175 Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee

The 404 Kitchen

$$$ | The Gulch

Big on visual presentation and earning high marks in overall aesthetics, The 404 Kitchen is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a sumptuous evening. The menu is small and carefully laid out to ensure that anything ordered lives up to the kitchen's high bar for quality. Fair warning: there's no parking, so prepare to pay for valet or opt to use a rideshare service.

The Café at Thistle Farms

$ | Sylvan Park

An eatery at nonprofit Thistle Farms, The Café employs women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction, and partners with local suppliers for fresh produce. The Café also touts Nashville’s only full afternoon tea service, available by reservation.

The Catbird Seat

$$$$ | Midtown

With a 22-seat dining area surrounding an open kitchen, and prepaid reservations, The Catbird Seat might be one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Nashville, but a worthwhile one. Guests watch as the restaurant’s world-class chefs prepare signature dishes and experiment with new cuisines, while a beverage director creates cocktails specially designed to pair with every mouthwatering course.

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The Chef & I on Ninth

$$$$ | The Gulch

If you're looking for a chef's tasting 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 staff.

The Christie Cookie Co.

$ | Germantown

A trip to Nashville isn't complete without a Christie Cookie (or six). The Nashville-based bakery makes gourmet cookies with real ingredients, with 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.

The Coffee House at Second and Bridge

This coffeehouse is in a literal house, built in 1904 in downtown Franklin, and during a good mid-morning lull, you can curl up with a cinnamon toast crepe in one of the sitting rooms and listen to a record or read a book. The library room is an especially good spot to pass a rainy afternoon with hot soup and a grown-up grilled cheese sandwich.

The Cupcake Collection

$ | Germantown

Who doesn't love a good cupcake? Germantown bakery The Cupcake Collection is a locally beloved cupcake shop, serving a variety of tasty, creative cupcakes both for advance order and for walk-in pickup at their storefront. Classic flavors like red velvet and chocolate are always on hand, while seasonal cupcakes pop up throughout the year.

The Diner

$$ | Downtown

Despite its name, this eatery challenges diner conventions by occupying six stories of a downtown building and serving upscale entrées like steaks, oysters, and sushi (yet they still honor diner culture by remaining open for 24 hours a day). Each luxe level features a different focus like fresh seafood or cocktails, and the rooftop view is one of the best in the city.

The Eastern Peak

$ | Berry Hill

Asian fusion entrées, Thai curries, and sushi come together in a stylish setting at The Eastern Peak. Enjoy well-priced lunch specials on the covered porch, or pair a cocktail with a sushi combo for happy hour.

The Grilled Cheeserie

$ | Hillsboro Village

Long before the Grilled Cheeserie opened a brick-and-mortar shop, it was one of Nashville's most loved food trucks, slinging grilled cheese and tater tots to long lines of eaters who often tracked the truck down. Now, though, it's easier to indulge in some melty goodness at the restaurant's first permanent location. You can't go wrong with a grilled cheese, but don't sleep on the homemade soups and desserts, either.

The Loading Dock Cafe

$ | Wedgewood-Houston

Located within the Fort Houston arts complex, this small café resembles the open-plan dwelling of your trendy friend's apartment. Breakfast—bagels, scrambles, sandwiches—is available all day; sandwiches are served at lunch (gluten-free bread is available).

The Mockingbird

$$ | The Gulch

Maneet Chauhan's playful take on a diner is situated right next to her Ale & Masala House and features the expected milk shakes, burgers, and fries, but the extensive offerings only start there. Get ready for some seriously great eats served in whimsical and fun ways. Her modern Chinese restaurant, Tánsuŏ, is also located in the same building.

The Old School Farm to Table

$$$ | Scottsboro

This 1936 schoolhouse-turned-restaurant serves local, sustainable, hyper-seasonal food on a farm 10 miles north of Nashville. The farm’s primary mission is to employ adults with intellectual disabilities, and the restaurant is a leading member of the Nashville Food Waste Initiative. Check their calendar for live music performances, and get a reservation if you can.

