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A server ladles cream sauce from a silver gravy boat over an elegantly composed dish of asparagus pieces standing up straight on a white plate on a wooden table in front of a glass of wine.
The Continental at the Grand Hyatt Nashville.
Emily Dorio

17 Restaurants for a Romantic Night Out in Nashville

Dimly lit cocktail lounges, moody cafes, and atmospheric restaurants around Music City

by Eater Staff and Delia Jo Ramsey Updated
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The Continental at the Grand Hyatt Nashville.
| Emily Dorio
by Eater Staff and Delia Jo Ramsey Updated

When you’re looking for a romantic night out, you might have in mind an atmospheric restaurant lit dimly by chandeliers or candles, something a bit moody and hushed with private booths, carefully plated dishes, and an enchanting view to go with dinner. Or maybe you’re picturing a cozy yet lively cocktail lounge with superb hospitality, colorful lighting, and creative drinks to inspire interesting conversation. Whatever it is, take heart: These romantic Nashville restaurants and bars all have something to make your night out feel special.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club

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This excellent East Nashville bar showcases a romantic art deco interior alongside cocktails curated by the incredibly talented Laura Unterberg, with clever options ranging from zero-proof to high-octane (including many fun variations on an Old Fashioned). The Fox Bar’s vegan pimento cheese, hot chicken hummus, and Old Bay-dusted popcorn go down easy with those drinks.

2905B Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

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Once Upon A Time In France

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Father and son Laurent Champonnois and Melvil Arnt opened Once Upon A Time In France, their no-reservations-accepted French bistro on Gallatin Avenue in 2019, and the high-spirited 45-seat restaurant quickly became a date-night destination for locals. A setting inspired by the 1920s, romantic vibes, and a wallet-friendly wine list complement classic fare like escargot, French onion soup, and beef bourguignon.

1102 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 649-8284
(615) 649-8284

Also featured in:

O-Ku

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The Germantown location of this luxurious Charleston-based chain makes believers out of those who don’t think Nashville has a grip on Japanese cuisine. Expect A-5 wagyu beef prepared tableside; pristine nigiri and sashimi; head-turning rolls like the NashVegas with crab, goat cheese mousse, and spicy salmon; and fun cocktails plus a good selection of sake in a moody setting splashed with lavender banquettes and manzanita branches. You can also take your mind off of ordering with an omakase tasting of the chef’s choicest daily offerings.

81 Van Buren St, Nashville, TN 37208
(629) 900-0021
(629) 900-0021

Also featured in:

Margot Cafe & Bar

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A beautifully converted former service station, chef Margot McCormack’s East Nashville institution creates an inviting vibe with bright pops of color and exposed brick across two levels and a patio. Margot Cafe & Bar weaves local produce and goods like Mr. Aaron’s pasta throughout an ever-changing menu that leans French and Italian, offering seasonal hits from roasted cauliflower and tomato gratin to lumache with beef and mushroom ragout.

1017 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-4668
(615) 227-4668
The front exterior of Margot Cafe and Bar in East Nashville, with some bare brick walls and some painted brick walls.
Margot Cafe & Bar.
Margot Cafe & Bar

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EG&MC Cocktail & Tapas Bar

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This stylish lounge on historic Jefferson Street is all about local art, good music, gracious hospitality, and colorful lighting. EG&MC comes from partners Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, Emanuel Reed (the trio behind Slim and Husky’s Pizza Beeria), and Gemaal Pratts, whose cocktail expertise shows in well-balanced signatures like the EG&MC, a whiskey drink with coffee liqueur and blackstrap bitters. Want to unwind even further? You can add a CBD infusion to a drink or even to a sauce for tapas like turkey egg rolls and country-fried chicken tenders.

924 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 490-3825
(615) 490-3825

The Continental Nashville

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The snazzy Grand Hyatt has a few different possibilities for a swanky night out, one being the Continental, Sean Brock’s ground-floor stunner. Book in advance for the prix fixe menu or the caviar and martini tasting experience at the Vesper Club, or just stop by early to snag a bar seat. The prime rib is an absolute must here, as are show-stopping desserts from pastry co-directors Michael Werrell and Keaton Vasek.

1000 Broadway Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 622-3225
(615) 622-3225

Also featured in:

Dinner With Friends

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With finely tuned service and attractively plated dishes like Chilean sea bass and lamb chops, Dinner With Friends is an enchanting fine-dining newcomer in the West End. There’s no alcohol here, so the restaurant curates a nice mix of mocktails like a turmeric Meyer lemonade and the Refresher, which blends papaya, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and mint.

