This dining destination in Leiper’s Fork (the adorable unincorporated rural village in Williamson County) channels old-school vibes, Southern charm, and delivers a standout menu from chef Dylan Morrison. Named after the year the house it occupies was built, Morrison honors time-old culinary traditions with a daily rotating menu that’s featured smoked short rib, zucchini noodle carbonara, and house-churned cookies and ice cream.

This quaint little restaurant set off of Old Hillsboro Road is a solid source for true Southern cooking. Locals rave about the fragrant smells of cobbler, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes when they walk through the front door of Barbara’s, which opened in 1997. From those Southern staples to the rolls, pineapple casserole, and poppyseed chicken — they’re all just like many grew up eating at Sunday supper.

Cozy and quaint, this rustic homespun spot is a go-to destination for breakfast and lunch among Franklin’s locals — one order of the creamy parmesan cheese grits and it’s easy to understand why. Owned by Graeme and Corrie Asch, the couple uses their Southern roots to inform the menu, and it shines through in everything from their sweet potato pancakes to their “guacamento” (that’s a guac and pimento cheese mashup) sandwich.

Located in the heart of downtown Franklin, Cork & Cow is executive chef/owner Jason

McConnell’s special occasion restaurant, offering a variety of steaks along with

extensive wine (over 100 bottles!) and whiskey lists. The expertly prepared steaks here

come with a variety of accompaniments — like black truffle butter and gorgonzola

horseradish — but the tender beef here has the chops to stand out on its own.

Merridee’s, a downtown Franklin favorite since 1984, is known for its top-notch baked goods, which make it a top breakfast destination in town. But don’t overlook the lunch menu, which features a selection of hot and cold sandwiches served on made-from-scratch bread. The recently expanded outdoor courtyard is also the perfect spot to soak up the crisp fall air with a piping hot cup of coffee and one of Merridee’s infamous pastries.

At O’ Be Joyful, the formula for world peace (or a satisfying Friday night) is quite

simple: whiskey and burgers. The brainchild of the Grays on Main crew, this Main

Street fan favorite has that formula down pat, with pimento burgers, fried pickles, and

one of the largest collections of whiskey around town.

Situated in the historic Corn House right off of Downtown Franklin’s Main Street, the third location of this Nashville-food-truck-turned-biscuit-phenomenon doles out Biscuit Love’s classic bonuts with lemon mascarpone, East Nasty biscuit sandwiches, and sweetly-spiced chronic bacon until 3 p.m. every day — minus the unwieldy wait of its Gulch outpost.

Executive chef-owner Jason McConnell first made his mark in the Middle Tennessee restaurant scene when he opened Red Pony Restaurant in 2006, serving a menu of seasonally changing dishes reflecting both his Southern roots and his travels. A recent fire may have moved the restaurant from its Main Street location to the historic McConnell House a few blocks away, but the service and deft cooking style remain the same.

The new-ish kid on the Main Street block, Culaccino brings legit Italian food cred to downtown Franklin with a charming outdoor patio to boot. Helping to whet locals’ appetites: hearty, belly-warming plates of authentic homespun Italian fare from chef Frank Pullara, including the scratch-made veal shoulder-stuffed ravioli marinating in bone marrow, robiola cheese, and butter sauce; a veggie-laden lentil soup; and 72-hour fermented wood-fired pizzas.

The Cool Springs New Mexican restaurant from Southwest transplant Steve Dale is a refreshing turn from the many meat-and-threes, hot chicken, and barbecue options around town. Start with the queso with Hatch chiles or chipotle shrimp quesadillas, then move on to Sopapilla’s take on chicken and waffles — chicken and sopapillas with Hatch gravy and a honey drizzle.

This no-frills locals’ secret hides in an unassuming strip mall, and they sure know how to dish up a plate of al dente pasta. Fettuccini, angel’s hair, spaghetti, and even gluten-free penne are made fresh every day and can be paired with a range of homemade sauces, from a classic Bolognese or carbonara to a spicy Cajun cream sauce with asiago cheese.

A meat-and-three fix is easily satisfied at Bishop’s, which serves up staples like chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, catfish, fried chicken, and more. And since it’s owned and operated by the family behind Hattie B’s, a Nashville hot chicken craving can be quenched there as well.

There’s no need to book a trip to Louisiana for some Cajun cooking — Yats’ New Orleans-style eats more than fit the bill. The process is simple: step up to the counter and order one of the seven to 10 rotating dishes on the chalkboard menu. Pay $7.75 for a full order or $8.75 for a half and half of plates like jambalaya, chili cheese étoufée with crawfish, or red beans with smoked sausage. Then, grab a table, go to town, and think of how you’ll spend all the money saved by not booking that flight. Pro tip: it’s BYOB.

Those with a hankering for something a bit beyond the basic California roll need look no further than Wild Ginger. The menu here puts traditional sushi menu items on their head by infusing its massive rolls with ingredients like mango, pineapple, Cajun spice, and filet mignon. For those who prefer their dishes land-based and cooked, the wok menu doesn’t disappoint with standouts like Mongolian beef and umami chicken.