Nashville is usually known for their country music, lively night life, and so many other fun things, but the food is where its at. Known for biscuits by the bucket full and barbecue on every corner, there is no shortage of delicious food. There are so many different kinds of food, you won’t run out of choices anytime soon. Here is our guide to the best food to eat in Nashville Tennessee
Visiting Nashville is a must do in your lifetime. There are so many incredible things to see, and there is so much history. Walk around a lot and work up an appetite, because the food is one of the best parts of visiting Nashville, Tennessee.
The Best Food to Eat in Nashville Tennessee
Breakfast/ Brunch in Nashville
1. Pancake Pantry
Breakfast made from scratch every single day. They We make the batter, fruit compotes, and even the syrups fresh each day from secret family recipes. This place is delicious and a must try if you are in Nashville.
Popular Items
Pigs in a Blanket-Three tasty link sausages, each tucked inside a tender buttermilk pancake
Strawberry Shortcakes– Three rolled pancakes loaded with cooled strawberry compote, topped with powdered sugar and real whipped cream
Chocolate Sin– Three of our light crepe style pancakes loaded inside and out with chocolate ganache then topped with raspberry compote, powdered sugar and whipped cream
French Toast-grilled thick French bread and then sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Add a side of whipped butter and your choice of homemade maple or cinnamon cream syrup
$ | 1796 21st Avenue S • Nashville, TN 37212
2. Biscuit Love
A small business started in an Airstream food truck, soon turned brick and mortar, this award winning restaurant is a must visit. Delicious, flaky, buttery biscuits, yummy sandwiches, and their famous bonuts. Biscuit love is a must visit on your trip to Nashville.
Popular Items
Bonuts– Fried Biscuit Dough, Topped with Lemon Mascarpone. Served over Blueberry Compote
East Nasty-Buttermilk Biscuit, Fried Boneless Chicken Thigh, Aged Cheddar, Sausage Gravy
Princess– Buttermilk Biscuit, Nashville Style Spicy “Hot Chicken” Thigh, Pickles, Mustard, Honey
$ | Multiple Locations
bonuts east nasty
3. Milk and Honey
The perfect spot for brunch with your girlfriends, or a special occasion. Milk and Honey offers fresh, delicious food. With so many options, it may be hard to pick a favorite.
Popular Items
Fig and Prosciutto Toast– Fig preserves, prosciutto, gorgonzola, goat gouda, arugula, kalamata olives
Super-Famous Buttermilk Biscuit
Dirty Benny-Open faced English muffin, ham, sunny side up eggs, Stumptown redeye gravy, fresh herbs
$$ | 214 11th Avenue S Nashville, TN 37203
4. Loveless Cafe
This famous place used to be a cafe and motel. While the motel is no longer, the rooms have been converted into small shops. Their biscuits are legendary and said to be the best ever. They make 10,000+ a day.
Popular Items
Country Fried Steak
Biscuits and Gravy
Chicken and Waffles
$ | 8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221
5. Another Broken Egg Cafe
A delicious cafe with amazing offerings. When we asked what was popular our waitress pointed to the whole menu. Everything we tried was incredible and so yummy.
Popular Items
Bourbon Street Pancakes-Two house-recipe cakes topped bananas, pecans, rum butter sauce drizzle and whipped cream
Eggs Blackstone Benedict-Grilled red tomato slices on an English muffin, topped with poached eggs, hollandaise, chopped bacon and green onions
Biscuits and Gravy-House-recipe country sausage over an over-sized biscuit, two eggs any style, and two house-made sausage patties
Their seasonal offerings are also so good. We had the pumpkin waffle in the fall and the flavor was fantastic
$ | Multiple Locations
Lunch/ Dinner in Nashville
Nashville is full of incredible food. You may think Nashville only has barbecue and biscuits, but they are full of other incredible spots, including ramen, Vietnamese, and Burgers. Below are only some of the best food options to eat in Nashville Tennessee.
1. Otaku Ramen
The first ramen spot in Nashville that is still easily one of the best and most popular. They offer traditional ramen, as well as a few southern inspired dishes.
