Best Date Night Restaurants in Donelson

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

GoodlettsvilleNashville

Neighborhoods

Belmont / HillsboroBerry HillDonelsonDowntown / SobroEast NashvilleEdgehill

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

136 restaurants available nearby

1. Kase x Noko

5.0

Exceptional(161)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • East Nashville

Booked 7 times today

A 14 seat, neighborhood Omakase from the team that brought you Noko Nashville. This is a 14 course, 90min nigiri & hand roll dining experience for $75. We highly recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to enjoy a drink at our Japanese cocktail bar as we start promptly at your reservation time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the cuisine, we will not be able to accommodate fish allergies or vegetarians.

2. Noko

4.9

Exceptional(1513)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • East Nashville

Booked 72 times today

Nestled in the heart of East Nashville, Noko is an Asian-inspired, wood-fired restaurant inspired by wanderlust and simplicity of the region. Here, Executive Chef Dung “Junior” Vo aims to perfect the balance of new and old techniques in wood fire cooking, putting his Asian-influenced spins on familiar proteins and indigenous vegetables through smoking, searing, and roasting.

A photo of Saltgrass Steak House - Nashville restaurant

3. Saltgrass Steak House - Nashville

4.2

Awesome(297)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Donelson

Booked 27 times today

Cut into a hearty Angus Beef steak at our award-winning scratch kitchen, Saltgrass Steak House in Opry Mills. Every meal starts with complimentary, warm Shiner Bock beer bread made in house daily by our dedicated loaf master. Discover the superior flavors of Saltgrass while enjoying menu favorites like our massive Silver Star Porterhouse, our homestyle Country Fried Steak, and our slow braised BBQ Pork Ribs. Visit us for a romantic date night or try one of our huge family meal bundles for busy families on the go. Relax in the No Bull lounge and cash in on the best Happy Hour deals in town while experiencing our famous Saltgrass hospitality firsthand.

A photo of Aquarium Restaurant - Opry Mills restaurant

4. Aquarium Restaurant - Opry Mills

4.1

Excellent(2424)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Donelson

Booked 152 times today

Dive into food and fun at the Aquarium Restaurant, located in the Opry Mills Mall! Your underwater adventure begins as you are seated around a 200,000-gallon aquarium tank, home to a wide variety of fish, sharks, stingrays and more! Make a splash with deliciously fresh seafood, steak, chicken and decadent desserts all served in an unbelievable underwater setting. Make Aquarium part of your next field trip, birthday party or special event. Customized birthday parties, special events, educational programs and tours are available. Plan a visit to the Aquarium today!

5. The Authentique

4.9

Exceptional(138)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Wine Bar • East Nashville

Booked 2 times today

Welcome to The Authentique, an intimate Parisian retreat in the heart of East Nashville. As the proud recipient of the Best Wine List in the city, our cozy French wine bar invites you to experience the romance of 1900s Paris.Immerse yourself in our charming ambiance, where candlelight and vintage decor set the stage for a culinary journey inspired by the streets of France. Our menu features a delightful selection of small plates.At The Authentique Wine Bar, we curate an exceptional wine list, showcasing the best of France. Let our passionate staff guide you through our carefully selected wines, ensuring the perfect pairings to complement your evening.Whether it's a romantic date or a gathering with friends, join us at The Authentique for an evening where the spirit of 1900s Paris meets the energy of Nashville. Experience the warmth of our cozy space and the exquisite taste of French cuisine. Santé! - Happy Hour Tues-Thurs 5:00PM-6:30PM Merci!- Live Jazz Fri & Sat 6:30PM-9:30PM

6. Bad Idea

4.5

Awesome(68)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Wine Bar • East Nashville

Booked 19 times today

Bad Idea is East Nashville's buzziest new restaurant from Sommelier Alex Burch and Executive Chef Colby Rasavong. It was honored as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America in 2024 by the New York Times. New York Times food writer Brett Anderson remarks “Bad Idea may well be what many seasoned diners thought when they heard there was a wine bar specializing in envelope-pushing Lao food opening inside an East Nashville church. But given the level of cooking here, the name turned out to be a self-aware joke, rather than aself-own…[Rasavong] invests the weight of his life experience in food that stretches the boundaries ofSoutheast Asian cooking to the edge of Appalachia. And the wine list is wise beyond this restaurant’syears, mixing tantalizing obscurities, affordable crowd pleasers and connoisseur selections you’ll rarelyfind poured by the glass.” Bad Idea was also named a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in the 2025 JamesBeard Awards.

