We love Nashville for the live music and honky tonks, but it's also a foodie's dream! Whether you're looking for the classic Nashville hot chicken, live music with your meal, or an Insta worthy spot, the city's got it all! Check out our favorites and keep them handy for your next visit!

Updated May 2022


 

Adele's

Adele's

The bright white and airy Adele's offers seasonal, accessible comfort food that is locally sourced. It's a staple brunch destination known for its buffet with delicious classics like homestyle french toast, smoked gouda grits, roast chicken, and more! They also offer a dinner menu with delicious entrees like duck confit and gnocchi. They have a big side room too, so it's a great place for a larger group!

THE GULCH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Adele's


 

Assembly Food Hall

Assembly Food Hall

Owned by the same company who brought us Legacy Hall, Assembly Food Hall is the largest rooftop in Nashville and offers 30+ eateries and bars with three stages! You can find fried chicken, tacos, dessert, poke, thai, pizza, shawarma, and more here, making it ideal for large groups with people looking to explore their options. Make sure to check out their events too and hit up the Broadway bars while you're there!

FIFTH AND BROADWAY | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Assembly Food Hall


 

BOQUERIA

Boqueria

Paealla, tapas, and Spanish brunch have hit Nashville right across from the Ryman Auditorium! Choose your tapas and create your experience or let it be created for you by ordering The Classics or The Boqueria Experience, which includes a tasting of their most prized ingredient, 30-month-aged, hand-carved Jamón Ibérico! 

FIFTH AND BROADWAY | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Boqueria


 

BOURBON STEAK

BOURBON STEAK

Perfect for special occasions and memory making, Bourbon Steak offers a fine dining experience encompassed by 360-degree views of the city from the 34th floor of the J.W. Marriott. No table skips out on the breathtaking views, and you can take them in from their outdoor cocktail lounge too, which is a sweet spot for photos! Their trio of duck fat fries is served to every table right away and is reason enough to go!

DOWNTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Bourbon Steak


 

Burger Up

Burger Up

It's a burger lover's paradise at Burger Up! The intimate dining room contrasts with such a casual feature feature item, the burger, but the twelve variations elevate the experience! We suggest the Woodstock burger, which has benton’s bacon, tennessee sweetwater white cheddar, jack daniels maple ketchup, and the french onion burger, which has arugula, fried onion, brie cheese, truffle aioli, caramelized onions on a onion roll. Order a glass of wine and make it a date-night or GNO go-to!

12 SOUTH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Burger Up


 

Butcher & Bee

Butcher & Bee

A finalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, Butcher & Bee touts its "honest-to-goodness eats" with seasonal menu items that constantly rotate on and off the menu. They offer brunch and dinner, which feature bites that are sourced from local farmers, ranchers, and fisherman to bring the freshest ingredients straight to your table. They even have bread and pastries baked daily on-site!

EAST NASHVILLE | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Butcher & Bee


 

Butchertown Hall

BUTCHERTOWN HALL

Butchertown Hall speaks to our Texan heart as they're known for their "Texas-style BBQ, craft tacos, and killer margaritas." Their brunch and dinner menus are expansive, combining items you typically don't see on the same menu, and their patio is the perfect spot for sips and bites in nice weather! Visit for happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-5 PM or Sunday from 4-6 PM.

GERMANTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Butchertown Hall


 

Butter Milk Ranch

Butter Milk Ranch

Newly opened on 12 South, Butter Milk Ranch is part small batch bakery open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 AM - 4 PM and part dining room open Thursday through Sunday from 8 AM - 2 PM. They're known for their croissant cubes and sandwiches, boasting the title of Best Sandwich in Nashville! They also have other staple brunch and lunch items like pancakes, chicken and waffles, bowls, and more. When it's nice outside, enjoy your time here on the patio!

