Nashville has great restaurants and this post will give a quick look at the places I’ve enjoyed.
One of my best friends has lived in Nashville for nearly two decades and I’ve been lucky to visit multiple times. Every visit is a little different, from young college kid to adult foodie, and it’s been fun returning and discovering more. This list includes places I visited on two visits in the last decade.
See below for recommendations on Nashville food, sweets, and drinks.
FOOD
Audrey
The flagship restaurant of Chef Sean Brock, Audrey celebrates traditional southern food inspired by his Appalachian roots. Named after his maternal grandmother, this restaurant has classic dishes on its menu like cornbread and grits, but the final presentation is elevated by quality ingredients and creative chefs. Their tasting menu, The Feast, is eight dishes served family-style for $75 per person. We were thrilled with the variety and size of the dishes and left very pleased with the meal.
Offering: Dinner, happy hour, weekend brunch
Neighborhood: Northeast, Mcferrin Park
Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
Website: https://www.audreynashville.com/
Cafe Roze
This hip yet low-key spot was great for a spontaneous dinner. I’ll be wishing for the smoked trout dip and steak and frites. Both were excellent and among the best eats we enjoyed in Nashville.
Offering: Lunch, happy hour, dinner
Neighborhood: Eastwood
Address: 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
Website: https://www.caferoze.com/
Five Points Pizza
My friends tell me this is the best pizza in Nashville! I couldn’t verify since it’s the only pizza I had in Nashville but I really enjoyed it. I like that you can get it by the slice and the slices are huge! They have two locations.
Offering: Lunch, dinner
Neighborhood: West, East
Address: 1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 and 4100 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Website: https://fivepointspizza.com/
Prince’s Hot Chicken
Known as the original Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has seven locations and counting. We tried the X Hot (2 more levels after this) and it was pretty spicy. I think medium or hot would have had better flavor and you don’t want to order tenders.
Offering: Lunch, dinner
Neighborhood: Multiple, including downtown and the airport
Address: See locations here
Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
While Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has expanded outside of Tennesee (yes, even Austin!), it continues to be a go-to hot chicken spot in Nashville. They have five levels of spicy, from no spice (Southern) to mouth-on-fire spicy (Shut the Cluck Up). I had the medium but probably wouldn’t have minded more heat. Also, you don’t want to miss the Pimento Mac & Cheese! Their banana pudding is also a guest favorite.
Offering: Spicy Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner
Neighborhood: Multiple
Address: Midtown Nashville (original location): 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 plus 4 locations in Nashville
Website: https://www.hattieb.com/
Far East Nashville
What a great vermicelli bowl! I had the Bun Fareast with Vietnamese BBQ pork and it came with vermicelli, crispy egg roll, shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, sliced cucumber, basil and cilantro. We also started with the tofu fresh rolls, and Abbie got the pork banh mi.
Offering: Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, banh mi, and pho
Neighborhood: East, Watkins Park
Address: 614 18TH Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Website: http://www.fareastnashville.com/
Frothy Monkey
Frothy Monkey is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville with multiple locations. They roast their beans so you know they’re serious about their coffee. They’re also a cafe so you can come for a casual meal.
Offering: Coffee; Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus
Neighborhood: Multiple
Address: 4 locations in Nashville
Website: http://frothymonkey.com
Barista Parlor
We were advised by a local to find the best biscuits here and they did not disappoint! This sleek, modern, and hipster coffee shop is the perfect place to wake up slowly.
Offering: Coffee and snacks
Neighborhood: Multiple
Address: 6 locations in Nashville
Website: https://baristaparlor.com/
SWEETS
Five Daughter’s Bakery
Yes, this bakery is worth all the hype! The 100 Layer Donut (a croissant donut) takes three days to make. You can never go wrong with a Quinn, their version of a kouign amaan. If you’re paleo or vegan, they have treats for you too.
Offering: Baked goods
Neighborhood: Multiple
Address: 6 locations in Nashville. See them here.
