219 Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee

This location of the national chain is both cozy and airy, with woven baskets as light fixtures; it serves upscale bites influenced by the street food and beach cultures of Southern California, Uruguay, and Brazil. Tacos (Bibb lettuce is available instead of flour shells) and rice bowls dominate the menu, as well as fresh-squeezed juice and cocktails; there's also a kids' menu. Remember that this is a cashless establishment and that you can save your spot in line by joining the waitlist on their website. There's another location in East Nashville.

This is one of Nashville's most exclusive dining options, a 24-seat restaurant where reservations are both required and difficult to get. The reward is a chef's choice multicourse meal that features dishes like swordfish served with pumpkin and marigold, and cocao beef tongue served with vaquero beans. On the other hand, the casual Big Bar is open daily with a good selection of beverages (including several nonalcoholic ones) and a one-item food menu (nachos).

Bella Napoli's brick-oven-baked pizzas and decadent pasta dishes will send you searching for this quaint eatery tucked in an alleyway on the back end of Edgehill Village. On warm nights, you can kick back on the romantically lit patio and enjoy good food, your favorite bottle of wine, and occasional live music.

Big Shake's juicy hot chicken really holds its own—especially when it comes to its Hot Mess sandwich loaded with coleslaw, pickles, and ghost pepper sauce—but it's also one of the rarer places in town where hot fish is also on the menu. Crispy, golden breaded catfish and whiting fillets also get the famous dry rub treatment here with four different spice levels; there's even a chicken and fish combo platter so diners can get the best of both worlds. Add an order of fried Oreos at the end for a little extra fun.

Biscuit Love opened its first outpost in The Gulch, and the hip new breakfast spot was so popular that lines poured out the door each morning. Now the beloved eatery is open in Hillsboro Village, serving up homemade biscuits and breakfast plates until 3 pm each day. Be warned: unless you get there early, you should be prepared to wait in line.

What started as a beloved Airstream food truck is now a brick-and-mortar staple in the neighborhood that's hailed for its daily scratch-made Southern-style biscuits. There are nine different biscuit entrees to choose from, made with a variety of meats, gravies, and toppings, but there are plenty of tempting \"Without a Biscuit\" options like the surprisingly tasty egg-topped Lindstrom made with shaved brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, and shredded Parmesan. There are additional locations in Hillsboro Village and Franklin. 

Housed in a historic building from the 1890s over a tunnel where Al Capone legendarily smuggled booze from boats on the Cumberland River to Printers Alley nightclubs, Black Rabbit comes by its speakeasy vibe honestly. Exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, and the original hardwood floors maintain the Roaring '20s ambience, as do jumpin' jazz performers that play there frequently on weekends. The long bar is a favorite neighborhood gathering spot, especially during the restaurant's generous happy hour. Plates are designed and sized to be shared over a drink or two, and most of the food benefits from a kiss of smoke and fire from the wood-fired grill and oven.

Breaded and fried to a golden brown, fried catfish is a classic Southern dish that can be found all over the city, but take it a step further with Bolton's hot fish. This is a Nashville mainstay for a reason—they make hot chicken and fish better than anyone else. They even have vegetarian options. 

The eastern outpost of the local Bongo Java empire, this location is in East Nashville's bustling Five Points neighborhood. Stop in for coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and more, served up in a refreshingly unpretentious environment by a friendly knowledgeable staff. Bongo also has beer on tap and a selection of board games (thanks to a 2017 merger with Game Point Café), so it's the perfect spot to transition from daytime work to evening play.

Located right across the street from the Ryman Auditorium, Boqueria is an ideal spot for a preshow meal made up of flavorful Spanish tapas that emerge quickly from the kitchen as soon as they are ready. You might not receive your plates in the order you requested them, but everything comes together to create a cohesive meal; favorite dishes include traditional Spanish staples such as patatas bravas (Spanish fried potatoes), grilled octopus, and paella, or diners can opt for a choice between two prix fixe menus that offer culinary tours through Spain. Don't forget about the sangria and creative cocktails to accompany the bold flavors.

Celebrity chef Michael Mina's restaurant on the top floor of the JW Marriott features impressive offerings of both whiskey and beef along with unparalleled panoramic vistas of Downtown and beyond. In addition to wood-fired steaks, the restaurant's signature Maine lobster potpie is prepared table-side as dinner and a show.

Twin brothers joined forces to start up a food truck before moving their operation to a permanent location in this converted house with an expansive patio. The atmosphere is buoyant as diners scarf down gourmet burgers that are more than a handful or po'boy sandwiches overstuffed with fried seafood or chicken. A small bar is a popular gathering spot for the neighborhood to enjoy local beers and a little sports on the television.

For those craving a burger that's a cut above the rest, Burger Republic offers up 12 different variations—like a fancier version of the In-N-Out classic or a Southern-inspired burger with a Jack Daniel's honey glaze—with a focus on locally sourced meats and ingredients. For the full artery-clogging experience, order a handmade shake spiked with your choice of booze.

