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A brightly lit room with a large table in the middle featuring several indivudals working on their laptops while a server brings food.
Communal working table at Pinewood Social.
Pinewood Social/Facebook

Where to Dine Alone In Nashville

It’s hard to feel lonely with a good dish by your side

by Clara Wang
View as Map
Communal working table at Pinewood Social.
| Pinewood Social/Facebook
by Clara Wang

Whether you’re in town for a business dinner, treating yourself to a night out, or just needing some alone time, dining alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely. Enjoy some time with yourself, chat with staff, or people-watch at these Nashville restaurants that range from once-in-a-blue-moon exclusive tasting menus to cozy hole-in-the-walls.

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Cafe Roze

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This cozy East Nashville cafe serves sunny West Coast vibes with a long stretch of bar that lends itself to a solo brunch or a lunch and dinner menu of pork schnitzel and heirloom mushroom risotto. Indulge to your heart’s content with chef Julia Jaksic’s soul-nourishing cuisine while sipping on a cocktail or smoothie.

1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 645-9100
(615) 645-9100

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June

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Located in McFerrin Park in East Nashville, Chef Sean Brock’s new addition to his restaurant empire offers an extensive tasting menu featuring some of the most luxurious ingredients money can buy in a minimalist 37-seater space. If you’re looking for company, sit at the bar in front of the open kitchen to learn more about your food from the knowledgeable staff, or simply immerse yourself in the tasting experience.

809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

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Peninsula

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The floor-to-ceiling glass windows at this moody East Nashville tribute to the Iberian Peninsuare ideal for people-watching, so sit at the beautiful painted tile bar and enjoy a tinto de verano with some tapas proportioned perfectly for a solo diner who wants to try different things. For a truly Iberian experience, have a slice of Spanish tortilla. 

1035 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 679-0377
(615) 679-0377

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Monell's

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Both Monell’s original Germantown location and Monell’s at the Manor offer family-style seating in iconic restored buildings so solo diners are sure to have people to talk to. Relax in the tranquil Victorian garden in Germantown or learn about the history of the Colemere Mansion on Murfreesboro Pike after chatting with your tablemates over a pan of their famous skillet fried chicken.

1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 248-4747
(615) 248-4747

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Skull's Rainbow Room

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Looking for dinner and a show? Skull’s Rainbow Room serves up live jazz and burlesque along with old-school American fare like a short rib braised in red wine demi-glace, steaks, and lobster tail. You don’t need a date to sip on an elevated gin & tonic and enjoy the performance at this Printer’s Alley institution.

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 810-9631
(615) 810-9631

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Etch

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Etch’s globally-inspired menu touches on everything from Moroccan Bastilla with saffron eggplant and vegan ricotta harissa carrot ribbons, pomegranate walnut pureé, and almond fennel orange pesto to empanadas stuffed with smoked gouda and oyster mushrooms. Have a moment of quiet before getting back to the hustle-and-bustle of downtown in the sleek, serene restaurant, or sit at the chef’s bar to chat about the various inspirations behind each dish with chef Deb Paquette.

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 522-0685
(615) 522-0685

Also featured in:

Pinewood

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For a working lunch or dinner, the communal table in the middle of this Downtown hangout is a great spot to bust out the laptop and solo surf while sipping on Crema lattes or munching on one of their hearty bowls or plates. If you need a break from working, the chic, multipurpose space offers everything you need to entertain yourself from bocce ball to bowling.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 751-8111
(615) 751-8111

Also featured in:

The Catbird Seat

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It’s all in the name — the “catbird seat” is an idiomatic phrase referring to an enviable position. You can perch in the catbird seat on top of the Patterson House speakeasy in Midtown for $135 a head and enjoy chef Brian Baxter’s tasting menu of around a dozen courses.

1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 810-8200
(615) 810-8200

Also featured in:

The Chef and I

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Nashville native Erica Rains and her husband Chris’ Midtown eatery features a chef’s counter where diners can sit and chat with the chefs as they cook in front of them. Diners have the option of a prix-fixe menu ($95 for five courses and $125 for seven courses per person) with wine pairings as well as a rotating seasonal menu in an eclectic space with trendy murals and slick lighting.

1922 Adelicia St, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 730-8496
(615) 730-8496

Also featured in:

Earnest Bar & Hideaway

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Late-night loners can live their Hemingway fantasy at this low-key Wedgewood-Houston restaurant that serves a small bar menu — Brussels sprouts, poutine, Angus beef burgers, and some killer sandwiches — until 1 a.m. Fuel your literary creativity with their extensive wine selection and simple, well-executed dishes like pork ragu, scallop crudo, and Korean fried chicken.

438 Houston St #160, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 915-1715
(615) 915-1715

Also featured in:

Josephine

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The cozy bar at Josephine on 12 South always feels friendly and inviting. Chef Andy Little’s Pennsylvania Dutch roots shine through in the maple-glazed long johns and the rotating seasonal menu (don’t miss the BLT when Cherokee purple tomatoes are in season). All of which is served with signature Southern hospitality.

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 292-7766
(615) 292-7766

Also featured in:

The Butter Milk Ranch

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The busy 12 South neighborhood is full of fashionable tourists and natives to observe. Take a breather from the crowds and post up at the coffee bar at this bustling cafe and indulge in a massive sweet treat — like an apple, brie, and bacon-filled croissant — while you watch the baristas whip up Vietnamese cold brew and seasonal concoctions like the apple cider chai.

2407 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 465-8300
(615) 465-8300

Also featured in:

Nashville Venezuela Food

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This unassuming little spot tucked away on Nolensville Pike is perfect for a solo breakfast or lunch. Sit at the window counter and watch people go about their morning with an arepa de pabellón stuffed with cheese, shredded meat, and perfectly plump and crispy fried plantains. Or read a book while nibbling on fresh pastelitos and sipping on some passion fruit juice.

