Yes, it’s the birthplace of Nashville hot chicken. Yes, it’s easy to find biscuits and barbecue by the bucket-full. And yes, there’s more country music than you can shake a stick at. But with roots set in decades of Southern cooking meshed with the influence of immigrants from the far reaches of the globe, Nashville is quickly building its restaurant repertoire with a variety of noteworthy spots, far from basic. Use this handy guide to dine around the best restaurants Nashville has to offer—no cowboy boots, matching pink tank tops, or pedal taverns required. Promise.

Welcome to Music City

Country music wasn’t born in Nashville — the genre’s roots run much deeper than that, drawing from Kentucky bluegrass, Southern gospel hymns, Appalachian folk music, Mississippi Delta blues, and other regional formats that have influenced history’s most beloved country hits. But while it didn’t here, country music certainly evolved in Nashville, in the basement studios of Music Row, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and in the hearts of the thousands of hopeful musicians who call Music City home.

Country music may have put Nashville on the map, but today the city is known for much more, including its bustling healthcare industry, flourishing art scene, ace hockey team, and of course, its growing list of impressive offerings when it comes to food. Whether visiting Nashville to try some homegrown barbecue and fiery hot chicken, or a local looking to expand your circle of go-to joints, this guide will help navigate all things food in Music City.

Where to Start on Eater Nashville’s Best Maps

Eater provides dozens of maps to guide you to the top places and things to eat and drink in Nashville. Below, we pull the top one or two points on the most popular maps to help time-starved eaters prioritize which spots to visit.

Hot Restaurant: The hottest of the hot right now is steak frites and escargots destination Once Upon a Time in France, but find all of the hottest restaurant on our Heatmap.



Essential Restaurant: If you need to whittle down the

“ Essential 38, reserve a coveted spot at City House for a taste of Wilson’s rustic take on Italian cuisine, by way of the South. And Arnold’s Country Kitchen is the perfect place to sample Nashville’s best-known meat and three (see glossary).

Hot Chicken: A true Nashville original, hot chicken was born more than 70 years ago at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. The Ewing Drive location is sadly, now permanently closed, but there’s an outpost on the south side and a truck at 6th and Peabody still cranking out that same fiery fowl. Today several restaurants get accolades for their take on the iconic dish, and of course, locals argue over which version is the best. Now tourists can find dishes featuring hot chicken (here are some surprising ones) at hundreds of local restaurants, but only a few stand out among locals, who have even formed a Facebook group to discuss the fiery bird.

Meat and Three: Aforementioned Arnold’s Country Kitchen is by far the most popular meat-and-three in town, but head to Dandgure’s Classic Southern Cooking to avoid the long lines, yet still experience solid homemade cafeteria-style food.

Brunch: Bevies of bachelorettes show up looking for the best of Nashville brunches. Fortunately, there is no shortage of restaurants catering to the bubbly-drinking, breakfast food-loving crowd. Butcher & Bee routinely fills up for weekend brunch, and the whipped feta alone is worth a visit. Venture Northwest of the city to try The Old School, or for the city’s best new brunch, head East to charming lou. South of town and looking for brunch in Franklin and Thompson’s Station? Mimosas, they’re flowing there too.

Bars: Nashville is nothing if not a drinking town, and the bar scene here holds its own against other larger cities. There are plenty of places to grab a drink, from the city’s oldest dives to its newest watering holes. Head to Robert’s Western World (416 Broadway B) for cheap beer and an old-school honky-tonk experience. Or, take in the speakeasy vibes at cocktail bar The Patterson House (part of Ben and Max Goldberg’s Strategic Hospitality).

Live Music:

Most anyone visiting Nashville wants to know where to eat, yes, but they also want to locate some legit live music. Everyone knows about Tootsie’s, The Stage, and the ever-increasing number of eponymous country-singer-owned honky-tonks. But outside of the most popular section of Broadway, venture a couple blocks down to Nashville Underground (try some hot chicken mac and cheese or banana pudding while you’re there). Away from Broadway, pop over to Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Printer’s Alley, or head to The Sutler on Sundays for bluegrass brunch. Grimey’s has some cool in-store events, so check the before your visit. An interesting note: Hardcore Exit/In fans can get an Exit/In tattoo to free admission (for life) to every single show held at the Elliston Place rock venue.

Nashville Food Neighborhoods to Know

These are the key areas of the city every self-proclaimed food person needs to get acquainted with — with what to eat and drink in each.

Germantown

This bedroom community just north of downtown is home to some of the most nationally-recognized restaurants in Nashville. There’s the newly renovated Rolf and Daughters, Philip Krajeck’s neighborhood restaurant that has earned multiple “best restaurant” awards, and City House, James Beard Award Winner Tandy Wilson’s Southern-influenced Italian restaurant. The raw bar at Henrietta Red is the perfect place to grab oysters and a cocktail, and for traditional Southern fare, Monell’s family-style dining experience is unlike any other in town.