12 SOUTH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Butter Milk Ranch


 

Church and Union

CHURCH AND UNION

Located in the heart of Downtown at the intersection of Church and Union, this hot spot has finally made its way to Nashville from Charlotte and Charleston! Visit for brunch and enjoy their brunch boards or visit for lunch or dinner and enjoy the open faced shrimp sandwich, agnolotti, or Idaho trout! The writing covering the ceilings creates a fun atmosphere, and the experience is truly what you make it!

DOWNTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Church and Union


 

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey has been open for over 17 years and garnered a lot of attention when Harry Styles visited the 12 South location in 2014! It's an all day cafe, specialty coffee roaster, and wholesale bakery with five locations across the city. It's a great spot to meet up with friends for a chat or to bring your laptop and study or work remote. The patios also make for great spots to people watch while you sip one of their many coffee drinks!

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS | 12 SOUTH

photo courtesy of Frothy Monkey


 

GEIST

GEIST

Geist sits in a charming red brick building that was originally a blacksmith shop owned by German immigrant John Geist Sr. It's been on the National Register Of Historic Places since 1980 as the shop was Nashville's oldest business to be continually family owned and operated! The rich history seeps through the decor and the menu items, which tap into international influences. The dining room is dim and intimate, and the champagne garden features a full garden and courtyard, which is a fun spot to soak up all the delicious items Geist has to offer like fried beignets, the huge cinnamon roll and roasted mushroom tagliatelle! 

GERMANTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Geist


 

Hattie B's

Hattie B's

What would a round up of Nashville restaurants be without Hattie B's? The originator of Nashville hot chicken has numerous locations within Nashville and now nation wide. The simple menu is split into bones and no bones and offers six different heat levels. For the dare devils, the hottest heat level is the Shut the Cluck Up and comes with a burn notice! Pro tip: avoid the long lines by visiting a location that isn't in the heart of the city or by ordering it for pickup/delivery!

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

 

JOSEPHINE

JOSEPHINE

A fine dining experience located on 12 South, Josephine offers elevated dinner dishes such as beef tongue, duck fat hash browns, and lamb bolognese. For a more low key meal, visit for brunch and try the cinnamon sugar donuts or the crab cake sandwich. Chef Andy Little is a 2017 and 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast and fuses his Pennsylvania Dutch roots with Southern hospitality at Josephine!

12 SOUTH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Josephine


 

MAS TACOS POR FAVOR

MAS TACOS POR FAVOR

Mas Tacos is a no frills taco spot that was featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives! It has garnered a lot of love from locals on and online! They have six taco options with classics like pulled pork and cast iron chicken and more fun ones like quinoa and sweet potato and fried tilapia. If you visit on a Wednesday you can try the hand rolled tamales, and if you visit on a Thursday, you can try the pickled cactus and chorizo taco! They also serve breakfast tacos and chilaquiles for Saturday brunch!

EAST NASHVILLE | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Mas Tacos


 

O-Ku

O-KU

Sushi lovers, this one's for you! O-ku has any type of sushi you could ever want! They focus on unique ingredients and sophisticated presentations through each of their plates. You can even do omakase or tobanyaki, which is tableside roasting of wagyu beef. Visit on Mondays between 5 and 7 PM for half-off sushi rolls!

GERMANTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of O-Ku


 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN FRANCE

ONCE UPON A TIME IN FRANCE

What remains a quaint French bistro suddenly blew up on TikTok, creating a constant crowd inside and outside! This restaurant only seats up to 60 people and doesn't take reservations, so locals and tourists alike come ready to wait for their table. Staying true to the authentic feel of a small, tight, and limited bistro, this spot offers solely French dishes. Check out their wine bar across the street to enjoy a glass or two while you wait! Doing so will put you on the wait list for a dining table automatically!

EAST NASHVILLE | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Once Upon a Time in France


 

PINEWOOD SOCIAL

PINEWOOD SOCIAL

Pinewood Social is the place to be for fun, food, and friends! Not only can you dine here all day every day, but you can hit the lanes and bowl while you're at it! And if you go during the summer, you can also get a day pass to their pool! Their patio with string lights is a great space for any size party. If you're looking for a place to host a work event or gather your crew for a celebration, this is the perfect spot! Make your reservations ahead of time!