2604 Nolensville Pk Suite A, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 891-4616
(615) 891-4616

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Cafe Roze

1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

This cozy East Nashville cafe serves sunny West Coast vibes with a long stretch of bar that lends itself to a solo brunch or a lunch and dinner menu of pork schnitzel and heirloom mushroom risotto. Indulge to your heart’s content with chef Julia Jaksic’s soul-nourishing cuisine while sipping on a cocktail or smoothie.

1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 645-9100
(615) 645-9100

June

809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Located in McFerrin Park in East Nashville, Chef Sean Brock’s new addition to his restaurant empire offers an extensive tasting menu featuring some of the most luxurious ingredients money can buy in a minimalist 37-seater space. If you’re looking for company, sit at the bar in front of the open kitchen to learn more about your food from the knowledgeable staff, or simply immerse yourself in the tasting experience.

809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Peninsula

1035 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

The floor-to-ceiling glass windows at this moody East Nashville tribute to the Iberian Peninsuare ideal for people-watching, so sit at the beautiful painted tile bar and enjoy a tinto de verano with some tapas proportioned perfectly for a solo diner who wants to try different things. For a truly Iberian experience, have a slice of Spanish tortilla. 

1035 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 679-0377
(615) 679-0377

Monell's

1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

Both Monell’s original Germantown location and Monell’s at the Manor offer family-style seating in iconic restored buildings so solo diners are sure to have people to talk to. Relax in the tranquil Victorian garden in Germantown or learn about the history of the Colemere Mansion on Murfreesboro Pike after chatting with your tablemates over a pan of their famous skillet fried chicken.

1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 248-4747
(615) 248-4747

Skull's Rainbow Room

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37219

Looking for dinner and a show? Skull’s Rainbow Room serves up live jazz and burlesque along with old-school American fare like a short rib braised in red wine demi-glace, steaks, and lobster tail. You don’t need a date to sip on an elevated gin & tonic and enjoy the performance at this Printer’s Alley institution.

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 810-9631
(615) 810-9631

Etch

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201

Etch’s globally-inspired menu touches on everything from Moroccan Bastilla with saffron eggplant and vegan ricotta harissa carrot ribbons, pomegranate walnut pureé, and almond fennel orange pesto to empanadas stuffed with smoked gouda and oyster mushrooms. Have a moment of quiet before getting back to the hustle-and-bustle of downtown in the sleek, serene restaurant, or sit at the chef’s bar to chat about the various inspirations behind each dish with chef Deb Paquette.

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 522-0685
(615) 522-0685

Pinewood

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210

For a working lunch or dinner, the communal table in the middle of this Downtown hangout is a great spot to bust out the laptop and solo surf while sipping on Crema lattes or munching on one of their hearty bowls or plates. If you need a break from working, the chic, multipurpose space offers everything you need to entertain yourself from bocce ball to bowling.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 751-8111
(615) 751-8111

The Catbird Seat

1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203

It’s all in the name — the “catbird seat” is an idiomatic phrase referring to an enviable position. You can perch in the catbird seat on top of the Patterson House speakeasy in Midtown for $135 a head and enjoy chef Brian Baxter’s tasting menu of around a dozen courses.

1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 810-8200
(615) 810-8200

The Chef and I

1922 Adelicia St, Nashville, TN 37212

Nashville native Erica Rains and her husband Chris’ Midtown eatery features a chef’s counter where diners can sit and chat with the chefs as they cook in front of them. Diners have the option of a prix-fixe menu ($95 for five courses and $125 for seven courses per person) with wine pairings as well as a rotating seasonal menu in an eclectic space with trendy murals and slick lighting.

1922 Adelicia St, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 730-8496
(615) 730-8496

Earnest Bar & Hideaway

438 Houston St #160, Nashville, TN 37203

Late-night loners can live their Hemingway fantasy at this low-key Wedgewood-Houston restaurant that serves a small bar menu — Brussels sprouts, poutine, Angus beef burgers, and some killer sandwiches — until 1 a.m. Fuel your literary creativity with their extensive wine selection and simple, well-executed dishes like pork ragu, scallop crudo, and Korean fried chicken.

438 Houston St #160, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 915-1715
(615) 915-1715

Josephine

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

The cozy bar at Josephine on 12 South always feels friendly and inviting. Chef Andy Little’s Pennsylvania Dutch roots shine through in the maple-glazed long johns and the rotating seasonal menu (don’t miss the BLT when Cherokee purple tomatoes are in season). All of which is served with signature Southern hospitality.

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 292-7766
(615) 292-7766

The Butter Milk Ranch

2407 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

The busy 12 South neighborhood is full of fashionable tourists and natives to observe. Take a breather from the crowds and post up at the coffee bar at this bustling cafe and indulge in a massive sweet treat — like an apple, brie, and bacon-filled croissant — while you watch the baristas whip up Vietnamese cold brew and seasonal concoctions like the apple cider chai.

2407 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 465-8300
(615) 465-8300

Nashville Venezuela Food

2604 Nolensville Pk Suite A, Nashville, TN 37211

This unassuming little spot tucked away on Nolensville Pike is perfect for a solo breakfast or lunch. Sit at the window counter and watch people go about their morning with an arepa de pabellón stuffed with cheese, shredded meat, and perfectly plump and crispy fried plantains. Or read a book while nibbling on fresh pastelitos and sipping on some passion fruit juice.

2604 Nolensville Pk Suite A, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 891-4616
(615) 891-4616

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