Nashville Restaurant Guide
@ Robert’s Western World on Broadway Street
Take one look at the skyline speckled with cranes or down a street where corner stores abut James Beard destinations and you’ll understand - Nashville is a city in transition. As flocks of people move in (about 80 per day) and hoards of bachelorettes rotate out (it’s the Bachelorette Capital of the US), this place is ever evolving with excitement and change. For the last few months, I’ve been spending lots of time in Music City, and while I’m traveling for work, I can’t help but think of this place as an adult playground. From frenetic Broadway Street where the sounds of clashing live music flood out of every bar to East Nashville’s crazy high density of award winning restaurants and bars - there is no dearth of opportunity for fun. Being in the South, hospitality is never an afterthought and always authentic. Each of my visits has brought to light new flavors, from throat burning hot chicken at Bolton’s to revelatory pasta at Rolf & Daughters, from natural wine at Lou to $2 PBRs at Robert’s Western World, and from BBQ whole hog at Martin’s to delicate ramen at Otaku. All these opposites attract and create a city that is beautifully diverse in its offerings, a living and breathing epicenter for sensory overload. Here are my favorites!
1. Barista Parlor
A big ol spot with lots of seating, Barista Parlor is begging you to stick around for hours. Their on-site roasted beans are fragrant and they've got fun doughnuts from Conny & Jonny. Grab a capp and stay a while!
https://baristaparlor.com/ | 519 Gallatin Ave B, Nashville, TN 37206 | $
2. Bokbox
Only on Postmates! This delivery-only coal-roasted chicken is smokey, crispy and juicy, and it's made by Nashville chef royalty. Tom Bayless and Dauer Ellis opened their walk-up window/delivery chicken spot at the end of 2019 and I'm so glad they did. You're getting a half bird, some buttery rice and all the sauces (ranging from aji verde to yogurt ranch). And you don't even have to take your pants off!
https://www.bokboxnashville.com/ | 604 Gallatin Ave #203, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$
3. Bolton's
As seen on Ugly Delicious, Bolton's is the OG master of hot chicken. And when I say hot, please understand that I ordered the mild spice level and nearly ripped out my own tongue. With the heat mixed into the batter, the bird gets infused with unheard of spice for a true Nashville experience that will send you into a chicken-fever dream and then back for another round.
https://www.boltonsspicy.com/ | 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206 | $
4. Cafe Roze
With a neon sign out front, millennial pink accents and plenty of turmeric on the menu, Cafe Roze has "trendy all-day cafe" written all over it...except this time, the food is exceptional. From savory oats topped with earthy gomashio to the Roze Bowl piled high with veg and smeared with a dazzling swoosh of pink beet tahini, the menu has surprising but comforting flavors around every corner. As with any all-day cafe that has a leg to stand on, the beverages are on point: Cafe Roze is slinging creamy ombre cocktails, cardamom infused lattes and natural wine all the livelong day.
https://www.caferoze.com/ | 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$
5. Dozen Bakery
Impossibly flaky croissant? Crusty sourdough? Gooey cookie? Slice of pie? Dozen Bakery is your one stop shop for all things pastry perfect. What started as a holiday cookie pop up has transformed into a lowkey institution - not only is Dozen Bakery a great hang for a reading/journaling/working sesh, but it's also the name behind dozens (!) of renowned local restaurants' bread service and fills the shelves of plenty of cafes' pastry windows.
https://www.dozen-nashville.com/ | 516 Hagan St #103, Nashville, TN 37203 | $
6. Drugstore Coffee
Located inside the precious, old-timey Noelle Hotel, this is a perfect lobby cafe with Barista Parlor coffee and delish housemade pastries. If you're in the area, take a load off and charge up here!
https://www.noelle-nashville.com/dine-drink/drug-store-coffee-shop/ | 200 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 | $
7. E + Rose Wellness
Adaptogens, collagen, CBD, oh my! This quintessential healthy breakfast spot is my go-to downtown smoothie stop. They've also got refreshing cold pressed juices, wellness shots and lattes spiked with mushroom powder, if you're into that kind of thing. Though I tend to stick to smoothies and juices with familiar ingredients, your inner woo-woo will go "woot woot" for spirulina and reishi extract which promise to mend your broken...anything.
