30 Best Restaurants In Nashville For Every Type Of Meal

Get a taste of Music City at the top restaurants in Nashville.

Over the past decade, Nashville’s dining scene could best be described as dynamic, fluid, and unexpected. As the city has morphed into a global player in tourism, sports, and entertainment, a steady stream of shiny new restaurant options accompanied the boom in new construction. As growth inevitably brings change, many Nashville mainstays, too, have quietly closed their doors—the city has said good-bye to long-time residents like Josephine, McCabe’s Pub, and Hermitage Café, among others, in recent years.

Still, when it comes to culinary offerings, Nashville offers more diversity than ever: an Indian-inspired dining club experience, raw oyster bars, a handful of creative Laotian concepts, and modern Middle Eastern fare aplenty. And don’t worry—BBQ and hot chicken aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Coming to Nashville and not sure where to start in planning your food-fueled adventures? We’ve got you—here are the best restaurants in the Music City we’re loving right now, broken down by genre and in no particular order.

Related: 11 Best Nashville Hotels For Every Traveler And Trip Style

Asian and Middle Eastern Restaurants

Tailor

Vivek Surti was already a household name in Nashville before he opened his South Asian-meets-Southern restaurant Tailor in 2018. The first-generation Indian-American chef had been cooking for the community for years via his traveling supper club, which he eventually made available on a more regular basis via Tailor, a tasting experience offering two seatings a night, four nights a week (Thursday through Sunday). The two-hour affair, which spans as many as 14 small courses with both wine and cocktail pairings available, is a journey through ingredients and flavors, capped off with his father Tarun’s signature Chai recipe. Make reservations in advance as Tailor only accommodates a handful of tables per seating, in addition to space at the bar overlooking the open kitchen.

tailornashville.com, 620 Taylor Street, Nashville, TN 37208

Noko

Take your friends and order your way through the shareable plates at this newcomer in the Shops at Porter East complex. Specializing in wood-fired fare accentuated by flavors from Japan, the Philippines, and Korea, Noko’s menu offers tasty spins on classic Asian-inspired dishes like tuna crispy rice, lobster bao buns, and Hamachi crudo with a bevy of sides such as smoked fish dip, Brussels sprouts in sesame dressing and crispy potatoes in hot boney butter playing supporting roles to the main act.

nokonashville.com, 701 Porter Road, Nashville, TN 37206

Lyra

Middle Eastern cuisine is having a moment in Nashville thanks to restaurants like Lyra bringing some of the staple dishes of the region—hummus, Man'oushe, fried Halloumi, and Baba Ghanoush—to the masses. While the menu is always changing, inspiration from Chef-Owner Hrant Arakelian’s childhood years in Lebanon and Oman is always a central focus. A seared scallop dish, for example, is dressed up with a roasted red pepper and grape molasses purée, blackened kale, chickpeas, carrots, and Lyra’s signature spice blend, while a recent dessert special from Arakelian’s wife and co-owner, pastry chef Elizabeth Endicott, featured a meringue trio in orange blossom, pink almond and cardamom pistachio.

lyranashville.com, 935 W. Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Iberian Pig

Atlanta-born tapas bar Iberian Pig recently debuted a dimly-let Nashville outpost right in the heart of the Gulch, dripping with bold patterns, color, and velvety textures bound to make interior designer lovers squeal. The wide range of sharable plates spans favorites from the Spanish region with must-order dishes including the albondigas (pork meatballs), piquillo relleno (stuffed peppers), and the Bikini—grilled cheese, jamón Ibérico and black truffle on white bread—as well as many wines available by the glass. Despite what the name might imply, gluten-free and veggie-focused diners will find plenty to order here, though those drawn to charcuterie boards should check out the daily Jamón Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. For the warmer months, there’s a rooftop patio with its own dedicated bar.

iberianpig.com/nashville, 607 Overton Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Two Ten Jack

