Alright, let’s get real about Nashville for a second. You might think it’s all about neon Broadway, country music, and one very specific spicy bird.
But here’s the real deal: Music City’s food scene has been cooking up something incredible.
It’s exploded into a delicious mashup of Southern soul, global flavors, and chef-driven creativity that’ll make you forget all about that chicken for a minute.
This ain’t your grandma’s meat-and-three—well, it is, but it’s also so much more. If you leave Nashville just eating on Honky Tonk Row, you’re missing the whole dang symphony.
Get ready to loosen your belt and dig in. We’re bypassing the tourist traps to show you the absolute best restaurants to visit in Nashville.
This is your backstage pass to where the locals eat, from white-tablecloth Southern temples to funky food trucks serving life-changing tacos.
Whether you’re craving smoky barbecue, a plant-based feast, or a biscuit that’ll make you weep, Nashville’s table is set. Let’s eat our way through the real Music City.
1. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
Alright, we can’t completely ignore the bird. If you’re gonna do hot chicken, you gotta start at the source. Prince’s is the legendary spot where it all began back in the 1930s.
The story goes that a jealous girlfriend made her man’s fried chicken punishingly spicy, but he loved it. That heat started a Nashville obsession. This is no-frills, cash-only dining.
You order at the counter, grab a plastic seat, and prepare for a flavor (and heat) experience.
The key is knowing your heat level. Mild has a kick. Medium will make you sweat. Hot is for the brave. Anything beyond that is a dare. It’s served on white bread with pickles to cool you down.
Your lips will tingle, but you’ll keep going back for more. It’s messy, it’s glorious, and it’s a non-negotiable Nashville food experience. For the original and best hot chicken in town, Prince’s is a pilgrimage.
2. Arnold’s Country Kitchen
This is Southern comfort in its purest, most beautiful form. Arnold’s is a classic “meat-and-three,” and it’s been a Nashville institution since 1982.
You grab a tray, get in line (yes, there’s always a line), and make the most delicious decisions of your day.
First, you pick your meat: maybe roast beef, fried catfish, or baked chicken. Then, you choose three sides from a rotating list of a dozen soulful options.
Think creamy mac and cheese, tangy collard greens, fried okra, and the fluffiest cornbread you’ve ever tasted. The vibe is cafeteria-style, the sweet tea flows freely, and the feeling is like Sunday dinner at your cool Southern aunt’s house.
It’s affordable, it’s authentic, and it’s love on a plate. For the quintessential Nashville lunch spot, Arnold’s is the gold standard. Get there early—they close when they sell out.
3. The Catbird Seat
Get ready for a show where the kitchen is the stage. The Catbird Seat is Nashville’s most exclusive and innovative dining experience.
There are only a couple dozen seats, all arranged in a U-shape around a central, open kitchen. You’re not just eating; you’re watching a team of culinary artists create your multi-course tasting menu right in front of you.
The menu is a complete surprise, changing frequently and featuring hyper-seasonal, creative dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Each course is explained by the chefs who made it.
It’s interactive, theatrical, and incredibly memorable. This is the ultimate splurge for a special occasion and the pinnacle of fine dining in Nashville. Reservations are famously hard to get, but it’s worth the effort for a once-in-a-lifetime meal.
4. Biscuit Love
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a proper Southern biscuit. Biscuit Love took a humble food truck idea and turned it into a bonafide Nashville phenomenon.
Their flagship in the Gulch is always buzzing, and for good reason. The biscuits are fluffy, buttery clouds that form the base of some truly magical creations.
You absolutely must try the Bonuts. These are biscuit doughnuts, fried and tossed in sugar, served with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote. It’s sweet breakfast perfection.
For something savory, the East Nasty—a biscuit with fried chicken, aged cheddar, and sausage gravy—is a legend. Be prepared to wait, but the line moves fast and the payoff is huge. For a must-visit breakfast in Nashville, this is your spot.
