Indeed, Nashville is more than just country music. It is the music capital that offers tacos, beer and other novelties. But that is not the only reason one should attend this ever full of life city. In fact, their food too deserves a mention.
Everything ranging from creative fine dining to heart-warming Southern comfort food can be found in Nashville.
If you’re a resident trying to discover new restaurants in the city or a tourist looking for a spectacular dining experience here are 13 best restaurants in Nashville everyone should try.
The Best Restaurants in Nashville
Nashville’s food options are as diverse as its sects. These 13 best restaurants in Nashville are confident to present ideas. They are viewed different from each other from the easy-going Southern-comfort food to the sophisticated New American.
Indeed, as much as we would like to explore all the other features that make Nashville famously referred to as Music City, let us explore some of the top destinations that a food enthusiast must visit.
1. Lockeland Table
Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood of East Nashville, Lockeland Table has a friendly vibe with innovative dishes.
This is a comfortable place where locals can prepare Contemporary Southern Cuisine using locally produced and sourced products.
On the recommendation don’t let go their Wood fired pizzas, or the scallops that are pan seared, together with a perfectly complementing seasonal veggies.
It’s best for a romantic dinner, a dinner with family members, or any other close-knit dinner with friends.
2. Puckett’s Restaurant
If one is looking for down-home comfort with a dash of that famous Southern charm, then the restaurant to visit is Puckett’s located in downtown Nashville.
This famous hangout offers casual attitude and homely savory meals. This meal is even ordered by the locals, and of course tourists.
Specialties are smoked brisket and fried chicken and waffles. These dishes are tasty and huge in portions.
The perfect Nashville evening would be a steaming plate of good Southern food, preferably country cooking, best accompanied by live music.
3. Gannons Nashville
Gannons is probably not at the top of every tourist’s list of best restaurants in Nashville. But this little gem in the middle of the city is one that is well worth seeking out.
It is quite popular because of its dark lighting and rather unusual choice of the dishes on the menu. It is a place to eat out for people from the region.
Among the plates, the burger-like and the straight up braised short rib can be considered most impressive, as well as the seared duck breast.
If you want a restaurant that is exclusive though not uber fancy, then Gannons is the place to get.
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4. Etch
If you’re in the mood for a trip around the world through your taste buds, then you should try etch.
This fancy restaurant can be found in downtown Nashville. The plates they serve are as unusual as they can be.
Begin with the roasted cauliflower appetizer, the lamb loin or filet with chimichurri comes after.
Each dish at etch is an artwork that will make your mouth water. This is why it’s a perfect venue for events.
5. 360 Bistro
The 360 Bistro provides an elegant and accessible restaurant dining option with superb food, and impressive wines.
This restaurant is located in West Nashville; the restaurant strives to use seasonal produce and the best cooking practices.
Lobster risotto is clearly one of them, and the duck confi is also really good, especially when you have a glass of wine recommended by the sommelier.
The warmth that’s been incorporated, combined with a polished looking interior gives 360 Bistro a good feel for celebration dinners or couple dates.
6. Husk
Husk reinterprets Southern food and celebrates the ingredients rooted in its heritage. Renowned for culinary innovation, this restaurant occupies a historic home within a walking distance from downtown.
It operates an open kitchen and offers a new menu every day, but the cornbread-crusted catfish and smoked chicken remain on the menu every day.
It means that through conscious and responsible attitudes to food processing, Husk brings a real taste of Nashville to its guests.
7. Pinewood
Pinewood can be best described as a restaurant but also as an experience. Located in the trending part of Nashville known as the Gulch.
This restaurant transformed a dining area into an integral part of a bowling alley and a cocktail bar.
It has main-staple favorites and novelties namely the fried chicken sandwich and the pimento cheese dip.
It is ideal for group tours or just get together or Freeman’s night out or any other occasion out.
8. Harper’s
Harper’s also provides the familiar selection of traditional American cuisine while making the menu selection feel fresh and new.
They provide some of the most luxurious dishes in town coupled with good ambiance and diction from the Germantown neighborhood.
Maple glazed salmon and the braised pork shank starters are among specialties in the house, and these reflect the creativity of the chef in the mix of the flavors.
Atmosphere and quality service remain a strength for Harper as it is located in Nashville’s eating scene.
9. The Finch
For all those who wish to have a totally relaxed ambiance with some really great food on the plate, The Finch is the right place.
Situated in the picturesque quarter of the town, this restaurant provides a great variety of rather thick, but very tasty meals prepared with the help of local produce.
Some of the best include the smoked pork chop, and the ricotta gnocchi; these are perfect examples of the high quality and innovation which is instilled in Lark.
Food has always been of great taste and the environment that is decorated by dim lights and a cozy fireplace makes the Finch to be popular among the locals.
10. The Optimist
Fish lovers would have a field day with what The Optimist offers on its menu. This minimalist but elegant new establishment is experimenting with the concept of coast-inspired cuisine in the very heart of Nashville, with a focus on locally and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Eat with the smoked fish dip before having the wood fired oysters or even the whole grilled snapper.
One very good thing about The Optimist is that the place is rather lively, but the dishes themselves are prepared in a very professional manner.
11. Locust
Locust is one of the best restaurants in Nashville at the moment, with a menu of small sharing plates with base notes in Japanese and Korean cuisine.
This lovely restaurant is situated in the lively 12 South neighborhood and has a focus on adventurous food – and drink!
The dumplings are certainly a must try and the shaved ice gives a twist on the usually staid approach to the real world of the food maps.
The decoration concept of Locust is simple and elegant but the casual atmosphere of the place gives the diners a matchless experience.
12. The Catbird Seat
The Catbird Seat is a fantastic culinary experience where guests will be taken on a one-time artistic dining adventure.
This chef’s table-only restaurant established in MidtownNashville will allow a restricted number of guests per evening and therefore extremely popular among the clientele. Described layout offers the direct observation of the staff and, under the circumstances, performs a several-course tasting menu.
At The Catbird Seat every single dish is unique and bold, incorporating ingredients and techniques from around the world, and drawing on seasonal produce.
Previous menus have ranged from elaborated seafood dishes to creative rethinks on desserts presented in an artistic manner. Incorporation of wine pairing or an excellent nonalcoholic beverage to accompany each course makes up the experience.
For customers who are willing to pay and enjoy a unique dining experience, The Catbird Seat is a place to go for. Forget getting your mouthful—it’s one-high-end-culinary-experience you wouldn’t want to miss.
13. Lou
Open since April of 2007, Lou is an intimate, casual dining restaurant founded by restaurant industry veterans in the Italian East Nashville neighborhood that provides a welcoming global flavor. The magnificent menu, compatible with the ‘farm-to-table ‘ concept uses both French-Italian and Middle Eastern flavors.
Lou sees the importance of variation in meals as much as freshness and offers a great variety of products: starting from just baked bread, sunny and juicy salads, and delicate pieces of meat.
Lou’s wine selection is as good as her food menu, and she currently offers a brilliant compilation of natural wines. The interior is cozy with accent colors, lots of greenery, and wooden elements. This makes it appropriate for any meal of the day – from brunch to dinner.
Conclusion
Nashville through its diverse food experiences does not simply provide tasty food. They also enshrines the Nashville Imagination in fuelling its growth.
These are the 13 best restaurants in Nashville that absolutely epitomize everything that is Southern and Music City as well as his or her creative twists on dishes from around the world.
The list includes Nashville favorites for those born and raised within the city. Its also perfect new gems for those visiting Nashville for the first time.
Well, come with your fork and get a taste of Nashville and why it is quickly becoming one of America’s top food destinations.