East Nashville

This rapidly-changing portion of the city is now one of its most popular neighborhoods —home to many of Nashville’s creatives, independent shops, art galleries, and plenty of places to eat and drink. At Eater Nashville’s 2018 restaurant of the year, Peninsula, chef Jake Howell executes Spanish- and Portuguese-inspired fare flawlessly with French techniques. Pelican & Pig opened by husband-and-wife duo Nick and Audra Guidry in early 2019 in a converted mid-century auto upholstery shop —serving his creative wood-fired creations alongside her lovely desserts. European-style cafe Marché Artisan Foods is a popular weekend brunch spot that continues to draw crowds in search of pastries, crepes, and coffee. Lockeland Table is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant with solid cocktails and a menu heavy on Southern ingredients. A great stop for lunch, Mas Tacos Por Favor serves street-style tacos with unexpected fillings like fried avocado, quinoa, and sweet potato. Looking for a beer? There are several taprooms on the east side, including Southern Grist, East Nashville Beer Works, and Smith & Lentz. Cocktail lovers can make themselves comfortable on the patio at Rosemary (1102 Forrest Ave.) under string lights in what feels like it could be a friend’s backyard. Urban Cowboy Public House is a trendy place to drink craft cocktails among a mix of hipsters, Instagram influencers, and musicians.

Downtown

Thousands of tourists descend on Nashville’s Lower Broadway each year, and many locals try to avoid the city’s epicenter and its bands of bachelorette parties like the plague. However, the recent influx of new restaurants to the area makes going downtown a more pleasant experience for everyone. Green Pheasant brings refreshingly new cuisine to downtown—with modern takes on Japanese dishes in stunning digs. Woolworth on 5th brings a side of history with every meal, as its menu of Southern food and diner fare is served at the site of the 1960s lunch counter sit-ins. Black Rabbit has a cool speakeasy vibe, nice cocktail selection, and small plates like charred octopus ceviche. Deb Paquette’s Etch has been around since 2012, yet it remains one of the most revered restaurants in the city, serving unexpected items like duck tart, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, and carrot enchilada. Looking for barbecue? Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint’s downtown location is the best option to experience authentic West Tennessee whole-hog style barbecue. Just south of Broadway is Husk, Nashville’s outpost of the renowned Charleston restaurant, and Pinewood Social, a coffee shop/restaurant/bowling alley.

12 South

This rapidly-changing commercial strip just a few miles from downtown is extremely popular with tourists and the college set, though not quite deserving of its vaunted status from the masses as a food destination. But, there are a few places worth checking out here. Lebanese bistro Epice offers a different-for-Nashville menu of Middle Eastern food and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. Chef Andy Little’s Josephine restaurant is well-known for its contemporary American cuisine and seasonally-changing menu, though brunch (and the cinnamon sugar doughnuts) should not be overlooked. Mafiaoza’s (2400 12th Ave S,) is a popular spot on Tuesdays for its 2-for-1 pizza slices and beer deals, and Edley’s Bar-B-Cue provides a fix of barbecue and sides. For a quick coffee break, the ever-popular Frothy Monkey remains the neighborhood’s go-to place, but those looking to skip the line and get an equally satisfying cup of joe can walk one block south to nearby Portland Brew (2605 12th Avenue South).

Wedgewood-Houston

The Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, just south of downtown Nashville, is characterized by railroad tracks, warehouses, and art galleries. Bastion is part bar, part fine-dining restaurant, with some of the best bar nachos in town; snag one of the spots at the 24-seat restaurant for a multi-course fine dining experience. Gabby’s Burgers and Fries (493 Humphreys St.) serves a solid burger and has a secret menu full of unusual options. The freshly baked bread, pastries, and cookies draw crowds to Dozen Bakery, but its baguette sandwiches keep regulars coming back every week. Another weekday lunch spot, Clawson’s Pub & Deli (1205 4th Ave. S) has more than a dozen sandwich options and a lengthy list of beers. For spirits, tiki-style cocktails are at Flamingo Cocktail Club (509 Houston St.). Other options include taking a tour of the distillery and then sampling the product at Corsair or sipping a crisp cider at the Diskin Cider taproom (1235 Martin St.).

Sylvan Park

This west Nashville neighborhood’s strip of bars and restaurants has a more local vibe than other similar areas of town. St. Louis chef Gerard Craft’s Nashville outpost of Pastaria serves up Italian favorites including pasta, pizza, and gelato—and don’t overlook the crispy risotto balls. For vegan and vegetarian-friendly eats, head to Avo, where you should definitely try the avocado margarita. Nashville is of-course synonymous with hot chicken, and Hattie B’s is one of the most popular places to get the fiery fowl. Please everyone in the group with the extensive beer list at M.L. Rose and soak up the Tennessee summer heat on the cozy, dog-friendly front patio. Answer (32 46th Ave. N) is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant everyone wishes was down the street from their house, serving quality food in an unpretentious and welcoming setting.