SO BRO | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Pinewood Social


 

ROLF AND DAUGHTERS

ROLF AND DAUGHTERS

This one's for the Italian food lovers! Rolf and Daughters offers a limited menu of delicious Italian items like pappardelle, fusilli, and rigatoni. Their desserts are delicious too! The sourdough ice cream and creme fraiche ice cream caught our eye. The atmosphere is cozy as tables are communal and make it a great place to meet someone new!

GERMANTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Rolf and Daughters


 

SAINT ANEJO

SAINT ANEJO

Mexican cuisine, Latin drinks, and exceptional tequila and mezcal embody the spirit of Saint Anejo! They have eight kinds of tacos, including mahi mahi and hot chicken, in addition the the typical Mexican food staples. They also have convertible windows that transition the space to indoor/outdoor, and their large elevated patio shares a bar with the interior. For those looking to host an event, you can rent the Tequila Library, which is a private mezzanine overlooking the main level.

THE GULCH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Saint Anejo


 

STATESIDE KITCHEN

STATESIDE KITCHEN

Tucked inside of Dream Nashville, Stateside Kitchen is truly dreamy itself, especially when the sunset peaks in through the glass that sits above the restaurant! There's something on the menu for everyone, and happy hour is Monday-Thursday 4-7 PM. The atmosphere is fun for a big, lively group, and you can order sizable drinks for the group like the Cowgirls Don't Cry and the Disco Rose Sangria Bowl! And if you visit on weekend nights you can enjoy a live DJ while you dine!

DOWNTOWN | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Stateside Kitchen


 

SUNDA

SUNDA

Another staple sushi spot, Sunda brings New Asian cuisine to The Gulch! Their dishes are award-winning and inspired by years of travel throughout Southeast Asia. The unique plates and cooking techniques are results of the visited cultures, and they all blend perfectly together here. In addition to sushi, sashimi, and nigiri, they offer Michelin-rated bites and premium beverages that cultivate sophisticated brunch and dinner vibes. Don't miss out on happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-6 PM!

THE GULCH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Sunda


 

URBAN GRUB

URBAN GRUB

In the heart of 12 South sits Urban Grub, a seafood and southern comfort food haven! Start with oysters or design your own board, platter, or tray, and mix and match your favorite meats, cheeses, and seafoods. For your main, you can go the seafood route or the southern specialty route, including items like the NY strip, club carbonara, or Memphis style ribs. If you want the ultimate dinner, you can opt for The Grub Experience, where your server curates your meal for the table. Don't miss out on dessert, either! The muchos chocolate and the stay 6ft away from my chocolate cake are calling us!

12 SOUTH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Urban Grub


 

VIRAGO

VIRAGO

Owned by the same company who brings us Saint Anejo, Virago has blessed Nashville with its presence for 19 years and claims it is the city’s gold standard for sushi and Asian cuisine. Their menu is huge with all kinds of sushi, bao, dim sum, and more! Visit on Mondays for Maki Saki Monday, when you can get half-priced rolls and 2-for-1 sake and select cocktails from 5 PM to close! Virago has a romantic, red-tinted interior great for special occasions, so plan ahead and book your reservations sooner rather than later!

THE GULCH | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Virago


 

XIAO BAO BISCUIT

XIAO BAO BISCUIT

Charleston staple Xiao Bao Biscuit offers Asian comfort food in the funky Dive Motel and is expanding into a new space this summer! Don't be deterred by the small menu but come eager to try something new! Crab fried rice, freied sticky rice dumplings, and okonomiyaki, which is a cabbage pancake, are a few of the gems to try here. Visit their website for updates on the new location!

EAST NASHVILLE | DIRECTIONS

photo courtesy of Xiao Bao Biscuit


 

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