5. Rolf and Daughters
Tucked away in an industrial-chic space in the Germantown neighborhood, Rolf and Daughters has been a darling of the foodie scene since it opened.
The vibe is cool but not pretentious, with exposed brick and a bustling, energetic atmosphere. The menu is “modern peasant food”—rustic, pastas-forward, and driven by incredible ingredients.
Their house-made pastas are the stars. The sourdough casarecce with lamb ragù is a showstopper.
But the vegetable dishes are just as celebrated, often stealing the spotlight. It’s the kind of place where every plate is meant to be shared, and the flavors are bold and layered.
For a trendy, reliably outstanding dinner that captures Nashville’s modern culinary spirit, Rolf and Daughters is a top restaurant in Nashville.
6. Monell’s
For a family-style experience that feels like a giant, joyful dinner party, you go to Monell’s. Housed in a historic Victorian mansion in Germantown, they serve heaping platters of Southern classics that just keep coming.
You’re seated at large tables with strangers who become friends as you pass around fried chicken, cornbread dressing, green beans, and mac and cheese.
There’s no menu. You get what they’re cooking that day, and it’s all you can eat. The rule is simple: if you can see the bottom of a dish, they’ll bring out more.
The atmosphere is loud, friendly, and feels like a celebration. It’s a fantastic way to try a little bit of everything and connect with fellow travelers. Dining at Monell’s is a uniquely fun and social Nashville dining experience.
7. The Southern Steak & Oyster
Located right in the heart of downtown on Third Avenue, The Southern offers a polished take on, well, Southern cuisine.
It’s the perfect spot for a business lunch, a classy date night, or a nice dinner before a show. The atmosphere is sophisticated but still has that warm Nashville charm.
While the name highlights steak and oysters (both are excellent), the menu goes much deeper. Their shrimp and grits are a creamy, decadent masterpiece, and their catfish is always perfectly fried.
It’s a great option when you want a taste of upscale Southern fare in a central location. For elevated Southern food in downtown Nashville, The Southern delivers every time.
8. The BE-Hive
Calling all plant-based food lovers! The BE-Hive is Nashville’s destination for mind-blowing vegan deli meats and cheeses.
This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a deli and market where they make everything from scratch, from pastrami to pepperoni to provolone—all 100% plant-based.
The Reuben sandwich, piled high with their house-made vegan pastrami, is a revelation that will make any carnivore do a double-take.
You can grab a made-to-order sandwich, a loaded salad, or a pack of goodies to take home. The flavors are smoky, savory, and incredibly satisfying.
It’s a game-changer for vegans and the veg-curious. Finding this spot is like unlocking a delicious secret. For the best vegan food in Nashville, The BE-Hive is a must-visit.
9. Peg Leg Porker
When you need that slow-smoked Tennessee barbecue fix, you head to Peg Leg Porker in the Gulch. Pitmaster Carey Bringle, the namesake “Peg Leg,” knows his stuff.
The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender with a perfect bark, the pulled pork is juicy and smoky, and the dry-rub chicken is fantastic.
Don’t you dare skip the sides. The baked beans, loaded with bits of pork, and the crispy, creamy coleslaw are the perfect companions. The vibe is casual and laid-back, just like good barbecue should be.
It’s a no-nonsense spot focused on flavor. For top-tier Nashville barbecue, Peg Leg Porker is a heavyweight champion.
10. City House
A pioneer in Nashville’s now-thriving Germantown neighborhood, City House feels like a cozy, neighborhood Italian spot that got a serious Southern twist.
The vibe is rustic and inviting, with a buzzing open kitchen. Chef Tandy Wilson’s menu is celebrated for its creative simplicity.
The belly ham pizza with cream and a sunny-side-up egg is an iconic dish you’ll dream about.
Their pasta dishes and seasonal vegetable plates are equally stunning. It’s the kind of place locals return to again and again for its consistently inventive, soulful food.