A photo of Frankies 925 Spuntino Nashville restaurant

7. Frankies 925 Spuntino Nashville

4.6

Exceptional(90)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • East Nashville

Booked 37 times today

Located in East Nashville - It’s New York-style Italian, thanks to Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli, who’ve brought their 20-year-old celebrated Frankies 457 Spuntino south from Brooklyn, complete with the antipasti, cured meats, and housemade pasta that made the original famous. And in case you were wondering, yes, there will be meatballs. With a full bar and extensive wine and beverage program, Frankies 925 Spuntino is a true neighborhood gem. Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, Frankies is a perfect spot for a leisure lunch, date night, or dinner with friends and family.

8. Pelican & Pig

4.8

Exceptional(72)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • East Nashville

Booked 13 times today

Owned and operated by husband and wife team Nick & Audra Guidry, Pelican & Pig operates with playful creativity and service in mind. Drawing inspiration from places they have lived and from their many travels, in name and through the menu, the restaurant is a nod to the inspirations and influences from the past and present. By bringing a fine-casual dining service experience to a comfortable, cozy atmosphere, it is our goal to provide exceptional service through attention to details and knowledge of products and menus. Upon entering you are greeted with a view of the completely open kitchen and wood-burning hearth. Let our staff welcome and guide you through the night with our list of craft cocktails, exceptional wine and spirit offerings and our hand-selected craft beer menu.

9. Lyra - Nashville

4.8

Exceptional(108)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Middle Eastern • East Nashville

Booked 15 times today

A Unique take on Middle Eastern FoodLyra is a blend of old world flavors and spices infused with modern techniques. At the heart of Lyra is our wood burning oven where freshly baked pita is ready to be dipped in to our famous hummus. Enjoy a seasonal menu full of flavors and dishes for everyone to enjoy.

10. The Treehouse

4.8

Exceptional(803)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • East Nashville

Booked 13 times today

The Treehouse is an East Nashville original restaurant and bar. We strive to source our food locally from within our community and offer inside and outdoor dining options. Come by and enjoy our ever-changing food menu or simply unwind with a craft cocktail, local draft, or glass of wine. We offer full service dinner Monday through Saturday from 5pm - 10pm as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 3pm. In addition, we offer a late night menu from 10pm-12am Friday - Saturday. Open at 4pm on the back patio Monday-Friday for Happy Hour!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
stephanied
Philadelphia County •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Unbelievable experience, so happy I was able to eat here with my friend!
More info
Kase x NokoPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• East Nashville
•
5
B
Benjamin
Atlanta •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Phenomenal as always! Immaculate service , great food, fun new additions to the menu !
More info
NokoPrice: Expensive• Asian• East Nashville
•
4.9
K
KarenVIP
Nashville •83 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
This was my first visit to Frankie's and will not be my last. Everything was great. The server described the gnocchi as "melt in your mouth" and he was right on point. They have the best ceasar salad I've ever had in Nashville and that is saying a lot because I've had a LOT of ceasar salad! And the tiramisu is how I imagine it is in Italy. I can't wait to go back.
More info
Frankies 925 Spuntino NashvillePrice: Expensive• Italian• East Nashville
•
4.6
S
Sarah
Toronto / Ontario •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Our server Willy was hilarious and super attentive.
More info
Saltgrass Steak House - NashvillePrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• Donelson
•
4.2
A
Allen
Central Kentucky •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 14, 2025
Great wine selection and tasty bites. Perfect place for a quiet and relaxing dinner.
More info
Bad IdeaPrice: Very Expensive• Wine Bar• East Nashville
•
4.5

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Date night

Donelson

Madison
Waverly / Melrose / Breeze Hill
Whites Creek
Donelson
Franklin
The Nations / Village West
Music Row
Sylvan Park & Sylvan Heights
Green Hills
Old Hickory / Hermitage
Midtown
Talbot's Corner
The Gulch & North Gulch
Hendersonville
Edgehill
East Bank
Gallatin
Pennington Villas
Clarksville
Charlotte Park / Croley Wood