The best restaurants in Nashville right now

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What is it? Nashville's Michelin-starred chef's counter tasting experience, where diners sit surrounding an open kitchen for a multi-course meal. Chefs hold a temporary residency in the kitchen, so the concept changes every few years, keeping the experience fresh and new. 

Why we love it: Few restaurants in Nashville have influenced the city's dining scene more than The Catbird Seat. The constantly evolving tasting menu showcases technical precision, playful creativity and some of the most ambitious cooking in Tennessee.

Time Out tip: Grab some bougie cocktails at The Patterson House beforehand—they're right next door. 

Address: 700 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5-9pm

Expect to pay: $195+ per person

What is it? A Michelin-starred, tasting-menu restaurant located inside a former warehouse. The dining room is hidden inside a hallway off to the side of Bastion's big, splashy bar.

Why we love it: Creative multi-course menus change constantly based on seasonal inspiration and ingredient availability. But also, the big bar out front has a tasty daily punch and some of the best nachos in the city. 

Time Out tip: Reservations require a deposit and are essential.

Address: 434 Houston St, Suite 110, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5:30pm

Expect to pay: $180+ per person 

What is it? An intimate East Nashville omakase counter where a dozen or so guests gather around the chef for a fast-paced, seafood-forward tasting menu.

Why we love it: Omakase can sometimes feel stuffy. Kase x Noko is the opposite. Here, pristine fish, inventive nigiri and hand rolls arrive alongside a soundtrack packed with '90s and early-2000s hip-hop, creating one of the most fun tasting-menu experiences in town. The chefs keep the mood light, the pacing brisk, and the quality consistently high, making it a great introduction to omakase for newcomers while still delivering enough wow factor for serious sushi fans.

Time Out tip: Reservations open daily at midnight on a rolling six-week schedule.

Address: 707 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Tue–Sun with seatings at 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm

Expect to pay: $75 tasting menu, plus optional add-ons

What is it? A modern Japanese izakaya in Wedgewood-Houston serving inventive small plates, natural wine, sake, and one of the city's most exciting chef's counter experiences.

Why we love it: The menu balances Japanese technique with global influences, turning out dishes like seafood crudos, grilled fish collars and house-made pastas that feel both ambitious and approachable. The moody dining room, vinyl soundtrack, and buzzy chef's counter make it as much about atmosphere as it is about the food.

Time Out tip: The restaurant is directly connected to The Flamingo Cocktail Club through the bathroom hallway—after dinner, hop on over and keep the night going with some drinks and dancing. 

Address: 509 Houston St, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Wed 5-9pm; Thu 5-11pm; Fri, Sat 4-11:30pm; Sun 4-9pm

Expect to pay: $50–$75 per person

What is it? A sliver of a restaurant in the 12South neighborhood serving shareable small plates of divinely inventive Japanese-Irish-British cuisine. 

Why we love it: The tight menu with not a single bad dish in sight. Tempura trout, beef tartare, curry rice and caviar-focused dishes make it one of Nashville's most sought-after dining experiences.

Time Out tip: Due to the size of the space, Locust will only book tables for four or fewer people. Plan accordingly. 

Address: 2305 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Opening hours: Fri–Sun noon–3pm, 6pm–9pm

Expect to pay: $50–$100 per person

What is it? A small East Nashville restaurant serving rotating Iberian-inspired dishes with a James Beard Best Chef at the helm.

Why we love it: Peninsula is proof that great things come in small packages. The ever-changing menu turns humble ingredients into dishes that feel both comforting and surprising, whether it's a perfectly cooked Spanish tortilla, a beautifully rendered Iberico solomillo or delicate crudos. The room is intimate, the service is warm and the cooking is among the most thoughtful in the city. 

Time Out tip: The gin-and-tonic program here is unmatched—be sure to order one of their eight variations. 

Address: 1035 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5pm–10pm

Expect to pay: $75–$100 per person

What is it? A casual lunch spot serving Japanese comfort food.

Why we love it: A James Beard Best New Restaurant finalist, Kisser serves dishes like chirashi bowls, onigiri and inventive noodle creations. The yellowtail collar and chicken katsu sandwich are standouts.

Time Out tip: Kisser is now accepting reservations, much to the relief of diners across the city. But you can take your chances on a walk-in spot by arriving early and browsing the nearby vintage shops while waiting for a table.

Address: 747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207

Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11am–3pm; Sat, Sun 10am–3pm

Expect to pay: $20–$45 per person

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What is it? A cozy East Nashville restaurant where wood-fired cooking, seasonal ingredients and a killer wine list come together in one of the city's most charming dining rooms.