City House remains a cornerstone of the city’s culinary identity and a beloved Nashville restaurant.
11. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Okay, we’re circling back to hot chicken, but for good reason. While Prince’s is the original, Hattie B’s perfected the accessibility.
With several locations (including one on bustling 19th Ave), shorter lines, and a slightly more user-friendly heat scale, it’s become many visitors’ first hot chicken love.
The chicken is still fantastic—crispy, juicy, and packing serious heat if you ask for it. The sides, like pimento mac and cheese and Southern greens, are outstanding.
It’s a streamlined, consistently excellent version of the classic. For a guaranteed great hot chicken experience in Nashville without the logistical challenge, Hattie B’s is a sure bet.
12. Butcher & Bee
With a focus on creative, veggie-forward plates meant for sharing, Butcher & Bee brings a fresh, Middle Eastern-inspired vibe to Nashville.
Their motto is “Serve Others,” and it shows in the thoughtful, vibrant food. The space is bright, airy, and perfect for a group meal.
You must order the whipped feta with honey—it’s creamy, salty, sweet, and utterly addictive with their fresh bread.
The menu changes but always features beautiful salads, inventive sandwiches, and hearty mains. It’s a fantastic spot for lunch or a casual, flavorful dinner. For creative, shareable food in Nashville, Butcher & Bee is a breath of fresh air.
13. Mas Tacos Por Favor
Sometimes the best food comes from a quirky, cash-only joint in a converted auto shop. Mas Tacos in East Nashville is a local legend for a reason.
The line often stretches out the door, but it moves fast. The menu is short and perfect: a few incredible tacos (like fried avocado or pulled chicken), legendary tortilla soup, and sweet fried plantains.
The atmosphere is funky, the prices are low, and the flavors are huge. It’s the definition of a hidden gem.
Finding this spot feels like you’ve been let in on the city’s best-kept secret. For amazing, no-fuss tacos in Nashville, Mas Tacos Por Favor is the answer.
14. Folk
For a taste of Nashville’s hyper-local, seasonal obsession, visit Folk in East Nashville. The menu is tiny, changing almost daily based on what’s best from nearby farms.
The space is minimalist and modern, putting all the focus on the stunningly simple, beautiful food.
You might find a perfect piece of fish with foraged mushrooms, or a single, magnificent vegetable prepared with expert care.
It’s a quiet, intentional dining experience that feels both modern and deeply connected to the land. For a truly seasonal and intimate meal in Nashville, Folk offers something special and serene.
15. Loveless Cafe
A bit of a drive out of town, but oh so worth it. The Loveless Cafe is a slice of Americana and a Nashville institution since 1951, famous for one thing: world-class biscuits and preserves. The rustic, roadside spot is charmingly dated in the best way.
You come for the fluffy, buttery biscuits served with homemade blackberry, peach, and strawberry preserves.
Pair them with country ham, fried chicken, or red-eyed gravy. It’s a pilgrimage for biscuit lovers and a delicious step back in time. For a classic Southern breakfast near Nashville, the Loveless is a sweet, buttery must.
Conclusion:
So, there you have it—your ultimate roadmap to the delicious, diverse, and downright soul-satisfying world of Nashville dining.
You’ve gone from fiery chicken shrines to serene tasting menus, from heaping family-style platters to plant-based deli wonders. This city proves that Southern food is a living, breathing, and ever-evolving tradition.
Now, the best part begins: making your plan. Will you wait in line for a legendary biscuit or book a seat at the chef’s counter? Will you dive into a meat-and-three or explore vegan “pastrami”? The beauty is in the mix.
Don’t just read about these amazing restaurants to visit in Nashville—start your own culinary adventure.
Book those hard-to-get reservations, join those happy lines, and get ready to taste why Music City is also a world-class food city. Your unforgettable feast is waiting. What’s the first stop on your list?