The 15 Best Nashville Restaurants You Must Try (2023)

Are you looking for restaurants in Nashville? You are in the right place in this article we will show you where to find the best food in Nashville, the best restaurants in downtown Nashville and what to eat in Nashville.

nashville,TennesseeIt's an amazing city, it's energetic, vibrant and a real joy to visit. "Music City", as it is known, is a city full of incredible attractions, with music studios and recording stations on every corner and, of course, a variety of places to dine.

It is also a beautiful riverside city with beautiful open spaces and natural landscapes all around it. if you are looking for onefleeotraveloffering so much you couldn't go wrong with Nashville.

This diverse and bustling city also offers some lively and interesting places to eat, whether it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nashville won't let you down. He may be known for hiswith a pair, hot chicken, and southern hospitality, but you may be surprised by all the options available.

Whatever you like to eat, Nashville has it and still holds a few surprises you might not expect. Many chefs have left their mark in Nashville,Tennesseeand the city prides itself on its world-class cuisine.

So, are you ready to see which Nashville restaurants we've picked for you? Grab a drink, sit back, and let me show you where to eat in Nashville.

bourbon beer

If you are looking for a place to invite someone over, celebrate, or perhaps have a romantic meal, this is one of the best Nashville restaurants for you.

Bourbon Steak not only specializes in high-quality cuts of American beef, but also offers some of the freshest seafood in Nashville with daily delivery.

All dishes are prepared to perfection by Michelin-starred chef Micheal Mina, and the wine list is award-winning with over 450 selections.Weekend Nashville Itinerary!

But the real draw here is the 360-degree views of the Nashville skyline. Yes, the view from the 34th floor is the only thing that outshines the tasteful decor and amazing food.

Reservations are recommended here and there is a business casual/dressy dress code. It's the best dinner in Nashville if you love these types of restaurants.

bark

If you like vegetables more than meat, this is one of the best places to eat in Nashville. Executive chef Ben Norton offers a menu here that is a farm-to-table experience. This is also the perfect place to go if you have yourbachelorette party in Nashville!

The focus of this restaurant is "from the land", so the dishes are as expected, with lots of vegetables. The menu changes frequently and is always inventive, except for things like Baby Back Ribs, Squash BBQ, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, and Marsh Hen Mill Grits.

The best-selling dish here is a southern vegetable dish. This is good food served in an unpretentious setting that everyone will enjoy. One of the best restaurants in Nashville that everyone will love.

old red

If you're looking to dine in Nashville in a more relaxed setting, Old Red might be for you. It is a spacious tavern with a rooftop bar.

It serves dishes like "Redneck" fried chicken nachos and Southern Tater Tot Poutine. But what people are really looking for here is the music.

It is said to be the place where the greatest talent comes to perform and where you can find the best sound on a small stage. It's like watching a show from a bar stool.

If you really want to see what drives Nashville to your pulsing soul, then speak up, take a trip here. This is one of those Nashville restaurants that everyone has to try once.

Stk

Think modern steakhouse and chic lounge with a fine dining experience and you get what Stk is all about. It's the kind of place that wouldn't look bad in a James Bond movie, a modern stylish place with a little something extra.

His goal is modern diving, amazing food and the perfect environment, and we think he meets all three.

If you have ever wondered what a gourmet environment is, worry no more, this is it. DJs create a high-energy atmosphere, and the sleek design is made for socializing.

Unsurprisingly, it's known for its steaks, but it also has great seafood with a raw oyster bar and the like. If you are looking for a Nashville dining experience, this is it. This is one of the best restaurants in Nashville.

the optimist

If you love fish and seafood, this is the best Nashville restaurant for you. From acclaimed restaurateur Ford Fry and chef Ryder Zetts, this seafood-focused restaurant hits all the right places.

The interior is divine with a mid-century modern feel, but a bit quirky. The food is equally delicious with a menu full of seafood with some meat dishes. Expect things like oyster gumbo, spicy crab, and grilled swordfish steak. There is a full oyster menu that describes oysters as a fine wine.

The former TD&W Handle Company building is historic, charming and makes for a spacious dive room. The outdoor patio is also lovely.

If you want the best food that the sea can offer you, this is your place. If you're looking for great food in Nashville, this is the place to be.

Recorded

One of the best restaurants in downtown Nashville, this award-winning restaurant offers globally-inspired dishes in a light, minimalist-style eatery.

This modern restaurant has two private dining rooms, a full bar, and a chef's bar, where guests are encouraged to interact with chef Deb Paquette.

The menu is eclectic and innovative with items like homemade chickpea tofu with brown carrots, sambal goat cheese, venison with pomegranate and walnut sauce and a bowl of ancient beans.

Deb Paquette was the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a Certified Executive Chef and has since won numerous awards and recognitions.

This is a restaurant that lets the food and the chef speak for themselves. This is one of the best restaurants in Nashville and we highly recommend taking a trip here.

Cine

Sinema is housed in the old 1942 Melrose Theater and is worth a visit just to see the amazing interior. This place is a dream to look at and a dream to eat.

Here, they take a contemporary take on classic American cuisine, serving dishes like burgers with aged patties and buttermilk horseradish ribs. Everything here is American with a fresh twist.

Sinema transports guests back in time with an opulent and nostalgic atmosphere, timeless dishes and unrivaled service.