There’s no comfort food quite like a steaming bowl of ramen on a cold winter day, and Chef Jessica Benefield delightful izakaya-style restaurant delivers that and more. While savory noodles may be a centerpiece of Two Ten Jack, they’re not the only stars of the show: A variety of ramen dishes share menu space with small plates like gyoza and crispy Brussels, nigiri and sashimi, and more than a dozen kinds of yakitori. One fun feature you won’t find many other places is the wide selection of draft cocktails always on tap, as well as flights of sake.

twotenjack.com/nashville, 1900 Eastland Avenue, Suite 105, Nashville, TN 37206

Thai Esane

Thai Esane owner Nina Singto was no stranger to the restaurant industry when she opened her first outpost of a brand that now has four Nashville-area locations and is expanding to the West coast. She hails from a family of food entrepreneurs with her parents the visionaries behind King Market, Antioch’s go-to Asian grocery and restaurant that Nina helped run before starting her own. A celebration of northeastern Thailand, which is populated by those of Lao descent, Thai Esane’s menu focuses on rice dishes, curries, and items popular to the region like chicken larb, papaya salad, and pad voon sen, a vegetarian clear noodle stir-fry.

thaiesane.com, multiple locations

Bad Idea

Nashville’s most design-forward new restaurant was the product of a crowd-funding campaign that came to fruition in fall 2023 when Bad Idea opened its doors in a former church sanctuary that was ravaged by the 2020 tornado. The menu pairs food from Chef Colby Rasavong’s heritage—he’s a first-generation Laotian-American with a resume that includes time in many of New York City’s and Nashville’s top kitchens—with the wine list created by owner Alex Burch. Though Bad Idea has a full bar, wine is definitely a top focus at this restaurant where 125 selections from the custom-built wine cellar 3,000 bottles deep are available at any one time.

badideanashville.com, 1021 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206

Epice

Tucked away among the throngs of tourists strolling 12South’s central corridor on any day of the week, Epice feels like being transported to a cozy bistro in the heart of the Mediterranean that’s a secret among locals. The dishes that result from the Lebanese restaurant’s emphasis on ingredients native to the region—think: chickpeas, tahini, parsley, grape leaves—are designed to be crowd-pleasers. Start with the mezze menu where you can never go wrong with the tabouleh or Al Raheb (eggplant dip), then continue onto the mains where you’ll find skewers, roasted chicken, grilled veggies, and lamb meatballs mingling with tomato ragout, olives, and pine nuts.

epicenashville.com, 2902 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204

Butcher & Bee

Born from the now-defunct Charleston restaurant of the same name, Nashville’s Butcher & Bee has been holding court on Main Street for nearly a decade. The produce-forward, Israeli-influenced restaurant features sharable snacks like the decadent whipped feta with fermented honey and black pepper, the bacon-wrapped dates, the tofu squash puree, and the crispy pork belly with yellow grits, collards, and red-eye gravy. For $56 a person, you can try a bit of everything with the “Eat Like a Chef” menu. While the cocktail selection is on point, Butcher & Bee pays just as much careful attention to its zero-proof menu with non-alcoholic beers, wines, and mocktails like the Phantom of the Aperol made from Giffard Aperitif, orange, lemon, spiced syrup, and soda.

butcherandbee.com/nashville, 902 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37206

Southern, American, and Mexican Restaurants

Big Al's Deli

While much of Nashville seems to change more quickly than most residents can keep up, it’s comforting to find places that stay the same, which is why Big Al’s has continued to draw patrons loyal to its home-style cooking paired with a hearty dose of Southern hospitality. This popular soul food spot serves breakfast and lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays with menu offerings ranging from a pancake platter and spicy shrimp and grits to meatloaf with turnip greens and BBQ skillet beans.

bigalsdeliandcatering.com, 1828 4th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208

Edley's Bar-B-Que

Nashville’s status as an international star has translated into more culinary genres than ever being on offer, but one staple will never go out of style: barbeque. And if you want to try pulled pork and brisket in a variety of manners—on a sandwich, over tacos, atop nachos, on a platter—Edley’s Bar-B-Que is your spot. Like other hit Nashville restaurants, Edley’s has expanded its empire to include multiple locations, including one in Sylvan Park and Five Points. Bonus: Edley’s serves one of the best boozy Bushwhacker cocktails in town.

edleysbbq.com, 2706 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204

etc.

