Nashville may be known for its music, but there’s a new tune weaving its way through the streets. Music City’s culinary scene is booming, with local talent returning from time abroad or in other major metros to bring international appeal to homegrown recipes. The flavors are so undeniable that even the American South Michelin Guide took note, recognizing more than 20 restaurants in its inaugural 2025 edition.
Offering everything from Michelin-starred spots to down-home diners, Nashville is a growing foodie paradise. So, wondering which are the best restaurants in Nashville? I’ve got you covered. After all, eating is one of the best things to do in Nashville! Consider this your guide to where to eat in Nashville, Tennessee — organized by meal, neighborhood, and what to order.
Note: This is not a comprehensive guide to every restaurant in Nashville (not even close). These are just the spots that I have tried and can personally recommend. If there’s a restaurant you think I should add, feel free to drop a comment below.
Where to Stay in Nashville
Before you can take to the streets to try Nashville’s best eats, you’ll need to find a home base. These top Nashville hotels combine great locations, comfort, and Music City vibes.
Noelle
Neighborhood: Downtown Nashville
We love a boutique hotel, especially one with vintage vibes, a central location, and a quality coffee shop right in the lobby. Breezy white walls lined with elegant wainscotting and sleek marble bathrooms with bronze fixtures toe the line between modern and old school. A small, but well-equipped gym on the second floor and water stations on every level ensure you can stick to your wellness routine on the road, and a trendy rooftop bar offers live music and Nashville skyline views.
W Nashville
Neighborhood: The Gulch
This sleek stay in the heart of The Gulch has all the extras: a rooftop pool, a speakeasy, and swoon-worthy restaurants. Don’t be fooled, though; this high-end hotel doesn’t skimp on the extras. In addition to one of the most comfortable beds you’ll ever sleep in, rooms are outfitted with Nashville-coded details like graffiti-inspired artwork and working record players. The fact that it’s perched in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods is the cherry on top.
Four Seasons Hotel Nashville
Neighborhood: SoBro (South of Broadway)
River-view rooms are the star at this Nashville skyscraper. The Four Seasons is one of the city’s priciest stays, but you get what you pay for. The expansive pool deck overlooking Nissan Stadium, the Cumberland River, and sprawling waterfront green space is reason enough to book, while the cloud-like beds and stylish settees perched next to floor-to-ceiling windows make it hard to leave your room.
Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Nashville
D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe
Neighborhood: Downtown Nashville | Best for: Pastries, breakfast sandwiches | Price: $
Beneath a blue awning downtown lies a pastry haven. James Beard-nominated chef David Andrews got his start in New York City kitchens and brought his Big Apple know-how to Nashville with his eponymous bakery. Expect flaky croissants, whimsical pastries (look for a macaron shaped like Andrews’ French Bulldog, Daisy), and scratch-made breakfast sandwiches.
The Butter Milk Ranch
Neighborhood: 12 South | Best for: Brunch, specialty croissants | Price: $$
The cozy lodge tucked in the heart of Nashville’s tony 12 South District is where Southern portions meet boutique brunch refinement. Expect overflowing grits bowls and ham-and-cheese sandwiches stuffed between eye-catching square croissants. Speaking of flaky pastries, the baked goods are not to be missed. Oversized croissants are gorgeously glazed and stuffed with everything from salted caramel cream and whipped mascarpone to crab and cream cheese — think crab rangoon, but make it a croissant.
Biscuit Love
Neighborhood: The Gulch (multiple locations) | Best for: Biscuits, iced coffee | Price: $$
It’s all in the name at this Nashville breakfast staple. Golden-brown biscuits come in all forms, whether served simply with butter, as a base for eggs Benny, or fried and tossed in sugar. The menu goes beyond biscuits to offer fluffy omelettes and filling breakfast plates, specialty coffee, and even cocktails. Ordering to go is usually the move at the popular Gulch location — it fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Best Lunch Spots in Nashville
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Neighborhood: Gulch-adjacent (8th Ave. S) | Best for: Meat-and-three, Southern comfort food | Price: $
Want to dine like Dolly? Skip the white tablecloth joints and head straight to this storied meat-and-three. Perched next to the railroad tracks on the edge of The Gulch, Arnold’s is a family-run spot that’s been slinging homestyle favorites for more than 40 years. The menu changes daily and is served cafeteria style, ensuring face time with the friendly and helpful staff.
This is the place to try true Southern cuisine — think squash casserole, fried okra, chicken livers, and fried catfish. If you’ve got room for dessert (trust me, you’ll want to save some), go for the banana pudding or Arnold’s signature spicy chocolate pie.