1719 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 730-9559
(615) 730-9559

Superica

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At the Gulch location of Ford Fry’s Superica chain, Tex-Mex specialties like fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos arrive on fresh corn or flour tortillas loaded with meats cooked over an open-fire mix of oak and mesquite. You’ll also find a rainbow of queso choices — compuesto is a popular choice with its picadillo, guacamole, and sour cream — and plenty of fantastic tequilas amid 5800 square feet (plus a patio) of vibes inspired by Texas dance halls and Hill Country restaurants. Whether you sit at the bold concrete bar or in updated classic saloon armchairs, this is a hip, comfy place to share margaritas.

605 Overton St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 709-3148
(615) 709-3148

Also featured in:

Miel Restaurant

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Seema Prasad’s cozy West Nashville restaurant has been a consistent date-night winner for well over a decade, with such touches as an impressive wine list and a lovely patio and garden supplying herbs for seasonal cocktails. Miel’s chef, Jason LaIacona, refreshes the menu daily, so you may or may not see repeats of standouts like beet-cured salmon, cioppino, and house pappardelle with foraged mushroom marsala sauce.

343 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 298-3663
(615) 298-3663

Also featured in:

Giovanni Ristorante

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After 27 years in Manhattan, Giovanni Ristorante found its way to Nashville and firmly planted its flag near Midtown with a snappy bi-level space. Murano glass chandeliers, Venetian plaster, and a Hermes (yes, that Hermes) upholstered bar ensure you’ll eat with your eyes first before even getting to enticing plates like risotto del giorno, pappardelle alla Norcia with black truffles, and tagliatelle with veal.

909 20th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 760-5932
(615) 760-5932

Also featured in:

Fable Lounge

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This West End cocktail lounge and piano bar’s neutral colors, dim lighting, and gold accents provide a distinguished backdrop for a sophisticated night out on the town. Pair local beers and many fanciful cocktails — such as Of Mice & Zen, a lush mix of green tea-infused rum and coconut — with the likes of cheese and charcuterie boards, salmon glazed with pomegranate, and banana creme brulee.

114 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 645-5150
(615) 645-5150

Also featured in:

Sadie’s

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Sadie’s, an airy all-day Mediterranean cafe with eclectic light hangings and a pale color palette, has brightened the Edgehill neighborhood since taking over the home of Taco Mamacita, revivified by Red Pebbles Hospitality and chef Margaret LaVetty (formerly of Barcelona Wine Bar). The delightful menu ranges from crispy artichokes to kebabs of spiced lamb and chicken to fruit-forward cocktails, channeling fine dining without too much fuss.

1200 Villa Pl, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 988-1200
(615) 988-1200

Also featured in:

Lola

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Maher Fawaz of Siege Hospitality (Epice, Santo, Kalamatas) debuted Lola, a stunning spot paying homage to Madrid, in 2021 in Sylvan Park. Look for shareable cold tapas like Spanish olives, jamon Iberico, and rotating cheese and charcuterie boards alongside hot dishes from fried artichokes and croquettes to octopus with spiced chorizo — and plenty of vibrant Spanish wines, naturally.

4401 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

Also featured in:

Park Cafe

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Park Cafe is a Sylvan Park gem that nails the cozy vibes inside and out alongside a solid menu from executive chef Paul Wright. Look out for jumbo mozzarella-stuffed beef tenderloin meatballs, lobster ricotta ravioli, and salmon served with Szechuan green beans, chile plum sauce, and coconut rice.

4403 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 383-4409
(615) 383-4409

Urban Grub

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Urban Grub, which opened in 2012 in a renovated car wash, remains a neighborhood favorite today. During dinner, oysters and charcuterie share the menu with consistent Southern specialties and steaks. A seat on the patio beer garden is perfect during warmer weather, while the dimly lit rustic interior offers a romantic respite during cooler nights.

2506 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 679-9342
(615) 679-9342

Also featured in:

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Sinema

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Always playing at the historic Melrose theater-turned-restaurant on Eighth: impressive food and fun cocktails in one of the most romantic settings in Nashville. Menu staples continually shine, from ricotta agnolotti with fried capers to scallops with spinach orzotto to one of the best cheese and charcuterie spreads in the city.

