A Foodie’s Guide to Nashville

Are you hungry yet?

Nashville may be famous for its music, but its culinary scene is equally noteworthy. Our foodie’s guide to Nashville showcases the best Southern comfort foods, innovative cuisine, and everything in between. Prepare to indulge in a sensory feast that will leave you craving more of Music City’s flavors.

No matter what kind of food you enjoy, Nashville has it. I have compiled a list of my favorite restaurants broken into subcategories based on which neighborhood in Nashville they call home. Bon Appétit! 

Edgehill & Hillsboro Village

  • Bella Napoli – Watch the pizza makers whip out wood-fire pizzas, then enjoy it on a brick-lined patio with string lights
  • Edgehill Café – Meet music row executives at this favorite hangout with coffee and light lunches
  • Barcelona Wine Bar – A high end chain of wine bars that has found a new home in Edgehill village. Authentic Spanish eats and an extensive wine menu.
  • Double Dog’s – Dog-friendly sport’s bar with American fare. Get the nachos in the dog bowl!
  • Fido – One of Nashville’s favorite hangouts, you might just see a celebrity
  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Enjoy creative flavors and local ingredients; a favorite of the students nearby
  • McDougal’s Chicken – Seriously spicy chicken in a comfortable outdoor environment
  • Pancake Pantry – People line up down the street for these delicious pancakes
  • Dumpling House – A newcomer that features handmade and authentic dumplings in the cutest location

12 South

  • Bartaco – Classic and creative taco chain in a bohemian space. Befriend your local bartender!
  • Burger Up – Grass-fed burgers with organic sides in an industrial inspired space
  • Five Daughter’s Bakery – Home of the decadent one hundred layer donut
  • The Butter Milk Ranch- Countless variations of breakfast delicacies including the famous square croissant
  • Frothy Monkey – A comfortable cozy coffeehouse with an impressive dinner menu
  • Edley’s Bar-B-Que – A must for any fans of Southern BBQ
  • Smiling Elephant – Technically a few blocks over on 8th Ave N – a local favorite Thai restaurant that is family run with specific hours
  • Locust – A relatively new favorite that has won award after award on the north side of the neighborhood

The Gulch

  • Biscuit Love – A food truck turned restaurant with creative breakfast dishes. Come here hungry.
  • Virago – An upscale sushi joint on M street that has half off specials on Monday IF you can get a reservation!
  • Peg Leg Porker – A hidden yet delicious, award winning BBQ restaurant as featured on the Food Network
  • Moto – An upscale Italian restaurant in the hip M Street district
  • Milk & Honey – Has a light and airy atmosphere for brunch through dinner, best known for their cookies and milk
  • Yazoo Brewery – the best tasting room and brewery tour in town with a great menu of bar bites
  • Iberian Pig – A new spot for tapas with a killer happy hour sangria special

Germantown 

  • Nashville Farmer’s Market – A sample of Nashville’s flavors complete with a plant nursery and handmade good on weekends
  • Germantown Café – An eclectic Southern menu with a great view of downtown
  • Monell’s – Classic Southern food; you can taste the heart. They also do midnight dinners family style on Saturday nights for when you are drunk from Broadway escapades.
  • Barista Parlor Germantown – A light and airy location of the Nashville chain fit with full wall garage doors that open up on beautiful days
  • Rolf and Daughters – A local favorite for a special occasion dinner known for their pastas
  • Henrietta Red – A new seafood restaurant with an incredible raw oyster bar
  • City House – A quaint house turned restaurant famous for their pizza topped with egg
  • Pelato – The best new place on Sunday nights for the Sunday Sauce special
  • Butchertown Hall – The best queso and margarita combination in Germantown
  • Mother’s Ruin – If you go, get the burger and Old Bay fries
  • Little Hats Market – An Italian market in the heart of the neighborhood with amazing arancinis and sandwiches
  • The Optimist – This seafood restaurant in the recently renovated industrial park by the river has been the talk of the town for years
  • Geist – Now boasting a “champagne garden,” this restaurant is the epitome of industrial chic in Germantown
  • Big Al’s Deli – Coming here was an experience. There are only five tables in the whole joint but the food is amazing and the staff is even better.
  • Tailor – A new seasonal tasting menu concept in a nondescript building on the far side of the neighborhood that features local and seasonal items

East Nashville

  • The Pharmacy – A beautiful burger parlor with grass-fed beef options and classic milkshakes
  • Barista Parlor – The original of the trio of coffee shops, has a classic vintage garage vibe
  • The Treehouse Restaurant – Exactly what it sounds like, a fun space for a date
  • Butcher & Bee – A locally sourced restaurant for fresh and organic dishes. Get the whipped feta!
  • Margot Cafe – A local favorite French-inspired place with seasonal and local ingredients
  • Mas Tacos – the simplest and most authentic and CHEAPEST tacos in the city
  • Lyra – A Mediterranean haven in our Southern state right on McFerrin
  • Bad Idea – A new sleek space with upscale offerings in the hip part of town
  • Kisser – The brainchild of a now James Beard recognized chef in a low key setting off the 31E highway
  • Noko – The Asian-inspired Italian joint we never knew we needed
  • Bill’s Sandwich Palace – A recent favorite for locals with sandwiches with gourmet tastes at deli prices