Nashville cuisine can often be associated with barbecue, hot chicken and meat ‘n’ threes; however, Nashville boasts many chef-driven eateries that provide exquisite culinary experiences.
Bastion (a James Beard semifinalist led by Catbird Seat alum Josh Habiger), nestled within an old factory building, offers up inventive but accessible dishes.
1. Rolf and Daughters
Rolf and Daughters in downtown Nashville offers tasty Italian fare. Enjoy menu items such as roasted chicken, trout and beef tartare while taking pleasure in tasty coconut ice cream, panna cotta or chocolate custard desserts paired with wine, craft beer or liqueurs while dining here.
Restaurant is a must for tourists and locals alike. With its relaxing ambiance and cozy setting, it offers an ideal spot to sit back and unwind with family or friends. Staff is friendly and attentive while service excellence stands out; quality food can also be found here at very competitive prices.
Nashville may be famous for its barbecue, hot chicken and meat ‘n’ threes; however, this bustling city offers many other excellent eateries offering a diverse array of cuisines. Nashville has earned itself the distinction of becoming one of America’s premier restaurant cities over recent years.
Nashville offers plenty of options when it comes to dining out for dinner, from trendy bars and upscale steakhouses to neighborhood staples and all-star dining rooms. While popular establishments in Nashville can become overrun with locals and visitors alike, many popular dining spots can still accommodate you with ease provided you make reservations ahead of time or arrive early for lunch service.
Sean Brock has created an East Nashville tribute to his grandmother Audrey that will delight your palate – featuring museum-quality art collections, patchwork quilts and antiques on the walls, an amazing kitchen and an unforgettable dining experience – complete with dishes like his Jimmy Red corn grits with sorghum-cured egg and Appalachian salt-riser bread or even an unforgettable 37-course tasting experience led by chef Sean.
Philip Krajeck’s Rolf and Daughters offers modern American cuisine in an inviting homey atmosphere; City House by James Beard Award winner Tandy Wilson features southern Italian fare; or for seafood options head to Ford Fry’s Raw Bar at Optimist or Vivek Surti’s Germantown eatery Tailor.
2. City House
City House, established in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood by chef Tandy Wilson – winner of a 2016 James Beard Award – in 2007, offers Italian cuisine and pizza. Located at 1318 Cannon St, Germantown TN 37206; Open since 2007. Wilson traveled extensively between Italy and California before opening this restaurant, offering authentic Italian fare with Southern twists and family recipes. Ingredients come directly from their garden as well as their in-house charcuterie. Sunday Supper offers an alternative dining experience from their regular dinner menu. Starters include frico with sock sausage and olives as well as handmade pizzas with traditional toppings, while entrees may include fennel sausage with clams in roasted garlic chili broth, fried catfish in jezebel sauce or cornbread gnocchi filled with almond ricotta and smoked pork belly.
Bread gnocchi created from leftover pizza dough is just one example of this kitchen’s dedication to sustainability, along with cauliflower ragu that the chef developed while visiting family in Capri; this dish includes canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano and chiles for maximum creativity!
This restaurant is an ideal location for lunch or dinner dining, and their service staff is friendly. Enjoy great beer, wine or cocktails while dining here and choose from their varied menu that features appetizers such as ice cream, gelato and almond cakes for desserts – they even serve up great drinks such as espresso, lemonade and coffee to complete your experience!
3. Monell’s at the Manor
Monell’s at the Manor is a cozy restaurant situated in historic Germantown that’s a favorite brunch or lunch spot, particularly among those who appreciate architectural beauty. At communal tables, guests are encouraged to join strangers for a delicious feast including fried chicken, cheese grits, green beans, cornbread and biscuits – delicious cuisine served alongside an unforgettable atmosphere that gives the feeling that it could easily be someone’s home!
Col. E.W. Cole was a Confederate officer who originally built this mansion known as Colemere Club in 1940. Subsequently leased as New Orleans Manor until it finally became Monell’s at the Manor in 2011. At its time on Murfreesboro Pike, this restaurant became well-known for offering all-you-can-eat family style service featuring seafood fare such as shrimp creole and frog legs.
In 2013, Nashville International Airport’s leadership informed King that listing on the National Register of Historic Places may not be in their best interests as Nashville International Airport plans to expand their construction nearby and would like to develop land where this mansion sits. As a result, Tennessee Historical Commission awarded Nashville Mansion with eligibility for National Register status, protecting it against future development plans. Although such designation could protect it against further development plans for Nashville Mansion’s location. However, King told News 2 it wasn’t necessary as airport leadership plans to build additional parking garages near its location – something King described as important given it could protect it from further development by airport management’s stated decision not wanting it listed due to plans by Nashville International Airport intending on expanding their construction expansion plans near where Mansion sits.
Monell’s at the Manor will have its lease end on Sunday and patrons flocked there this weekend in droves for one last taste of delicious Southern cuisine and enjoy the atmosphere that has made Monell’s synonymous with hospitality. A long queue snaked its way from door to seat.
Many have shown their support for Monell’s at the Manor and its efforts to save it by sharing their experiences and making donations. To find out how you can assist, visit Save Monell’s at the Manor Facebook page; there’s much work that needs to be done in order to save this building – we all need each other!
4. McNamara’s
McNamara’s, located in Nashville’s historic Trolley Barns downtown, provides all comers with drinks and food that stands on its own, from biscuits made with Bear Creek pork gravy to brown butter bourbon steak – every meal at McNamara’s hits the spot perfectly! Plus don’t forget the classic Goo Goo Cluster: nuts, caramel and nougat in one tasty package.
As once upon a time, visitors to Nashville could get their fix by making three stops: Loveless Cafe for a biscuit; Arnold’s Country Kitchen for lunch with meat-and-three options; and Prince’s, Nashville’s original hot chicken restaurant. But then outsiders began discovering what musicians have long understood: that this city offers more than its share of legendary tunes; as food enthusiasts discovered what musicians already knew: that Nashville is an epicurean’s dream come true.
Eater’s listings of Nashville’s 38 Best Restaurants make it easier than ever to choose where to dine out in this foodie city, including Noko’s wood-fired Asian dishes and City House’s 42-ounce tomahawk ribeye.
As part of our update, we have also eliminated a few more popular establishments to make room for some fresh faces and welcoming familiar ones back. As a result, this list is sure to help you discover all that Nashville has to offer, whether that means enjoying casual brunch at Cru or healthy Caribbean-influenced cuisine at Calypso Cafe.
