Best Places To Eat In Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee is well known for its music scene, but the food is just as much of an attraction. From down home Southern cooking to trendy new restaurants, Nashville offers delicious culinary experiences for every taste. Here are some of the best places to eat on your next trip to Music City.

Hot Chicken Joints

No trip to Nashville is complete without trying the city’s famous hot chicken. Some top hot chicken spots include:

Hattie B’s – Famous for their Southern fried chicken with level adjustable spice. Try the chicken tenders or fried chicken sandwich.
Prince’s Hot Chicken – Legendary joint credited with originating Nashville hot chicken. Expect long lines at this cash-only spot.
Party Fowl – Trendy hot chicken restaurant with cocktails and sides like pimento mac and cheese.

BBQ Restaurants

When in Nashville, you can’t pass up the finger-licking BBQ. Top spots include:

Martin’s BBQ – Traditional Nashville BBQ joint known for ribs, brisket, and outdoor patio seating.
Peg Leg Porker – Classic pulled pork, brisket, and ribs in a hip Gulch location.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que – Newer BBQ restaurant with locations throughout Nashville. Try the beef brisket and bourbon slushies.

Farm-to-Table

Nashville also boasts several farm-to-table restaurants focused on fresh local cuisine, like:

The Farm House – Elegant farm-to-table restaurant with a tasting menu.
Urban Cowboy – Housed in an old motel, serving locally-sourced comfort food and brunch.
Adele’s – Creative farm-to-table menus change daily at this Nashville favorite.

Southern Classics

For authentic Nashville Southern food, don’t miss:

Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Cafeteria-style with meat-and-three options and scratch-made pie. Cash only.
Monell’s – All-you-can-eat family-style Southern food served communal tables.
The Loveless Cafe – Iconic spot for scratch-made biscuits, fried chicken, and preserves.

Trendy Spots

Some buzz-worthy new restaurants in Nashville include:

The Catbird Seat – Intimate chef-driven tasting menus.
Henrietta Red – Seafood-focused small plates and oysters.
Smokin’ Thighs – Non-traditional takes on fried chicken with unique sauces and sides.

FAQ About Nashville Restaurants

What type of cuisine is Nashville most famous for?

Nashville is best known for Southern food like hot chicken, BBQ, and classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, biscuits, and mashed potatoes.

What Nashville restaurant invented hot chicken?

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is credited with originating Nashville’s famous spicy fried chicken back in the 1930s.

What’s a popular Nashville brunch spot?

The Loveless Cafe is a long-time Nashville brunch favorite, known for homemade biscuits and jam, fried chicken, and Southern sides.

Are reservations required at Nashville restaurants?

For top spots like The Catbird Seat, reservations well in advance are recommended. Other places like BBQ joints and casual spots are first-come, first-served.

What is the dress code like at Nashville restaurants?

Most Nashville restaurants are casual. Shorts and t-shirts are welcomed, even at trendier farm-to-table spots. But a restaurant like The Catbird Seat may require slightly dressier attire.