Deb Paquette is an anchor of the local chef scene, and her downtown restaurant etch continues to hold court as the place for business lunches and dinners as glitzy new buildings pop up and tower around it. But perhaps lesser known—and equally delicious—is the intimate neighborhood sister bistro etc. with its comfort food lunches like lamb meatballs, smoked salmon on sourdough or a veggie Thai curry bowl, as well as heartier dinner dishes like sake-and-plum-braised beef short ribs. Take a break from your Green Hills shopping outing to cozy up to the bar for lunch at etc.

etc.restaurant, 3790 Bedford Avenue, Nashville, TN 37215

Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish

Every Nashvillian is going to have an opinion on which is the best hot chicken joint in town. While we love them all for different reasons, we’re partial to what Bolton’s is cooking up—and the fact that the spectrum of spice runs the gamut, ensuring there’s something for every palate no matter how timid or bold. The menu of this no-frills chicken joint is as dressed down as the exterior: You’ll pick your protein—chicken, catfish or whiting—choose your spice level, then dress up your plate from the small selection of sides like fries, corn on the job and potato salad.

boltonsfamous.com, 624 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37204

Martin's BBQ

There are barbeque joints, and then there’s Martin’s, which has been doing whole hog since long before it was standard practice. The original Martin’s location was in nearby Nolensville—which now has an even larger branch just down the road—but we love the multi-level downtown branch where you can come for the live music and lawn games and stay for the ribs and turkey legs. Or eschew tradition altogether and order the Redneck Taco, a cornbread hoecake with your choice of protein—it never disappoints.

martinsbbqjoint.com, multiple locations throughout Nashville

Dino's Bar & Grill

Sometimes you just want a down-and-dirty meal that is both reliable and indulgent. This Five Points dive, one of the neighborhood’s oldest, fits the bill. Open until 3 a.m. daily, it sees a diverse array of diners from families to those headed home after last call. If you’re looking for something fancy, Dino’s isn’t for you. But if you simply want a dang good burger—or grilled cheese or Frito pie for that matter—it checks that box every single time.

dinosnashville.com, 411 Gallatin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

Hathorne

Tucked away along the bustle of Charlotte Avenue, Chef John Stephenson’s Hathorne is truly a neighborhood gem with an ever-changing menu of twists on American favorites, for example, Berkshire pork ribs with fig glaze and bee pollen slaw or porchetta with stewed peas and lemon gremolata. Some hit items you’ll always find on the menu (and, thus, should incorporate in your ordering plans)? The golden beets in tahini and green onion puree, goat cheese with radish and fermented honey. and house focaccia dunked in ricotta. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday, and Tuesdays are always Burger Night featuring the regular menu in addition to a choice of the Hathorne Bacon Smashburger or a Wagyu burger. Joyful Hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with drink specials on cocktails, wine, and beer.

hathornenashville.com, 4708 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

Mas Tacos Por Favor

A food-truck-turned-hole-in-the-wall-turned-cantina, Mas Tacos has long been a smash hit among locals thanks to an array of tacos (and now booze, too). Meat lovers can opt for the cast iron chicken, braised pork, or Baja fish tacos, while vegetarians have plenty of options in the fried avocado or quinoa and sweet potato tacos with sides like elote (grilled corn on the cob) and sweet plantains always on tap. On Wednesdays, Mas Tacos sells hand-rolled tamales, and there’s always horchata and agua fresca on the menu.

instagram.com/mastacos, 732 McFerrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Cafés and Bakeries

Frothy Monkey

Nashville's iconic coffee shop, Frothy Monkey, now boasts locations around the South, but we gravitate to the design and laid-back ambiance of the Nations outpost. While the seasonal lattes and other specialty coffee drinks are always to die for—like the Havana, made with steamed milk, espresso, house-made sauce, vanilla, star anise, and cinnamon—it’s the food menu that keeps Frothy in our rotation. The breakfast and brunch menu is available all day featuring items like the BE Hive Hash (breakfast sausage sauteed with butternut squash, tomatoes, basil, and onions on a bed of kale, topped with sprouts and vegan garlic mozzarella) and loaded biscuits with chorizo gravy. The sandwich menu is also always available, and dinner time introduces heartier plates like pork barbacoa or sun-dried tomato pesto pasta.