https://eandrose.com/ | 501 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219 | $$
8. Folk
Sister restaurant to Rolf & Daughters, Folk is a bright, lively East Nashville destination for chewy pizzas and envelope-pushing small plates. Here, you're in for charred Neopolitan-style crust topped with straight shooting stuff with a twist - clam pie with shaved bonito, sausage slices with preserved peppers, you get it. Any way you cut it, Folk is a delight!
https://www.goodasfolk.com/ | 823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207 | $$$
9. Husk
Up a hill and around a corner, Husk lurks in the shadows outside bustling downtown Nashville. Inside this stately mansion awaits a buzzing, energetic restaurant that sheds new light on Southern ingredients and recipes. There's an in-house charcuterie and pickling program, a serious obsession with heirloom ingredients and a principled approach to sourcing, yet the whole thing feels completely unpretentious. The 12-month Aged Country Ham put all the prosciutto in Italy to shame and the Plate of Southern Vegetables was as experiential as it was satisfying. The natural wine menu is organized by soil type! But I swear, this place is down to earth ;)
https://husknashville.com/ | 37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210 | $$$
10. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Fun flavors and rich creaminess characterize this artisan ice cream shop that punches in the same weight class as Salt and Straw. Jeni's brings new meaning to old classics (like Milkiest Chocolate and Salted Caramel) but the head-bonker flavors (like Goat Cheese Cherry and Cream Puff) are what will keep you coming back.
https://jenis.com/ | 1892 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$
11. Lou
Newcomer Lou is a precious and delightful experience. Located in an old house, the dining room is both quaint and hip. The menu is made for sharing, with options that change by the day and skew seasonal and local (duh). And I know you saw this one coming, but they've got natural wine too! Lou is a lovely place for brunch or dinner and will feel like a special time out but also just like coming home.
https://lounashville.com/ | 1304 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37216 | $$$
12. Marche
A very cute, very quaint French cafe in East Nashville. While weekends allegedly draw the brunching masses, off-peak hours are a fantastic time to enjoy the cozy, inviting, light-filled space over bottomless coffee and simple, comforting classics.
https://www.marcheartisanfoods.com/ | 1000 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$
13. Martin's BBQ
You're not coming to Nashville and not going to Martin's. Now that that's settled, let's talk meats. This two-story barbeque mega center specializes in smoked meats, from fork tender slices of brisket to chopped whole hog that melts in your mouth like butter and spare ribs that fall off the bone when you so much as look their way. But you'd be remiss to not explore the wing situation, for these drumettes and flats are legitimately the best I ever had. Crispy and sweet skin encases juicy meat for a craveable, not-too-greasy experience that might just send you back to the cashier for a second order.
https://www.martinsbbqjoint.com/ | 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 | $$
14. Nicoletto's
A tiny East Nashville spot with swoon-worthy pasta. Pick a handmade noodle (your options are on display near the counter in seductive, semolina dusted piles), a sauce and add ins, then a wait a few minutes while the magic happens. The result - a heaping plate of chewy pasta slick with rich sauce. Nicoletto's has quality and price on lock...you're spending $15 max!
https://www.nicolettos.com/ | 2905 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216 | $
15. Otaku Ramen
Nashville doesn't have too much going on in the way of Asian food, but the city is strangely teeming with ramen spots. Otaku is among the best, with a slew of miso, tonkatsu and shoyu sippers accompanied by slender chewy noodles, jammy eggs and delicate meats. And of course, it wouldn't be a Nashville restaurant without the requisite hot chicken showing, this time in a bao! Great spot for a quick, casual bite.
https://www.theotakugroup.com/otaku-ramen | 1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203 | $$
16. Peninsula
Careful minimalism characterizes both the ambiance and menu at this Spanish-leaning small plates restaurant. Peninsula is located in a dimly lit, small warehouse-like space with plenty of viney plants dangling from the high ceiling on an otherwise quiet block. Below the hanging garden, you're enjoying a variety of creatively imagined and delicately assembled dishes who's menu names are simply a list of prominent ingredients, leading to a delightful surprise upon delivery to your table. Notably, the sourdough with tomato and anchovies was an umami gut punch in the best possible way and I wish I could have a gallon of the braised rabbit in garlic broth. Peninsula stands out in town fueled by hot chicken for bringing something truly unique to the table.
