The Best Places to Eat in Nashville (A Local’s Guide)
Nashville might be best known for music, but the food scene is on the rise here as well. There are great options everywhere (even hidden among the high-priced tourist traps). While I haven’t eaten everywhere yet, it’s probably on my list.
Here are the spots I’ve been to that I think are worth a visit! Make sure to read my full guide to Nashville if you’re looking for more things to do.
Restaurants
Little Hats
Little Hats is an Italian market and deli with soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and pasta. I almost always order the Caprese sandwich, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Google Maps | Little Hats Website
Turkey and the Wolf
Turkey and the Wolf is a New Orleans restaurant that’s recently expanded to Nashville. If a restaurant can make it in NOLA, you know it has to be good, and Turkey and the Wolf does not disappoint.
The menu is mostly sandwiches and a few sides. My favorite is the fried bologna sandwich with housemade mustard. Every bite is incredible. And of course, it’s even better paired with a frozen marg. Great food and great vibes!
Google Maps | Turkey and the Wolf Website | 👉 Read my full review of Turkey and the Wolf
Henrietta Red
Henrietta Red is an oyster and seafood restaurant in Germantown that’s been nominated for two James Beard awards.
It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion or a date night, but I really love going there for a girls’ night as well. I’ve also heard great things about their dessert menu, but I’m always too full to get dessert, so maybe try to save some room when you go.
Google Maps | Henrietta Red Website
Five Points Pizza
Five Points Pizza is one of my favorite lunch spots because where else can you get two slices of pizza and a drink for $11 in Nashville?
If you can’t make it during lunchtime, the price for slices is still reasonable later in the day. Or you can order a whole pie instead. I like both the East Nashville and West Nashville locations. The location in the Gulch has a more limited menu, and you can only get your pizza to go, but the food is equally as good!
Google Maps | Five Points Pizza Website | 👉 Read my full review of Five Points Pizza
Hugh-Baby’s
Hugh-Baby’s is a fast food hamburger and bbq spot, but it’s so much better than your average fast food chain. There are several locations around Nashville where you can get good burgers, bbq, fries, and milkshakes. You can even get a veggie burger (although I admit that I have not tried this because I stick to my cheeseburger and regular milkshake order every time I go).
Google Maps | Hugh-Baby’s Website | 👉 Read my full review of Hugh-Baby’s
Folk
Fok is a Michelin-recommended restaurant serving Italian and American cuisine made with local, in-season ingredients. Folk is one of my favorite spots for a date night. It feels very approachable rather than stuffy or fussy.
I almost always get the littleneck clam pizza here (one of the few items that’s always on the menu) alongside one of the snacks or small plates from the menu.
The food is incredible, and the prices are more reasonable compared to some other fancy restaurants in Nashville.
Hattie B’s
Hattie B’s might not be the original hot chicken place, but the lines are long here for a reason. Hattie B’s does a great job at consistently serving good hot chicken. Plus, I think that Hattie B’s shines when it comes to sides as well. I like the chicken, but my absolute favorite part of eating here is the pimento mac and cheese and the bacon cheddar grits.
Hattie B’s seemingly has a location in every corner of Nashville, making it very easy to get your hot chicken fix.
Google Maps | Hattie B’s Website | 👉 Read my full review of Hattie B’s
Prince’s Hot Chicken
You’ve probably heard of Nashville hot chicken, and Prince’s is where it all started. Prince’s really is the spot for the best hot chicken. If you’d like to avoid the heat, you can order the plain option, which is still really good chicken. I personally love the fries from Prince’s as well.
Prince’s has several locations around Nashville including Assembly Food Hall and the airport. However, it is probably best to avoid super hot chicken before getting on a plane.
Google Maps | Prince’s Hot Chicken Website
Assembly Food Hall
Assembly Food Hall is my top recommendation if you’re looking for a spot to eat in Downtown Nashville. The food hall has over 30 eateries and bars, making it the perfect place for a group who all want different things.
Some of Nashville’s favorite local restaurants have stalls here including Prince’s Hot Chicken, Steam Boys, and Pharmacy Burger. The menus are a bit more limited because of the lack of kitchen space, but you’ll still get a good meal.
Google Maps | Assembly Food Hall Website | 👉 Read my full guide to Assembly Food Hall
Blue Aster
Blue Aster is a high-end dining restaurant in Conrad serving a mix of Mediterranean and Southern cuisine. The menu varies depending on the season, but you can always count on finding dishes made with fresh seafood along with other delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Google Maps | Blue Aster Website | 👉 Read my full review of Blue Aster
Market House
The Market House is the indoor portion of the Nashville Farmers’ Market. Inside, you’ll find 20+ locally-owned shops and restaurants. My favorites are Music City Crepes (which serves both sweet and savory crepes) and Bowl and Roll (which serves sushi, kimbap, and ramen).
