Best Restaurants & Bars in Nashville
The best restaurants in Nashville span every neighborhood, from the pasta-forward rooms of Germantown to the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway and the brunch-heavy blocks of 12 South. Whether you’re planning a group dinner, a late-night cocktail crawl, or a lazy Sunday morning, here’s where Hallson sends its guests to eat and drink in Nashville.
Where to Eat and Drink in Nashville: The Hallson Edit
Nashville’s food and bar scene has undergone a complete transformation in the last decade. The city now holds some of the most exciting restaurants in the South, alongside a nightlife culture that has earned its global reputation.
What follows is not a comprehensive directory. It’s the list we’d give a close friend arriving Thursday morning: the places that consistently deliver, the bars worth planning an evening around, and a few rooms you simply cannot miss.
The Best Restaurants in Nashville For an Elevated Dining Experience
Rolf and Daughters (Germantown): This remains one of the most reliably brilliant dining experiences in the city. Chef Philip Krajeck’s pasta-forward, hyper-seasonal kitchen operates out of a beautiful, industrial, warehouse-converted space. The execution is precise and deeply soulful—exactly what an elite dinner should be. Reservations are highly recommended.
Lockeland Table (East Nashville): Stepping into this beloved neighborhood staple feels like a warm embrace. Rooted in upscale American bistro cooking with a distinct Southern sensibility, the menu features phenomenal wood-fired pizzas, local meats, and shareable plates. It’s the perfect, unhurried setting for a group dinner focused entirely on great food and conversation.
The Southern Steak & Oyster (SoBro district in Downtown): Festive, polished, and purpose-built for groups, this bustling spot is located right in the downtown core. Boasting a serious raw bar, premium wood-fired steaks, and an excellent cocktail program, it is the perfect answer when your group wants a dining experience that feels distinctly “Nashville but elevated.”
Etch (Downtown): Chef Deb Paquette’s flagship kitchen is a masterclass in globally influenced, technically precise cuisine. Located in the heart of downtown, this sleek and vibrant venue is an ideal sit-down choice for group celebrations. Beyond the bustling main dining room and open chef’s bar, Etch features two elegant private dining spaces—accommodating everything from intimate gatherings of 12 to larger group dinners of 40—making it one of the most seamless, sophisticated special-occasion choices in the city.
For a More Casual Night
Butcher & Bee (East Nashville): Serving up incredible, globally inspired Middle Eastern and Mediterranean small plates, this vibrant neighborhood staple is both relaxed and deeply considered. The hyper-seasonal, vegetable-forward menu features legendary dips like their famous whipped feta with fermented honey. Book a table on Resy ahead of time, as it fills up quickly.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden (East Nashville): Home to some of Nashville’s most celebrated burgers, this local institution boasts a massive, bustling outdoor beer garden that seats over 200 people. Sip a craft beer, order a custom burger, and don’t skip the house-made sodas, old-school floats, or the currywurst.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que (12 South & East Nashville): This is the ultimate stop for guests who want genuine, unpretentious Nashville-style barbecue. Serving up exceptional, consistent brisket, pulled pork, and their famous “Tuck Special” sandwich, it’s an easy local favorite. The highly accessible locations in 12 South and East Nashville are perfect for an easy, high-quality family meal.
For Drinks and a Night Out
The 5 Spot (East Nashville): Running live music seven nights a week, this intimate local staple offers one of the most authentic, no-frills music experiences left in the city. Expect cheap drinks, phenomenal talent, and a passionate crowd that actually listens to the bands on stage rather than shouting over them.
Attaboy (East Nashville): Operating entirely without a menu or cocktail list, this intimate hidden gem invites you to describe your exact flavor profile to the bartenders, who will then craft a bespoke drink just for you. An offshoot of the legendary New York original, it is well worth the wait for a coveted stool.
Chief’s on Broadway (Downtown): If your group wants to experience the energy of Lower Broadway, Eric Church’s multi-level masterpiece is the premier way to do it. Featuring different themed floors—including a dueling piano bar and a Rodney Scott BBQ joint—its sprawling rooftop patio serves up a legendary view looking straight down the neon heart of the main drag.
L.A. Jackson (The Gulch): Perched atop The Thompson Hotel, this remains the stylish rooftop bar that Music City travelers remember longest. The sweeping views of the downtown skyline are extraordinary, the craft cocktail program is elite, and the vibrant space strikes a rare balance between scenery and substance. Arrive right at dusk for the best photos.
For Brunch
The Butter Milk Ranch (12 South): This stunning, mid-century-styled “day dining” spot and small-batch bakery has quickly become one of the neighborhood’s most popular breakfast destinations. From hyper-flaky laminated breakfast croissants and brown butter beignets to a chef-driven sit-down brunch menu, everything is crafted entirely from scratch. Go early or join the waitlist online ahead of time, as tables fill fast on weekends.
