Must-see restaurants in Nashville

  • Coco's Italian Market

    Nashville

    If you have a hankering for a heaping plate of pasta and draft of Peroni, check out Coco's. You could say the restaurant business is in this family's…

  • Ri'chard's Louisiana Cafe

    Nashville

    Well, we can't say it much better than the website: Live music, dead crawfish. Yep, inside this extremely convivial old house you can dig into Cajun…

  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

    Nashville

    You can smell the sugar from the street outside, so good luck resisting temptation. Jeni’s offers quality ice cream (including dairy free), frozen yogurt…

  • Proper Bagel

    Nashville

    Turn an everything bagel into something spectacular with some unique cream cheese offerings, such as birthday cake, cookie dough and bacon jalapeño. This…

  • Urban Grub

    Nashville

    Ever-so-stylish Southerners gather 'round patio tables to sip fine wines and local craft beer and slurp oysters at this 12South hot spot, where hey-y'all…

  • Nashville Biscuit House

    East Nashville

    Eating breakfast here is like dining at mama's house...if mama's house was windowless and covered with corny wall hangings. But no one's missing windows…

  • Pharmacy

    East Nashville

    Prepare to go to war for a table, be it the welcoming communal table, the bar or the leafy backyard beer garden. Tattooed staff at this burger bar –…

  • Adele's

    Downtown & the Gulch

    Like its singing counterpart, Adele's is classy, hugely popular and knows how to deliver the goods – in this case, top quality, seasonal, locally sourced…

  • Grilled Cheeserie

    Nashville

    Hurry up and wait for gussied up, gourmet versions of an American classic: the grilled cheese sandwich. It's done up here in versions so satisfying, you…

  • Josephine

    Nashville

    In a neighborhood dotted with barbecue joints, taquerias and burger spots, Josephine's classy menu and aesthetic sets it apart from the rest. Leather…

  • Sky Blue Cafe

    East Nashville

    Nashvillians come from afar to this bustling neighborhood cafe. Test your knowledge with vintage Trivial Pursuit cards and peruse the menu of morning…

  • Farm House

    Downtown & the Gulch

    Comfort food gets fresh and, dare we say, fancy at this SoBro venture from hometown chef Trey Ciocca. A Southern oasis in the thick of downtown's…

  • Virago

    Downtown & the Gulch

    Sexy. Sultry. Intimate. What we're trying to say is that this modern sushi lounge has darn good lighting. So we'll forgive the name Virago, which means…

  • Burger Up

    Nashville

    The smell of truffle-oil-fried, hand-cut french fries fills the air of this rustic, wood-adorned restaurant. Local farms provide the building blocks of…

  • Marché Artisan Foods

    East Nashville

    Put your name down for a table and grab a coffee at this popular European-inspired brunch spot. The menu changes seasonally, but expect savory crepes…

  • Woolworth on 5th

    Downtown & the Gulch

    Once the center of the Nashville lunch counter protests during the Civil Rights movement, this art deco restaurant in the arts district now goes out of…

  • Taqueria del Sol

    Nashville

    This sunny little taqueria applies local food inspiration to well-loved Mexican staples, offering a menu of soft tacos, salads and enchiladas with a…

  • The Diner

    Downtown & the Gulch

    Open 24 hours, the ground floor serves milkshakes – alcohol optional – and desserts. But as you go up through six (yes, six) floors, the red vinyl seats…

  • Suzy Wong's House of Yum

    Nashville

    The Drag'n Brunch serves up a side of camp with your panko chicken and waffles at this alternative Asian-fusion restaurant from chef Arnold Myint. Give a…

  • Garden Brunch Cafe

    Nashville

    A diverse and unpretentious crowd fills this quaint home that's been converted into a weekend-only brunch cafe. The menu includes several healthy takes on…

  • Pork Belly Cafe

    Nashville

    This bright and airy place in Lenox Village serves the Hogzilla, a breakfast biscuit layered with egg, cheese and pork. And the pork arrives in three…

  • DeSano Pizza Bakery

    Nashville

    Get a slice of Naples in Nashville thanks to DeSano. Communal tables dot the industrial, no-frills space, which is lorded over by three wood-burning ovens…

  • Butcher & Bee

    East Nashville

    This Charleston import sits facing East Nashville's Main Street, but it's anything but basic. The industrial space feels intimate, especially when diners…

  • Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen

    Nashville

    This rambunctious beer hall serves up a decent number of local craft and German-style beers, plus a diverse menu featuring house-made sausages and smoked…

  • East Park Donuts and Coffee

    East Nashville

    East Nashville was previously a donut desert, but this shop is an oasis of brioche and cake donuts. Linger in the mid-century modern decor and hoover up…

  • Star Bagel

    Nashville

    Pop into this welcoming bagel shop to fuel up for the day or to grab a picnic sandwich. It's jumping in the morning but still efficient. The breads and…

  • Tavern

    Nashville

    This Music Row gastropub does everything from Philly cheesesteak egg rolls to lamb vindaloo tacos and salted caramel pork chops, all affordably priced…

  • Bajo Sexto Taco

    Downtown & the Gulch

    A bajo sexto is the big guitar used by mariachi bands. It's a fitting moniker for an Oaxacan taqueria located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame. The…

  • Merchant's

    Downtown & the Gulch

    In a renovated 19th-century hotel in the heart of downtown, this clubby bistro has gleaming parquet floors, white tablecloths and a mahogany bar…

  • Two Ten Jack

    East Nashville

    The cocktails pack a punch at this dark and intimate noodle house inspired by a Japanese izakaya, or neighborhood pub. Dishes arrive quickly and most are…

  • Saltine

    Nashville

    Offering fresh oysters, po'boys, crab cakes and Creole gumbo, Saltine's seafood-heavy menu certainly aims to please. The maritime decor extends throughout…

  • Produce Place

    Nashville

    We saw bluegrass crooner Alison Krauss heading into this tiny natural foods market, a place stuffed tight with local jams, honeys and herbs. You'll also…

  • The Nations Bar & Grill

    Nashville

    For late-night eats, this is your spot. Staff is encouraged to share recipes and create classic American comfort food just they way their mommas did. Try…

  • Taco Mamacita

    Nashville

    The patio is the place to be at this bustling neighborhood joint with A/C. Friendly and efficient staff keep the tasty margaritas and the innovative tacos…

  • I Dream of Weenie

    East Nashville

    Quick and easy, this VW bus turned hot-dog stand in Five Points slings beef, turkey or vegetarian tubular products drowned in indulgent toppings (go for…

  • Pied Piper Creamery

    East Nashville

    Thicker, smoother and more packed with goodness than any other ice-cream shop in town. How to choose: Toffee Loaded Coffee? Chocolate with Cinnamon and…

  • Turnip Truck Natural Market

    East Nashville

    To build your own hearty and healthy salad, take a trip around the well-stocked hot- and cold-salad bars ($8.99 per pound) at this popular natural grocery…

  • Pancake Pantry

    Nashville

    For 50-plus years, crowds have been lining up around the block for tall stacks of pancakes done up every which way at this iconic breakfast joint. A bit…

  • Fido

    Nashville

    A Hillsboro institution, known for excellent coffees and breakfasts, as well as an affordable menu of salads and sandwiches. It's generally packed, yet…

  • Elliston Place Soda Shop

    Nashville

    This venerable eatery has served fountain Cokes and meat-and-threes to Vandy students since the 1930s, and the decor hasn't changed much since.