http://peninsulanashville.com/ | 1035 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$$
17. Pinewood Social
Whether you're here for brunch with friends, a date at the bar, bowling with co-workers (yes, bowling) or a late night study session, Pinewood Social is your spot. The airy super center of a restaurant along the Cumberland River somehow caters to every crowd. The menu has a little bit of everything, from healthy salads to hearty dinner plates and plenty of shareable apps. An extensive cocktail menu with seasonal options sets the stage for a vibey time, whatever the vibe may be.
https://www.pinewoodsocial.com/ | 33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210 | $$
18. Robert's Western World
Come here for the music, not the food. But while you're here, the fried bologna sandwich is a crispety crunchety meat treat and I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you GOTTA try it out. Goes down great with a PBR. I'm told this is the best (see: OG) spot for music on Broadway, unless Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse is more your speed, in which case, kindly see yourself out.
https://robertswesternworld.com/ | 416 Broadway B, Nashville, TN 37203 | $
19. Rolf & Daughters
One of my favorite restaurants. Ever. Romantic lighting and rustic brick walls provide an unassuming backdrop for an utterly inventive menu. Come for the handmade pasta twisted and folded into shapes you've never heard of and stay for the small plates that will dazzle and surprise you. Pasta-wise, the cecamariti is made with the house sourdough starter and is thick and chewy. It's tossed with cultured butter and black pepper for the best cacio e pepe you ever did taste. Get it. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with the seasonally evolving menu. This is a special spot - don't miss it!
https://www.rolfanddaughters.com/ | 700 Taylor St, Nashville, TN 37208 | $$$
20. Stateside
Tucked inside the Dream Hotel in Downtown Nashville. Stateside is a fabulously chic restaurant. The menu skews light and seafood-y (though there are plenty of other land-based options) and has Asian influences peppered throughout. Whether your popping in for some warm crab dip and a glass of something sparkly or grabbing a solo bite at the bar after a long workday (yeah, that girl hovered over the roasted chicken and kale salad is probably me), the colorful mid-century vibes will be the perfect backdrop. Chill enough to be a hotel restaurant (aka, you can get a seat) but still just as on point as somewhere where reservations are required, Stateside is a perfect place!
https://www.dreamhotels.com/nashville/dining-en.html | 210 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 | $$$
21. The Pharmacy Burger & Beer Garden
Dinner plate sized smashburgers on soft squishy buns...that's the name of the game at East Nashville hangout, Pharmacy Burger. Slightly rowdy and with a killer beer list and lots of Nashville charm, this is a perfect spot for a casual meal when the burger craving strikes.
https://thepharmacyburger.com/ | 731 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$
22. Two Ten Jack
I thought Cal-Italian was the best fusion cuisine that existed, and then I met Two Ten Jack. This Southern Izakaya is possibly the greatest mashup that ever lived. From takoyaki hushpuppies (that's fried cornbread balls filled with octopus) to sashimi doused in chorizo jus, the dishes here are playful and reach a new level of satisfying. There's yakitori, dumplings, sushi and ramen, but unlike your classic izakaya that does everything just okay, Two Ten Jack nails it bite after bite. The unique beer, wine, sake and cocktail list makes the meal!
https://twotenjack.com/ | 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206 | $$$
23. VN Pho & Deli
Understated, out of the way and so so worth the voyage, VN Pho & Deli will make you rethink your fave pho place. Yes, you've got your standard rice noodle soup with cow parts and aromatics, but the real showstopper is the pork and seafood soup with egg noodles and wontons. It's a steaming bowl of opaque but rich broth, crazy tender sliced pork, springy shrimp, delicate dumplings and thin, chewy squiggly egg noodles. It's like a mash up of ramen, wonton noodle soup and pho and I honestly have thought about it at least once a week since first going a few months back. Cash only!
https://www.yelp.com/biz/vn-pho-and-deli-nashville | 5906 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 | $
24. Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen
With 36 taps, big ol' steins and a lot of long beer garden-y tables, Von Elrod's is taking its Germantown residency seriously. This expansive German-meets-Southern watering hole is a blast, whether your stopping in for their killer happy hour, a post Sounds game bit (idk, do people do that??) or getting raucous with all your buds. The housemade pretzel with beer cheese is not to be missed.
https://vonelrods.com/ | 1004 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 | $$