28 Best Restaurants in Nashville (Where to Eat, by a Local)

Nashville’s culinary scene is constantly growing. It’s on par with what you’d expect from a big city. You’ll find restaurants in Nashville serving up everything from traditional Southern cuisine to upscale, fine international dining. 

The hardest part of dining in Nashville is deciding which restaurant to try next. There are so many amazing options that picking just a few restaurants when visiting can be overwhelming.

Here’s where I can help guide you to the best restaurants in Nashville with my local knowledge! I know that eating out is one of the best things to do in Nashville, so I put together this restaurant list to help your Nashville trip be the best experience it can be.

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

28 Best Nashville Restaurants

Assembly Food Hall

Food Court | $-$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 800-5395

Want to sample some of the best food in Nashville without leaving Downtown Nashville? Then stop by Assembly Food Hall. This newly opened establishment at Fifth + Broadway is the largest food hall in the U.S.

Try local favorites like Coco’s Fresh Italian, Hattie Jane’s Creamery, Prince’s Hot Chicken, Pharmacy Burger, and Steam Boys. Besides restaurants and bars, Assembly Food Hall also has three stages for live performances.

The food hall is a perfect stop for lunch or dinner while sightseeing in Downtown Nashville or before a show and an easy way to try out all the best places to eat in Nashville all in one location. 

👉 Pro Tip: Check Assembly Food Hall’s website to see if there are any live music events or watch parties happening.

Redheaded Stranger

Tex-Mex | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 544-8226

If you are looking for Tex-Mex with a delicious, fun twist, head to Redheaded Stranger in East Nashville. The menu is small, but every single option is full of flavor. The tacos are fun and fancy, but the surprise hit is the cheeseburger topped with hatch chiles. 

The atmosphere is as unique as the food. The restaurant has a cool, laid-back vibe and a welcoming patio for outdoor dining.

The word is out about just how good Redheaded Stranger is, so peak dining hours can be crowded. My secret to avoiding the crowds is to head over mid-afternoon to enjoy margaritas and totchos on the patio.

👉 Pro Tip: If the crunchwrap is on the daily specials, order one before they sell out. The crunchwraps never stick around for long.

Blue Aster

Seafood | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 327-8005

You might be surprised to find incredibly fresh and delicious seafood in the capital city of a landlocked state, but that’s exactly what Blue Aster delivers. Blue Aster, located in the Conrad, is an upscale restaurant serving amazing coastal cuisine.

The menu changes periodically and uses local ingredients wherever possible. The fish and chips made with cornmeal-crusted haddock are one of my favorite dishes. Blue Aster also does an afternoon tea on the weekends featuring sandwiches, pastries, and champagne. 

The Conrad is one of the best hotels in Nashville, but you don’t have to stay at the hotel to make a reservation at this Downtown restaurant. It’s a great choice for a date night or to celebrate a special occasion.

Joyland

Hamburger Restaurant | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 922-4934

Joyland is a burger joint located in East Nashville. The restaurant is a project by Sean Brock who is most well known for his high-end dining restaurants. However, Joyland is a very straightforward, casual restaurant. 

Joyland’s menu has a limited selection of burgers (including a vegetarian option), a fried chicken sandwich, and a few sides. Despite only having a few choices, you can’t go wrong with anything you order because the food here is delicious.

People have strong opinions about burgers, but I think these might be the best ones in Nashville. There’s nothing gourmet or fancy about them. They’re just very good!

Biscuit Love

Breakfast | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 490-9584

This popular Nashville staple began as a food truck that offered traditional Southern food. The owners eventually expanded with two locations in Nashville and two in Franklin.

Biscuit Love is only open in the morning. It serves Southern dishes like biscuits with sausage gravy and shrimp and grits. Don’t miss out on delicious sides like the cheese grits and order at least one serving of bonuts (biscuit donuts with blueberry sauce) for the table.

This is the perfect spot for brunch during a girls’ Nashville trip.

Prince’s Hot Chicken

Chicken | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 810-9388

You can’t come to Nashville without trying some of the chicken that launched Nashville’s signature dish. Thornton Prince created the recipe during the Great Depression, and his great-niece Ms. Andre Prince Jeffries is making sure people can still enjoy the original version of the spicy staple today.

You can choose your level of heat, but try not to go so high you regret it later. If you’re not a fan of spicy foods, you can always get the plain version. The fries here are also particularly good.