Executive Chef Kyle Patterson loves food and it shows in the menu he produces. The food pairs perfectly with cozy velvet booths, exposed brick walls and curving staircases.

There is something so comforting and familiar about this place that you really won't want to leave. Oh the bottomless lunches here are just divine.

If you are looking for the best brunch in Nashville look no further than Sinema is your place. Be sure to check out our epic list ofThe Best Things to Do in Nashville at Nightto night life and much more!

pancake pantry

How do you know that the locals love a restaurant? The queue that goes around the building every morning is a good indicator.

The place has been serving freshly made pancakes since 1961 and has no fewer than 23 varieties to choose from. This includes items like old-fashioned buttermilk, sweet potatoes, and banana bread.

They do a selection of other breakfast and lunch items, but you come here for the pancakes. This is where you can get the best breakfast in Nashville.

ice cream

Sunda offers Asain food served in a modern setting. The dishes, although classic, are modernized and updated creating something new and delicious.

The menu here is creative and innovative, including things like miso-glazed sea bass and lemongrass beef lollipops. The Sushi here is award winning and the full menu and Dim Sum options are extensive.

This is a great restaurant for dinner, it's great food with a twist served in a modern restaurant with great service. Eating in Nashville doesn't get much better than this.

butcher and bee

If you are a group, this is one of the best places to eat in Nashville. The food is served family style, which means you order plates that are placed in the middle to share. It's a great way to get a real taste of what's on offer here.

Dishes are Middle Eastern/Mediterranean in nature and the menu often changes to accommodate what is in season. It includes items like whipped feta, hummus, and whole chickens cooked the Moroccan style.

They also offer chef's choice where the server prepares the best meals at your table which look really great as the choice is endless.

This is a restaurant to talk, share and eat. It gets crowded and due to the industrial style it can sometimes seem noisy. If that bothers you, ask to sit on the patio. This is one of the best lunch spots in Nashville.

town house

Pizza from a James Beard Award yes, that's what happens here. It's Italian mixed with Southern cooking and the pizza is just amazing.

The large brick oven cooks up an innovative thin-crust pizza that will be some of the best you'll ever taste.

The menu is not huge, but it is innovative and everything is cooked to perfection. The dessert menu here is noteworthy as well, it doesn't feel like an afterthought like it often does.

The place is big and airy with an industrial feel and it can get very crowded and noisy like these buildings. This is one of the best restaurants in Nashville.

Big Al's Deli

For true southern comfort food, head over to Big Al's. This place is loved by the locals and is where the other chefs in town eat.

It's modest and sincere and heartbreaking and that seeps into everything here. The food is responsibly produced and created with love, as Big Al himself says.

Al is a big star here, as the food often gets involved in conversation and storytelling, but his lips are sealed in his secret jerky marinade.

The menu contains things like hot chicken, shrimp and corn, fried catfish, all made to order. They also serve one of the best breakfasts in Nashville here.

You'll feel more like you're in someone's home here than a restaurant and the experience is worth a trip. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Nashville.

pelican and pig

For one of the best dinners in Nashville, head to Pelican and Pig. Almost everything is cooked in a wood oven and the food is seasonal and fresh.

It is a cozy and intimate restaurant and in its own woods it is creative and playful. The husband and wife team of Nick and Audra Guidry aim to bring a casual dining experience into a comfortable and welcoming environment and they succeed.

The menu changes frequently and is small, but everything is delicious and innovative.

If you have allergies or are vegan it is often difficult for them to make substitutions here due to the way the menu is formed and created so simply as in mind.

They serve the best food in Nashville here and diving here is a delight.

Skull's Rainbow Room

The original Skulls Rainbow Room dates back to the 1940s and was the cornerstone of Nashville's legendary Printer's Alley. Etta James, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, they've all played at some point.

The establishment closed in 1999 after owner David "Skull" Schulman was murdered in a nightclub robbery. It reopened in 2015 and offers live jazz and burlesque nightly performances. Holding on to some of the traditions he was known for.

It's casual but classy and the menu is quite extensive. Expect to find items like ribs, rack of lamb, and scallops. It is an elegant dinner with a somewhat nostalgic touch.

Visiting this place is like going back to a bit of history enjoying the dream of a man who contributed so much to this city. It is one of the best restaurants in Nashville and serves the best food in Nashville.

East side of Banh Mi

This is one of those restaurants that opened during the pandemic and lived to tell about it. That's how good the food is here.

It specializes in Vietnamese sandwiches, salads and bowls. A Banh Mi is a short baguette with a thin, crispy crust and a soft, airy texture. It is often split lengthwise and stuffed with a savory filling.

The menu is concise but the options are delicious. Including things like Roasted Lemongrass Chicken, Roasted Black Caramel Pork Shoulder, and Crispy Tofu with Roasted Eggplant. Rice bowls and salad bowls also provide plenty of options.

And if you have never had a Vietnamese coffee, now is the opportunity to try one, they really are delicious.

This is one of the best lunch spots in Nashville and one of the best restaurants in East Nashville.

As you can see, when it comes to eating out in Nashville, there are plenty of options. Dining in Nashville is truly a dream with so many options.

Whether you decide to eat at one of the best downtown Nashville restaurants or one of the best Nashville restaurants, we know the food will be good. And if you have any more suggestions for where to eat in Nashville, please let us know in the comments so others can benefit from your recommendation.

Have a lot of fun in Nashville.