You can get coffee at Farm City Coffee, grab a waffle cone from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, try the tacos at Succulent Vegan Tacos, or sip some bubble tea from Bubble Love. People also really love the food at Jamaicaway. It’s a great spot to order lunch with a group because everyone can get something different.
Google Maps | Market House Website | 👉 Read my guide to the Market House
Pancake Pantry
Pancake Pantry has been serving delicious pancakes since 1961. The restaurant is very popular, and while it might seem odd to wait in line for pancakes, I can attest that the blueberry pancakes at least are absolutely worth waiting for.
The Hillsboro location is the original location while the Downtown one is newer. Try to visit on a weekday if possible because both locations are less crowded then.
Google Maps | Pancake Pantry Website | 👉 Read my full review of Pancake Pantry
Redheaded Stranger
Redheaded Stranger is a Southwest-inspired restaurant serving classic Tex-Mex staples like Hatch green chilies, homemade tortillas, breakfast tacos, and brisket. Since I don’t like my food too spicy, I generally get the breakfast taco or pulled pork taco, but there are plenty of other options if you prefer more heat.
The totchos here are particularly delicious, and you’ll want to try one of the frozen drinks, too, if you have the time.
There tends to be a line at Redheaded Stranger on weekends, but it’s worth the wait.
Google Maps | Redheaded Stranger Website | 👉 Read my full review of Redheaded Stranger
Urban Grub
Urban Grub is a fine dining restaurant serving Southern food and seafood. It has such a cozy atmosphere and is a great spot for a date night. I love when my husband and I end up seated by one of the fireplaces on a night out.
Google Maps | Urban Grub Website
The Pizzeria at Frankies
The Pizzeria at Frankies is a slice shop run by the same people who founded Frankies 457 Spuntino in Brooklyn. While I have very little idea of what authentic NYC pizza should taste like, I can confirm that the pizza here is absolutely worth eating.
The Pizzeria sells both slices and whole pies, and getting a slice here is one of the cheaper options for lunch in Nashville. Of course, you can also go next door to Frankies instead if you’d prefer to order from the full menu.
Google Maps | The Pizzeria Website
Kisser
Kisser is a Michelin-recommended restaurant that serves simple, delicious Japanese food. The restaurant is pretty in demand, and it can be a bit difficult to get a reservation since the restaurant is small and only open for lunch.
However, it is very much worth trying. We tried the onigiri, fried rice sushi balls, that Kisser is known for and were delighted. I also got a bowl of the creamy bacon udon, which I would absolutely get again.
Peninsula
Peninsula is a high-end restaurant serving Iberian-inspired dishes. The restaurant is small and intimate making it perfect for a date night. The menu varies based on what’s in season, but the food is always good. In fact, Jake Howell won a James Beard Award for Best Chef recently.
Google Maps | Peninsula Website
The Grilled Cheeserie
The Grilled Cheeserie serves exactly what you would expect – delicious grilled cheese sandwiches! The restaurant started as a food truck and was so popular that they moved to a brick and mortar location. You can get milkshakes and ice cream along with your order of grilled cheese and tots.
You can now find The Grilled Cheeserie at Hunter Station, and they’re also the ones behind the Cafe Cheeserie at the Frist Art Museum. .
Google Maps | The Grilled Cheeserie Website
Steam Boys
Steam Boys is a fast-casual Chinese restaurant serving bao, dumplings, noodles, and boba with a few locations around Nashville.
The menu is very straight-forward, but they are very good at what they do. It’s one of my favorite places to grab lunch in Germantown. The restaurant very reasonably priced for Nashville as well.
Google Maps | Steam Boys Website
The Optimist
The Optimist is a seafood restaurant in Germantown that’s perfect for a date night. The atmosphere is very different from other spots in Nashville, and I love the ocean-themed murals upstairs.
We usually get “The Opportunist” which comes with oysters, shrimp, tuna poke, ceviche, and smoked fish. Nashville is not a coastal city, but you wouldn’t know it when you try the food at The Optimist.
Google Maps | The Optimist Website
Hearts
Hearts is an Australian-inspired brunch spot that is perfect for a morning outing with friends. Everything on the menu is so delicious, and they must be making their own bread because it is amazing.
The menu changes seasonally based on what’s available, but I always recommend the twice-baked French toast and the zucchini fritters.
Bars & Breweries
Greenhouse Bar
Greenhouse Bar is, in fact, a bar inside of a greenhouse. It’s a unique spot based on that alone, but the food here is so wonderful. It’s run by the same people who run The Food Company, so you’ll find really delicious and simple comfort food.