Popular with all ages, including young families, this comfortable neighborhood hangout serves—you guessed it—burgers, as well as soups and salads. Beef and other meats are sourced from a local farm and butcher shop.

Though it only opened in 2015, Butcher and Bee is already a Nashville culinary mainstay. The restaurant is convenient both to Downtown and to East Nashville's Five Points, and offers guests a variety of dining options, from a casual weekend brunch to an elegant dinner of small shared plates, all of which find the middle ground between Middle Eastern and Southern American influences. The whipped feta is a must-try.

The name says it all: Butchertown Hall is the place to go for excellent elevated meat dishes, with a menu inspired by meat markets in Texas. Order smoked meats by the pound with sides like seasonal vegetables and shaved street corn, or opt for (slightly) lighter fare like oak-smoked brisket tacos and grilled lamb lollipops. The cocktail program is heavy on tequila, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the filling spreads.

Created as a social enterprise, The Café employs female survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction and partners with local food suppliers to create delicious locally sourced breakfast and lunch items like sandwiches, quiches, and baked goods. The Café also touts a full afternoon tea service, available by reservation. Next door, browse nourishing handmade gifts and goods at The Shop at Thistle Farms.

Convenient to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Bridgestone Arena, and Ascend Amphitheater, Café Intermezzo is a favorite preshow destination for a quick bite before a concert. Serving all three meals of the day plus an extensive specialty coffee drink program, it's also a quiet spot to catch up with friends or meet for a business discussion. The stocked pastry display case just inside the front door reminds diners to always save room for dessert.

This bright and bustling all-day restaurant fulfills all of your breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner needs with a menu that spans a number of healthy options that utilize fresh seasonal ingredients. There are more indulgent items on offer, too, like the perfectly griddled smash burger or the paprika chicken. Stop in for a house latte before heading out for a day of fun, or cozy up at the bar for dinner during live jazz night on Fridays. 

A long-standing staple of Sylvan Park, Caffé Nonna serves Italian dinner in an inviting and intimate café setting. Pasta is served with house-made sauces, the desserts are decadent, and the decent wine list rounds out the experience.

Though the Caney Fork River Valley Grille is best known for its ribs and catfish, the wild-game menu is a must-try for those with a taste for adventure—this is truly the only place in Nashville where you'll find gator chili, wild elk sliders, or a venison sausage Philly (think classic cheesesteak sandwich but with sausage). There’s live music every Friday and Saturday against a backdrop of taxidermy possums, bears, deer, wolves, bobcats, and much more. The indoor catfish pond is especially scenic, if you prefer a livelier view during dinner.

When done just right, a night at an American steak house can be an unforgettable dining experience, and Carne Mare's 30-day dry-aged shareable tomahawk and Wagyu cuts make for worthy splurges, while impressive seafood options like red snapper prepared table-side feel just as decadent. The passion of the hospitality and kitchen teams at the Nashville location is obvious in the loving attention given to each and every dish, cocktail, and dessert on the menu, and the classic and inviting interior delivers a dose of classic elegance with dark wood, leather, and low lighting.

A Southern answer to French cuisine, Chateau West serves French-inspired lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Their upscale yet relaxed setting matches the quality and accessibility of their entrées.

If you're looking for a dinner menu that won't necessarily break the bank, check out this stripped-down, rock-and-roll-inspired intimate restaurant, which is centered around hearty well-seasoned proteins paired with the freshest possible local produce. This is upscale American that delivers. The space is anchored by a chef's counter, so you'll be able to see each part of your meal as it's prepped and get to know the attentive staff.

A trip to Nashville isn't complete without a stop at this Nashville-based bakery that makes gourmet cookies with real ingredients and recipes that have earned the brand national recognition. Their Germantown bakery now boasts a storefront where you can pick up a variety of cookies, milk, coffee, and Christie-branded goodies.

You can’t miss the bright red facade or the window where you can order the signature chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies; sometimes there's a tray of samples at the window. This location opened in 2018, but the bakery has been around since 1985. Tins of these cookies are familiar and beloved holiday and celebratory gifts.

First-time visitors to Church & Union can't help but look up immediately upon entering the massive dining space, their eyes drawn skyward by the dramatic hand-lettered mural that covers the entire ceiling with all 11,450 words of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. The kitchen staff wins most of the battles with their playful and inventive takes on New American cuisine, pairing international inspirations with regional ingredients and local specialties to create an intriguing menu of hearty dishes. Start off a meal with a massive seafood tower and progress all the way to Church & Union's signature torched Baked Tennessee dessert and you'll feel like a victor, too!

As a restaurant, concert venue, and wine bar, the versatility of City Winery’s offerings make it a standout in the city. The Barrel Room Restaurant and Wine Bar within City Winery serves hearty Southern-inspired fare for brunch and dinner with an extensive wine list.