Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Donelson

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanFusion / EclecticGrill

Regions

Nashville

Neighborhoods

Downtown / SobroGermantownSouth NashvilleThe Gulch & North GulchWaverly / Melrose / Breeze Hill

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

Wheelchair access

11 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Bastion

4.9

Exceptional(96)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • South Nashville

Booked 7 times today

Bastion is the 24-seat restaurant of James Beard Foundation Award Nominee Chef Josh Habiger. It is located in a separate area within the casual cocktail bar of the same name, and it is a part of the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Bastion's dining room features counter seating around the kitchen for parties of 2 as well as three tables for parties of 3 to 6. Bastion's small team serves a weekly set menu of six dinner courses featuring many dishes with a wide variety of flavors, ingredients, and inspirations. Friendly service guides you through the culinary experience, which also features wine pairings, creative cocktails, and a curated vinyl soundtrack. Come early or stay late in the hidden Little Bar, which is a private offering for guests of the restaurant.

2. Urban Grub

4.8

Exceptional(5470)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Waverly / Melrose / Breeze Hill

Booked 86 times today

**We are currently experiencing technical difficulty with communication between OpenTable and our Table Management Software. Please use our website (urbangrub.net) to see our availability. Urban Grub is a casual fine dining bar and eatery located in a renovated carwash in Nashville’s iconic 12 South district.The design of the restaurant features a rustic elegance, filled with custom woodwork, stone fireplaces and rounded booths tucked in intimate corners. Urban Grub offers both indoor and outdoor seating with a combination of the two in the beer garden, accompanied a view of the restaurant’s meat curing room, as well as a covered gazebo for larger parties.From the inviting indoor-outdoor atmosphere to the elevated Southern cuisine of fresh seafood, house-made charcuterie, and prime dry-aged steaks, the experience is unforgettable.

3. etch - Nashville

4.8

Exceptional(8682)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Sobro

Booked 62 times today

Featuring an array of global flavors and decadent desserts by Chef Deb Paquette and Pastry Chef Megan Williams, Etch is located in the ground floor of the Encore tower in Nashville's SoBro district. The restaurant is equipped with two private dining rooms, a full bar and an open kitchen with bar-style seating, allowing guests to interact with the culinary team. Lunch and dinner are available Monday-Friday, as well as dinner on Saturday. In her 13 years as Chef/Owner of Zola, Deb received accolades for Nashville's best chef and Nashville's best restaurant multiple times. Nashville restaurants are many, but Etch sets itself apart with bold flavors and colorful presentations.The cuisine at Etch is complemented by our comprehensive wine list, featuring an extensive collection of wines from around the world. Guests can also enjoy our modern take on classic cocktails, along with a variety of eclectic beers and regional drafts.

A photo of Oak Steakhouse - Nashville restaurant

4. Oak Steakhouse - Nashville

4.7

Exceptional(4050)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • The Gulch & North Gulch

Booked 63 times today

Oak Nashville presents an innovative take on the classic steakhouse. Located in the heart of Music City, Oak Steakhouse offers a modern approach to steakhouse dining, serving farm-fresh dishes alongside steakhouse classics in a modern and intimate environment. Oak's menu highlights the restaurant's relationship with local farmers and purveyors. To complement the menu, Oak's expansive wine list features California Cabernet and Old World reds including a selection of Italian and Spanish wines, as well as an array of artisan domestic wines. The beverage program boasts classic, seasonal cocktails alongside local Nashville brews and both domestic and international beers.

A photo of The Mockingbird Nashville restaurant

5. The Mockingbird Nashville

4.7

Exceptional(3263)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • The Gulch & North Gulch

Booked 45 times today

Modern Diner. Global Fare. Delicious Fun. This is The Mockingbird. Led by talented culinary duo executive chef / partner Brian Riggenbach and front-of-house extraordinaire / partner Mikey Corona, The Mockingbird offers a menu of comfort classics with a global twist and an ambiance of art deco diner whimsy. Walls are covered in beautiful custom-made wallpaper, painted tin tiles on the ceiling, windows open to two patios as weather allows and a larger-than-life mirrored bird sculpture overlooking the dining room. And then there’s the food and drink! Munch on a Mockingburger or Mac N Cheese (aka Feeling Grate!) while sipping an Old-Fashioned-ish or a Punchin’ Bag (ask about it – they are famous!). We also love hosting group events! We have a private dining room, an upstairs dining room and an enclosed patio, all perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette parties plus business lunches and corporate dinners. Y’all come see us! **Reservation cancelation policy is strictly enforced**

6. The Catbird Seat

4.8

Exceptional(232)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • The Gulch & North Gulch

Booked 8 times today

Award-winning The Catbird Seat will soon open in its new home inside the Bill Voorhees Building on 8th Avenue South. Be among the first to experience this next chapter, where Chefs Tiffani Ortiz and Andy Doubrava will offer a fun and approachable 15-course tasting menu rooted in seasonality and creativity. Beverage pairings - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be available upon arrival. The Catbird Seat welcomes most dietary restrictions, including allergies, vegetarian, and celiac diets with advanced notice. Come early, or stay late, and visit The Patterson House, our adjoining cocktail bar, for a pre- or post-dinner drink.

