I'm in Bowling Green, KY and make the short trip to Nashville often and have many favorite restaurants and feel I know the city fairly well....

I'm wondering if any Fodorites in Nashville or anybody has an opinion on what the best place to eat is in Nashville.

I'll start the argument by being undecided and giving four choices...here are my picks.

1) Demos Steak and Spagetti
2) The Stockyard
3) Loveless Cafe
4) Big River Grill

My favorites are

any of the Cooker restaurants
5th Quarter (great salad bar)
Cracker Barrel

Bound'ry- good food, great wine selection.

We like Jimmy Kelly's and Mer Bulles (sp?).

Only been to Nashville a couple of times but we loved Jimmy Kelley's.
Great food and service, atmosphere too.

Got to vote for Sunset Grill in Hillsboro Village -- terrific food, especially the desserts, and a good place to see and be seen. People who haven't been there seem to be under the illusion that it's very expensive, but I don't find that it's any pricier than any other sit-down restaurants.

I think the Loveless is overrated, even by Fodor's. The food is good, but the environment is pretty bad. They do have the best biscuits in the world, but this is not a place to take someone from out of town who is looking to be impressed. It's not all that clean and I've found the staff to be less than friendly.

Try Prime Cut next time if you have a taste for steak. Just down the street from Demo's on 2nd Avenue. Went there for the first time (new to the area a year ago and we are still exploring!) and had a great steak. If you like, you can even cook your own steak on their huge rectangular grill in the middle of the restaurant.

Also try Zola's (3001 West End, near 440). It's great food with Spanish flair and is a nice setting. Had the best paella I've ever had in the U.S. at this place a few months ago.

Mid-Town Cafe is probably one of the most underrated places in the area (102 19th Avenue). Great food----do order the lemon/artichoke soup!

Want something entirely different--something that resembles comfort food?? Try the Belle Meade Cafeteria (4534 Harding Road in the Belle Meade Plaza just past St. Thomas Hospital. Yes, you have to go through a line, but the servers all have great attitudes and the wait staff always keep the tea glass full. The food reminds you of grandma's! For a review of this place, take a peak at the August Gourmet magazine for a review by Jane and Michael Stern.

Have fun!

Of course the Loveless is a little wierd....that's what makes it greayt and a PERFECT place to take someone out of town (It's "kitchy")

By far the best restaurant in Nashville is the New Orleans Manor on Murfreesboro Road. Go Oysters Rockefeller!

I vote for Demos........
The one in Murfreesboro is suppose to be better than the one downtown. But have only been to that one.

The one in Murfreesboro is better becasue it's the original and the owners Jim and Doris have more of a day-to-day overview of the place.
My vote is for the Loveless

Demos' in Murfreesboro is by far my favorite. My family has lived in Murfreesboro for almost 20 years. And the information is incorrect - the one in downtown Nashville is the original one. The one in Murfreesboro came much later - only about 15 years ago, but the owners spent much more time at the Murfreesboro location. It's always a long wait, but definitely worth it!

Jimmy Kelly's!

Love:

Jimmy Kelly's
Mere Bulles
Sunset Grille
12th & Porter (is that still around??)

I happen to like the Loveless and think it's kinda' fun. It isn't supposed to be fancy, it's supposed to be kitschy. Great jam.

I've never understood the love affair both natives and tourists have for Demos'. I work a block away from the downtown location and avoid it at all costs. I don't have complaints about the service...the staff is quite friendly and helpful. The food, though, happens to be the saltiest I have ever had. But, I seem to be in the minority, so try it and judge for yourself!

I agree that Sunset Grill is one of the best. The Cooker was good, but it closed. I think 12th and Porter is still there, but I haven't been. Maybe we'll go there for lunch today...

Don't forget the Pancake Pantry for breakfast. Just get in line and wait.

For dinner, I agree with Bound'ry, Sunset Grill and Zola's. None are new, but all are good.

Finally, if one wants something downtown, "Mother Bubbles" (Mere Bulles) is always a good time.

Mmmm. The Pancake Pantry is good too...despite not having real maple syrup. I go for lunch...same great food, no wait!

Mere Bulles has closed it's downtown location (BB King's is now there). I do think they have a location in the Brentwood, though.

Is Cafe 123 (I think it was called) down by 12th and Porter still open? Used to enjoy that place.

Pancake Pantry!! How could I forget?!?

I also have a special fondness for the San Antonio Taco Company (SATCO), but that's because I whiled away many hours on their deck drinking longnecks when I was supposed to be in class ...

Cafe 123 closed not too long ago. Judge Bean's BBQ is moving into their location. Judge Bean's has great Texas style BBQ (used to be near the fair grounds)! Leave room for their blueberry cobbler with Blue Bell ice cream.