2600 8th Ave S Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 942-7746
(615) 942-7746

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The Yellow Porch Restaurant

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At the Yellow Porch, service is friendly, drinks are strong, and food is impressive; try the crab cake with Japanese chile oil or the sorghum-infused duck breast. The namesake porch has long been a welcoming place to spend a romantic evening sipping cocktails.

734 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 386-0260
(615) 386-0260

Also featured in:

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The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club

2905B Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

This excellent East Nashville bar showcases a romantic art deco interior alongside cocktails curated by the incredibly talented Laura Unterberg, with clever options ranging from zero-proof to high-octane (including many fun variations on an Old Fashioned). The Fox Bar’s vegan pimento cheese, hot chicken hummus, and Old Bay-dusted popcorn go down easy with those drinks.

2905B Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

Once Upon A Time In France

1102 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Father and son Laurent Champonnois and Melvil Arnt opened Once Upon A Time In France, their no-reservations-accepted French bistro on Gallatin Avenue in 2019, and the high-spirited 45-seat restaurant quickly became a date-night destination for locals. A setting inspired by the 1920s, romantic vibes, and a wallet-friendly wine list complement classic fare like escargot, French onion soup, and beef bourguignon.

1102 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 649-8284
(615) 649-8284

O-Ku

81 Van Buren St, Nashville, TN 37208

The Germantown location of this luxurious Charleston-based chain makes believers out of those who don’t think Nashville has a grip on Japanese cuisine. Expect A-5 wagyu beef prepared tableside; pristine nigiri and sashimi; head-turning rolls like the NashVegas with crab, goat cheese mousse, and spicy salmon; and fun cocktails plus a good selection of sake in a moody setting splashed with lavender banquettes and manzanita branches. You can also take your mind off of ordering with an omakase tasting of the chef’s choicest daily offerings.

81 Van Buren St, Nashville, TN 37208
(629) 900-0021
(629) 900-0021

Margot Cafe & Bar

1017 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

A beautifully converted former service station, chef Margot McCormack’s East Nashville institution creates an inviting vibe with bright pops of color and exposed brick across two levels and a patio. Margot Cafe & Bar weaves local produce and goods like Mr. Aaron’s pasta throughout an ever-changing menu that leans French and Italian, offering seasonal hits from roasted cauliflower and tomato gratin to lumache with beef and mushroom ragout.

1017 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-4668
(615) 227-4668
The front exterior of Margot Cafe and Bar in East Nashville, with some bare brick walls and some painted brick walls.
Margot Cafe & Bar.
Margot Cafe & Bar

EG&MC Cocktail & Tapas Bar

924 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208

This stylish lounge on historic Jefferson Street is all about local art, good music, gracious hospitality, and colorful lighting. EG&MC comes from partners Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, Emanuel Reed (the trio behind Slim and Husky’s Pizza Beeria), and Gemaal Pratts, whose cocktail expertise shows in well-balanced signatures like the EG&MC, a whiskey drink with coffee liqueur and blackstrap bitters. Want to unwind even further? You can add a CBD infusion to a drink or even to a sauce for tapas like turkey egg rolls and country-fried chicken tenders.

924 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 490-3825
(615) 490-3825

The Continental Nashville

1000 Broadway Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37203

The snazzy Grand Hyatt has a few different possibilities for a swanky night out, one being the Continental, Sean Brock’s ground-floor stunner. Book in advance for the prix fixe menu or the caviar and martini tasting experience at the Vesper Club, or just stop by early to snag a bar seat. The prime rib is an absolute must here, as are show-stopping desserts from pastry co-directors Michael Werrell and Keaton Vasek.

1000 Broadway Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 622-3225
(615) 622-3225

Dinner With Friends

1719 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

With finely tuned service and attractively plated dishes like Chilean sea bass and lamb chops, Dinner With Friends is an enchanting fine-dining newcomer in the West End. There’s no alcohol here, so the restaurant curates a nice mix of mocktails like a turmeric Meyer lemonade and the Refresher, which blends papaya, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and mint.