There are currently several locations of Prince’s. The one in Assembly Food Hall downtown is usually the easiest for visitors to get to.

Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Barbecue | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 873-4085

You can’t visit a city like Nashville without sampling some barbecue. Edley’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant that originally opened in 12 South. There are multiple locations including East Nashville, Sylvan Park, and more.

It’s no surprise that the meat options are good at this old-fashioned barbecue joint, but what really makes this place to eat in Nashville stand out are the sides. Definitely make sure to get the banana pudding. The cornbread, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and potato salad are also amazing. 

If you’re looking for a welcoming place to enjoy delicious Tennessee barbecue with friends and family, Edley’s is the place to go.

City House

Italian | ($$) | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 736-5838

Located in Germantown, City House is a perfect choice for an intimate dining experience. Opened by James Beard Award Winner Tandy Wilson in 2007, the restaurant offers traditional Italian cuisine with a Southern flair.

Sunday nights are the most popular time to eat at City House thanks to the Sunday Supper Menu, a special selection that changes weekly. The menu stays fairly consistent throughout the rest of the week. I highly suggest ordering at least one pizza. 

Plan to book a reservation in advance to make sure that you get to enjoy the experience at City House. There is a limited amount of walk-in seating available at the bar, but it goes fast.

Peninsula

Spanish | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 679-0377

For a nice night out, Peninsula in East Nashville is one of the best places to go. The cozy, intimate restaurant specializes in Spanish and Portuguese-inspired cuisine. The restaurant’s menu changes frequently depending on what seasonal ingredients are available.

Every single item you order will be one of the best dishes you’ve had. It’s no surprise that chef Jake Howel was named a James Beard Award Semifinalist. The restaurant also has an excellent gin and tonic menu. If you’re a foodie, Peninsula should be on your list of restaurants in Nashville to visit.

Thai Esane

Thai | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 454-5373

Thai Esane is one of the most popular Thai restaurants in Nashville. There are three locations in Nashville in Midtown, in East Nashville, and at Assembly Food Hall in Downtown along with another location nearby in Brentwood.

All the restaurants have a cool, modern feel. The drunken noodles are a favorite with most locals, but I almost always get the chicken pad Thai. Be sure to pay attention to the spice level that you order, especially if you don’t typically eat spicy things.

If you’re ordering at the stall in Assembly Food Hall, be aware that the menu is more limited than at the stand-alone restaurants.

Bavarian Bierhaus

German | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 238-0687

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat near the Grand Ole Opry House, then Bavarian Bierhaus is one of the best options. Bavarian Bierhaus is owned by a group of friends who wanted to create an authentic German experience in Nashville. The restaurant is designed to look like a Munich Bierhall and has an outdoor Biergarten.

It’s easy to order way too much food because everything on the menu sounds so good. The chicken schnitzel is delicious, and the currywurst is also worth trying. Of course, you can’t visit without ordering at least one pretzel with bier cheese dipping sauce.

Butcher & Bee

Mediterranean | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 229-5019

Locals in East Nashville constantly rave about Butcher & Bee. The Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant offers a modern, cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for couples as well as for larger groups.

Butcher & Bee specializes in sourcing fresh, local ingredients and elevates simple dishes to the gourmet level. All the dishes on the menu are delicious, but the mezze is where the restaurant really shines. Order several appetizer options to share with the table. Be sure to order the whipped feta. 

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back to Butcher & Bee more than once on your trip. It truly is one of the best dining spots in Nashville.

Mas Tacos

Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 543-6271

If you’re looking for an authentic taco shop in Nashville, head to Mas Tacos in East Nashville. The menu is simple, but there’s plenty of tacos, tamales, and soups available. Try two of the most popular orders – the fried avocado taco and pulled pork taco. 

You order at the window outside, and then, either wait inside or outside for your order to be ready. There’s not too much indoor seating, so a lot of people take their food to-go. If the weather is nice, I suggest getting your order and heading to one of Nashville’s many parks.

👉 First Time in Nashville? Don’t miss all our free Nashville travel guides!

Spicy Boy’s

American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (504)-269-3442

Right next door to Mas Tacos in East Nashville, Spicy Boy’s specializes in Cajun food. The menu has staples like boudin, andouille sausage, and gumbo. When you take a seat in the courtyard next to the wrought iron fence, you’ll feel like you’re in New Orleans without the humidity. 

