Best Restaurants in Nashville Right Now
Nashville has quietly become one of the best food cities in the country. The scene goes well beyond hot chicken — you'll find everything from James Beard-nominated fine dining to legendary diner spots that have been feeding the city for generations. Here's where to eat.
For Hot Chicken: Prince's Hot Chicken
Prince's is the original. It's been serving Nashville-style hot chicken since the 1940s and the recipe hasn't needed to change. It's not downtown-adjacent, it's cash-only, and the wait can be long. That's all part of it. Order medium if you're new to hot chicken. The experience is worth every bit of the effort.
For Meat-and-Three: Arnold's Country Kitchen
Arnold's is a Nashville institution. You get in line, you choose a meat and three sides, you pay around $12, and you understand why Nashville locals will defend their meat-and-threes with their lives. It's only open for lunch on weekdays. Go.
For Brunch: Biscuit Love
Biscuit Love started as a food truck and turned into one of the most beloved brunch spots in the city. The Bonuts (biscuit-donut hybrid) are famous for a reason. Expect a wait on weekends. Locations in the Gulch and 12 South.
For Upscale Southern: The 404 Kitchen
The 404 Kitchen in the Gulch is consistently one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Wood-fired cooking, strong local sourcing, and a menu that evolves with the seasons. Reservations are necessary. Expensive but worth it for a special meal.
For Italian: Rolf and Daughters
Rolf and Daughters in Germantown is one of the most consistently excellent restaurants in the city. Handmade pasta, wood-fired dishes, and a room that feels like a special occasion even on a Tuesday. James Beard nominated. Reservations recommended.
For Seafood: Husk
Husk Nashville is the Sean Brock restaurant in a restored Victorian mansion. The menu changes daily based on Southern sourcing. The cocktail program is excellent. It's the kind of place that reminds you Nashville is a real food city.
For Tacos and Mexican: Mas Tacos Por Favor
Mas Tacos is a legendary East Nashville lunch spot. Small menu, big flavors, cash-only, and an experience that feels like eating in someone's house. Get the chicken tinga. Get the sweet potato taco. Don't sleep on the tortilla soup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Nashville known for?
Nashville is most known for Nashville hot chicken — a spicy fried chicken dish unique to the city. It's also known for meat-and-three diners (a Southern tradition), biscuits, and a strong overall Southern food culture. The restaurant scene has expanded significantly and now rivals any major US city.
What is the most famous restaurant in Nashville?
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is arguably Nashville's most famous restaurant — it invented Nashville hot chicken and has been operating since the 1940s. Biscuit Love and Arnold's Country Kitchen are also widely cited as essential Nashville dining experiences.
Where do locals eat in Nashville?
Locals tend to eat in the neighborhoods rather than downtown. East Nashville (Mas Tacos, Lockeland Table), Germantown (Rolf and Daughters, Butcher & Bee), and 12 South (Josephine, Silly Goose) are where you'll find Nashville residents eating regularly.
Do I need reservations for Nashville restaurants?
For any popular Nashville restaurant on a weekend, yes. Places like Rolf and Daughters, The 404 Kitchen, Husk, and Josephine fill up quickly. Book through OpenTable or Resy at least a week in advance, ideally two to three weeks for top spots during peak season.