We recently traveled to Nashville, and the food scene did not disappoint!

What started as a work trip turned into a full week of exploring, eating, and soaking in the city’s energy—and we were so pleasantly surprised by how incredible Nashville’s food scene is.

From legendary hot chicken and barbecue joints to stylish rooftop spots and French-inspired fine dining, the city has something for every craving. Thanks to recommendations from our local friends (always the best kind of info), we made it to some fantastic places—and I’ve already got a list ready for next time.

Here are the restaurants in Nashville that are worth visiting (updated 2026):

Pastis French Bistro

Great food & French charm with standout egg dishes, seafood, and a lovely Paris vibe in Nashville.

Pastis is a French bistro right here in the US. I’ve been to the original Pastis in NYC’s Chelsea neighborhood—iconic—and also visited the Miami location, which was equally wonderful. Now I’ve added Nashville’s Pastis to the list, and I have to say: they did an incredible job bringing the original charm of the restaurant here.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the omelettes and egg dishes are always amazing for breakfast, and the seafood and dinner are consistently excellent. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger over brunch with another coffee or over dinner with a glass of wine. Highly recommend.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Downtown)

The best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had—crispy, spicy, and totally worth the splurge.

You can’t leave Nashville without trying hot chicken, and Hattie B’s is iconic for a reason. We visited the downtown location on Broadway, and I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to eat this sandwich.

I had the fried chicken sandwich mild (and it was still spicy for me!), while my husband loved the medium. It’s crispy, flavorful, and there’s no need for cheese—it stands on its own. I mostly avoid fried foods, but this chicken sandwich is worth it, and I’d have it again. They also have a grilled chicken option, which I should probably get next time. The sides were surprisingly great (collard greens were awesome!), service was quick, and while it’s heavy food, it’s worth every bite.

Bourbon Steak (JW Marriott Rooftop)

Steakhouse elegance with fantastic city views and indulgent appetizers worth the splurge.

We ended up eating a quick dinner at Bourbon Steak on a whim, and it was AMAZING. Service was top-notch, the views were fantastic (it’s on the top floor), and while it’s definitely pricey (it’s a steakhouse on a rooftop!), it’s worth it.

We shared the playful “caviar twinkie” appetizer, crab mac and cheese, and an incredible Gulf Shrimp cocktail with huge shrimp topped with freshly grated horseradish. They brought us complimentary fries with different sauces. I had a glass of French wine while M enjoyed an Old Fashioned. We only had about 45 minutes, so we didn’t order a steak this time—but we definitely will on our next visit. Highly recommend.

Biscuit Love Gultch

A Nashville brunch classic known for buttery biscuits, Southern comfort food, and a fun, bustling atmosphere in the Gulch.

Biscuit Love Gultch in Nashville is a fun breakfast and brunch spot. I was staying at the W hotel nearby and popped in here. Would definitely go again.

It’s a bit on the heavy side, but big breakfast/brunch places often are. You order at the counter and take your number to the table. The service was fast and friendly. I’m giving it 4/5 stars because while it was good, the biscuits and gravy weren’t quite as good as some of the local southern diners. But overall, I would definitely go again, especially if I was staying in the area.

Martin’s Bar-B-Que

Authentic, heavy-hitting barbecue with pulled pork and ribs that live up to the hype.

I have to preface this by saying I don’t typically go for heavy food like barbecue, but if you want the authentic Nashville barbecue experience, Martin’s is the place to go (we went to the Belmont location).

All of my local friends told us to go to Martin’s for the authentic southern BBQ experience. My pulled pork was tender and flavorful, and my husband said the ribs alone were worth the trip. The food is heavy (as expected with barbecue), so just be prepared, and while the sides were only okay for me, my husband loved it all. The barbecue itself is absolutely legendary, and we were glad we tried it.

The Iberian Pig

Spanish tapas, great cocktails, and a lively atmosphere that felt surprisingly close to what we’ve had in Spain.

We tried The Iberian Pig on a weeknight after a bartender recommended it, and I’m so glad we went. I was skeptical of “Authentic Spanish Tapas” in Nashville at first because I’ve lived in Spain and we had just been back to Madrid last year, but they really nailed the tapas experience here.

The albondigas, patatas bravas, Spanish cheeses, and the ham and cheese sandwich were all fantastic and felt very authentic. The only miss for me was the pan con tomate, which leaned more like salsa on bread instead of the traditional grilled tomato-rubbed version I was expecting.

It’s on the pricier side for Nashville, so I’d consider it more of a special night out spot, but the food and atmosphere made it worth it. We sat at the bar without a reservation on a weekday and it still filled up quickly, so I’d definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you can. We will definitely go back.

Folk (East Nashville)

Seasonal dishes and creative pizzas in a cozy neighborhood setting; get the focaccia.