I get a shrimp poboy any time I see it on a menu, and Spicy Boy’s makes the best one I’ve had so far in Nashville. During crawfish season, you can order boiled crawfish.

Also, the restaurant does a special game day menu when the Saints play. If you’re looking for a little taste of Louisiana, Spicy Boy’s is the closest you’ll get in Nashville.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Chicken | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 802-5700

You can’t leave Nashville without sampling some hot chicken. There are lots of places in Nashville that serve great chicken. To me, Hattie B’s stands out because of the quality of the sides. 

You’ll get high-quality, juicy chicken along with delicious sides like greens, pimento mac and cheese, or cole slaw.

Go easy on the spice levels because the hottest options truly are hot. If you don’t like spicy foods, you can always get the southern option. This is just fried chicken with no added spice.

Hattie B’s has several locations. The West Nashville location is usually a little less crowded, but expect a line at peak lunch and dinner hours no matter which location you visit.

Boston Commons

Seafood | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 226-9283

Boston Commons, formerly known as Batter’d and Fried, is a New England-style seafood pub with a Southern influence. This might sound like an odd combination, but the result is delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere.

On the menu, you’ll find standard New England fare like clam chowder and lobster roll alongside Southern favorites like shrimp and grits. The most popular items on the menu are the fish and chips. They always turn out perfectly fried without being greasy at all. 

You should try to save room for dessert if you can, especially when the blackberry cobbler is available!

Butchertown Hall

American/Tex-Mex | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 454-3634

For meat lovers, Butchertown Hall in Germantown is the place to go. You’ll find amazing tacos along with a wide variety of barbecue. If you’re going with a group, order a couple small plates, like the guacamole and queso. Then, try some of the by-the-pound smoke meats. Both the pulled pork and the smoked brisket are excellent.

Even though the food has a Tex-Mex theme, Butchertown Hall, has a great selection of German beers and other craft beers available. 

You’ll see very few tourists. Butchertown Hall is the perfect place if you want to eat great food like a Nashville local.

Lockeland Table

American | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 228-4864

To feel the most like a local in Nashville, go to Lockeland Table in East Nashville. You’ll feel like you belong as soon as you walk in the door. In addition to the welcoming atmosphere, the food here is truly exquisite.

You would expect a restaurant of this quality to only cater to adults, but the kids’ menu is quite good as well. This is the perfect place for a special family evening.

I’d suggest going during Lockeland Table’s Community Hour if possible. The restaurant’s version of happy hour includes great prices on some of their tastiest snacks and drinks. The proceeds go to support local Nashville schools.

Nashville Farmers’ Market

Multiple Cuisines | $-$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 880-2001

If you’re trying to do Nashville on a budget, then head to the Market House at the Nashville Farmers’ Market for a cheap lunch. There are 20 local shops and restaurants to choose from here. You’ll find every kind of cuisine from Southern BBQ to Caribbean and Korean. Music City Crepes is one of my favorite places to get a quick bite.

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is right across from the Tennessee State Museum, the Tennessee State Capitol, and the Bicentennial Mall. The Market House is an easy place to grab a delicious meal while sightseeing.

Five Points Pizza

Pizza | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 915-4174

You might be surprised to discover that you can get a good-quality NY-style pizza in Nashville, but at Five Points, that’s exactly what you’ll find. 

Five Points Pizza is so popular that there are actually two locations in Nashville. The West Nashville location is larger and has better parking. The East Nashville location is centrally located and has a lot of character.

At both locations, you’ll find a great atmosphere, good pizza, and craft beer on tap. Make sure to get an order of the garlic knots along with your pie. 

At lunchtime, head to Five Points for the lunch specials. You’ll get one of the most delicious lunches in Nashville for less than $10.

Catbird Seat

American | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 810-8200

Foodies looking for a culinary adventure should put the Catbird Seat at the top of their list. The restaurant in Downtown Nashville offers a chef’s tasting menu in an intimate environment.

The current chef at The Catbird Seat is Brian Baxter, who previously worked at Husk and Bastion. The tasting menu is built around seasonal ingredients and features many carefully prepared courses. 

Plan to make reservations in advance to enjoy one of the shared meals at this 36-seat restaurant.

The Continental

American | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 622-3225

Located in the Grand Hyatt hotel in Downtown, The Continental is a luxury fine-dining experience. The restaurant is Nashville chef Sean Brock’s take on mid-20th century upscale hotel dining. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss when visiting Nashville.

