10 Restaurants That Make Nashville Dining Great

In a city known for excellent hot chicken and Southern meat-and-three joints, some might assume that Music City offers a strictly one-note culinary experience—but they would be wrong. Although Nashville has a deep and well-versed cultural connection with Southern food, the recent influx of new restaurants has stretched the minds and palates of the city.

There are the old timers, like Bolton’s Spicy Fish and Chicken and Loveless Cafe that have braved recessions and a pandemic and helped build Nashville’s place in the food world. But there are also newcomers bringing fresh ideas to the table, such as Anzie Blue’s mission to introduce high-quality CBD along with your cup of coffee, or chef Maneet Chauhan’s fusion of Indian and soul food in the heart of the Gulch.

Together, these ten restaurants make up The Greats: a list of restaurants, old and new, that offer a snapshot of the best of Nashville dining right now. Whether you’re a native Nashvillian, a transplant, or a tourist, make sure to visit the places that help make Nashville great.

Alice Shearon

10 Restaurants

Updated April 04, 2022

Restaurants:	Loveless Cafe, Germantown Cafe, 404 Kitchen…
Price Range:	$$ - $$
Cuisines:	Southern, American, Modern European…
Neighborhoods:	Nashville, Germantown, The Gulch…

Loveless Cafe

$$$$

Southern

Nashville

4.8

1654 reviews

A true Nashville original, Loveless Cafe has served its iconic biscuits and jams since 1951. What began as a humble roadside destination with a few picnic tables is now an empire of Southern hospitality, expanding to include the Loveless Motel and the Hams and Jams shop. In addition to Annie Loveless’s original biscuit recipe and famous house-smoked country ham, the all-day breakfast menu also offers Southern classics such as country fried steak with white gravy and fried chicken and waffles. Biscuits might be the star of the show here, but don’t overlook the supper menu—try the cafe’s pulled pork, smoked with Tennessee hickory wood, with sides such as creamed corn and fried green tomatoes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Germantown Cafe

$$$$

American

Germantown

4.7

1979 reviews

Pandemic closures and restrictions were tough on every business in 2020, but this cafe had to contend with yet another setback—in March 2020, a tornado tore through Nashville, damaging the Germantown Cafe and much of the surrounding neighborhood. After two years, the local favorite, which has been around since 2007, finally reopened with its comfort and charm intact. Regulars will rejoice at the return of original Southern-inspired menu items such as a marinated tenderloin with plum sauce, mashed potatoes, and haricot vert or the coconut curry salmon. As the weather warms up, be sure to hit up happy hour on their patio for a cocktail and amazing view of downtown Nashville.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

404 Kitchen

$$$$

Modern European

The Gulch

4.2

2076 reviews

James Beard Award-nominated 404 Kitchen has remained firmly anchored in Nashville’s growing Gulch neighborhood, serving locally sourced seasonal Southern dishes with a European accent. Its industrial chic dining room, with concrete floors and minimal decor, is as elegant and unpretentious as the cuisine. Start your evening at Gertie’s, the first-floor whiskey bar, regarded as having one of the best curated selection of whiskies in the South, and try the house old fashioned, rinsed with brown butter and then mixed with whiskey and a hint of pecan syrup. Notable entrees include perfectly cooked local trout, wrapped in smoky, salty Benton’s ham and topped with chow chow relish and crispy salt and vinegar potatoes. From top to bottom, 404 Kitchen is the quintessential one-stop shop for a great night out in Nashville.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Chauhan Ale & Masala House

$$$$

Indian

The Gulch

4.7

4353 reviews

With exposed brick walls and colorful lighting, the decor at Chauhan Ale and Masala House is almost as inviting as the scent of the chai and spices that greets you at the door. As celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan’s first of many restaurants to open in Nashville, it delivers imaginative Indian fare infused with the flavors of the South. Hot chicken pakoras and lamb keema papadi nachos mingle on the menu with more traditional South Asian dishes such as tandoori chicken and paneer. The creative brunch menu is not to be missed: Try the sweet dosa pancake with saffron-liqueur soaked berries and cardamom whipped cream, paired with a vindaloo-spiced bloody mary for an excellent start to your weekend.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Arnolds Country Kitchen

