The Best Restaurants in Nashville: Where to Eat in the Music City
Nashville’s food scene has evolved far beyond its deep-fried roots. While hot chicken and meat-and-three plates remain cornerstones, the city is now a legitimate culinary destination. You will find James Beard Award-winning chefs, upscale reimagining of Appalachian cuisine, and international flavors moving into the suburbs. The dining culture is casual but high-energy. Whether you are looking for a white-tablecloth tasting menu or a sandwich served on a paper plate, Music City delivers. Use this guide to find the best restaurants in Nashville and navigate the city's rapidly shifting gastronomic landscape.
Must-Try Dishes in Nashville
Before diving into specific locations, you need to know the local staples. These are the dishes that define the city's identity.
- Nashville Hot Chicken: Fried chicken marinated in buttermilk, floured, and coated in a heavy paste of lard and cayenne pepper. It is traditionally served on white bread with pickle chips.
- Meat and Three: A regional classic where you choose one meat (like fried chicken or country ham) and three sides from a long list of vegetables and starches.
- Meat-and-Three Biscuits: Massive, fluffy buttermilk biscuits stuffed with country ham, sausage, or fried steak.
- Fruit Tea: A localized refreshment typically consisting of black tea mixed with pineapple, orange, and lemon juices, often sweetened heavily.
- Bushwacker: A boozy, frozen chocolate milkshake found at bars across the city. It is essentially an adult Wendy’s Frosty with an extra kick.
Best Restaurants for a Splurge
If you are looking for a high-end experience or a celebratory meal, these spots represent the pinnacle of fine dining in Nashville.
The Catbird Seat (Midtown)
This is Nashville’s most sought-after dinner ticket. You sit at a U-shaped counter surrounding an open kitchen. The chefs explain every course as they prepare it right in front of you. Expect 10 to 12 courses of highly technical, creative dishes. It is interactive, intimate, and requires booking weeks in advance.
Locust (12 South)
Locust is unconventional. It technically specializes in dumplings, hand-cut tartare, and kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), but the menu changes constantly. The atmosphere is minimalist and focused entirely on the food. It has quickly become one of the hardest reservations to snag in the city. The craftsmanship on a simple dumpling here is world-class.
Audrey (East Nashville)
Sean Brock’s flagship restaurant is a love letter to Appalachian ingredients. The space is stunning, featuring a mix of modern design and rural folk art. The menu focuses on heirloom seeds and traditional preservation methods but presented with modern sophistication. It is one of the best restaurants in Nashville for anyone interested in the history of Southern food.
Best Casual Restaurants and Local Favorites
Casual doesn't mean low quality. These are the workhorses of the Nashville food scene—places where the locals eat on a Tuesday night.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen (Downtown/Gulch)
Arnold’s is the definitive "meat and three" experience. You grab a tray and slide it down a cafeteria-style line. The roast beef is legendary, and the turnip greens are some of the best in the South. It is only open for lunch, and there is usually a line, but it moves fast.
Rolf and Daughters (Germantown)
Located in a refurbished factory, this spot specializes in handmade pasta and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The "Ceceti" (cacio e pepe with sourdough breadcrumbs) is a local obsession. The communal tables and industrial-chic vibe make it a great spot for a high-energy group dinner. The cocktails are equally impressive.
Butcher & Bee (East Nashville)
Originally from Charleston, this Nashville outpost has become a neighborhood staple. The menu is vegetable-forward with a heavy Middle Eastern influence. The whipped feta with fermented honey is mandatory. It’s a great choice if you want a break from the heavier fried foods common in the city.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Multiple Locations)
While locals debate who has the "best" hot chicken, Hattie B’s is the most accessible and consistent. You can choose your heat level from "Southern" (no heat) to "Shut the Cluck Up." The Midtown location is the most popular, so expect a wait. Order the pimento mac and cheese as a side to cut the heat.
Best Cheap Eats and Street Food
You don't need a massive budget to find where to eat in Nashville. These spots offer high value for a low price.
Prince’s Hot Chicken (North Nashville)
This is the original. If you want to experience where Nashville hot chicken started, go to Prince’s. It is less polished than the downtown spots, but the flavors are deeper and the heat is more intense. It’s a no-frills experience that every serious food traveler needs to try at least once.
Dino’s Bar (East Nashville)
Dino’s is Nashville’s oldest dive bar and serves one of the best burgers in the city. It is cash-friendly, unpretentious, and serves food late. Order the "Dino’s Cure" if you have had one too many drinks on Broadway. The fries are thin, salty, and perfect.
Mas Tacos Por Favor (East Nashville)
What started as a food truck is now a beloved brick-and-mortar shop. The menu is simple: tacos, tamales, and tortilla soup. The fried tilapia taco and the elote are standouts. It is small, often crowded, and incredibly affordable. Bring cash just in case, though they now accept cards.
Fat Mo’s (Multiple Locations)
Fat Mo’s is a local burger chain known for its massive portions and unique seasoning. The burgers are seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices that give them a distinct, savory profile. It is the definition of a local hidden gem that visitors often overlook.
Best Breakfast and Brunch
Nashville takes the first meal of the day seriously. Expect long wait times on weekends, but the food is worth the patience.
Loveless Cafe (Southwest Nashville)
Located out on Highway 100, Loveless is a Nashville institution. It is famous for its biscuits and preserves. People drive from all over for the country ham and red eye gravy. It feels like a trip back in time to a classic roadside motel diner. Go early to avoid a two-hour wait.
Monell’s (Germantown)
This is family-style dining at its finest. You sit at a large table with strangers and pass around platters of fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy. There is no menu; you eat whatever they are serving that day. It is one of the most social and traditional ways to eat in Nashville.
Pancake Pantry (Hillsboro Village)
There is a permanent line outside this place for a reason. They offer over 20 varieties of pancakes, including the famous sweet potato pancakes. The service is incredibly efficient despite the crowds. It is a classic Nashville experience that has remained unchanged for decades.
Best Rooftop or View Dining
Nashville’s skyline has changed rapidly. These restaurants offer great food paired with some of the best views in the city.
Bourbon Steak (Downtown)
Located on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott, Bourbon Steak offers 360-degree views of the city. While it is a high-end steakhouse, the view alone makes it worth a visit for a drink and appetizers. The duck fat fries are a signature starter that you shouldn’t skip.
L.A. Jackson (The Gulch)
This rooftop bar and restaurant sits atop the Thompson Nashville hotel. It’s a prime spot for people-watching and looking over The Gulch and downtown. The food is focused on small plates and sharable snacks. It is one of the trendiest spots in the city, especially during sunset.
Best Food Neighborhoods to Wander
If you don't have a specific reservation, head to one of these three neighborhoods to find high-density dining options.
- East Nashville: This is the creative heart of the city. You’ll find everything from high-end Japanese to the city’s best dive bars. Wander along Fatherland Street or the 5th & Main area.
- Germantown: One of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods, it is now a culinary hub. It is walkable and packed with renovated brick buildings housing upscale Italian, modern Southern, and boutique bakeries.
- 12 South: This neighborhood is perfect for a casual afternoon. You can grab a coffee at Frothy Monkey, a slice of pizza at Five Points Pizza, and a cupcake from the Sprinkles ATM all within a few blocks.
Check individual restaurant websites as hours and reservation requirements change frequently.