The prix fixe menu has diners choose their entrée and dessert from a menu that changes seasonally. Dishes like caviar and oysters are served during the different courses. The dishes are undeniably excellent. Every course is so well-done that it’s impossible to pick a favorite. 

Make reservations in advance to ensure that you get a table. There’s also bar seating available, but be aware that the menu at the bar is different. It’s still excellent food, just not the same dishes.

Liberty Common

American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 649-8900

Liberty Common is yet another Nashville restaurant that offers an awesome brunch experience. The restaurant has a French brasserie vibe with a modern Southern influence. Liberty Common is open all day, but, in my opinion, the brunch menu is absolutely the best.

The menu includes classics like steak frites and croque madame. The on-site pastry chef keeps customers supplied with an abundance of fresh biscuits, pastries, and dessert options. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

If you’re in town for a Nashville bachelorette party or on a girls’ trip, then Liberty Common is a must-visit among the best restaurants in Nashville.

Henrietta Red

Seafood | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 490-8042

For a chic, trendy dining experience, try Henrietta Red in Germantown. Even though Nashville is nowhere near a coast, this restaurant manages to offer an array of delicious seafood options, including a raw oyster bar.

The menu focuses heavily on fresh ingredients, and every vegetable-based dish is incredible. The quality is no surprise given that chef/co-owner Julia Sullivan is a James Beard Award Semifinalist. 

Henrietta Red is a popular dinner spot, but it’s worth going early to catch the oyster happy hour. It’s a great spot for a girls night.

You can also stop by to enjoy the weekend brunch. There are plenty of unique savory and sweet options on the menu to satisfy everyone.

Cock of the Walk

Southern | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 889-1930

If you’re craving catfish, Cock of the Walk in Music Valley is one of the best places to go. The restaurant is technically a chain, but the only other two locations are in Mississippi. And, they certainly know how to cook catfish.

While there are options like chicken and shrimp on the menu, what you really want is the perfectly fried catfish. It comes with coleslaw, hushpuppies, sweet onions, cornbread, and fries as sides. I’d also suggest getting an order of fried pickles. Just be warned – I’ve never managed to finish a half-order of catfish even when I don’t get the fried pickles.

Once Upon a Time in France

French | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 649-8284

Experience Paris without the trans-Atlantic flight at Once Upon a Time in France. This welcoming neighborhood bistro in East Nashville is run by a French father and son duo.

You’ll get classic French bistro fare like coq au vin, confit de canard, and steak frites. The menu is small, but every dish on it is excellent. Naturally, you can choose a perfect drink to go along with your meal from the carefully curated wine lists as well.

As a traditional French bistro, Once Upon a Time in France does not take reservations. The dining room is small. You can get there early to ensure that you get a seat. If you need to put your name on the waitlist, you can always enjoy a glass of wine on the patio while you wait for a table to open up.

👉 Read Next: Is Nashville Safe Right Now?

The Optimist

New American | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 709-3156

If your idea of a good dinner out involves plates piled with oysters and seafood, then go to The Optimist. You might not expect amazing seafood in Middle Tennessee, but the seafood here is fresh and delicious. You can’t go wrong with one of the plateaux that let you get a sampling of oysters, shrimp, and lobster. 

The restaurant feels like a quirky, upscale fish camp. The upstairs is filled with sea creature murals and it’s one of my favorite dining rooms in Nashville. 

The patio bar, Jacqueline, is also a cool experience if you’re just looking for cocktails and a light snack. It’s the perfect start to a date night.

👉 Read Next: The Best Months to Go to Nashville

Chauhan Ale & Masala House

Indian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 242-8426

For an experience unlike any other in Nashville, head to Chauchan Ale and Masala. The restaurant by award-winning chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan blends her love for traditional Indian cuisine and Southern cuisine.

Diners can try tasty Indian fusion options like hot chicken pakoras or methi malai mac n cheese. The one dish you absolutely have to try is the tandoori chicken poutine. The fries are excellent by themselves. When they’re cover in tandoori chicken, makhani sauce, and cheese curds, you won’t be able to stop eating.

👉 Pro Tip: Consider stopping by for the Sunday brunch. The restaurant offers a great selection of unique sweet and savory breakfast options.

FAQs About Where to Eat in Nashville

***

There are plenty of excellent restaurants to discover in Nashville! To help plan the rest of your Nashville visit, be sure to check out this guide of the best things to do in Nashville.