Nashville is best known for its hot chicken, meat-'n'-threes and down-home Southern specialties. But there's far more to Music City, USA than those specialties. You'll also find innovative, award-winning chefs serving up a huge variety of dishes, from artisanal onigiri to wood-fired pizza that will make your mouth water. Nashville can rightly be termed a foodie's paradise; you'll find restaurants serving up $200 bottles of wine alongside fried okra and grits, Italian cuisine as delectable as anything you'd find in Florence and a huge range of restaurants representing a world of dining preferences.
As a hotbed of country music, it makes sense that Nashville would also be a central location for Southern and Southern-influenced American cuisine. You'll find gastropubs, refined bistros, classy brunch spots and bakeries serving up country fried chicken, chicken and waffles, hot chicken, fried okra and fried green tomatoes, to name a few.
An up-and-coming bar and cocktail scene is making waves in Nashville, as well. Whether you're into craft beers or 1920s-era cocktails, you'll find your spot among Nashville's many welcoming bars and clubs.
What Food is Nashville Known For?
Nashville really shines when it comes to its chicken. Spend more than a few hours exploring Nashville and you're likely to encounter so-called "hot chicken" in one form or another. Hot chicken is essentially spicy, breaded, deep-fried chicken, served hot and drenched in a cayenne-based sauce.
The cayenne and pepper spice blend gives the chicken its characteristic reddish hue and the most popular hot chicken locations serve up their peppered poultry with varying levels of spice; the mild flavors are suitable for the most sensitive to spices, while the hottest options will make even the most stalwart of pepper-eaters break out in a sweat.
Meat-'n-threes are another classic Nashville offering. A meat and three meal showcases Southern food at its most decadent: simply choose a meat (often fried chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, or a hamburger steak), along with three sides to complete the meal. Southern sides run the gamut from mac and cheese to roasted Brussels sprouts to fried green tomatoes to classic mashed potatoes and gravy. Whether you play it safe or venture into new culinary territory, you'll find something to love and a lot to savor.
Without further ado, these are some of the best restaurants in Nashville.
Best Casual Restaurants in Nashville
Wendell Smith's Restaurant
- Address: 407 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
- Price: $10-20
Wendell Smith's does casual all the way. A no-frill's diner-style restaurant that's been around since the 1960's, this location serves up a mean meat and three, as well as a huge array of Southern classics: burgers, melts and classic breakfast foods served up with a smile. Don't expect gorgeous garnishes or white-napkin service. Do expect a big smile, a yellow pleather booth straight out of the 1970's and Southern comfort foods served hot and fresh.
International Market
- Address: 2013 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
- Price: $10-20
International Market is a classed-up version of a quick cafeteria lunch. Go through the line, grab what looks good, then pay and find a seat. Dishes pack their own international flair--as you might have guessed from the name. The owners, Arnold and Anna Myint, are the children of the late chef Patti Myint, who operated a well-known Thai restaurant in Nashville for over 40 years. As such, many of the dishes are Thai-inspired or based on staples their mom served in her restaurant. You'll find dishes like pad thai, chili crisp fries, drunken noodles and dumplings that will keep you coming back for more.
Kisser
- Address: 747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207
- Price: $30-50
Kisser is a lunch-only establishment serving up Japanese comfort foods. Born as a pop-up during the pandemic and then transformed into a sit-down restaurant shortly after, Kisser has turned into a well-loved establishment for Nashville locals and visitors alike. Classy but casual, prices here are higher to reflect the elevated atmosphere and quality ingredients you'll find in every dish. Try the onigiri (stuffed rice balls) and beef tartar if you're trying to decide where to begin.
