Nashville is a great place to visit if you love music, but it is also a culinary treasure and home to a vibrant "foodie" scene. From traditional Southern fare to international cuisine, there's something for every palate. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty Southern meal or something a little more exotic, you'll find it in Nashville.
In the mood for brunch and a mimoso or two...or three. Try Adele's or Sinema's
How about an Instagram-worthy restaurant? Hampton Social or Pinewood Social
Want an "old school" diner? Yep..gotcha covered! How bout' Since 1907! Or Since 1927! Ohhh...to be the youngest Since 1939
Biscuits, you ask? It's 14 miles from the Kottage, but you will Feel the love @ Loveless! Or try the home of the 2015 Bon Appetit Sandwich of the Year, The East Nasty, at Biscuit World. (It is the image at the top of this page!)
Meat ain't your thang? No Problem! Here! and Here! and Here!
Eat like a local with this guide to some of the best places to eat and drink in Music City.
These recommendations are just a few of my favorites and are not a comprehensive list! For a "deep dive" into the Nashville food scene, I recommend checking out THIS ...
Also, I will be periodically updating this list with my recommendations!
-Kristi
Hot Chicken
A Nashville original! Late celebrity chef and food icon Anthony Bourdain highlighted the city's hot chicken scene during his visit to film an episode of Parts Unknown. Here are some of the popular places sought out by Nashville locals.
- Prince's Hot Chicken - The OG chicken "joint"
- Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
- Slow Burn
- 400 Degrees
- Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish
Meat and Three
Unpretentious, unfussy, and a unique foundation of Southern cuisine. In the 1920s, what began as a hot dog cart evolved into Hap Townes Restaurant. While Hap Townes no longer exists, it served what was then known as "plate lunches, " later becoming a Nashville staple known as "meat and three."
- Wendell Smith's – A Nashville Icon
- Arnolds
- Swett's
- Puckett's
Italian
My husband, Greg, and I LOVE Italian food! I have grown to appreciate that Southerners and Italians are kindred spirits who believe the way to a person's heart is through the stomach! There are so many great Italian restaurants that it is nearly impossible to list all our favorites, so I encourage you to research the Italian fare that Nashville offers. Buon appetito!
- Giovanni's – This is our "go-to" Italian. Mostly locals and walkable from the Kottage
- Caffe Nonna – My husband took me here on one of our first dates!
- Little Hats – I love this place! Located in Germantown, one of my favorite areas of Nashville
- Bella Napoli – A short walk from the Kottage in the Edge Hill area
Steak
Nashville has become a steak lover’s paradise! Although we prefer the “homegrown” options, don’t sleep on some of the nationwide chains that have made Nashville their home. My advice-do some research because there are too many to list here. Here are a couple of links that will help!
- Jimmy Kelly’s - A Nashville staple since 1934. Come for the steak but stay for the chocolate martini!
- The Bourbon – The Nashville location of Michael Mina’s steakhouse chain. It is located on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott, so the views are as spectacular as the food!
- E3 Chophouse – Incredible food and a short walk from the Kottage
Pizza
Nashville pizza? You must be kidding! Well… we aren’t. Neopolitan-style? Yes, we do. NYC-style? Yep! I’m not saying Nashville is an iconic pizza town like NYC, Chicago, or Detroit, but I am saying the pie in Nashville is holding its own! Of course, you can ask 10 different people what is the best pizza in Nashville, and you will get 10 different answers! Here are some of my favorites!
- Five Points – Hands down, my favorite!
- Folk
- Nicky’s Coal Fired
- Emmy Squared – Detroit style
- St. Vito Focacceria
