Best Restaurants in Nashville – A Local's Guide to Dining

Rolf and Daughters

Acclaimed Germantown restaurant known for seasonal pastas and inventive cooking

Etch

Globally inspired downtown restaurant from award-winning Nashville chef Deb Paquette

Barista Parlor

Design-forward coffee shop serving craft espresso in a stylish Germantown space

Edley's BBQ

Sylvan Park barbecue favorite known for slow-smoked meats and scratch-made sides

Greenery Co.

Bright Hillsboro Village café serving fresh salads, bowls and healthy fare

Penne Pazze

Casual Italian restaurant at L&L Market serving pizza and pasta

M.L. Rose

Sylvan Park sports bar known for burgers, craft beer and a lively patio

Bringle's Smoking Oasis

Nations barbecue spot from Peg Leg Porker pitmaster with spacious outdoor patio

Bongo Java

Belmont-area coffee shop considered one of Nashville's originals

Barcelona

Midtown wine bar serving Spanish small plates, paella and an extensive wine list

Deg Thai

Brentwood Thai restaurant known for authentic noodles, dumplings and curries

Five Daughters Bakery

East Nashville bakery famous for decadent 100-layer croissant-style donuts

Margot

East Nashville fine-dining favorite serving Provence- and Tuscany-inspired cuisine

Adele's

Chic Gulch restaurant known for seasonal dishes and a popular brunch buffet

Marsh House

Gulch seafood restaurant bringing Gulf Coast flavors to Nashville

Substrate

Plant-filled 12 South café serving locally sourced breakfast, lunch and coffee

Urban Grub

12 South restaurant known for oysters, smoked meats and a lively patio

Taco Mama

Hillsboro Village taco bar inspired by California and Texas taquerias

Five Daughters Bakery

Sylvan Park bakery famous for decadent 100-layer croissant-style donuts

Flora + Fauna

East Nashville coffee shop known for seasonal breakfast plates and specialty coffee

Frothy Monkey

Downtown café and coffee shop serving locally sourced dishes all day

Cork & Cow

Franklin steakhouse known for seasonal menus, great wine and intimate date nights

The Southern

Downtown steakhouse serving Southern staples with broad coastal and regional influences

Roze Pony

Belle Meade all-day café known for colorful seasonal dishes and brunch

Hattie B's

Downtown hot chicken restaurant serving Nashville’s iconic fiery specialty

Crema

Minimal SoBro coffee roaster known for expertly brewed coffee and sunny patio seating

Fenwicks 300

Melrose diner serving classic breakfast and lunch favorites

Red's Hot Chicken

West End hot chicken spot known for creative Nashville-style dishes

Hattie B's

8th Avenue hot chicken institution serving Nashville’s signature fiery specialty

Frothy Monkey

Franklin café and coffeehouse known for brunch, local sourcing and cozy atmosphere

Black Rabbit

Printer's Alley restaurant known for craft cocktails and live music

Puckett's

Franklin Southern restaurant known for live music and comfort food

5th & Taylor

Upscale Germantown restaurant serving refined American comfort food in a historic warehouse

Chauhan Ale and Masala House

Gulch restaurant blending Indian flavors with Southern influences and craft cocktails

Redheaded Stranger

East Nashville taco spot serving bold Tex-Mex flavors

Butcher & Bee

East Nashville restaurant serving Mediterranean-influenced small plates

The Grilled Cheeserie

Hillsboro Village sandwich shop famous for gourmet grilled cheese and food truck roots

The Hampton Social

Lively coastal-inspired restaurant and rooftop lounge near Lower Broadway

Bourbon Steak

Gulch steakhouse atop JW Marriott known for skyline views and luxury dining

BrickTops

Downtown upscale restaurant serving steaks, seafood and sushi

Crema

Locally loved Brentwood coffee shop known for specialty roasting

8th & Roast

Charlotte Avenue coffee shop with spacious seating and house-roasted beans

Henrietta Red

Germantown seafood restaurant known for oysters and seasonal coastal cuisine

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

Legendary Nashville hot chicken originator serving fiery chicken since 1935

Sunflower Cafe

Berry Hill vegan restaurant known for plant-based comfort food

8th & Roast

Original Nashville coffee roaster known for seasonal drinks and house-made food

The Twelve Thirty Club

Justin Timberlake-backed multi-level club with dining and rooftop views

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden

East Nashville burger institution with German beer garden and house-made sodas

Scout's Pub

Franklin gastropub serving Southern comfort food and craft cocktails

Hattie B's

Sylvan Park hot chicken restaurant serving Nashville’s signature spicy classic

Pinewood Social

SoBro hangout combining restaurant, bowling alley, pool and coffee bar

5 Points Diner

East Nashville diner and bar known for drag events and late-night comfort food

Butchertown Hall

Germantown barbecue restaurant inspired by Central Texas meat markets and open-fire cooking

Baja Burrito

Berry Hill burrito joint known for fresh ingredients and longtime local following

Ladybird Taco

12 South taco spot serving Austin-style breakfast tacos and house tortillas

Sonny's Patio Pub

Dog-friendly Germantown pub with brunch, cocktails and live music

Saint Añejo

Gulch Mexican restaurant known for tacos and an extensive tequila list

Little Hats Market

Germantown Italian market serving sandwiches, pasta and desserts

The Smiling Elephant

8th Avenue Thai restaurant famous for its authentic pad Thai

Bella Napoli

Midtown Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas and wine in a brick courtyard

