Nashville restaurant heavy hitters announce plans for 2024

Just two months into 2024, the year is gearing up to be a pivotal one for the dining scene in Nashville.

While several restaurants faced closure toward the end of 2023, it seems there are plans for expansion, collaboration and creativity coming from all corners of the city.

February saw at least two more restaurants shutter, while another is savoring its last days. But with creative pop-up dining and entertainment experiences, expansions and new concepts from some of the heaviest hitters in the local Nashville scene, there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

Read on for all the restaurant news you should know from February.

Openings

Otaku Ramen opens first Williamson County location

Otaku Ramen made its Williamson County debut in February with a new location in The Factory at Franklin.

The Nashville restaurant started in 2015 with its Gulch location and has since opened spots in East Nashville and on Charlotte Avenue. Owner Sarah Gavigan is native to Nashville.

“We are so excited to be a part of the new Franklin Factory. I grew up coming here as a child, so this place has amazing memories," she said about the expansion.

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Luxe bakery opens in Green Hills

A female-owned luxury bakery and cake shop called SusieCakes opened in Green Hills in February. Its the brand's first Tennessee location, joining bakeries in California and Texas. Layer cakes, classic cookies and seasonal pies are available, and the space has cafe seating for customers.

“We are eager to contribute to the city's rich tapestry of flavors and become an integral part of the local community," said founder Susan Sarich. "We look forward to welcoming our new Nashville family in to enjoy our high-quality desserts that have become synonymous with the SusieCakes brand.”

Closings

Bar and entertainment venue closes in downtown Nashville

Layer Cake, a multi-level restaurant and bar near Lower Broadway in Nashville's downtown entertainment district, closed in February after two years in business.

The bar is owned by Milkshake Concepts, a Dallas-based hospitality group that has been rapidly expanding its Nashville lineup of restaurants. The group opened the Third Avenue concept Layer Cake in spring 2022 and followed it with Harper's, a globally inspired, high-end steakhouse in 2023. The company is planning at least one more restaurant in Nashville.

Harding House closes in The Nations

A microbrewery serving craft beer and food in The Nations also announced its closure in February. Harding House opened its "farm to tap" tasting room on 51st Avenue in 2018. The last day of service was March 2.

"We are going to miss our westside neighbors and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this community," the ownership team said in an Instagram post about the closure.

The post continued to say that the closure is not the end for the microbrewery and that the ownership team is working on plans for the future.

Twin Kegs II to throw a big bash ahead of Nashville closure

While Twin Kegs II announced in December that it would close in late March, the bar and live music venue has planned several events leading up to its last days in operation.

Due to an expiring lease and forthcoming sale of the building at 327 Hermitage Ave., the bar will serve its last drinks March 31, according to an Instagram post by owner Todd Rossbach. However, several live music events are planned to ensure the venue goes out with a bang.

On March 30, the venue will host its last blues bash. The following day, the venue's final hurrah will be the Grand Finale Blues Jam, hosted by Jasco Duende and friends.

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Other Nashville food news...

Strategic Hospitality announces taqueria

Strategic Hospitality announced an upcoming partnership with chef Claudette Zepeda to bring Taqueria Zepeda to two different concession locations inside Geodis Park. The partnership follows a similar two-year collaboration between the hospitality company and chef Edgar Victoria of Tacos By Alebrije.

The taquerias within Geodis will serve a menu of pork, chicken and steak tacos, with sides like quesadillas, rajas con queso and cinnamon sugar crisps.

The hospitality group, which owns acclaimed Nashville restaurants Locust, Bastion, The Catbird Seat, Henrietta Red and Kisser, has also recently added chef Andy Little (formerly of Josephine) as director of culinary operations.

Pop-up runs until May at Noelle Hotel

An immersive pop-up bar and restaurant experience at Noelle Hotel launched in February and will continue until the end of May. Down the Rabbit Hole is the Alice in Wonderland-themed dining experience available at Noelle for brunch and dinner. Afternoon tea service complete with cocktails and small bites is available during the pop-up.

At Noelle's speakeasy-style Hidden Bar, a Queen of Hearts theme has overtaken the space with immersive decorations, themed cocktails and late-night bites.

Sean Brock announces expansion, new private dining service

Acclaimed chef Sean Brock has announced a new private events and catering service at several of his Nashville restaurants, including Audrey, June, Bar Continental and Joyland.

The chef and restaurateur also announced a collaborative expansion to bring Joyland to Birmingham, Alabama, sometime this year. The restaurant is known for its signature crustburger and industry-friendly late-night hours.

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Beloved longtime steakhouse announces expansion

The ownership team behind Sperry's, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, has announced they will open Cafe Sperry's in Bellevue, an offshoot brand of the longtime Belle Meade steakhouse. The Cafe will operate as a drive-through and dine-in coffee shop with a selection of food items inspired by original Sperry's offerings.

Also featured at the forthcoming Bellevue site will be a second location of Sperry's Mercantile, a market selling meats, seafood, side dishes, salad dressings, sauces, desserts and pantry items.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville restaurants expand as bar and westside brewery close