Peg Leg Porker
Neighborhood: The Gulch | Best for: BBQ, ribs, smoked chicken | Price: $$
This award-winning barbecue spot is best known for its dry-rub ribs, but pitmaster Carey Bringle’s chicken is the real star of the show, in my opinion. The half bird is tender, juicy, and perfectly spiced. The smoked green beans, cooked beneath those finger-licking-good ribs and infused with porky drippings, are a must-order side. The old-school dining room also boasts a bar serving more than 30 local beers on tap alongside Peg Leg Porker’s own whiskey.
Assembly Food Hall
Neighborhood: Broadway | Best for: Families, sampling multiple Nashville staples | Price: $ – $$
Can’t decide which Nashville restaurant to try? Assembly Food Hall gathers some of the city’s best bites under one roof. One of the only family-friendly spots on Broadway, it’s the perfect place to build your own tasting adventure: Prince’s hot chicken (beware, this is the real deal), Honeyfire barbecue brisket, and small-batch ice cream (get the Jack and roasted pecan) from Hattie Jane’s Creamery. Thirsy? The Butterfly Bar serves Dolly’s Wines by the glass.
Best Dinner Restaurants in Nashville
Rolf & Daughters
Neighborhood: Germantown | Michelin: Recommended | Best for: Seasonal pasta, cocktails | Price: $$$
It’s easy to see why this Michelin-recommended spot is one of Nashville’s top tables. Industrial-chic interiors lined with ample greenery and a bar that runs nearly the length of the entire restaurant set the scene for an evening of casual elegance. The menu follows suit with seasonal creations leaning heavily on an in-house pasta program. Expect plates like roasted sweet potatoes drizzled with tahini and benne seeds, rigatoni with heritage pork ragu, and a dry-aged ribeye sweetened with black garlic.
The food draws crowds, but the cocktail program is the star. Locally crafted spirits are married with seasonal ingredients to create a wonderfully blended taste of place. A recent winter menu featured a Chattanooga bourbon Old Fashioned riff with Southern root vegetables, and a tequila margarita elevated with persimmon and blood orange liquor.
Etch
Neighborhood: Downtown Nashville | Best for: Upscale Southern fusion | Price: $$$
Nashville-based chef Deb Paquette delivers a love letter to Southern produce at her flagship restaurant, Etch. Just two blocks off Broadway, this upscale eatery transports you across the globe with international plates grounded in locally sourced ingredients. The pan-seared salmon, for example, showcases Southern flair with a sweet potato beignet and an orange-brown butter sauce, while expanding your palate with a black bean tofu drizzle. It sounds like a lot, but trust me, the unconventional marriage works.
Iggy’s
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston | Michelin: Recommended | Best for: Pasta, date night | Price: $$$
What’s the best restaurant in Nashville for pasta lovers? Iggy’s in Wedgewood-Houston tops the list. Located off the beaten path, Iggy’s earned a nod from the 2025 American South Michelin Guide for its well-curated menu and exceptional in-house pasta program. There aren’t a ton of options to choose from, but that just reassures you that every dish is worth trying.
Long-time advice of “don’t fill up on bread” doesn’t apply here. The whipped ricotta on Dozen’s Bakery sourdough toast is a must, as is Iggy’s sinful buttery garlic bread. Naturally, the pastas are all excellent, but you’ll want to save room for the soft serve sundaes at the end of the meal. The silky ice cream is positively sinful.
Bonus: Sweet Treats at Goo Goo Cluster
Neighborhood: Broadway | Best for: A sweet, only-in-Nashville souvenir
When you need a break from Broadway, Goo Goo Cluster offers a sweet retreat. Pop in to make your own fist-sized chocolate souvenir from the vending machines and watch your creation come to life behind the counter.
For a more hands-on experience, book a Goo Goo Cluster class to craft your own confection with an instructor, or opt for a chocolate pairing class — wine, Champagne, and soda-pairings are all on offer.
Where to Eat in Nashville: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous restaurant in Nashville?
Arnold’s Country Kitchen is one of Nashville’s most iconic dining institutions, having served homestyle Southern food for more than 40 years. For a more upscale experience, Rolf & Daughters and Etch consistently rank among the city’s most celebrated restaurants.
Is Nashville good for foodies?
Absolutely. Nashville’s culinary scene has exploded in recent years, earning recognition from the 2025 American South Michelin Guide. The city offers everything from legendary meat-and-threes and award-winning barbecue to Michelin-recommended pasta restaurants and globally inspired fine dining.
What food is Nashville known for?
Nashville is best known for hot chicken — a fiery, cayenne-spiced fried chicken that originated in the city. Beyond hot chicken, Nashville has deep roots in Southern comfort food: biscuits, barbecue, and meat-and-three diners are all essential parts of the local food culture.
Does Nashville have any Michelin-starred restaurants?
Yes. The 2025 American South Michelin Guide recognized multiple Nashville restaurants, including Michelin-recommended spots like Rolf & Daughters and Iggy’s. Check the official Michelin Guide website for the full and most up-to-date list of recognized Nashville restaurants.