1719 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 730-9559
(615) 730-9559

Superica

605 Overton St, Nashville, TN 37203

At the Gulch location of Ford Fry’s Superica chain, Tex-Mex specialties like fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos arrive on fresh corn or flour tortillas loaded with meats cooked over an open-fire mix of oak and mesquite. You’ll also find a rainbow of queso choices — compuesto is a popular choice with its picadillo, guacamole, and sour cream — and plenty of fantastic tequilas amid 5800 square feet (plus a patio) of vibes inspired by Texas dance halls and Hill Country restaurants. Whether you sit at the bold concrete bar or in updated classic saloon armchairs, this is a hip, comfy place to share margaritas.

605 Overton St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 709-3148
(615) 709-3148

Miel Restaurant

343 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

Seema Prasad’s cozy West Nashville restaurant has been a consistent date-night winner for well over a decade, with such touches as an impressive wine list and a lovely patio and garden supplying herbs for seasonal cocktails. Miel’s chef, Jason LaIacona, refreshes the menu daily, so you may or may not see repeats of standouts like beet-cured salmon, cioppino, and house pappardelle with foraged mushroom marsala sauce.

343 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 298-3663
(615) 298-3663

Giovanni Ristorante

909 20th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

After 27 years in Manhattan, Giovanni Ristorante found its way to Nashville and firmly planted its flag near Midtown with a snappy bi-level space. Murano glass chandeliers, Venetian plaster, and a Hermes (yes, that Hermes) upholstered bar ensure you’ll eat with your eyes first before even getting to enticing plates like risotto del giorno, pappardelle alla Norcia with black truffles, and tagliatelle with veal.

909 20th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 760-5932
(615) 760-5932

Fable Lounge

114 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

This West End cocktail lounge and piano bar’s neutral colors, dim lighting, and gold accents provide a distinguished backdrop for a sophisticated night out on the town. Pair local beers and many fanciful cocktails — such as Of Mice & Zen, a lush mix of green tea-infused rum and coconut — with the likes of cheese and charcuterie boards, salmon glazed with pomegranate, and banana creme brulee.

114 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 645-5150
(615) 645-5150

Sadie’s

1200 Villa Pl, Nashville, TN 37212

Sadie’s, an airy all-day Mediterranean cafe with eclectic light hangings and a pale color palette, has brightened the Edgehill neighborhood since taking over the home of Taco Mamacita, revivified by Red Pebbles Hospitality and chef Margaret LaVetty (formerly of Barcelona Wine Bar). The delightful menu ranges from crispy artichokes to kebabs of spiced lamb and chicken to fruit-forward cocktails, channeling fine dining without too much fuss.

1200 Villa Pl, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 988-1200
(615) 988-1200

Lola

4401 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

Maher Fawaz of Siege Hospitality (Epice, Santo, Kalamatas) debuted Lola, a stunning spot paying homage to Madrid, in 2021 in Sylvan Park. Look for shareable cold tapas like Spanish olives, jamon Iberico, and rotating cheese and charcuterie boards alongside hot dishes from fried artichokes and croquettes to octopus with spiced chorizo — and plenty of vibrant Spanish wines, naturally.

4401 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

Park Cafe

4403 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

Park Cafe is a Sylvan Park gem that nails the cozy vibes inside and out alongside a solid menu from executive chef Paul Wright. Look out for jumbo mozzarella-stuffed beef tenderloin meatballs, lobster ricotta ravioli, and salmon served with Szechuan green beans, chile plum sauce, and coconut rice.

4403 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 383-4409
(615) 383-4409

Urban Grub

2506 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Urban Grub, which opened in 2012 in a renovated car wash, remains a neighborhood favorite today. During dinner, oysters and charcuterie share the menu with consistent Southern specialties and steaks. A seat on the patio beer garden is perfect during warmer weather, while the dimly lit rustic interior offers a romantic respite during cooler nights.

2506 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 679-9342
(615) 679-9342

Related Maps

Sinema

2600 8th Ave S Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37204

Always playing at the historic Melrose theater-turned-restaurant on Eighth: impressive food and fun cocktails in one of the most romantic settings in Nashville. Menu staples continually shine, from ricotta agnolotti with fried capers to scallops with spinach orzotto to one of the best cheese and charcuterie spreads in the city.

2600 8th Ave S Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 942-7746
(615) 942-7746

The Yellow Porch Restaurant

734 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204

At the Yellow Porch, service is friendly, drinks are strong, and food is impressive; try the crab cake with Japanese chile oil or the sorghum-infused duck breast. The namesake porch has long been a welcoming place to spend a romantic evening sipping cocktails.

734 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 386-0260
(615) 386-0260

Related Maps