Why we love it: Junior is the poster restaurant for date-night sexy—dim lights, great music, intimate… you get the idea. The menu changes with the seasons, but the formula remains the same: beautifully cooked vegetables, expertly grilled meats and seafood and just enough French influence to keep things interesting. Add one of Nashville's best martinis, and you've got a spot that's just as good for date night as it is for catching up with friends.

Time Out tip: The menu changes frequently, so don't get too attached to any one dish. Instead, trust the kitchen and order a few things you've never had before.

Address: 907 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5–10pm

Expect to pay: $60–$90 per person

What is it? A lively Wedgewood-Houston Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta, seasonal Italian-inspired dishes and some of the best bread in Nashville.

Why we love it: The fresh pasta is the headliner, but that's only part of the story. Between the impossibly good garlic bread, creative vegetable dishes, rotating soft serve flavors and a dining room that buzzes from open to close, every meal here feels like a party you accidentally stumbled into. Whether you're stopping by for a bowl of bolognese or settling in with friends for a full spread, Iggy's consistently delivers one of the most satisfying meals in town

Time Out tip: Don't skip the garlic bread stuffed with whipped cream cheese. Note: The restaurant is switching reservation platforms, switching to OpenTable starting in July.

Address: 609 Merritt Ave, #101, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Sun, Tues–Thu 5pm–9pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–9:30pm

Expect to pay: $35–$70 per person

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What is it? A no-frills Nashville hot chicken spot that has earned a devoted local following.

Why we love it: While tourists crowd the better-known names, Red's quietly serves some of the city's best hot chicken. The spice levels pack real heat, while the juicy chicken and crispy crust keep things balanced.

Time Out tip: Red's hot chicken crunchwrap is basically a legend in Nashville. You haven't really experienced Red's unless you've ordered one. 

Address: 115 27th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Wed-Thu 11am-3pm; Fri 11am–4pm; Sat 11am-6pm

Expect to pay: $10-30 per person

What is it? A Texas import that combines smoked barbecue and Thai curry into one gloriously messy, wildly successful concept in East Nashville.

Why we love it: On paper, smoked brisket and green curry sound as if they belong in different restaurants. At Curry Boys, they make perfect sense. The menu pairs oak-smoked Texas barbecue with Thai flavors, resulting in dishes like brisket curry bowls and smoked chicken topped with yellow curry. It's bold, comforting and unlike anything else in Nashville's barbecue scene.

Time Out tip: Start off your Curry Boys experience with a bowl of their addictive curry queso. 

Address: 1304 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

Opening hours: Daily 11am–9pm

Expect to pay: $15–$30 per person

What is it? A stylish Sylvan Park restaurant serving flame-kissed seafood, steaks and seasonal dishes in one of several elegant dining rooms.

Why we love it: Rich leather banquettes, wood-paneled nooks and a yacht-rock soundtrack set the mood at Lion's Share, while the kitchen turns out beautifully executed dishes like pristine oysters, crudos, grilled avocado and dry-aged steaks. It's elegant without being stuffy, making it equally suited for milestone celebrations, date nights and impressing friends from out of town.

Time Out tip: There's an intimate lounge upstairs for cocktails, but it's usually reserved for private guests. But maybe if you ask nicely enough…

Address: 4410 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: $60–$90 per person

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What is it? A Mexico City-inspired restaurant in East Nashville that showcases regional Mexican cooking through house-made masa, seasonal ingredients and some of the city's best tacos.

Why we love it: Alebrije does something surprisingly rare: it makes familiar dishes feel brand new. The restaurant's obsession with heirloom corn and traditional techniques is evident in every tortilla, sope and huarache that leaves the kitchen. While the tacos are excellent, this is the kind of place where flautas, shrimp empanadas and deeply flavorful sauces can easily steal the spotlight. 

Time Out tip: If the horchata hasn't run out yet, order up a glass before it does. 

Address: 604 Gallatin Ave, #203, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Wed 5–9pm; Thu noon–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm; Sun noon-9

Expect to pay: $10–$30 per person

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What is it? An East Nashville pizza restaurant serving Japanese-influenced neo-Neapolitan pies, all built around a meticulously crafted dough and cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Why we love it: The crust is light, airy and beautifully blistered, providing the foundation for inventive toppings that draw subtle inspiration from Japanese flavors without losing sight of what makes great pizza great. The attention to detail borders on obsessive, from the flour blend to the fermentation process, and the results have earned national recognition—including a spot on the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA list, where it was the only Tennessee pizzeria to make the cut.

Time Out tip: Skip the urge to play it safe. While the margherita is excellent, Sho shines when you branch out into the more adventurous pies that showcase the restaurant's unique point of view. 

