in a variety of rich broths studded with veggies, pork, and oozy eggs. For a fun twist, check out Slurprise Sunday, when a mystery bowl makes a special appearance with some highly inventive ingredients.

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4101 Charlotte Ave STE E40, Nashville, TN 37209

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Top-down view of a bowl of ramen filled with an oozy egg, pork, seaweed, and more — Black Dynasty Secret Ramen House.

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VN Pho & Deli

The family-run, cash-only VN Pho & Deli offers can’t-miss Vietnamese specialties in an unassuming Charlotte Pike strip mall. Grab bún bo hue, fried rice, or a piping-hot bowl of pho for here or to go. Anything fresh from the pastry case also deserves a spot in your order, as does the Sunday special mi vit tiem — a roast duck soup with egg noodles.

5906 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

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King Siam Thai Cuisine

Situated near the Gulch, King Siam consistently turns out some of the best Thai food in the city in a relaxed and casual setting. The affable team has a knack for making diners feel like they’ve been invited to someone’s home — one specializing in vibrant panang curry, drunken noodles, and tom kah. Go ahead and request a blast of heat from your dishes — the Thai tea and beer will cool things off.

907 12th Ave S #4705, Nashville, TN 37203

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Bastion

Bastion offers two fairly distinct experiences: On one hand, it’s a serious dining venue, and on the other, it’s a lively bar. While the big bar on the side is known for its cheeky (literally) murals, colorful nachos, and daily punch cups, the small 24-seat restaurant helmed by James Beard semifinalist Josh Habiger serves a set tasting menu with whimsical interpretations of traditional dishes, from halibut with wild fennel and bee pollen to local tri-tip with salsify and brown butter. Somehow, it all comes together.

434 Houston St STE 110, Nashville, TN 37203

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A wooden table set with drinks and a plate — Bastion.

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E3 Chophouse

There’s no shortage of excellent steakhouses around Nashville, but E3 Chophouse in Hillsboro Village leads the pack. This elegant, multistory ode to beef showcases some incredibly rare bottles of whiskey at its ground-floor bar, but go up one flight and you’ll be treated to the likes of a massive 42-ounce tomahawk rib-eye, Dijon-crusted lamb, and bison meatballs. Word to the wise, though: Don’t skip the veggies. The roasted acorn squash and creamed corn gratinee are just as good as their meaty counterparts.

1628 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

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The interior of E3 Chophouse with set tables, a bar, and stairs leading up — E3 Chophouse.

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International Market

A fixture since 1975, International Market elicited cries of dismay when it closed and sighs of relief when it reopened right across the street from its original location. In this cheery new home with indoor and outdoor seating, the Myint family has added new offerings like prawn crackers and pork rinds for dipping in Burmese tomato relish with shrimp powder and shrimp paste. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Hat Yai Thai fried chicken — the sell-out risk is high, but you can guarantee that the dish will be waiting for you by preordering 24 hours before your reservation.

2013 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212

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A bowl of broth filled with slices of meat, greens, and more. — International Market.

Locust

Locust, Trevor Moran’s casual dumpling and shaved ice den in 12 South, opened in late 2020 to critical acclaim, including an Eater Award for best new restaurant. The steamed dumplings, cold bowls of mouth-numbing Sichuan-spiced noodles, and tuna ham crisp are all must-eats if you find them on the frequently changing menu, while the rotating flavors of kakigori cap the meal on a light, sweet high note.

2305 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

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Almond kakigori with a side of cherry sauce — Locust.

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Josephine

Josephine’s Andy Little draws inspiration from his years cooking in Pennsylvania Dutch country, the results of which are hearty farmhouse dishes you won’t find anywhere else in town, paired expertly with wines chosen by general manager and sommelier Karen Van Guilder Little. Menu highlights at this fashionable 12 South restaurant include the smoked beef cheek with whole-grain mustard spaetzle, the whole chicken for two, a stellar brunch burger, and apple pockets with salted caramel.

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

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Wine glasses on the bar — Josephine.

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The Butter Milk Ranch

This sunny, midcentury modern bakehouse and cafe in 12 South is exactly where you want to be when you’re craving a sugary treat. The fast-casual bakery up front is home to impossibly beautiful delights like Cinnamon Toast Crunch cookies the size of a salad plate and pistachio praline croissants dipped in dark chocolate. And if you can manage to snag a seat at the buzzy cafe in the back, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with soft scrambled eggs topped with roe, crisply laminated breakfast cubes stuffed with cheese, and piping-hot lattes.

2407 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

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A plate with a croissant, eggs, and more — The Butter Milk Ranch.

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The Nashville Jam Co.

The Nashville Jam Co. is a sweet, sunny destination for a traditional Southern breakfast, brunch, or lunch — nothing fancy, but simplicity at its best, with plenty of outdoor seating on a quiet stretch of Berry Hill. A few morning favorites include the PB&J (that’s pimento cheese, bacon, and tomato jam on a chicken biscuit) and the Bronuts (doughnut-inspired fried biscuits stuffed with cheesecake and topped with blueberry compote). For lunch, check out the fried catfish sandwich, fried green tomato BLT, and hickory-smoked pork.

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2806 Columbine Pl, Nashville, TN 37204

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A top-down view of a spread of dishes including biscuits, shrimp, and french fries — The Nashville Jam Co.

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Gojo Ethiopian Cafe and Restaurant

Head to Thompson Lane for some of the best Ethiopian fare in Tennessee, wonderful for sharing. At Hana Gebretensae’s homey go-to, Gojo, dive into zesty doro wat or prime beef tibs with plenty of injera for scooping it all up. The restaurant also supplies plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes like kik aletcha, a hearty split pea soup.

415 W Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37211

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