Best restaurants in Nashville

When it comes to food, the vibrant city of Nashville offers a varied culinary scene that’s sure to leave you wanting more. With everything from signature hot and spicy fried chicken to southern comfort food, Nashville has excellent cuisine that caters to everyone.

So, fuel up your Hertz car rental and get ready to indulge your taste buds with our guide to the best restaurants in Nashville.

Prince’s Hot Chicken

5814 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

Prince’s Hot Chicken is an iconic Nashville eatery serving authentic hot-fried chicken. The father of Nashville’s hot chicken, Thornton Prince, perfected the Hot Chicken recipe and first opened the restaurant. Almost 100 years later, Prince’s great niece is still serving the legendary dish.

Start with a classic plate of chicken wings or tenders and pair it with some coleslaw and their iconic “get-it girl” greens for a satisfying southern treat. Cool your buds with a sweet tea or a pie for dessert. And there’s no need to worry about overwhelming spice, as Prince’s offers several spice levels, ranging from plain to xxx hot, so you can tailor your chicken to your preference.

Find out more

Butcher & Bee

902 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37206

Take your car rental to this hip Mediterranean restaurant located around a ten-minute drive from Downtown Nashville. Since opening their first location in Charleston in 2011 with a simple mission of serving sandwiches made with combinations and quality reserved for fine dining, Butcher & Bee expanded to Nashville in 2015. Their goal now is simple: to create world-class experiences for guests and team members alike.

Stop by for dinner and start with a selection of mezze and small plates such as glazed beets and shrimp skewers. Then it’s time to indulge in the main course, with everything from avocado crispy rice to spatchcock chicken. If there’s still room for something sweet, the chocolate layer cake is a must.

Book a table

Mere Bulles Restaurant

5201 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027

Located in Brentwood, slightly south of Nashville, Mere Bulles specializes in southern fare and steaks, perfect for intimate dinners and special occasions.

Housed within the historic Maryland Manor, the menu has a variety of classic steakhouse offerings such as traditional steak cuts and composed plates like panko-crusted chicken. Plus, their crab bisque signature soup is a must.

With exceptional service and friendly staff, Mere Bulles is a great choice for a more formal dinner in Nashville, especially if you want to visit nearby Radnor Lake State Park or the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. If you’re in town at the weekend, stop by the restaurant for Sunday brunch.

Find out more

Chauhan Ale and Masala House

123 12th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203

Ranked as one of the top 10 best restaurants in Nashville, Chauhan Masala House perfectly combines Indian fare with traditional Southern dishes.

Co-owner and Executive Chef Maneet Chauhan combines her Indian roots, zest for travel and love for Southern cuisine to create a menu that offers a unique dining experience for guests.

A modern Nashville favorite for fusion food dining, the menu boasts a variety of unique dishes such as saag mac n cheese and masala prime rib. Aside from its delicious food, the restaurant also has an online merchandise store, where you can pick up the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip, such as a signed Chaat cookbook.

Find out more

Bastion Nashville

434 Houston Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Perhaps one of the best fine dining restaurants in Nashville, Bastion is an upscale, reservation-only tasting menu restaurant located south of Downtown Nashville.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday. However, reservations open on the first of each month for the following month, so it’s advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Guests can expect a set multi-course dinner featuring a range of ingredients and flavors. The exact menu is determined by Bastion’s chefs each week.

If you have a food allergy, inform the restaurant in advance so they have plenty of time to plan. The restaurant also runs a 21 and over policy, so children are not allowed.

Find out more

Sun Diner

105 3rd Avenue Street, Nashville, TN 37201

Located in the heart of Music City, near the Johnny Cash Museum, Sun Diner is one of our must-eat restaurants in Nashville. Enjoy gourmet cuisine and southern hospitality among the unique interior that celebrates legendary Sun Record artists.

Tuck into hearty sun favorites dishes such as ‘love me’ tenders and country fried steak and eggs. Pair with delicious sides, like sun-dried potatoes, pork belly and Belgian waffles. Or satisfy your sweet cravings with sweet potato, s’mores, or blueberry banana pancakes.

Visit the official online store to pick out a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your trip or to gift to loved ones. Choose from a classic sun diner rock n roll t-shirt to a sun diner blue rooster mug.

Find out more

Mas Tacos Por Favor

732 Mcferrin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

If you’re craving a simple, no frills, affordable Mexican eatery, Mas Tacos Por Favor is the place for you. Located on Mcferrin Avenue, this eatery may not look like anything special at first glance, but it serves some of the finest Mexican food in the city and is a hidden favorite among locals.

Tuck into authentic Mexican dishes like tasty tacos, a must-visit for any Mexican food lover. Mas Tacos also has several great soup options for those craving something a bit lighter, such as the pozole verde or sopa tarasca.

And if you’re searching for the best brunch spots in Nashville, you can also enjoy breakfast tacos and breakfast nachos for Saturday brunch.

Find out more

Pastaria

8 City Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37209

Want a break from the American classics? Look no further than Pastaria. Featuring unique modern and artistic decor, this charming restaurant serves delicious pizzas and pastas. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Gerad Craft, Pastaria offers a variety of soulful Italian dishes served in a warm, inviting setting.

Entrees include chicken parm and market fish. A kids menu is also available and includes a range of options such as butter noodles, pizza and mac n cheese. Finish up your meal with a refreshing gelato or a tasty tiramisu to hit that sweet tooth craving.

Celebrating a special occasion? Go all out by ordering a birthday cake from the dessert menu and make it a day to remember.

Find out more

Get to know more about Nashville

Learn more about Nashville, Tennessee with our detailed guides that offer insights, tips and trips when exploring Music City:

• Best hotels in Nashville
• Best things to do in Nashville
• Nashville Driving Guide
• Nashville Neighborhoods