Unearth The Voyage
Nashville has earned its reputation as Music City, but locals and visitors know it’s also a serious food destination. From fiery hot chicken shacks to elegant tasting menus, the city serves up flavors as bold as its honky-tonk soundtrack. Whether you’re fueling up between Broadway bars or seeking out a neighborhood gem, these thirteen eateries capture what makes Nashville’s food scene unforgettable.
1. Prince’s Hot Chicken (Nolensville Pike & Assembly Food Hall)
Long before hot chicken became a Nashville trademark, Prince’s was serving up the original recipe that started it all. The family has been perfecting their fiery blend since the 1930s, and purists still swear by the South Nolensville Pike location for the most authentic experience.
Can’t make it out of downtown? Assembly Food Hall now hosts a Prince’s outpost, so you can sample legendary heat without leaving the city center. Order according to your bravery level, but remember that even “mild” packs serious punch.
Locals joke that you haven’t truly experienced Nashville until you’ve sweated through a Prince’s meal.
2. Loveless Cafe (Highway 100)
Since 1951, this roadside treasure has been drawing pilgrims for its legendary biscuits and country ham. The drive down Highway 100 takes about twenty minutes from downtown, but that iconic neon sign and the promise of scratch-made Southern comfort make every mile worthwhile.
Expect hearty portions of fried chicken, creamy grits, and those famous biscuits served with homemade preserves. Breakfast runs all day, so you’re never too late for a proper Southern morning feast.
The rustic charm and genuinely warm service make visitors feel like they’ve stumbled into a beloved family tradition. Grab a jar of preserves on your way out.
3. Pancake Pantry (Hillsboro Village & Downtown)
Waiting in line has become part of the Pancake Pantry ritual, but those from-scratch pancakes are worth every minute. The original Hillsboro Village location opened decades ago, and now a spacious downtown spot offers a second chance to experience Nashville’s breakfast institution.
Sweet potato pancakes steal the show, though the menu offers nearly two dozen varieties. Fluffy, golden, and generously portioned, each stack arrives hot off the griddle with real butter and warm syrup.
Arrive early or prepare to people-watch on the sidewalk. The turnover moves faster than you’d expect, and regulars swear the anticipation makes that first bite even sweeter.
4. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Lower Broad & more)
Perfect for first-timers who want to test their spice limits without too much commitment, Hattie B’s offers heat levels ranging from mild “Southern” all the way to the blistering “Shut the Cluck Up!” With several locations across Nashville, including a convenient spot near Lower Broadway, you can grab lunch between honky-tonk hopping.
The 2025 MICHELIN Guide recognized Hattie B’s, cementing its place among Nashville’s must-visit spots. Crispy, juicy chicken arrives with classic sides like coleslaw and baked beans.
Lines move quickly, and the staff happily guides nervous eaters toward their perfect spice match. Tourist-friendly doesn’t mean watered down here.
5. Monell’s (Germantown)
Strangers become friends fast at Monell’s communal tables, where bowls of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and buttery biscuits get passed around family-style. This Germantown favorite turns every meal into a social occasion, with servers keeping the bowls refilled until everyone’s had their fill.
No menus here. The kitchen decides what’s cooking that day, and diners simply sit down and start passing.
It’s old-school Southern hospitality at its finest, the kind of meal where you might swap stories with a honeymooning couple from Oregon or a family reunion from Alabama. Breakfast and lunch service both offer the same warm, communal vibe that keeps visitors coming back.
6. Peg Leg Porker (The Gulch)
Pitmaster Carey Bringle earned his reputation one rack of ribs at a time, and his Gulch smokehouse showcases award-winning dry-rub barbecue that doesn’t need sauce to shine. Pulled pork, brisket, and those famous ribs emerge from the smoker with a perfect bark and tender, smoky meat underneath.
The laid-back patio makes a great spot to unwind with a cold beer after exploring nearby boutiques and murals. Bringle’s competition trophies line the walls, proof that this isn’t just another barbecue joint.
Portions are generous, sides are classic, and the vibe stays refreshingly unpretentious despite all the accolades piling up behind the counter.
7. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (Downtown)
Whole-hog barbecue smoked low and slow over hickory gives Martin’s its signature flavor, and the big beer garden atmosphere makes it easy to settle in for a while. Located close to Broadway’s main attractions, it’s a convenient stop that doesn’t sacrifice quality for convenience.
Order at the counter, grab a picnic table, and watch the pit masters work their magic. Pulled pork, ribs, and brisket all shine, but the whole-hog tradition sets Martin’s apart from competitors.
Cold beer flows freely, live music occasionally fills the air, and the casual vibe welcomes everyone from tourists in cowboy boots to locals in work clothes grabbing lunch.
8. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden (East Nashville)
House-ground beef patties and in-house brats make The Pharmacy a burger lover’s paradise, tucked away in East Nashville’s eclectic Five Points neighborhood. Hand-spun milkshakes arrive thick enough to require a spoon, and the airy beer garden offers a relaxing escape from Lower Broad’s neon chaos.
Creative burger combinations share menu space with German-inspired sausages, all served with hand-cut fries. The vintage pharmacy decor adds quirky charm without feeling gimmicky.
Locals pack the patio on sunny afternoons, sipping local brews and debating which burger reigns supreme. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you want to linger long after your plate’s clean.
9. Five Daughters Bakery (12 South)
The 100-layer donut sounds like marketing hype until you bite into one and discover it’s actually a croissant-donut hybrid with impossibly flaky, buttery layers. Five Daughters turned this cult-favorite pastry into a Nashville signature, and the 12 South location sits perfectly along one of the city’s most walkable, Instagram-worthy streets.
Flavors rotate, but classics like lemon, chocolate, and vanilla bean always deliver. Arrive early for the best selection, especially on weekends when locals and tourists alike queue up.
Grab a coffee and a donut, then stroll 12 South’s boutiques and murals. It’s a sweet detour that captures Nashville’s creative, indulgent spirit perfectly.
10. Acme Feed & Seed (Lower Broadway)
Four floors of food, live music, and rooftop views pack this historic 1890 building right at Broadway’s foot. Acme manages to serve solid Southern plates alongside an upstairs sushi menu on select hours, proving Nashville’s food scene refuses to be pigeonholed.
Each level offers a different vibe. The ground floor buzzes with energy, while the rooftop provides breathing room and skyline views. Live bands keep the soundtrack rolling most nights.
It’s touristy, sure, but the building’s history and the genuine quality of the kitchen make it more than just a Broadway trap. Stop in for lunch or stay for the whole honky-tonk experience.
11. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (Lower Broadway)
Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and countless country legends played Tootsie’s tiny stage back when it was just a honky-tonk with big dreams. Today, the purple-painted landmark still packs in crowds for live music around the clock, but the kitchen also serves up bar food if you need fuel between sets.
Nobody comes here primarily for the menu, but the burgers and wings do the job when hunger strikes mid-honky-tonk crawl. The real draw remains the music, the history, and the neon glow of that famous orchid sign.
It’s a quintessential Nashville night, boot-stomping and all, with enough food to keep the party going until last call.
12. The Catbird Seat (8th Ave S)
Counter seating surrounds an open kitchen where chefs plate intricate courses right before your eyes, turning dinner into theater at one of Nashville’s first true destination fine-dining rooms. The 2025 MICHELIN Guide awarded The Catbird Seat its first star, validating what locals already knew about this ambitious tasting-menu experience.
Reservations book up weeks in advance, so plan ahead. Each course showcases seasonal ingredients and creative techniques that push far beyond Nashville’s meat-and-three comfort zone.
It’s expensive, intimate, and utterly unlike anything else on this list. But for a special occasion or a glimpse of Nashville’s sophisticated culinary side, few experiences compare.
13. Locust (12 South)
Chef Trevor Moran’s minimalist menu might list just dumplings and shaved ice, but each dish reveals layers of technique and creativity that earned Locust a 2025 MICHELIN star. The 12 South location keeps things refreshingly simple, letting the food speak without fussy decor or pretentious service.
Reservations are essential for this tiny gem, where every seat offers a view of the kitchen’s precise choreography. Moran’s approach feels more like an art installation than a traditional restaurant, yet somehow stays approachable and fun.
It’s proof that Nashville’s food scene has grown far beyond hot chicken and biscuits, embracing innovation without losing its welcoming soul.
