A Local’s Guide to the Best Restaurants in Downtown Nashville

You’re here because you want to know the best spots to eat in Downtown Nashville. As a Nashville local, I’m going to give you my best advice, but I also want to make sure you know that locals don’t usually go out to eat in Downtown Nashville that often.

Parking is expensive, and the food tends to be on the pricey side as well. But, if you’re sightseeing in Downtown, you’re probably going to want to eat Downtown as well. Here is my attempt to steer you in the right direction.

The Best Downtown Nashville Restaurants

I haven’t eaten everywhere in Downtown by a long shot (again because it’s expensive even just to get a parking spot), but these are the places I would suggest to my friends.

Assembly Food Hall

Assembly Food Hall is at the top of my list for where to eat in Downtown Nashville, and it could easily be the entire list by itself. The food hall is basically a giant food court with multiple places to eat.

My top suggestion here is Prince’s Hot Chicken. I don’t like spicy foods, so I get the no heat option, and the chicken is still incredibly good. The line looks long, but it generally moves pretty fast.

If I’m not getting Prince’s at Assembly Food Hall, then I’m probably getting something from Steam Boys or Thai Esaine instead. The Cheese Lab and Dock Local are on my list to try next time I’m there.

You really can’t go wrong with eating at Assembly Food Hall while visiting Downtown. It’s not going to be the best meal you’ve ever had in your life, but it is going to be good.

See my full guide to Assembly Food Hall here. 

The Market House at the Nashville Farmers Market

The Market House is technically in Downtown although it is on the edge of where Downtown becomes Germantown. 

It’s not the most obvious choice for where to eat in Downtown. If you’re at the Ryman, it’s a 25-minute walk to the Market House and most of the food stalls close at 4 pm with a handful staying open until 6 pm. 

But, the Market House is one of my favorite places to eat in all of Nashville. You’ll find a lot of great local eateries with everything from pizza to Jamaican jerk chicken. There’s also a pop up kitchen with vendors that rotate. 

Read my full guide to the Market House here. 

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Nashville is famous for hot chicken, and while Hattie B’s isn’t the original hot chicken place (that would be Prince’s), Hattie B’s does have good chicken. Is it so good that you should wait in line for hours? Maybe not, but you’re in the touristy area of one of the most popular cities to visit, so there is going to be a long line.

Hattie B’s makes consistently good hot chicken, and they have great sides. The pimento mac and cheese is a must-try.

Pancake Pantry

I know some people think that Pancake Pantry is overhyped. As the name implies, they are a pancake place. Sure, you could make pancakes much cheaper at home, but you aren’t at home, and my blueberry pancakes never turn out nearly as good as the ones here.

Once again, there is going to be a line here, so you’ll have to decide how long you are willing to wait.

See my full review of the Pancake Pantry here.

D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe

D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe was nominated for a James Beard award in 2024 as a bakery. I’d absolutely agree that the pastries, macarons, and other treats here deserve an award. 

In addition to being a bakery, D’Andrews also offers delicious sandwich and salad options plus a soup of the day for lunch. 

Read my full review of D’Andrews Bakery here. 

Daddy’s Dogs

Daddy’s Dogs is a hot dog spot. While I haven’t been to the Downtown location, I have been to the one in the Nations. And, I go to their food truck any time they’re at a summer event. 

This is not gourmet food, but the hot dogs are stacked with toppings. It’s a quick stop and is a fairly reasonably priced choice for Downtown.

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is a popular coffee shop and cafe with several locations across Nashville. I’ve only ever been there at breakfast time, and they certainly have good breakfast options. At lunch, you can find a selection of salads and sandwiches. Then, there are a few different options on the dinner menu.

Although Frothy Monkey doesn’t have the largest selection ever, the food is definitely good.

Jack’s Bar-B-Que

If I told you Jack’s made the best barbeque in Nashville, I’m sure some people would disagree with me. But, the fact is that Jack’s does do a really solid barbecue. 

I get the pork shoulder sandwich every time. I would assume everything on the menu is equally as good!

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Thanks for reading my guide to Downtown Nashville restaurants! I’ll continue updating it each time I check out a new spot, so let me know if there’s somewhere you think I should try next!

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A Local’s Guide to Nashville