Folk is a charming neighborhood spot with seasonal dishes and creative pizzas—we were glad we took the Uber and went!

We ordered the focaccia (wonderful), the stracciatella cheese (undersalted, but good), the sausage pizza (fantastic), and ended with corn ice cream, which was such a fun surprise. Reservations are highly recommended—people without them were being turned away. The bar had a few seats open, so on a slower night, you might be able to walk in for those. Service was fast, the vibe was cozy, and I’d definitely return.

Zaytinya

Beautiful Mediterranean-inspired dining with standout mezze, warm service, and one of the best happy hours we found in Nashville.

Beautiful Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with excellent mezze, warm service, and one of the best happy hours we found in Nashville.

I’ve had Lebanese and Middle Eastern food all over the world, and while Nashville isn’t necessarily known for it, Zaytinya was such a great find.

The service was excellent from start to finish, and the space itself is gorgeous—clean, warm, and elevated without feeling stuffy or overdone. We were staying at the hotel and honestly didn’t expect the restaurant to be this good, so it ended up being a really pleasant surprise.

Food-wise, I’d give it about a 4.5/5. It’s not fully traditional Lebanese food, but that makes sense since they describe themselves as more of a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant with broader influences. Everything felt thoughtful, fresh, and really flavorful.

We went during happy hour and ordered the hummus and red pepper feta dip, and both were standout dishes I’d absolutely order again. One thing to note is that the meat portions are on the smaller side, but that’s pretty typical for a mezze-style restaurant where the focus is on sharing multiple plates.

Overall, I’d definitely go back and highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different in Nashville that still feels polished and special.

Soho House Nashville

Polished but relaxed with some of the healthiest (and tastiest) options I found in town.

If you have access (membership or staying at the hotel), Soho House is a great choice.

We stayed there over the weekend before moving downtown for M’s work, and we tried it for multiple meals: a chicken Caesar wrap and grain bowl for lunch, eggs for breakfast, and a dinner with friends, where we shared a bit of everything. After going big on the BBQ and fried chicken sandwich, I needed a salad, stat.

I’ve been to Soho House locations all around the world, and the food is generally pretty good. The Nashville restaruant is fantastic. The food is great and I’m looking forward to going back.

1 Kitchen at 1 Hotel (Downtown)

A casual downtown spot with good salads and sandwiches, but their biscuits & gravy are a 10/10.

This is a beautiful restaurant inside the 1 Hotel Nashville. The concept and vibe are fantastic, but I have to say, the beet salad I tried was a little underwhelming (beets were unsalted, and the chicken was burned in a few places). Because I’ve heard great things about this place (and it was next to my hotel), I went back for breakfast and ordered the biscuits and gravy, which were a 10/10.

I’ve also heard the sandwiches and brunch are excellent, so I’ll chalk my first experience up to a fluke. I kept it on this list because my second visit changed my mind—if you’re downtown and want a casual sit-down place to eat, 1 Kitchen is a good option.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (For Music, Not Food)

The legendary honky-tonk for live music—grab a beer and soak in the energy.

Ok, I’m adding this here—not for the food, but for the Nashville live music. If you’re visiting and short on time and only have a chance to step into one honky-tonk, make it Tootsie’s. It’s one of the oldest, most iconic spots and instantly gives you that true Music Row vibe.

A local friend who grew up in Nashville told me if she could take me to only one bar in Nashville for live music, it would be Tootsie’s. She were right—the bands were incredible, the place was buzzing, and it’s packed shoulder-to-shoulder from open to close. Don’t expect to get a seat, but that’s part of the charm. Order a beer (I’m not usually a beer drinker, but I had a Hap & Harry’s and really liked it), stand in the crowd, and let the music take over. If Tootsie’s is too loud or busy, Robert’s next door is another great option for music.

Still on My List for Next Time

There were a few places from my friend’s list that I didn’t get to this trip, but they’re at the top for my next visit:

• Bastion – Inventive small plates with a fun, lively atmosphere
• Locust – Known for creative, unexpected dishes
• Hall’s Chophouse – A classic steakhouse experience with Southern flair
• Audrey – Chef Sean Brock’s fine dining spot with modern Appalachian cuisine
• Rolf & Daughters – Famous for handmade pasta and small plates, and one I’ll make sure to try next time

Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Nashville

I did find it a little harder to track down healthier options in Nashville—but they do exist, you just have to look for them. In my opinion, Nashville’s food scene is as exciting as its music scene! From French-inspired dining to rooftop apps and cocktails, barbecue, and live music legends, the city truly has a bustling food scene that I’m excited to visit again.

If you’ve been to Nashville or live there, let us know in the comments where to go next time. We’ll be visiting often, so I’ll keep adding to this list, too.