The Nations

Yet another Nashville neighborhood in the midst of redevelopment, The Nations continues to attract an abundance of bars and restaurants. Nicky’s Coal Fired (5026 Centennial Blvd), the Italian restaurant concept from 2015 Eater Nashville Chef of the Year winner Tony Galzin and Caroline Galzin, serves high-quality pastas and pizzas cooked in a coal-burning oven. Hugh-Baby’s (4816 Charlotte Ave.) is a fast-food restaurant from Pat Martin (Martin’s Bar-B-Cue Joint) that serves burgers, hot dogs, and shakes. Culinary adventurists should try the “slugburger” (served Fridays only) — a burger served with a deep-fried soybean meal and ground pork patty. For an afternoon drinking with friends, The Hopyard at Fat Bottom is the perfect place to enjoy beers on the spacious outdoor patio. The local honey and sorghum cinnamon latte at cozy coffee shop Headquarters is perfect for a morning caffeine fix or afternoon pick-me-up.

Nolensville Road

Trek south down Nolensville Road to find some of Nashville’s most culturally diverse cuisine. Devour tacos for $1.25 each at Carniceria y Taqueria Don Juan (2910 Nolensville Pike), a colorful little stand that also serves Mexican food favorites such as sopes, tortas, and burritos. The Turkish cuisine at Istanbul Restaurant (2631 Nolensville Pike) is also very affordable and can satisfy cravings for gyros, kebabs, falafel, hummus and more. Las Americas ( 4715 Nolensville Pike # A) serves a mix of Mexican and Central American dishes and also has a small market attached where you can find Latin American ingredients and prepackaged goods. A stroll through the Plaza Mariachi marketplace (3955 Nolensville Pike) allows guests to sample several different Latin American cuisines and catch some entertainment, which includes live music, acrobatic performers, and dancers. And don’t forget to stop by La Hacienda, the Mexican restaurant former President Barack Obama visited during his 2014 visit to Nashville.

The Gulch

As far as dining goes, The Gulch has come a long way over the last couple of years, but it still has room to grow. For now, best bets for the belly begin with Sarah Gavigan’s new izakaya Bar Otaku ( 505 12th Avenue S), the sister restaurant to Otaku Ramen (1104 Division Street) — another solid Gulch destination (and one of very few in the city) for ramen. The Tennessee tonkotsu is an essential Nashville dish. Marsh House (401 11th Avenue South) menu highlights include barbecue shrimp, squid ink garganelli, and pastry chef Lisa Marie White’s croissants and other sugary creations. Head to Eater’s 2018 Restaurant Import of the Year Emmy Squared (404 12th Avenue S) for both Detroit-style pizza and a burger that’ve quickly crept their way onto the top spots of nearly every “best of” list in the city. Meat fans can munch on ribs at Peg Leg Porker or feast on steak at 404 Kitchen or Kayne Prime. Jolts of caffeine await at Barista Parlour Golden Sound — good for holding you over/keeping you sane if someone in your party insists on waiting in line two hours for Biscuit Love (hello, Hillsboro Village location), Tex-Mex fare at Superica, or those darned angel wing photos.

Nashville Glossary of Terms

Meat and Three:

Exactly what it sounds like, a meat-and-three restaurant offers customers a plated lunch with meat (often a choice of fried chicken, pulled pork, brisket, country ham, or another quintessential Southern main) and choice of three sides. Mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, and fried green tomatoes are all among the frequently found side dishes as some of Nashville’s most beloved meat and threes.

Honky-Tonk:

A honky-tonk is quite simply a bar that plays country music. Depending on the night of the week and who you ask, the word honky-tonk can elicit feelings of nostalgia and excitement, or dread and utter annoyance. This may or may not be directly correlated with the number of bachelorette parties to be found on Broadway on said night.

Nashville Hot Chicken:

The super spicy fried chicken Nashville has become known for (see sidebar).

Tandy Wilson:

James Beard award-winner for Best Chef: Southeast and owner/executive chef at City House in Germantown.

Margot McCormack:

Trailblazing chef and owner of Margot Cafe and Marché Artisan Foods. McCormack opened Margot Cafe in East Nashville in 2001, before there was much of anything to note east of the Cumberland River.

Ben and Max Goldberg:

These brothers are owners and founders of Nashville-based Strategic Hospitality, an organization whose concepts include the aforementioned The Patterson House, Bastion, The Catbird Seat, and Henrietta Red (1200 4th Ave N), plus several other local establishments, including Paradise Park, a Lower Broadway institution they recently brought back to life inside their new Downtown Sporting Club.

André Prince Jeffries:

Current owner of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, hot chicken heiress and great niece of Thornton Prince, the individual credited with opening the first Nashville hot chicken restaurant in 1945.

Reservations to Make in Advance

Be sure to book a table ahead of time for these restaurants: City House; Rolf and Daughters; Catbird Seat; Bastion; Husk.

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