clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The Hottest Restaurants in Nashville Right Now, December 2014

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 welcome Maneet Chauhan's first restaurant, Chauhan Ale & Masala House.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Party Fowl

Copy Link
The vibe of this chicken-centric restaurant and sports bar is laid back, with plenty of roll up windows, flat screens and booze. And it's open seven days a week, serving lunch, brunch and dinner.

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 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.

Adele's

Copy Link
Adele's is the new Gulch outpost from New York City celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. 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.

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 last December. Chef Andrew Little has crafted a concise menu of New American dishes, highlighting seasonal products.

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 recently 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 Sutler

Copy Link
The newest project from M.L. Rose owner Austin Ray, this re-imagining of the much loved original has something for everyone. The upstairs acts as an entertainment venue, restaurant and bar, while the downstairs offers up quite the opposite, housing a large cocktail lounge with an interesting design aesthetic.

Love, Peace and Pho

Copy Link
This new family-run Vietnamese eatery has been open for less than two months, but solid word-of-mouth and some recent positive press have helped it start to pick up steam. Obviously the pho is a can't miss, but be sure to try any of a number of their top-notch banh mis.

Chauhan Ale and Masala House

Copy Link
Just a few weeks ago, celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan was finally able to open the doors to her much anticipated first restaurant. The menu is a departure from pretty much any other big opening in town, offering up Indian cuisine with a bit of British pub flare.

Party Fowl

The vibe of this chicken-centric restaurant and sports bar is laid back, with plenty of roll up windows, flat screens and booze. And it's open seven days a week, serving lunch, brunch and dinner.

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 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.

Adele's

Adele's is the new Gulch outpost from New York City celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. 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.

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 last December. Chef Andrew Little has crafted a concise menu of New American dishes, highlighting seasonal products.

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 recently 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.

The Sutler

The newest project from M.L. Rose owner Austin Ray, this re-imagining of the much loved original has something for everyone. The upstairs acts as an entertainment venue, restaurant and bar, while the downstairs offers up quite the opposite, housing a large cocktail lounge with an interesting design aesthetic.

Love, Peace and Pho

This new family-run Vietnamese eatery has been open for less than two months, but solid word-of-mouth and some recent positive press have helped it start to pick up steam. Obviously the pho is a can't miss, but be sure to try any of a number of their top-notch banh mis.

Chauhan Ale and Masala House

Just a few weeks ago, celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan was finally able to open the doors to her much anticipated first restaurant. The menu is a departure from pretty much any other big opening in town, offering up Indian cuisine with a bit of British pub flare.

Related Maps