Popular Items
Tennessee Tonkotsu-pork bone broth, pork confit, mayu, woodear, scallion, ramen egg
Spicy Miso-pork bone broth with miso and korean chili, ground chicken (new), kimchi, roasted corn, scallion, ramen egg
Shoyu-clear chicken broth, pork belly**, fish cake, nori, scallion, ramen egg
$$ | multiple locations
2. Mas Tacos Por Favor
A small, no frills, cash only shop with some of the best tacos ever. Make sure to get an elote for each person and try each of the flavorful, delicious tacos.
Popular Items
Elote-Grilled corn with cheese and spices
Pulled Pork
Fried Avocado
Tortilla Soup
$ | 732 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
3. Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Arnold’s Country Kitchen is a classic. Once upon a time it was just a hole in the wall, and now it has people lining up around the block for classic southern food. Served cafeteria style- grab your tray, choose your meats and sides and dessert and enjoy your delicious meal.
There are so many choices, and the menu changes daily. The Mac and cheese is a must try, and the chocolate chess pie is classic.
$ | 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
4. Edley’s BBQ
There is no shortage of barbecue in Nashville, but Edley’s takes the cake. Everything is made in house and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The meat is melt in your mouth, and the sides are seasoned perfectly. We had the nachos and they were some of the best nachos I have ever had in my life. The house made chips were perfectly crisp, and the shredded brisket on top was amazing.
Popular Items
BBQ Nachos– A house favorite made from top to bottom with kettle chips fried in house, nacho cheese, pico de gallo, BBQ sauce, green onions and your choice of pork or chicken (add the brisket for extra)
Fried Pickles-Highly addictive fried pickle chips seasoned with salt, pepper and Edley’s signature BBQ rub. Served with house made Ranch
Brisket
Mac and Cheese-We build our four-cheese sauce from scratch, top it with bread crumbs and bake it for perfection
Grits Casserole-Homestyle grits with a hint of spiciness – flavored with peppers, onions, sausage and Gouda cheese
$$ | Multiple Locations
5. The Peg Leg Porker
Family owned and operated, this company has made a huge name for themselves in such a short amount of time. The meat is smoked in house daily and their offerings are vast. The Mac and cheese is delicious and the other sides are great too.
Popular Items
Cream Cheese & Pepper Jelly w/saltines
Dry Rubbed Ribs
Pulled Pork Platter
$$ | 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN, 37203
6. Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy is technically a chain restaurant, but it is so good. I am not the biggest hamburger fan, but if Hopdoddy is in a city, I will make an exception. Sure, I love a good burger, but when I have so many other options, usually a burger is not what I am going to go for. This place was different. It was on so many recommended lists, had great reviews, and I knew we needed to try it. It was so good. The meat was cooked perfectly, the flavors were balanced so well, and the truffle fries were so good.
Popular Items
Parmesan Truffle Fries-Hand-cut fries tossed with Truffle Oil, Parmesan & Chives. Served with Truffle Aioli
Green Chili Queso Fries-Hand-cut fries served with our famous Queso for dipping
Llano Poblano-Pepper jack cheese, steakhouse bacon, seared poblanos, chipotle aioli, lettuce, tomato & onion
Bacon Jam Double Cheese-Two 1/4 lb beef patties topped with both white & yellow American cheeses, house-made tomato bacon jam, mustard grilled onions & pickled mayo
$ | 1805 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
7. Hattie B’s
Hot chicken is famous in Nashville and you can get it many places, however, if you only have time to try hot chicken once, it must be at Hattie B’s. Their menu is simple and you can choose between 6 levels of spiciness. Their chicken is delicious and the sides are also fantastic
Popular Items
Hot Chicken Sandwich– chicken breast, cole slaw, nashville comeback sauce, kosher pickle
Pimento Mac and Cheese
Dirty Bird Fries-seasoned crinkle-cut fries, pimento mac & cheese, dark meat tender bitestopped w/ nashville comeback sauce, green onions & kosher pickles
$ | Multiple Locations

8. Vui’s Kitchen
When you are tired of all the fried, heavy food, Vui’s Kitchen is a great option. Fresh, delicious Vietnamese food that is priced well and used whole ingredients. Vui’s Kitchen serves classic Vietnamese dishes and makes for a perfect lunch/ dinner spot for a great meal.