Website: http://www.fivedaughtersbakery.com/
Hattie Jane’s Creamery
This small-batch creamery is a Tennesee original and uses local dairy for their ice cream. They have two locations in Nashville, including one at Assembly Food Hall, one in Murfeesboro, and one in Columbia. I enjoyed their classic flavor Cookie Jar Supreme with cookies, brownies, and Oreos.
Offering: Ice cream
Neighborhood: Downtown, Donelson
Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and 2418 Lebanon Pk, Nashville, TN 37124
Website: https://hattiejanescreamery.com/
Baked on 8th
This bakery is currently being renovated but you can order for pick-up. You’ll have a selection of slices of cake, cookies, treat bars, and more. You’ll find a lot of classic flavors here.
Offering: Baked goods
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
Address: 1512 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/
The Cupcake Collection
The cupcake tour continues! We stopped in The Cupcake Collection right when it opened and the bakery smells were so delightful. We got a four-pack with sweet potato, red velvet, blackout, and strawberry. Fans know best – their most popular sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese icing was my favorite! Can’t make it to Nashville? They ship!
Offering: Cupcakes
Neighborhood: Germantown, Lennox Village
Address: 1213 6th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37208 and 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 15, Nashville, TN 37211
Website: http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/
Fox’s Donut Den
Good ole classic donuts. Because sometimes you don’t need crazy toppings or combinations. You want a classic glazed or a blueberry cake donut. We picked up a few donut holes, and they also sell gigantic, sheet-cake-sized donuts that serve as an alternative to a birthday cake. Stop in if you visit Parnassus Books next door.
Offering: Donuts
Neighborhood: South
Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsDonutDen/
DRINKS
Attaboy
The only other location of NYC’s award-winning bar of the same name, Attaboy in Nashville operates similarly to its original location. Expect modern and creative cocktails you order by telling the bartender your liquor and taste preferences. No reservations and you get in by waiting outside the door. They’ll be watching for your arrival. Our cocktails were $18 each.
Offering: Cocktails
Neighborhood: East, East End
Address: 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us-1
Living Waters Brewing
We stopped in here for an afternoon beer. They have a few IPA options, though they brew all types of beer. They also have a coffee bar program, so you could drink both. It’s a cute spot with spacious table and lounge seating.
Offering: Craft beer, coffee
Neighborhood: East Hill
Address: 1056 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216
Website: https://www.livingwatersbrewing.com/
Yazoo Brewing Company
One of the oldest breweries in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing Company is about 20 minutes from the downtown area. They have a taproom and tours available.
Offering: Craft Beer
Neighborhood: Madison Park
Address: 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115
Website: http://yazoobrew.com/
Jackalope Brewing Company
One of the most popular breweries in Nashville since 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company moved spaces since I last visited and has a colorful taproom.
Offering: Craft Beer
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
Address: 429B Houston St., Nashville, TN 37203
Website: http://jackalopebrew.com/
The Patterson House
This upscale bar with speakeasy vibes serves craft cocktails with a smile. While we had to wait a bit to get in (no reservations), the low-key atmosphere at the bar gave our laid-back night the cherry on top. Not to mention – the bartenders know their stuff and will help you find your next favorite cocktail.
Offering: Fancy cocktails
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 1711 Division St. Nashville, TN 37203
Website: http://thepattersonnashville.com/
I can’t wait to go back to Nashville again because I still have a list of places to try! Here are some recommended places:
- SS Gai – Thai chicken street food
- Maiz De La Vida – tacos
- East Side Banh Mi – Vietnamese
- Mas Tacos Por Favor – tacos
- Otaku – ramen
- Catbird Seat – tasting menu
- Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Southern cuisine
- Loveless Café – Southern cuisine
- Biscuit Love – brunch and biscuits
- Pinewood Social – American food and bowling
- The Treehouse – American cuisine
- The Pharmacy – burgers
- City House – rustic Italian
- Vui’s Kitchen – Vietnamese
What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?
P.S. Want to read more about travel eats? Check out these posts:
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