The Pfunky Griddle

$ | Berry Hill

One of the city’s most inventive brunch experiences puts you in control of your pancakes and more with an in-table griddle set up for a DIY menu. In addition to creative toppings for the all-you-can-eat pancakes, you can also griddle-cook your own eggs and potatoes and order from the kitchen if you aren’t up for the task of making your own.

The Pub Nashville

$$ | The Gulch

If you need a break from the sleek, buzzy restaurants, then head to The Pub for a calming dark-wood interior that's filled with stained glass and even a pull-your-own-beer wall of tempting taps. The straightforward menu swears by tall pints and British classics that are served alongside some Southern favorites for good measure.

The Ridge

$ | Sylvan Park

The Ridge serves a wide variety of barbecue, burgers, Tex-Mex-inspired appetizers, and more in their counter-serve location in a converted Sylvan Park house. The restaurant also has a food truck offshoot that is often seen around Nashville.

The Smiling Elephant

$$ | Melrose

Arguably Nashville’s most popular Thai restaurant, The Smiling Elephant serves classic Thai dishes featuring a daily rotating curry menu in a quirky, cottage-like environment. Given its popularity and no-reservations policy, expect a moderate wait, especially at peak mealtimes.

The Southern Steak & Oyster

$$ | Downtown

An energetic addition to Nashville's dining scene, The Southern is an airy restaurant on the ground floor of the Pinnacle building. Its proximity close to a number of major sights, including Bridgestone Arena, lower Broadway, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum means a steady stream of sports fans, locals, and visitors—and live music. The menu offers large portions and features burgers and sweet potato fries, steak and oysters, salads, and a selection of creative cocktails. It's also open for breakfast.

The Standard at the Smith House

$$$$ | Downtown

A beautiful and historic 24-room town house built in the 1840s is the setting for this unique restaurant. The house retains much of the home's original decor, and dinner is served among fireplaces, oak floors, antiques, and paintings. Specialties include homemade crab bisque, crab cakes, and sweet-potato fries.

The Urban Juicer

$ | Melrose

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are front and center at The Urban Juicer, which focuses on fresh juices, smoothies, and superfood-laden bowls. Whether grabbing a breakfast sandwich or made-to-order juice, or signing on for a cleanse, the helpful staff will guide you through their health food options.

Ugly Mugs

$ | East Nashville

Ugly Mugs is a neighborhood coffee shop on the edge of East Nashville's Lockeland Springs neighborhood. For those staying in the area, it's a great spot to grab coffee, breakfast, or a simple lunch or dinner, and it's also a popular hangout for local musicians, so you never know who you might run into.

Urban Grub

$$$

A former car wash, Urban Grub is now a sophisticated dining space serving seafood and locally sourced meat that's cured on-site. Outdoor seating offers a view of the oversized fireplace for cooking.

Virago

$$ | The Gulch

The best place to go for upscale sushi in town, step inside Virago's sprawling modern interior—or check out their legendary patio—and get ready for some of the freshest fish you can find in the entire landlocked state. Make a reservation if you're smart, and be sure to follow the business-casual dress code.

VN Pho & Deli

$ | Charlotte Park

While Nashville has a range of Vietnamese food options, VN Pho & Deli is a standout for its baked goods selection and emphasis on traditional ingredients and preparation. Yet the pho in this plainly decorated, family-owned, cash-only joint is a must-try.

Von Elrod's Beer Garden and Sausage House

$$ | Germantown

Von Elrod's Beer Garden and Sausage House was a welcome addition to the Germantown neighborhood when it opened in 2017. Housed in a large, group-friendly space, the restaurant offers a casual alternative to the neighborhood's more-elevated offerings, serving house-made sausages and sides alongside a truly extensive beer menu. As a plus, it's right next to First Tennessee Park, making it the perfect spot for dinner before a baseball game.

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