This Nashville favorite's resurgence ranks among the South's best new restaurants

Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

International Market, the esteemed, family-run, Thai restaurant, has earned a spot among the best 25 new restaurants in the South, according to Southern Living Magazine.

International Market came in at number 19 , trailing behind another Tennessee restaurant, Potchke in Knoxville. Editors at the magazine evaluated restaurants across the South, rating them of course on food but also service, hospitality, and how the restaurant supports and treats its staff as well as the wider community.

"The market is more tightly curated to focus on locally made goods as well as items that are used in the kitchen, the updated decor feels fresher, and the menu has expanded to include more vegan and vegetarian options plus new dishes—like the Hatyai Thai Fried Chicken, which is made with a Thai garlic marinade and served with sticky rice and a cucumber salad," said Southern Living. "Whether you’re looking for a comforting reminder of Nashville’s culinary history or are interested in a novel experience, you’ll find it here."

The restaurant first opened it's doors in 1975 across the street from Belmont University and is credited for introducing authentic Thai food to Nashville, famous for it's sushi and noodle dishes. While Music City evolved and grew, International Market remained.

Owner Patti Myint, right, tends to her garden outside the International Market in Nashville Sept. 11, 2008. Myint said she is sprucing up the garden in preparation for the upcoming Presidential Debate to be held next door at Belmont University.
Owner Patti Myint, right, tends to her garden outside the International Market in Nashville Sept. 11, 2008. Myint said she is sprucing up the garden in preparation for the upcoming Presidential Debate to be held next door at Belmont University.

In 2018, founder and owner, Patti Myint died. Following her death, the original location closed however a new location was opened years later by her children, Anna and Arnold Myint. Celebrity chef, Arnold, has appeared on shows such as "Top Chef" and "Food Network Star."

In a statement, Arnold said their goal for the new International Market was to recreate that family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere with inspired flavors and a warm casual environment. In another statement, Anna said they aimed to honor their mother's legacy with the new location, while at the same time attracting a new generation of clientele.

In 2022, the restaurant was named one of the best in Nashville by Tennessean foodies, Mackensy Lunsford and Brad Schmitt.

The South's Best New Restaurants of 2023:

  1. Pizza Grace, Birmingham, Ala.

  2. Conifer, Bentonville, Ark.

  3. Bardea, Wilmington, Del.

  4. Zitz Sum, Coral Gables, Fla.

  5. Willa's, Tampa, Fla.

  6. Lucian Books and Wine, Atlanta, Ga.

  7. Common Thread, Savannah, Ga.

  8. North of Bourbon, Louisville, Ky.

  9. Lengua Madre, New Orleans, La.

  10. Mera Kitchen Collective, Baltimore, Md.

  11. Sambou's African Kitchen, Jackson, Miss

  12. Baba's Pantry, Kansas City, Mo.

  13. Bird Pizzeria, Charlotte, N.C.

  14. Queeny's, Durham, N.C.

  15. Nātv, Broken Arrow, Okla.

  16. Pink Bellies, Charleston, S.C.

  17. Camp, Greenville, S.C.

  18. Potchke, Knoxville, Tenn.

  19. International Market, Nashville, Tenn.

  20. Birdie's, Austin, TX

  21. Roots Southern Table, Farmers Branch, TX

  22. Kismet Modern Indian, Alexandria and Richmond, VA

  23. Syd’s FishPig Cafe, Norfolk, Va.

  24. Honeymoon Chicken, Washington, DC

  25. Von Blaze, Morgantown, W.Va.

To read the entire review visit southernliving.com.

Diana Leyva covers breaking and trending news for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville favorite makes Southern Living's best new restaurants 2023