Five Points Pizza

East Nashville favorite serving classic New York-style pizza slices and pies

Mas Tacos Por Favor

East Nashville taco favorite known for casual vibes and standout street tacos

City House

Germantown Italian restaurant from James Beard-winning chef Tandy Wilson

Kayne Prime

Gulch steakhouse known for luxe interiors, prime cuts and inventive starters

Sixty Vines

Downtown wine bar at Fifth + Broadway featuring 60 wines on tap

404 Kitchen

Gulch restaurant blending Southern ingredients with modern European technique

Lyra

East Nashville restaurant blending Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors

Answer

Sylvan Park neighborhood restaurant serving seasonal globally inspired dishes

Skull's Rainbow Room

Historic Printers Alley supper club with jazz, cocktails and late-night burlesque

The Grilled Cheeserie

Food truck known for gourmet grilled cheese, tomato soup and tater tots

Elliston Place Soda Shop

Historic Nashville diner famous for milkshakes and classic comfort food

Dose

Local Nashville coffee shop serving Counter Culture beans and brunch staples

Martin's BBQ

Downtown barbecue restaurant specializing in West Tennessee whole hog BBQ

Hearts

East Nashville brunch café inspired by Melbourne coffee culture

Martin's BBQ

Nashville barbecue spot specializing in West Tennessee whole hog BBQ

Neighbors

Sylvan Park sports bar known for burgers and game-day atmosphere

Ugly Mugs

East Nashville coffee shop known for gourmet coffee and a cozy courtyard

Star Rover Sound

Germantown honky tonk styled after a 1970s recording studio

Martin's BBQ

West End barbecue spot serving whole hog BBQ and Southern sides

etc.

Green Hills neighborhood restaurant from chef Deb Paquette serving global Southern cuisine

Once Upon A Time In France

East Nashville French bistro serving traditional dishes from a Ferrandi-trained chef

Daddy's Dogs

Nations hot dog spot known for creative toppings and laid-back neighborhood vibes

Nicky's Coal Fired

Nations Italian restaurant known for coal-fired pizzas and weekend bagels

Epice

12 South Mediterranean bistro serving Lebanese-inspired dishes

The Ridge

Sylvan Park neighborhood restaurant serving Southern comfort food

Humphrey's Street Coffee Shop

WeHo café in a vintage home where every purchase supports youth programs

Biscuit Love

Hillsboro Village brunch favorite known for Southern biscuits and Nashville roots

Hattie B's

Midtown hot chicken restaurant serving Nashville’s iconic spicy specialty

Ellington's Restaurant

Fairlane Hotel restaurant serving modern takes on mid-century classics

Rosepepper Cantina

Colorful East Nashville Mexican restaurant famous for margaritas and lively patio

Bricktop's

West End New American restaurant serving steak, seafood and sushi

Maiz De La Vida

Gulch Mexican restaurant known for handmade tortillas and street-style dishes

Mitchell Delicatessen

Beloved East Nashville deli known for house-cured meats and stacked sandwiches

Henley

Midtown restaurant blending Southern ingredients with French technique

Miel

Sylvan Park farm-to-table bistro serving seasonal French-inspired cuisine

True Food Kitchen

Green Hills health-focused restaurant serving plant-forward dishes

Loveless Cafe

Bellevue Southern institution famous for biscuits and country cooking

Frothy Monkey

12 South café serving coffee, brunch and locally sourced all-day dishes

Matryoshka Coffee

Colorful South Nashville café inspired by the book Joyful

Fido

Hillsboro Village café serving all-day meals in a longtime local hangout

Biscuit Love

Gulch brunch favorite known for Southern biscuits and food truck roots

McNamara's Irish Pub

Donelson Irish pub with live music, whiskey and classic comfort dishes

Cafe Roze

East Nashville all-day café serving seasonal dishes, pastries and coffee

Neighbors

Germantown sports bar serving classic pub food and game-day drinks

Sadie's

Midtown all-day café and restaurant serving Mediterranean-influenced American fare

Edley's BBQ

12 South barbecue favorite known for slow-smoked meats and scratch-made sides

Ruby Sunshine

Franklin brunch spot serving Cajun-inspired favorites and lively breakfast cocktails

Frothy Monkey

Nations coffee shop with an all-day menu and neighborhood café feel

Star Bagel

Sylvan Park bagel shop serving classic spreads and breakfast favorites

Neighbors

Franklin neighborhood sports bar known for casual food and a lively crowd

Biscuit Love

Franklin brunch spot famous for Southern biscuits and Nashville food truck roots

Peg Leg Porker

Gulch barbecue spot known for dry-rub pork and award-winning smoked meats

I Dream of Weenie

Quirky East Nashville hot dog stand operating from a vintage Volkswagen bus

Five Daughters Bakery

12 South bakery famous for decadent 100-layer croissant-style donuts

M.L. Rose

Melrose sports bar known for burgers and an extensive craft beer selection

Lockeland Table

Beloved East Nashville neighborhood restaurant serving Southern fare and wood-fired pizzas

Restoration Hardware Cafe

Green Hills café inside RH’s stunning multi-story gallery showroom

Puckett's

Downtown Southern restaurant known for live music and comfort food

Five Points Pizza

Sylvan Park favorite for classic New York-style pizza slices and pies

The Butter Milk Ranch

12 South brunch spot known for biscuits, pastries and dry-aged meats

Pancake Pantry

Hillsboro Village breakfast institution famous for long lines and classic pancakes

The Optimist

Germantown seafood restaurant known for oysters, cocktails and coastal-inspired dishes

East Side Banh Mi

East Nashville Vietnamese sandwich shop known for fresh banh mi and bowls

Virago

Sleek Gulch sushi restaurant known for inventive rolls and lively atmosphere

Folk

East Nashville Italian restaurant known for seasonal cooking and inventive pizzas