Unearth The Voyage
Nashville is famous for its music, but the food scene is just as impressive. Southern cooking in Music City means crispy fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, slow-smoked barbecue, and hearty meat-and-three plates that stick to your ribs. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these 14 restaurants serve up the most authentic Southern flavors you’ll find anywhere in Tennessee.
1. Loveless Cafe
Operating since 1951, this legendary spot sits just west of downtown and draws crowds from around the world. Biscuits here are made from scratch throughout the day, arriving at your table warm and fluffy with homemade preserves.
The fried chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, while the country ham brings that salty, savory punch Southerners crave. Many consider a trip here an essential Nashville experience, not just a meal.
Plan to arrive early on weekends because the wait can stretch beyond an hour during peak times.
2. Prince’s Hot Chicken
This family-run business invented Nashville hot chicken back in the 1930s, and they still do it better than almost anyone. The original location on the south side has been serving fiery, cayenne-coated chicken for generations.
You’ll also find them at Assembly Food Hall if you’re staying downtown. The heat levels range from mild to extra hot, but even mild packs serious spice.
White bread and pickles come with every order to help cool the burn. First-timers should start with medium and work their way up from there.
3. Hattie B’s
With five locations across the Nashville area, including Midtown and Lower Broadway, this spot makes hot chicken accessible to everyone. The chicken arrives perfectly fried with a crunchy coating that holds all those spicy seasonings.
Heat levels are clearly marked, so you know exactly what you’re getting into. The sides deserve attention too, especially the creamy mac and cheese and tangy coleslaw.
Yes, it’s popular with tourists, but locals keep coming back because the quality stays consistently high. Expect lines during lunch and dinner rushes at every location.
4. Monell’s (Germantown)
Housed in a beautiful historic building, this Germantown treasure serves meals family-style at big communal tables. Bowls of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and gravy get passed around until everyone’s had their fill.
The all-you-can-eat format means you can try everything without worrying about ordering wrong. Strangers become friends as platters make their way around the table.
Breakfast here is equally impressive, with country ham, eggs, grits, and those famous biscuits. Reservations are smart for weekend meals when the dining rooms fill up quickly.
5. Wendell Smith’s Restaurant
Since 1952, this west-side institution has been serving the kind of meat-and-three plates that define traditional Southern cooking. You pick one meat and three vegetables from the daily lineup, all served cafeteria-style on divided trays.
The fried catfish comes out golden and flaky, while vegetables like turnip greens and fried okra taste like someone’s grandmother made them. Cornbread arrives with every plate, perfect for soaking up pot liquor.
Prices stay remarkably reasonable, and the portions are generous enough to fuel you through the afternoon. Locals have been coming here for decades.
6. Elliston Place Soda Shop
Step inside this retro soda fountain and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to the 1950s. Red vinyl stools line the counter, while vintage signs and chrome fixtures complete the nostalgic atmosphere.
The meat-and-three plates are solid and affordable, featuring daily specials like meatloaf, fried chicken, and pot roast. Hand-dipped milkshakes and old-fashioned sodas make the perfect finish.
Open daily for daytime dining, this place attracts everyone from Vanderbilt students to longtime Nashville residents. The chocolate pie has earned legendary status among regulars who order it every single visit.
7. Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant (Downtown)
Live music fills this downtown favorite almost every night, creating the perfect Nashville experience alongside your meal. The menu covers all the Southern classics, from pulled pork and fried catfish to country-fried steak.
Long operating hours mean you can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner whenever hunger strikes. The atmosphere stays casual and welcoming, with families and music fans mixing comfortably.
Portions are generous, and the servers keep sweet tea flowing. The combination of good food and great music makes this spot popular with visitors and locals alike. Weekend brunch gets especially busy.
8. Biscuit Love (The Gulch)
Lines form early at this Gulch hotspot, and for good reason. The biscuits here are impossibly fluffy, served with creative toppings that go way beyond basic butter and jam.
Bonuts, their signature biscuit-doughnut hybrids, have become legendary among Nashville breakfast lovers. The East Nasty biscuit, loaded with fried chicken and gravy, will fuel you for hours.
Open mornings and early afternoons only, so plan accordingly. The space is small and fills up fast, especially on weekends. Expect a wait, but the food makes every minute worthwhile for biscuit enthusiasts.
9. Peg Leg Porker
Pitmaster Carey Bringle has turned this Gulch mainstay into one of Nashville’s top barbecue destinations. The dry-rub ribs showcase his competition-winning techniques, with meat that pulls cleanly from the bone.
Unlike many barbecue joints that drown everything in sauce, the focus here stays on the smoke and rub. Classic sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and mac and cheese round out the plates perfectly.
The bourbon selection is impressive if you want a drink with your meal. Lunch crowds can get heavy, but the line moves steadily. Weekday afternoons offer the shortest waits.
10. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (Downtown)
Whole-hog barbecue is the specialty here, slow-smoked until the meat practically falls apart. The downtown location features a massive beer garden that becomes the place to be on warm evenings.
Pulled pork sandwiches come piled high, with tangy sauce on the side so you control the flavor. Smoked wings and ribs also deserve attention from the menu.
The beer selection runs deep, with plenty of Tennessee craft options. Groups love this spot because the outdoor space allows everyone to spread out and relax. Weekend afternoons bring live music to the beer garden area.
11. The Farm House
Chef-driven Southern cooking gets elevated treatment at this downtown spot near Broadway. Local farms supply most ingredients, ensuring everything tastes fresh and seasonal.
The menu changes regularly but always features creative takes on regional classics. Fried green tomatoes might come with unexpected toppings, while shrimp and grits get gourmet upgrades.
The atmosphere feels more upscale than most spots on this list, making it perfect for special occasions. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dinners. The cocktail program showcases Tennessee spirits in creative ways that complement the food beautifully throughout your meal.
12. Husk Nashville
Celebrating Tennessee producers and Southern ingredients, this restaurant brings modern technique to traditional flavors. The menu changes daily based on what’s available from local farms and purveyors.
Brunch here is outstanding, with dishes like cornmeal-fried catfish and country ham featuring prominently. Dinner service showcases the chef’s creativity while respecting Southern cooking traditions.
The historic building adds character, and the bar program features an impressive bourbon collection. Prices run higher than most Southern spots, but the quality justifies the cost. Make reservations well ahead for weekend meals at this acclaimed establishment.
13. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
While most people focus on the chicken, locals know the hot fish here might be even better. East Nashville has embraced this spot as a neighborhood treasure since it opened.
The cayenne coating delivers serious heat that builds with each bite. Order the fish if you want something different from the usual hot chicken experience.
The space is no-frills, keeping the focus squarely on the food. Heat levels go from mild to burn-your-face-off hot, so choose wisely. Cash is preferred, and the hours can be unpredictable, so call ahead before making the trip across town.
14. 400 Degrees Hot Chicken
The Bordeaux original location has been slinging seriously spicy chicken for years, earning respect from hot chicken fanatics. They also operate an outpost at Nashville International Airport for last-minute cravings.
The heat here is no joke, even at lower levels. Daytime hours can be limited, so check before heading over.
The chicken arrives grease-soaked and fiery, just how it should be. White bread and pickles help cut through the intensity. Lines move quickly despite the crowds. This is hot chicken for people who take their spice seriously, not casual diners looking for mild flavors.