$$$$

American

Nashville

0 reviews

A recipient of the James Beard Classics award, Arnold’s has been a meat-and-three mainstay since 1983. Members of the Arnold family can be found working at the restaurant daily, serving made-from-scratch Southern dishes such as chicken and dumplings, fried catfish, and turnip greens. After years of serving lunch only, the restaurant now offers “Arnold’s After Dark,” a new dinner concept. Rest assured, you can still get your meat-and-three fix at dinner—which Nashvillains know and love as a plate comprised of one meat from a daily menu of various choices plus three sides that could also feature a dessert—or choose from dinner-only offerings such as chicken tacos, brisket nachos, and smoked wings. Wash it all down with a cocktail or a cold beer, and don’t forget a slice of homemade pie to end the meal.

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Carne Mare - W Nashville

$$$$

Steakhouse

Nashville

4.6

548 reviews

Nashville has its fair share of steakhouses, but newcomer Carne Mare—the latest from James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini—stands out from the pack with a vibe that is classic American chophouse meets regional Italian trattoria. Located on the ground floor of the chic new W Hotel, the interiors are styled with gleaming brass finishes, sleek walnut tables, and luxurious leather banquettes. The menu focuses on wagyu and prime steaks, but also has plenty of fresh seafood and Italian specialties to choose from. Start with some of the savory chophouse snacks such as mozzarella sticks topped with caviar or delicate lettuce cups filled with fresh crab. Then opt for gorgonzola-cured wagyu striploin, slathered with cheese and dried, leaving a tender steak with an earthy, mushroomy flavor. In classic chophouse style, tableside service is offered for many dishes including dessert—a baked spumoni for two guarantees a theatrical flourish.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Valentino's Ristorante

$$$$

Italian

West End

4.9

1619 reviews

Despite moving to a new location in 2019, Valentino’s has retained the charm and welcoming vibe that have made it a Nashville classic since 1992. From antipasti to pasta to traditional Italian entrees, there is something for everyone. Start with grilled cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto and drizzled with local honey and olive oil, or the scampi al forno—tender shrimp swimming in roasted garlic and lemon butter. The sign of a restaurant’s staying power lies in loyal clients, which Valentino’s has in spades— and after an evening full of wine and outstanding Italian cuisine, it’s not hard to imagine why.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Red Pony

$$$$

American

Gainesville

0 reviews

After 2021’s devastating fire put its future in limbo, Red Pony is back in action and reprising its role as a local favorite. Tennessee-born and CIA-trained chef and owner Jason McConnell has operated in the heart of historic downtown Franklin since 2006. The two-level restaurant, which includes a bar and dining room on each floor, has a clubby but casual atmosphere with leather booths and low lighting. The menu reflects that sophisticated yet cozy vibe with elegant takes on Southern classics, such as shrimp and grits with local bacon and cheese grits and a hickory-grilled ribeye with braised beans and crispy potatoes.

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Lola

$$$$

Spanish

Nashville

4.8

297 reviews

Tapas hotspot Lola has quickly become a neighborhood go-to thanks to perks such as a buzzy social hour held on weekdays from 4 pm to 6 pm. The modern and airy dining room feels like a place you might stumble into on your travels through Spain. An extensive small plates selection doesn’t hurt either: simple but elegant dishes, such as delicately spiced prawns swimming in rustic tomato sauce and flavorful meatballs with smoky grilled pepper relish and gigante beans command attention. The European flair extends to the bar with a selection of Spanish and Portuguese wines and cocktails; try the Sevilla sour, a highly sippable drink with brandy, cherry, lemon, and Spanish wine.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Anzie Blue

$$$$

American

Nashville

4.3

197 reviews

Though it opened mid-pandemic in December 2019, Anzie Blue has established itself as the first upscale CBD coffee shop in Nashville. Owners and Nashville natives Derek and Marcie Van Mol set out to create a neighborhood hub where college students, locals, and out-of-towners alike could feel at home. The bright and airy space, decorated with boho chic lighting and a living plant wall, is the perfect place to enjoy a CBD-infused coffee, cocktail, or a popular charcuterie board. Alabama-born chef Star Maye brings a soul food influence to classic cafe fare, offering Nashville hot chicken dip and deviled eggs alongside avocado toast and pressed sandwiches. On a sunny day, sip a cold glass of rosé on the patio.

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