I love the chicken salad here, and their more traditional bar offerings are good as well. Plus, it’s just really fun to sip cocktails surrounded by gorgeous plants.
Google Maps | Greenhouse Bar Website | 👉 Read my full review of Greenhouse Bar
Southern Grist
Southern Grist has recently been bought by Xul Beer Company, so I don’t know what changes are coming, but for right now, I can tell you that the East Nashville location has a great menu run by Lauter.
I love the caesar salad fries here along with their slightly more elevated bar food options. Changes are probably coming, so check before you visit to see what’s on the menu.
Google Maps | Southern Grist Website
White Limozeen
White Limozeen is one of the cutest rooftop bars in Nashville. Located at the top of The Graduate Nashville, the restaurant has lots of tasty small plates, seafood, and entrees. The drinks are fun, and the decor is pink, glitzy, and a bit over-the-top in the best way.
Whether you get a seat on the patio or reserve a spot inside, it is such a fun experience. And White Limozeen isn’t just relying on decor to get people in the door. The food here is great. I especially love getting a plate of fries and enjoying the atmosphere.
Google Maps | White Limozeen Website
Fait La Force Brewing
Fait La Force is a Belgian-inspired brewery in Wedgewood-Houston that feels completely different from the rest of the breweries in Nashville. The interior has a Victorian feel, which sounds odd but works, and when the weather is nice, the windows are opened for a great view of Nashville.
I don’t know a lot about beer, but I’ve been told that Fait La Force does some particularly innovative things with their brewing. The food menu is provided by JamBox Sandwich Shop, which makes the most delicious sandwiches and salads.
Google Maps | Fait La Force Brewing Website
Bakeries & Treats
Fox’s Donut Den
Fox’s Donut Den is a classic donut shop that’s been around since 1976. It has the basic donuts you’d expect to find at a donut shop and is so many times better than what the average donut chain is making today.
The donuts are reasonably priced. Be aware that Fox’s doesn’t carry any donuts for specific dietary needs. However, you can find those at some of the other spots I’ll mention in this article.
Google Maps | Fox’s Donut Den Website | 👉 Read my full review of Fox’s Donut Den
East Park Donuts
East Park Donuts and Coffee is a gourmet donut shop with both brioche and cake donuts. My favorites are the salted brown butter. East Park frequently switches up their options, though, and some of their limited specials are so amazing.
The donuts are all made-from-scratch. You can choose from regular donuts as well as gluten-free, vegan, keto, and paleo donuts, so there really is something for everyone
Google Maps | East Park Donuts Website | 👉 Read my full review of East Park Donuts
Yeast Nashville
Yeast Nashville is a local bakery that’s best known for their kolaches. Besides the kolaches, the breakfast tacos are also popular. You can get other items like muffins, quiche, and cinnamon rolls, too.
It seems like there’s basically always a small line here in the mornings, but that’s because the food is so good!
Google Maps | Yeast Nashville Website | 👉 Read my full review of Yeast Nashville
Brightside Bakeshop
Brightside Bakeshop is an artisan bakery with two locations in Nashville. They make a selection of pastries including cinnarolls, croissants, brioche, and tarts.
The bakery is very popular and some items sell out quickly, especially when they have special items on the menu. For the best selection either get there early or place an order online beginning at 3 pm the day prior.
If you don’t want to do advance planning, though, I’ve been able to get their cinnarolls later in the morning without any issues.
Google Maps | Brightside Bakeshop Website | 👉 Read my full review of Brightside Bakeshop
Mama Bread
Mama Bread is a local bakery that makes small batches of pastries and bread. Plus, you can order sandwiches, salads, and other tasty bites here as well.
The chocolate croissants here are delicious, and everything you can order is just well-made in general.
Google Maps | Mama Bread Website
D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe
D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe in Downtown is a bakery making absolutely amazing pastries. I’m not the only one who thinks so because in 2024, the spot was a semifinalist for the James Beard award for best bakery.
You’ll find macarons, cookies, and pastries here along with sandwiches made with homemade bread at lunch. It’s absolutely worth a stop when you’re Downtown.
Google Maps | D’Andrews Bakery Website | 👉 Read my full review of D’Andrews Bakery
Little Gourmand
Little Gourmand is a French bakery with two locations in Nashville. The original one in Green Hills is my favorite because you can also get French goods at the market there.
You’ll find delicious sandwiches, croissants, quiche, and lots of pastries. The eclairs are some of my favorites.
Google Maps | Little Gourmand Website | 👉 Read my full review of Little Gourmand
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Thanks for reading my guide to the best places to eat in Nashville. If I left your favorite off, let me know in the comments. It’s possible I just haven’t been there yet and need to give it a try!
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