City House
- Address: 1222 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
- Price: $20-40
City House is a AAA Diamond approved Italian joint in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood. Here you'll find a relaxed but upscale casual atmosphere with outdoor seating, a large bar serving up excellent cocktails and Southern-influenced Italian favorites. The pizza, house-cured sausage and pasta dishes are hard to beat and you'll find an impressive array of gluten-free and vegetarian options on the menu.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Nashville
Pelican and Pig
- Address: 1010 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
- Price: $50-100
Looking for a unique, memorable dinner experience in the heart of Nashville's downtown? Pelican and Pig is a dinner-only casual fine dining restaurant with a AAA Three Diamond designation and an incredibly unique atmosphere. It was built into an old-school auto upholstery shop in East Nashville and it serves dishes almost exclusively prepared over an open fire. Despite these interesting characteristics, the atmosphere is dark, cozy and refined. You'll enjoy an open view of the wood-fired kitchen and hearth from most seats in the house. Expect excellent craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and exceptionally delicious food, from roasted veggies and meats to the appetizers and desserts.
Black Rabbit
- Address: 218 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
- Price: $30-70
This hip, chill restaurant serves up New American dishes and craft cocktails in an upscale-casual environment. The sourdough is on point every time, the cocktails are a work of art and the roast chicken is a fan favorite. An excellent date night spot, it's hard to beat Black Rabbit's classy, fun vibe. Though it's nestled in Nashville's business district, it'll make you feel like you're a world away.
Gannons
- Address: 170 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
- Price: $50-100
Gannons is widely regarded as one of Nashville's hidden gems. This is the place to go for a memorable dinner. Offering fine dining at its best, Gannons has mouthwatering lobster bisque, prime rib and tuna tartar in the atmosphere of an old-school jazz lounge. Come for the fine dining, stay for the sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere and the mouthwatering cocktails.
Fancy Restaurants in Nashville
Audrey
- Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
- Price: $100+
Run by master chef Sean Brock, the AAA Four Diamond designated Audrey is just one of the chef's restaurants, but it's the one that has the biggest hold on his heart. He named the restaurant after his maternal grandmother, who inspired his love of cooking. Audrey is an exclusive fine dining experience; reservations are required and can be hard to come by. Each plate is delivered to the table by the chef who prepared it. Service is friendly and personal, with the atmosphere being refined, intimate and welcoming.
Drusie & Darr by Jean-Georges
- Address: 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
- Price: $50-100+
Located in The Hermitage hotel, Drusie & Darr boasts a AAA Three Diamond designation and is open all day, with an open kitchen that allows diners to watch the chef in action. The restaurant shines the best at dinner when the ambiance is at its peak and the atmosphere is elegant, bustling and alive. Expect excellent service, a menu that varies by the season and availability and an atmosphere that makes it the perfect choice for a refined dinner or romantic date night.
Locust
- Address: 2305 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
- Price: $70-100
A minimalist restaurant with a buzzy, refined atmosphere, an incomparable experience and gorgeously presented food, it's no wonder that reservations at Locust are claimed within minutes (or seconds) of going up on their website each month. Locust specializes in dumplings and kakigori (Japanese-style shaved ice), but they also serve beef tartar, shrimp toast and oysters. The atmosphere is relaxed, upscale and fun, whether you come for lunch or dinner.
Best Hot Chicken in Nashville
Hattie B's Hot Chicken
- Address: 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
- Price: $10-20
Perhaps the best-known spot for hot chicken is the AAA Diamond approved Hattie B's and you'll find several locations throughout the Nashville area. Hattie B's has been around since 2012 and it exploded in popularity since its premiere on the Nashville food scene. This family-friendly, casual spot offers some of the city's best-known hot chicken. Here you can opt for your spice preference, from no-heat "Southern" chicken to "Shut the Cluck Up.", which is recommended for enthusiasts only.
Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish
- Address: 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
- Price: $10-20
Bolton's serves spicy chicken with the addition of fish, ribs and a handful of other Southern favorites in a fast-food atmosphere. Expect quick, flavorful food that accurately represents the down-home ethos of a Nashville greasy spoon. You'll find several Bolton locations throughout the Nashville metro area, but the one on Main Street is probably the most popular.
Planning Your Trip to Nashville
When thinking of the best time to visit Nashville it’s important to know that AAA members can access perks and take advances for vacation planning such as getting the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.