Popular Items
Summer Rolls– Shrimp, noodles, vegetables and fresh herbs wrapped in soft rice paper. Served with peanut sauce
Noodle Bowl– Vermicelli noodles, lettuce, arugula, vegetables, fresh herbs, and crushed peanuts with chile lime dressing
Original Bahn Mi– French baguette, lemongrass pork belly, arugula, house made pâté, mayo, vegetables, jalapeño and fresh herbs
Original Pho– Twelve-hour bone broth with tender beef slices, rice noodles, bean sprouts, onions, fresh herbs, jalapeño and lime
$ | Multiple Locations
9. La Hacienda
This colorful, family friendly restaurant has been around for 25 years. They pride themselves on their authentic spices and dishes. The food is great, the atmosphere fun, and the location is great for avoiding the pub crawlers on broadway. Their menu is pretty expansive with so many delicious items, you really can’t go wrong.
$ | 2615 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
10. The Stillery
The Stillery serves up brick fired pies, juicy stacked burgers, fresh salads, and tantalizing starters. It is classy comfort food that is delicious and well priced for an upper scale restaurant. There are so many great things to try here and each one is created with so much flavor in mind.
Popular Items
Brussel Sprouts– Roasted garlic, parm, served with ranch and firecracker sauce
Mac and Cheese– Cavatappi, house cheese sauce, baked with buttery breadcrumbs
Hot Chicken Pie– Hot chicken, white sauce, cheddar, mozz, bacon, ranch crust
Pretzel Burger– Spicy pub cheese, bacon, caramelized onion served inside a house-made pretzel
$$ | Multiple Locations
Treats/ Desserts to try in Nashville
There are so many great deserts in Nashville and most are found at the above dinner places. The banana pudding is always a must try, as well as pecan pie, peach pie, and chocolate chess pie. Below are dessert specific places, but the restaurants above have some of the best in Nashville. Here are some of the best desserts to eat in Nashville.
1. Five Daughter’s Bakery
One of our very favorite desserts we have ever tried in our travels. The croissant-style hundred layer donuts are made fresh daily and are delicious. I still think about these doughnuts and can’t wait to get them again. You can order ahead and pick up because they do tend to sell out, or go during an off time so you don’t have to wait in line. They have staple flavors and flavors that switch out monthly. Try as many as you can because they are all so so good.
Popular Items
Chocolate Sea Salt
Vanilla Cream (please please please get this one, so delicious)
$ | multiple locations
2. Jeni’s Ice Cream
Jeni’s is our favorite ice cream. We try to visit a scoop shop wherever they are located. Their ice cream is smooth, creamy, and the flavors are spot on. We love the gooey butter cake the most, but the bramble berry crisp is also delicious as well as the salted peanut butter with chocolate flecks. There are multiple locations in Nashville which makes getting a scoop of this delicious ice cream pretty easy.

3. Mike’s Ice Cream
This classic ice cream shop serves up delicious ice cream and classic favorites. You can get a fresh homemade soda, or egg cream and all their ice cream is made in house. This is the perfect place for a treat on a hot humid day in Nashville.
$ | 129 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
4. Crumbl Cookies
Crumbl Cookies is a national chain that serves delicious giant cookies. The menu rotates weekly but they are always unique and delicious. You can get a single cookie, a 4 pack, 6 pack or 12 pack. If cookies are your thing, this place should be at the top of your list.
$ | 1716 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
5. Mattheessen’s
A family owned business that serves great cookies and ice cream. The ice cream is homemade and usually has about 32 flavors. They also serve fudge, cookies, and key lime pie.
$ | 123 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201
Conclusion: The Best Food to Eat in Nashville Tennessee
Where to eat in Nashville? That was the first thing I started googling when I began planning our trip to Nashville and the list was a mile long. There are so many great places to eat in Nashville and hopefully this list helped you plan your meals a little better.
Did you like this Nashville food guide? You may like some of our other stuff too!
>>>Austin Texas Food Guide
>>>The Best Treats in Disney World
>>>Banff Food Guide
the ultimate guide for where to eat in Nashville the best food to eat in Nashville tennessee the best food to try in Nashville
No Comments