Nashville is famous for a lot of things: country music, the Johnny Cash Museum, and many iconic buildings. But, another great thing Nashville is recognized for is the food! The hardest part about eating out in Nashville is deciding which restaurant to go to because there are just so many of them. Here are some of the best lunch restaurants in Nashville to try out:
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Hattie B’s
Hattie B’s is one of the best restaurants in the city to have hot fried chicken in various spices. Fried chicken is available in different spice options, from no spice at all to Shut the Cluck Up (very hot spice for the bravest hot chicken lovers). You can enjoy your hot chicken with sides like coleslaw, greens, black-eyed pea salad, and mac and cheese. There is also a selection of beers on draft and homemade sweet tea that you can enjoy on the spacious patios. Hattie B’s is available in multiple neighborhoods in Nashville, and they also serve Tex-Mex and Southern cuisine.
Pinewood Social
Pinewood Social has a boutique bowling alley, two outdoor pools, a dedicated Airstream trailer bar, a coffee shop, and of course, really delicious food. It’s great for lunch, and you can spend your day eating and enjoying the space. It’s like an adult playhouse! Pinewood also serves excellent new American fare, pool bar options, and signature cocktails, including Plymouth gin, lychee, curacao, and rose water.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Martin’s Bar-B-Que is where you will find the most delicious barbecue in Nashville. There is a range of options, too, from fatty briskets to smoked chicken wings, smoky meat, and smoked turkey. They also serve combo platters, beers, and great sides like broccoli salad.
Mitchell Delicatessen
Mitchell Delicatessen serves sandwiches made from high-quality ingredients. This deli also offers breakfast options, vegan options, and a salad menu. There is also a kids’ menu featuring grilled cheese, PB&J, and other options.
Red Headed Stranger
If you’re looking for delicious Tex-Mex, Red Headed Stranger in East Nashville is the best place to be. There are flavorful options, including tacos, cheeseburgers, crunch wraps, hatch chilies, and tortillas. The ambiance at Redheaded is also lovely, with the laid-down atmosphere and the welcoming patio. We recommend you get the iced cold frozen margarita while you are here.
Nicky’s Coal Fired
Nicky’s Coal Fired serves excellent Italian food, including coal-fired pizza, seafood, and veggies. Pizza is the most popular at Nicky’s, and you find everything from pepperoni to Nicky’s Supreme. Toppings include mozzarella, anchovies, cured egg yolk, potatoes, and other options. This upscale pizza joint also serves pasta, salads, chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, and gelato. This pizzeria is one of the best restaurants for lunch in Nashville, and they also have a selection of cocktails and wines on tap.
Five Points Pizza
Another incredible pizza place in Nashville is Five Points Pizza. Located in East and West Nashville, this pizza joint also serves salads, appetizers, pies, craft beers, and lunchtime specials for less than $10. One of their best meals alongside pizza is the side dish of garlic knots which you can eat with your pies.
Biscuit Love
This restaurant which started as a food truck, now has two brick-and-mortar storefronts across Nashville. Biscuits Love only opens in the morning and serves freshly made biscuits with sausage gravy and Southern dishes like shrimps and grits. This is a perfect place for brunch in Nashville, and while you’re here, we recommend you try out the Princess biscuit. It consists of boneless hot chicken or, sometimes, deep-fried mascarpone donuts. If you’re not into biscuits, you can try the bananas foster oatmeal, some whipped yogurt, or Bill Neal’s shrimp.
Butcher & Bee
You can’t come to Butcher & Bee without appreciating the modern decor, the high industrial ceiling, and the beautiful lighting. You will enjoy great meals too! Chef Lee Weaver has a personalized menu of small dishes of traditional Mediterranean meals with a Southern spin. Some people’s favorites include hawajj spiced meatballs, Tagliatelle pasta, Bear Creek smoked steak platter, and mezze. There are also familiar dishes like sandwiches and burgers. Butcher & Bee is known for sourcing local ingredients for their Eastern-inspired menu.
Once Upon a Time in France
As the name suggests, this Nashville restaurant offers French dining cuisine. This restaurant was started by a French father and son who wanted to satisfy the lovers of French food. There is a lot of French food to enjoy here, including classics like steak fritters, coq au vin, and confit de canard. It’s best to come here early to ensure you get a seat. There is also a carefully curated wine list to complement your delicious meals.
Arnold’s Country Chicken
Arnold’s is dedicated to traditional Southern meals, and it’s the perfect place to get affordable soul food and three side dishes with an option of a drink and dessert. One of the best things about Arnold’s is the traditional and homely vibe you get. They offer a cafeteria-style serving, and visitors can enjoy a full buffet that often includes a rotation of chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, fried chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, and creamed corn.
Assembly Food Hall
Some local favorites at Assembly Food Hall include Pharmacy Burger, Coco’s Fresh Italian, Prince’s Hot Chicken, and Hattie Jane’s Creamery. Assembly Food Hall has different counters of food serving food from different regions, including Italian, Japanese, and Asian. It’s a perfect place to experience the city’s diverse culture through the food.
Assembly Food Hall also offers three stages for live performances, an open-air rooftop venue for concerts, and an outdoor patio that can take up to 25,000.
The Continental
The Continental is a great place to enjoy luxury fine dining in Nashville. This elegant restaurant offers a seasonal menu and serves dishes like caviar and oysters from quality ingredients. Guests can choose their entrees and desserts, and some of the people’s favorites include the caviar parfait, deluxe rice pudding, and the Sequatchie cove cheese selection. If you intend to come here, it’s best to make reservations in advance to get a table.
Nashville’s Farmers Market
If you want to have lunch on a budget and enjoy sightseeing while eating, Nashville’s Farmers Market is a great place to be. You will find more than 20 restaurants here serving everything from Southern BBQ to Korean food.
Final Note
From iconic dishes like hot chicken to french cuisines like confit de canard to classics like pizzas, there is something for you at Nashville restaurants. Whether you want to grab a quick lunch, celebrate a milestone, or try out a new meal, the Nashville restaurants on this list have got something for you.
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