Nashville is known as a foodie haven and has become a culinary destination. There are many options to explore for food and drink, however we have narrowed it down to our TOP PICKS in each type of dining category (breakfast, casual, fine dining, etc). These are the places that we feel are the “can’t miss” options during your stay. Traveling with kids or dogs? Check out our specific kid-friendly and dog-friendly dining lists!
Coffee Shops
- 8th & Roast, 8th Ave S/ Melrose neighborhood
- Sam & Zoe’s, Berry Hill neighborhood
- Portland Brew, East Nashville & 12 South neighborhoods
- Barista Parlor, East Nashville neighborhood
- Frothy Monkey, East Nashville, 12 South & The Nations neighborhoods
- Fido, Hillsboro Village neighborhood
- Living Waters Brewery, East Nashville neighborhood (a unique brewery that offers both COFFEE & BEER brews! Inside seating, limited menu)
Breakfast & Brunch
- Sky Blue Cafe, East Nashville neighborhood (get there early, the line gets long. While their breakfast is amazing, be sure you also get a bloody mary here)
- Fenwicks 300, 8th Ave S/ Melrose neighborhood (a mix of traditional breakfast staples and unique breakfast options like bacon and egg fried rice)
- Proper Bagel, Belmont neighborhood (NY style bagels & other bakery items)
- The Southern Steak & Oyster, Downtown Nashville (great for brunch. Our favorite is the Cuban)
- Adele’s, The Gulch neighborhood (their brunch buffet offers a mix of their favorites)
- Monell’s, Germantown neighborhood (family-style brunch)
Casual
- Mas Tacos Por Favor, East Nashville neighborhood (street style tacos)
- Five Points Pizza, East Nashville & The Nations neighborhoods (best pizza in Nashville)
- Peg Leg Porker, The Gulch neighborhood (known for their, you guessed it… pork)
- Edley’s BBQ, East Nashville & 12 South neighborhoods (our favorite BBQ in Nashville)
- M.L. Rose, 8th Ave S/ Melrose, The Nations & Capitol View neighborhoods (craft burgers and beers- they have salads and other menu items, too. Melrose location has an outdoor bier garten in the back)
- Jack Browns Beer & Burger Joint, Germantown & Edgehill Village neighborhoods (our favorite “simple style” burger in Nashville)
- Emmy Squared, East Nashville, The Gulch & Green Hills neighborhoods (Detroit style pizza and the Le Matt Burger which is the best “fancy” burger in Nashville)
- Smiling Elephant, 8th Ave S/ Melrose neighborhood (our favorite Thai in Nashville. Hole in the wall style. NOTE: No alcohol served here)
- International Market, Belmont neighborhood (casual Asian food)
Hot Chicken
- Pepperfire, The Nations neighborhood (this is our personal favorite even though it is “newer” to the scene. Be warned, even their mild will light you up)
- Bolton’s Hot Chicken, East Nashville neighborhood (a true ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant but one of the original hot chicken joints)
- Edley’s, East Nashville, 12 South, The Nations neighborhoods (they only serve their hot chicken during lunch and they often run out so go early)
- Hattie B’s, 8th Avenue S/ Melrose + multiple locations throughout Nashville (their food is good but it has definitely become a tourist hot spot so the lines can be a bit daunting. If you go, get there early or after the lunch and dinner rush times)
Nice but not Fancy (e.g. you can dress up or wear jeans and still fit in)
- Lockeland Table, East Nashville neighborhood (a local favorite for foodies. Try going for their community hour with appetizer and drink specials)
- Urban Grub, 12 South neighborhood (great for small or large groups. A variety of options so everyone can find something at any price range. They’re known for their butcher shop, oysters and fresh farm to table approach)
- 404 Kitchen, The Gulch neighborhood (unusual for a nicer restaurant but we highly suggest their fried chicken)
- Butchertown Hall, Germantown neighborhood (when you think of meat sweats, this is the place. We suggest the Texas trio so you can sample multiple meats. Start with the queso)
- Adele’s, The Gulch neighborhood (the JW chicken and potatoes can’t be beat)
- Lyra, East Nashville neighborhood (the most amazing Middle Eastern cuisine)
Sweets
- Five Daughters, East Nashville & 12 South neighborhood (100 layer donuts with unique flavors that change seasonally)
- East Park Donuts, East Nashville (traditional donuts)
- Mike’s Ice Cream, Downtown Nashville & East Nashville neighborhoods
- Goo Goo Cluster Shop, Downtown Nashville
- Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, The Nations neighborhood
- Legendairy Milkshake Bar, Downtown Nashville
- Baked on 8th, 8th Avenue S/ Melrose
- The Butter Milk Ranch, 12 South neighborhood
- Hi Fi Cookies, East Nashville neighborhood
Fine Dining / Special Occasion (we highly suggest reservations well in advance)
- Kayne Prime, The Gulch neighborhood (our favorite steakhouse in Nashville with the absolute best sides, including bacon with maple cotton candy and buttered popcorn lobster)
- House of Cards, Downtown Nashville (gourmet dining with a magic show. It sounds a little cheesy, but it’s really not)
- Catbird Seat, Midtown neighborhood (tasting menu in an open u-shaped kitchen)
- Bastion, Wedgewood Houston neighborhood (tasting menu restaurant)
- Trattoria Il Mulino, Downtown Nashville (amazing, authentic Italian)
Breweries/ Wineries/ Distilleries
- Black Abbey Brewing Company, Berry Hill neighborhood (they have a limited food menu so you’re going for the brew but they will occasionally have food truck options. Not the best if you have children with you)
- Fat Bottom Brewing, The Nations neighborhood (great outdoor area, full menu, extremely family friendly and dog friendly)
- Jackalope Brewing Company, Wedgewood Houston neighborhood (great outdoor area, limited menu, family friendly and dog friendly)
- Southern Grist, East Nashville or The Nations neighborhoods (indoor/ outdoor options, full menu – be sure to get their burger, family friendly and dog friendly)
- Living Waters Brewery, East Nashville neighborhood (a unique brewery that offers both COFFEE & BEER brews! Inside seating, limited menu)
- Diskin Cider, Wedgewood Houston neighborhood (great outdoor and indoor areas, full menu, extremely family friendly and dog friendly)
- Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery / Yee-Haw Brewing Company, Downtown Nashville (great outdoor area, full menu, extremely family friendly and dog friendly)
- George Dickel Distillery, Marathon Village (there is a bar here but it’s limited. We would suggest doing the tour and buying whiskey as a souvenir to go)
- Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Leiper’s Fork, TN which is 45 mins from Nashville (great outdoor area, no food options, family friendly and dog friendly)
- Arrington Vineyards, Arrington, TN which is 45 mins from Nashville (fully outdoors or under covered pavilions, full menu but picnics welcomed, extremely family friendly)
Cocktails
- Attaboy, East Nashville neighborhood
- The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, East Nashville neighborhood
- Patterson House, Midtown neighborhood
- Dino’s Dive Bar, East Nashville neighborhood
- Sinema, 8th Avenue S/ Melrose neighborhood
- Pinewood Social, Downtown Nashville
- Downtown Nashville – Honky Tonks (there are too many to choose a favorite. We suggest bar hopping day or night. Our “can’t miss” spots would be Robert’s Western World, Tootsie’s and The Stage which are some of the originals amongst all of the newer spots)
Follow the Real Foodies
- Eater for Nashville
- Nashville Eats on Instagram
- Nashville Noshes on Instagram