Frothy Monkey (12 South, Multiple Locations): Serving as a beloved local anchor, this warm and approachable all-day café is a Nashville staple for exceptional specialty coffee and a proper morning meal. While they have fantastic locations across the city (including East Nashville and Downtown), their charming, historic 12 South bungalow is the original that started it all. Their extensive breakfast menu features everything from loaded breakfast burritos to creative twists on classic benedicts, making it the perfect casual spot to fuel up before a day of exploring.
Pancake Pantry (Hillsboro Village & Downtown): A legendary Nashville institution since 1961, this historic staple has been serving up scratch-made pancakes to celebrities, locals, and travelers for over six decades. While the original Hillsboro Village location is a historic rite of passage, their newer, sleek Downtown location offers the exact same iconic menu right in the heart of the city. From sweet fruit-topped stacks to savory variations, the food is unmatched. Expect a line stretching down the sidewalk on weekend mornings, but the rapid, high-volume service and fluffy plates are well worth the wait.
Where to Stay in Nashville
The best way to experience Nashville’s restaurant scene is to wake up in the middle of it. Hallson has vacation rentals across the neighborhoods on this list — so you can walk to dinner, linger over brunch, and never worry about getting back to a hotel.
- Near Rolf and Daughters & Germantown: The Wild Rose House — 4BR with rooftop terrace, walkable to the neighborhood’s best restaurants
- Near Butcher & Bee, The 5 Spot & East Nashville: The Aster, The Iris, The Sunflower, or Kay’s Lofts — steps from Five Points and Gallatin Avenue
- Near L.A. Jackson & The Gulch: The Hawkins House — 4BR with rooftop deck and downtown skyline views
- Near Etch, The Southern & Downtown Broadway: The Roxie, The Carraway, The Highball, or The Bellamy at Starr Piano Suites — two blocks from Broadway
- Near Butter Milk Ranch & 12 South: The Rambler, The Edgehill House, or The Belmont House — walkable to 12 South and Hillsboro Village
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Restaurants in Nashville
What Are the best restaurants in Nashville right now?
Nashville’s dining scene changes quickly, but a few rooms have proven consistently exceptional. Rolf and Daughters in Germantown remains the gold standard for a special dinner, while Etch downtown is the go-to for groups celebrating a big occasion. For something more casual but equally impressive, Butcher & Bee in East Nashville is hard to beat.
Where should I eat in Nashville for a bachelorette party?
For a bachelorette dinner, Etch downtown is the top pick — it has private dining options, a buzzy atmosphere, and a menu that works for every palate. The Southern Steak & Oyster is another strong choice for groups who want a festive, high-energy room with a great raw bar. Cap the night at Chief’s on Broadway or L.A. Jackson for drinks with a view.
What is the best brunch spot in Nashville?
The Butter Milk Ranch in 12 South is one of the most talked-about brunch destinations in the city — arrive early or join the waitlist online. Frothy Monkey is the best option if your group wants a more relaxed, all-day café vibe. For a true Nashville institution, Pancake Pantry has been the weekend morning pilgrimage since 1961.
What are the best bars on Broadway in Nashville?
Chief’s on Broadway is the standout — Eric Church’s multi-level venue has a dueling piano bar, a Rodney Scott BBQ concept, and a rooftop with one of the best views in the city. If Broadway feels overwhelming, L.A. Jackson at The Thompson Hotel in the Gulch offers the same skyline energy with a more refined crowd.
Are Nashville restaurants good for large groups?
Yes! Nashville is genuinely one of the better cities in the South for group dining. Etch has private dining rooms accommodating up to 40 guests. The Southern Steak & Oyster and Chief’s on Broadway are both built for large, high-energy parties. For a more relaxed group meal, Edley’s Bar-B-Que has easy locations in 12 South and East Nashville with plenty of space and a menu that pleases everyone.
Where do locals eat in Nashville (not on Broadway)?
The neighborhoods are where the best restaurants in Nashville actually live. Locals gravitate toward Rolf and Daughters and Lockeland Table for dinner, Butcher & Bee for small plates and wine, The Pharmacy Burger for a casual night in East Nashville, and Frothy Monkey for a weekday morning. The 5 Spot is the local’s answer to live music — seven nights a week, no cover, no tourist markup.
Hallson’s Insider Tip
For the best Broadway experience, go Sunday afternoon rather than Friday or Saturday night. The crowds are lighter, the music is just as good, and you’ll actually be able to have a conversation between sets. Save Saturday for the neighborhoods.