frothymonkey.com, multiple locations throughout Nashville

Dozen Bakery

While the traditional bakery model may not always have staying power, in Nashville, Claire Meneely’s Dozen Bakery has proven a slam dunk. What started as a holiday cookie pop-up concept in 2009 has morphed into a neighborhood favorite with a small rotating menu of tartines, soups, sandwiches, and salads on the menu daily, plus the ever-present roster of baked goods available until they sell out. Dozen also sells sourdough bread by the loaf, as well as other seasonal pastries and whole pies.

dozen-nashville.com, 516 Hagan Street, Suite 103, Nashville, TN 37203

Café Roze

The simplicity of Café Roze’s minimalist interior and all-day concept to dining is one of the reasons it’s become a go-to stop on many East Nashville residents’ weekly dining rotation. The fact that you can get the fuss-free breakfast—like energy-boosting smoothies, healthy egg or grain bowls and smoked trout toast—all day long is another. In addition to a full bar, this bistro also serves an “in-between” menu for those hours where it’s not quite lunch and not yet dinner. The weekday Salt & Spirit Happy Hour includes cocktails and bites like oysters, crudite and French fries. Café Roze has a second location, Roze Pony, in Belle Meade.

caferoze.com, 1115 Porter Road, Nashville, TN 37206 

Fido Café

Hillsboro Village has seen many tenants come and go over the years, but Fido Café has stuck around for going on 30 years. A block off Music Row and situated adjacent to the Belmont and Vanderbilt campus, this neighborhood spot serves breakfast platters like pancakes, burritos, and scrambles all day, as well as burgers, salads, and lunch specials like a smoked Gouda shrimp and grits. Be sure and try the coffee brewed by parent company Bongo Java, which is delightful in seasonal specialty drinks that incorporate such flavors as vanilla, cinnamon, toffee, and maple.

bongojava.com/pages/fido, 1812 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

French and Italian Restaurants

Nicky's Coal Fired

The fact that the name of Nicky’s Coal Fired’s resident oven Enrico is emblazoned within in-laid tile just above its mouth should tell you one thing: This is a restaurant that doesn’t take itself too seriously. One thing it is serious about? The quality of the food—its upscale Italian cuisine like the house-made pastas (don’t skip the agnolotti) and the delicate coal-fired pizzas (available with both red and white sauces). Nicky’s no longer takes reservations for groups smaller than 10, with diners ordering at the counter and seated on a first-come, first-served basis—factor that into your plans especially if visiting on a weekend Groups of 10 or more can make a reservation for the full-service, family-style menu experience.

nickysnashville.com, 5026 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209

City House

Some may argue City House put Nashville on the map as a bona-fide culinary destination when it opened its doors more than a decade ago and became the city’s first recipient of a coveted James Beard award (Best Chef: Southeast, 2016). When it comes to food, City House has always kept things simple with a small one-page menu or small plates and a selection of house-made pastas and pizzas, like the ever-popular belly ham with oregano, parm, and chilies (always add an egg when asked), and a more expansive selection of wines and whiskeys. If you want to ensure one meal to write home about during your time in Nashville, make plans to attend City House’s weekly Sunday Supper.

cityhousenashville.com, 1222 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

Rolf and Daughters

You may need a dictionary to decipher the ingredients punctuating the dishes on Rolf and Daughter’s pasta-centric menu—like ditalini, tardive, mimolette—but don’t be intimidated: Your server is always more than happy to take the reins, and the resulting order is always delicious. Located in an old brick warehouse in Germantown, Rolf and Daughters became an instant Nashville classic when it debuted with such menu items as squid-ink canestri, pork rigatoni, and beef shank fusilli. Reservations are highly recommended.