Address: 1309 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37216

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: $20–$40 per person

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What is it? A beloved taco truck parked outside East Nashville cocktail bar Chopper, serving the city's best quesabirria tacos. 

Why we love it: Maíz de la Vida has built a devoted following thanks to its obsessive take on masa and nixtamalization. That obsession results in exceptional tacos, tostadas and tortillas, all served from a compact food truck with a big reputation. Whether it's rich birria, a kicky elote or crunchy churros, every bite showcases the kind of care and attention usually reserved for much pricier restaurants. It's casual, affordable and consistently one of the most satisfying meals in town.

Time Out tip: Grab your food and head inside Chopper for a cocktail. The combination of tropical drinks and Maíz de la Vida's tacos is a straight-up winner. 

Address: 1100 Stratton Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5-10pm; Fri 4–10pm; Sat, Sun noon–10pm

Expect to pay: $10–$25 per person

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What is it? A Texas-style barbecue joint serving Central Texas staples like brisket, ribs and house-made sausages from a converted service station.

Why we love it: Shotgun Willie's stays laser-focused on Texas tradition, smoking briskets low and slow until they're impossibly tender and slicing them to order with all the reverence they deserve. The result is some of the best barbecue in the city—and arguably the closest thing you'll find to a Central Texas smokehouse without leaving Tennessee.

Time Out tip: Yes, it's technically outside of Nashville, but only by about five minutes. And barbecue this good is worth way more than those extra couple of seconds. 

Address: 1500 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am–3pm

Expect to pay: $15–$35 per person

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What is it? A beloved East Nashville dive bar serving cold beer, late-night eats and one of the most iconic burgers in Nashville.

Why we love it: Dino's remains refreshingly and unapologetically who it is—even after fifty years. The cheeseburger is the star: a gooey no-frills classic that regularly lands on local "best of" lists. But the real appeal is the atmosphere. On any given night, you'll find musicians, industry folks, neighborhood regulars and first-time visitors crammed into red vinyl booths beneath decades of accumulated character. It's equal parts dive bar, neighborhood institution and Nashville rite of passage

Time Out tip: During the summer, head out back to Dolly's Lemonade Stand, a pop-up booth topped with the likeness of Dolly Parton, doling out boozy lemonade. 

Address: 411 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-3am; Sat, Sun noon–3am

Expect to pay: $10–$20 per person

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What is it? A beloved Nashville institution serving Thai cuisine in Belmont-Hillsboro. Originally opened in 1975, the restaurant was revived by siblings Arnold and Anna Myint and now blends longtime favorites with a more contemporary dinner menu.

Why we love it: Few restaurants tell Nashville's food story quite like International Market. Generations of locals got their first taste of Thai food here, and the current iteration honors that legacy while pushing things forward. Come for classics like drunken noodles and curries, stay for inventive dishes like Thai-style fried chicken, trout laab and whatever chef Arnold Myint is dreaming up next. The result is one of the city's most unique restaurants—and one of its most rewarding.

Time Out tip: Visit at lunch for the steam table, a longtime International Market tradition that offers a quick and affordable introduction to the restaurant's greatest hits.

Address: 2013 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212

Opening hours: Tue 5-9pm; Wed-Thu 11am-4pm, 5-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-4pm, 5-10pm

Expect to pay: $30-$60 per person (dinner)

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What is it? A Nashville institution serving classic Southern meat-and-three plates from a cafeteria line that has been feeding the city since 1982.

Why we love it: Generations of Nashvillians have lined up here for roast beef, fried chicken, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas and cornbread served the way Southern comfort food is supposed to be: simple, generous and deeply satisfying. The cafeteria line moves fast, the dining room is always a mix of locals and visitors, and the daily menu keeps regulars coming back.

Time Out tip: Dessert is a must. Especially when it comes to the chess pie—it's as much a Nashville landmark as the restaurant itself.

Address: 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am–2:45pm; Sat 11am-3pm

Expect to pay: $15–$20 per person

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What is it? A small Turkish restaurant inside L&L Market where nearly everything—from the pita to the kebabs—is cooked over charcoal grills in full view of diners.

Why we love it: The menu centers on Turkish classics like kebabs, mezze and grilled flatbreads, but what sets the restaurant apart is how it transforms seemingly simple ingredients into something memorable—there's no oven or stove, just charcoal grilling. Pull up a seat at the counter, watch the cooks work the grills and order the meyhane experience—a spread of dips, vegetables and grilled pita that showcases exactly why Kardes has quickly become one of Nashville's standout new restaurants.

Time Out tip: It's BYOB for now—if you're looking for some wine or beer with your kebabs, your best bet is to bring some in. 

Address: 3820 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon–8pm

Expect to pay: $25–$50 per person