7. Butchertown Hall

4.5

Awesome(170)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tex-Mex • Germantown

Booked 41 times today

Butchertown Hall is local restaurateur Terry Raley’s vision of modern barbecue, inspired by the Central Texas meat market culture in which he grew up, and the late 19th-century butcher shop pursuits of this very neighborhood. Making extensive use of both an open fire hearth and a custom-built high-capacity smoker, we patiently cook soulful, exciting food. Expect the finest wood-fired premium cuts, craft tacos & Tex-Mex standards, fresh tortillas made in house daily, roasted oysters, and the finest smoked brisket outside of Austin…ask around. Since opening in 2015, Butchertown Hall has amassed a reputation for the finest margarita this side of San Antonio…and when the sun is shinin’, just have a seat in our courtyard and enjoy a bit of Texas in lil’ ole Nashville.Open 7 days a week for dinner and weekend brunch. Join us in our glorious indoor or outdoor space! We also feature an expansive courtyard, complete with a list of specialty craft brews, superior margaritas and craft cocktails

A photo of The Diner - Nashville restaurant

8. The Diner - Nashville

4.2

Awesome(2550)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / Sobro

Booked 34 times today

The Diner in Nashville is a hot spot due to its unique dining experiences on each of its six floors, offering stunning views of downtown Nashville. It has a great atmosphere, which is often praised in the reviews, and a varied menu ranging from traditional breakfast fare to mouth-watering steaks. The service is consistently high-rated, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.

9. Black Rabbit

4.6

Exceptional(115)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Sobro

Booked 16 times today

Located across from Printers Alley, just two blocks from Broadway, Black Rabbit is a Restaurant & Bar with full service dinner (4PM Mon-Sat), Saturday Brunch (10AM - 2PM), the Best Happy Hour in Nashville 2022 (4-6 PM Mon-Sat; $6 Old Fashioneds, Margs, and Mules) and Live Music (9PM Fri-Sat) . The creative cocktails and large bourbon collection flow generously from the bar while steaks, chops, seafood, & local vegetables emanate from the wood-fire, open kitchen. Originally home to a furniture showroom 134 years ago and subsequently, the law office of Tommy Osborn, attorney to Jimmy Hoffa, Black Rabbit is writing their own chapter by reimagining what a local Nashville tavern and speakeasy would've been like during Prohibition... wood-fire cooking, strong cocktails, and a sophisticated atmosphere with genuine, relaxed hospitality. Locally owned and operated, we aim to show you our idea of home team hospitality when you visit Downtown Nashville.

A photo of Del Frisco's Grille - Nashville restaurant

10. Del Frisco's Grille - Nashville

4.7

Exceptional(2375)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • The Gulch & North Gulch

Booked 36 times today

Del Frisco's Grille is a modern and stylish spin on the classic bar and grill, drawing inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Our menu is a tempting mix of prime steaks, fresh seafood and twists on American comfort cuisine.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Detroit / Eastern Michigan •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Drinks, food and service were all excellent. Nice change of pace compared to Broadway.
More info
etch - NashvillePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown / Sobro
•
4.8
R
Rick
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Service was fantastic. Food was excellent. Highly recommended.
More info
Urban GrubPrice: Expensive• Southern• Waverly / Melrose / Breeze Hill
•
4.8
J
Jamie
1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Our waiter was incredibly nice and the food was delicious.
More info
Oak Steakhouse - NashvillePrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• The Gulch & North Gulch
•
4.7
M
Mischa
Denver / Colorado •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 27, 2025
Great experience. Chef's tasting that did an incredible job of bringing out specific flavors. Several memorable dishes. Bravo.
More info
BastionPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• South Nashville
•
4.9
S
SuzanneVIP
London •16 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 28, 2025
This was a super cool taster menu experience, filled with lots of creativity and new ingredients, even for a person who is lucky enough to eat out often. I was delighted to chat with the chef and was also excited to hear that they are moving to a new location that sounds like it may be more becoming of the excellent standard of food they are producing. With only 20 covers at a time, its a great spot for a special evening (with or without wine pairing).
More info
The Catbird SeatPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• The Gulch & North Gulch
•
4.8

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