rolfanddaughters.com, 700 Taylor Street, Nashville, TN 37208

Miel

Miel opened in 2008, making it one of Nashville’s more seasoned veterans when it comes to restaurants. Encompassed by gardens and lush greenery, this popular date night spot’s sustainable approach to food sourcing has made it a favorite among eco-minded diners: Proprietor Seema Prasad and Chef Jason LaIacona have sculpted an experience around their seasonally-driven fare that’s centered on ingredient sourcing, composting, and waste accountability. The menu changes daily but might include a red perch with carrot top pesto, roasted carrots, and coriander butter, Royal Miyagi oysters on the half shell, or braised short rib over heirloom polenta and red pepper coulis. Large-format plates like a seafood boil are available for diners who order at least a week in advance. The wine selection is top-notch notch with special bottles opened regularly and offered by the glass.

mielrestaurant.com, 343 53rd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37209

Folk

The brains behind Rolf and Daughters hit a home run when they opened pizza-centric Folk a few years back. Helmed by Chef Philip Krajeck, this McFerrin Park eatery leaves diners full and happy with its inventive pies like the butternut squash, kale, smoked mozzarella, and chili combo or the clam, parsley, bonito, and lemon combo. Not feeling pizza? Folk also whips up seafood and game-forward entrees like a fried rabbit with pepper relish and hot honey. Coming to Nashville on a Monday when many restaurants are closed? Plan a dinner at Folk, which is very much open.

goodasfolk.com, 823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Seafood Restaurants and Steakhouses

The Optimist

Occupying a warehouse that formerly houses the Turner, Day & Woolworth Ax Handle Company, the Optimist lives on the newly bustling Adams Street, which is getting a second life with restaurants and bars opening on the regular. But few can match the Optimist’s combination of A-plus ingredients, amenities, and hospitality; Chef Ford Fry’s second location of the popular Atlanta restaurant of the same name raises the bar high—very high. The homemade rolls drip with honey butter goodness, while the oysters, which are flown in daily, are plucked from the waters of Massachusetts, Washington, Canada, Alabama, and beyond. The grilled octopus is a standout, with redfish, lobster rolls, halibut, scallops, swordfish, and flounder all finding a place on the menu. A fun smattering of cocktails, a deep wine list, and sides like corn milk hushpuppies, eggplant, and broccolini round out a nearly perfect meal.

theoptimistrestaurant.com/nashville, 1400 Adams St, Nashville, TN 37208

Lockeland Table

A chimichurri dry-aged New York strip steak and plates of red curry Thai steamed Prince Edward Island mussels are some of the most prized items at this Lockeland Springs community spot that received a James Beard nomination for best new restaurant the year it opened. Chef Hal Holden-Bache has truly created a neighborhood joint with indoor and outdoor seating that caters to both locals and those passing through. Reservations are highly recommended, as Lockeland Table is small and often crowded especially during the daily Community Hour from 4 to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, where items like deviled eggs with chowchow, queso fondito and crispy pork belly tacos sell like hotcakes.

lockelandtable.com, 1520 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

Harper's Steakhouse

Nashville has seen a boom in steakhouses over the past few years, but Harper’s is la crème de la crème thanks to an upscale setting, a wide range of offerings, and a dedication to global flavors—the steak selects include bison, elk, and venison among more standard cuts of beef. If you and your dining mates are feeling particularly indulgent, order the seafood tower—which includes oysters, tiger shrimp, tuna tartare, sashimi, and lump crab—and don’t pass on the crème brûlée, prepared table-side.

harpersnashville.com, 2 Lea Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210

Henrietta Red

Chef Julia Sullivan set out to fill a gaping home in a relatively oyster-less market at the time of opening by making fresh seafood widely available in Nashville on the regular. The result? A thoughtful bistro that pairs delicate fish dishes like a flavor-packed grouper, wood-roasted mackerel, or red snapper crudo with a raw bar featuring up to 15 varieties of oysters. If you want a deal, go for the happy hour when a chef’s selection of oysters is just $2 a pop with many beers, wines, and cocktails also available at a discount. Or save Henrietta Red for weekend brunch when the menu changes to features such dishes as Croque Madame, polenta with a poached egg, or matcha pancakes with black sesame brunch.

henriettared.com, 1200 4th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208

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