The Top 10 Restaurants in Nashville

Monell's is a legendary family-style restaurant where strangers share tables and pass food around communal platters—a uniquely social Nashville dining experience. Go for the biscuits, fried chicken, and banana pudding, and expect to leave completely full. Parking is pricey, so budget accordingly.

A beloved Nashville institution housed in a converted house with gift shops, serving Southern comfort food that lives up to its reputation. Get the free biscuits with jam (peach, blackberry, or strawberry), fried chicken, chicken and waffles, or pulled pork sandwich—all consistently praised. Service is friendly and efficient, though expect a short wait even for small parties during busy times.

A lively Southern restaurant on Church Street serving barbecue, fried chicken, and comfort food with live country music most nights. Get the brisket, fried chicken, or BBQ chicken with sides like fried okra and sweet potatoes, then finish with the fried brownie or cinnamon bun. The banana pudding comes in a mason jar that's tricky to share between two people.

Arnold's Country Kitchen is a classic Nashville 'meat and three' cafeteria-style restaurant where you pick a protein and three sides from daily-changing offerings. The ribs, fried chicken, and Southern sides are consistently excellent, portions are huge, and the staff is genuinely friendly. Arrive right at opening or expect a wait—the place fills up within minutes of unlocking the doors.

A Nashville institution serving Southern comfort food and live music in a country-themed space on Lyle Ave. Order the brisket plate, hot chicken, or one of their burgers (the Cowboy and Smokestack are standouts), and don't skip the banana pudding. One note: the Cowboy burger can run dry, so add barbecue sauce to it.

A scratch-kitchen brunch and lunch spot in the Gulch with homemade everything from biscuits to pop-tarts, known for thoughtful flavor combinations and well-crafted drinks. The staff is genuinely warm and attentive, but expect 30–60 minute waits even with advance planning—come early or use bar seating if you're dining solo or as a pair.

Husk is an elegant farm-to-table restaurant housed in a historic home, known for seasonal American comfort food with an on-site garden and creative ingredient use. Standout dishes include steak tartare, perfectly seared steak, cheddar biscuits, country ham with peach, and Coca-Cola cake. One caveat: service quality and treatment can be inconsistent—at least one diner reported feeling unwelcome based on appearance despite respectful dress.

Aba Nashville is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Nashville known for impeccable execution and beautiful ambiance. Must-try dishes include the whipped feta, garlic hummus, short ribs, shrimp kebabs, and braised lamb—everything arrives fresh and expertly seasoned. One note: a reviewer mentioned the restaurant was swarmed by flies during a Saturday brunch visit, so timing and season may affect the experience.

A lively honky-tonk on Broadway with live country music, solid food, and a party atmosphere that draws both locals and tourists. Get the pulled pork sandwich or BLT lunch special, catch the Mac Watts Band or other live acts, and expect an energetic crowd. Note that door staff enforce bag size restrictions inconsistently, so travel light or call ahead if you're concerned.

A downtown Nashville diner with a military theme that serves excellent American breakfast and comfort food. Order the fluffy pancakes (especially blueberry lemon), smoked brisket hash, or other hearty dishes—portions are genuinely huge, so consider sharing. The main caveat: it gets very busy, especially mornings, so expect a wait during peak times.

A lively Nashville bar and restaurant known for live country music, especially songwriter nights, with solid food and excellent drink prices. Get the chicken tenders, grab a cold beer, and enjoy the authentic local vibe—but expect it to get packed, especially before games or events.

Noko is a polished Asian fusion restaurant on Porter Road where the staff genuinely seem to love their work and know the menu inside-out. Must-tries include the hamachi crudo, crispy rice, Szechuan green beans, wagyu brisket, and dumplings—reviewers consistently rave about the quality and flavor. The main caveat: dumplings are dinner-only, not available at brunch, so call ahead if you have your heart set on a specific dish.

A farm-to-table brunch spot in Nashville with a down-home country feel despite its fancy chandelier—reviewers rave about the service and dishes like Loaded Ranchers, Dirty Southern Fried Rice, and Brown Butter Beignets. The main caveat: weekend lunch draws serious crowds with 3+ hour waits, though the bar offers faster seating.

Gumbo Bros serves authentic New Orleans-style Cajun comfort food in Nashville, with standout dishes like chicken and sausage gumbo, shrimp and grits, and alligator eggs Benedict that reviewers compare favorably to the real thing in Louisiana. The service is consistently praised as attentive and warm, and the relaxed atmosphere with good music makes it feel like a genuine NOLA experience. One caveat: their signature bread pudding (made by the owners' mother from Louisiana) sells out frequently, so don't count on it being available.

A farm-to-table restaurant in a residential neighborhood known for impeccable roasted chicken and seasonal Southern fare. The service is attentive and knowledgeable, and outdoor seating captures pleasant evening vibes. Note that reservations are required for tables—walk-ins can only sit at the bar.

A sprawling multi-level bar and restaurant in a converted bank building on Broadway with connected spaces including a rooftop, gift shop, and multiple bars. Order the venison tacos, seared salmon, or Bourbon Elk Burger, and ask bartenders for the minty shot. Note that portions run small and drinks are pricey, and the music can be loud enough to make conversation difficult depending on where you sit.

Sirocco is a stylish East Nashville restaurant known for Mediterranean-inspired seafood and cocktails, with a rooftop bar and photo booth. Must-tries include the seafood dip, harissa chicken thighs, octopus, and lamb chops, plus cocktails like the Elderflower 75. Note: the rooftop is only open Thursday–Sunday evenings, so plan accordingly if that's part of your visit.

Sadie's is a Mediterranean restaurant in Nashville known for warm, pillowy pita, creative dishes like falafel patties, and standout appetizers like whipped feta and bacon-wrapped dates. The service is consistently praised as attentive and knowledgeable, and the covered porch with fans creates a pleasant dining atmosphere. One reviewer's comment was cut off mid-sentence, suggesting the platform may have truncated their feedback about allergies/accommodations.

A rustic, cozy farmhouse-style restaurant in downtown Nashville serving thoughtful, made-from-scratch comfort food with Southern touches. Don't miss the pimento cheese beignets, huevos rancheros, grits, and burgers—though the chicken and waffles gets mixed reviews, so ask your server what's best that day. Service quality varies noticeably between visits, from attentive and owner-involved to occasionally inattentive.

Harper's is a upscale steakhouse in Nashville known for perfectly cooked steaks, creative sides, and standout service that makes celebrations feel special. The filet, lobster mac, and family-style sides are consistently praised, and servers like Ben, Calli, and Branson go above and beyond to elevate the experience. One note: service can occasionally run slow, though the food quality makes the wait worthwhile.