clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The Eater Nashville Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

View as Map

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What are the newest and hottest restaurants? For that very reason, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change periodically to highlight where the food-crazed masses are flocking to at the moment. For this edition, we say goodbye to Germantown's 312 Pizza Company and we welcome Thai Esane and The Flipside, the newest edition to the 12 South restaurant row.


Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Flipside

Copy Link
Modeled after a 1950s-style diner, The Flipside is the newest edition to the ever-expanding 12 South dining scene. The main event is 'Jack's Best Chicken,' where the chicken breast is pounded flat, seasoned, breaded and sauteed, then topped with all manner of extras. Try the 'Brunch' or the 'Phuket,' which features peanut butter, sriracha and Thai basil slaw.

Thai Esane

Copy Link
Formerly working the family business at King Market in Antioch, Tim Singto and his wife Nina Sayasack brought those popular Thai flavors to 12 South (almost The Gulch) in early June. It's hard to go wrong when ordering, but don't miss the Esane sausage, a family recipe handed down to Nina by her aunt.
Simply speaking, Sinema, having just opened two weeks ago, is like nothing else in Nashville. Top Chef alum and recent Chicago transplant Dale Levitski is at the helm, showcasing his signature take on seasonal ingredients. Think basil buttermilk panna cotta and Colorado rack of lamb with anchovy sauce. The space is a doozy as well, occupying what was originally the historic Melrose Theater. While the ground floor is the main event, don't miss the second floor's cocktail lounge and bar. [Photo via Anthony Matula]

Adele's

Copy Link
Adele's, the new Gulch outpost from New York City celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman, opened early last month. Set inside an old auto repair shop, the space is light and airy, with a large open kitchen. The menu leans towards more rustic offerings, including roasted amberjack and Waxman's signature 'JW' chicken and 'JW' potatoes.

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

Copy Link
Middle Tennessee pit master Pat Martin has finally found an in-town home for his much-loved temple of pork. Located in the booming 12 South/Belmont neighborhood, this location serves up all the hits, including ribs, redneck tacos and their under-the-radar brisket burger.

Two Ten Jack

Copy Link
The masses are flocking to Nashville's first izakaya and ramen house. The menu features, among other things, a selection of small plates, cold noodle dishes and grilled and skewered proteins and vegetables. But the main event is (of course) ramen, offering several classic variations that can't be found, at least on a daily basis, anywhere else in town.

Josephine

Copy Link
Josephine, the newest restaurant from Miranda Whitcomb Pontes and her newly formed Community Hospitality group, has been packing them in on 12 South since opening at the beginning of December. Chef Andrew Little has crafted a concise menu of New American dishes, highlighting seasonal products. And with brunch and lunch service in full effect, look for this one to continue to heat up.

Pinewood Social

Copy Link
Housed within Strategic Hospitality's 13,000 square feet of 'social gathering space' is breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner from former The Catbird Seat chef Josh Habiger, craft cocktails from Rolf and Daughters/Patterson House alum Matt Tocco and coffee selections from Crema. Add with that the additional attractions of bowling, karaoke, ample meeting space and a just-opened outdoor pool area, it makes for a truly unique vision not just for Nashville, but for anywhere.

The 404 Kitchen

Copy Link
This 45-seat restaurant in the Gulch, attached to the just-opened 404 Hotel and housed in a re-purposed storage container, has been drawing crowds since opening last fall. Executive chef Matt Bolus is turning out creative dishes using products such as house-made burrata and sheepshead, a type of fish not typically found on many menus.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Copy Link
Bringing one of Nashville's signature dishes to Midtown, Hattie B's has a real winner on its hands. Owned and operated by the Bishops (of Cool Springs' Bishop's Meat and Three), the heat goes from the barely there 'mild' to the insane 'shut the cluck up.' And with their bigger and better Charlotte Pike location now open, there's even more ways to get that hot chicken fix.

The Flipside

Modeled after a 1950s-style diner, The Flipside is the newest edition to the ever-expanding 12 South dining scene. The main event is 'Jack's Best Chicken,' where the chicken breast is pounded flat, seasoned, breaded and sauteed, then topped with all manner of extras. Try the 'Brunch' or the 'Phuket,' which features peanut butter, sriracha and Thai basil slaw.

Thai Esane

Formerly working the family business at King Market in Antioch, Tim Singto and his wife Nina Sayasack brought those popular Thai flavors to 12 South (almost The Gulch) in early June. It's hard to go wrong when ordering, but don't miss the Esane sausage, a family recipe handed down to Nina by her aunt.

Sinema

Simply speaking, Sinema, having just opened two weeks ago, is like nothing else in Nashville. Top Chef alum and recent Chicago transplant Dale Levitski is at the helm, showcasing his signature take on seasonal ingredients. Think basil buttermilk panna cotta and Colorado rack of lamb with anchovy sauce. The space is a doozy as well, occupying what was originally the historic Melrose Theater. While the ground floor is the main event, don't miss the second floor's cocktail lounge and bar. [Photo via Anthony Matula]

Adele's

Adele's, the new Gulch outpost from New York City celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman, opened early last month. Set inside an old auto repair shop, the space is light and airy, with a large open kitchen. The menu leans towards more rustic offerings, including roasted amberjack and Waxman's signature 'JW' chicken and 'JW' potatoes.

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

Middle Tennessee pit master Pat Martin has finally found an in-town home for his much-loved temple of pork. Located in the booming 12 South/Belmont neighborhood, this location serves up all the hits, including ribs, redneck tacos and their under-the-radar brisket burger.

Two Ten Jack

The masses are flocking to Nashville's first izakaya and ramen house. The menu features, among other things, a selection of small plates, cold noodle dishes and grilled and skewered proteins and vegetables. But the main event is (of course) ramen, offering several classic variations that can't be found, at least on a daily basis, anywhere else in town.

Josephine

Josephine, the newest restaurant from Miranda Whitcomb Pontes and her newly formed Community Hospitality group, has been packing them in on 12 South since opening at the beginning of December. Chef Andrew Little has crafted a concise menu of New American dishes, highlighting seasonal products. And with brunch and lunch service in full effect, look for this one to continue to heat up.

Pinewood Social

Housed within Strategic Hospitality's 13,000 square feet of 'social gathering space' is breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner from former The Catbird Seat chef Josh Habiger, craft cocktails from Rolf and Daughters/Patterson House alum Matt Tocco and coffee selections from Crema. Add with that the additional attractions of bowling, karaoke, ample meeting space and a just-opened outdoor pool area, it makes for a truly unique vision not just for Nashville, but for anywhere.

The 404 Kitchen

This 45-seat restaurant in the Gulch, attached to the just-opened 404 Hotel and housed in a re-purposed storage container, has been drawing crowds since opening last fall. Executive chef Matt Bolus is turning out creative dishes using products such as house-made burrata and sheepshead, a type of fish not typically found on many menus.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Bringing one of Nashville's signature dishes to Midtown, Hattie B's has a real winner on its hands. Owned and operated by the Bishops (of Cool Springs' Bishop's Meat and Three), the heat goes from the barely there 'mild' to the insane 'shut the cluck up.' And with their bigger and better Charlotte Pike location now open, there's even more ways to get that hot chicken fix.

Related Maps