Nashville may be well-known for its music scene, but that’s not all Nashville has to offer. These 8 restaurants have their own unique spin on Southern hospitality. So, pull up a chair and be prepared to experience some amazing food with these Nashville dining establishments.
Music City Bar & Grill
Locals and tourists alike rave about the old Honky Tonk feel of the Music City Bar & Grill located- appropriately so- on Music Valley Drive. Enjoy dinner and drinks while listening to live music and performers. Feel like doing the two-step in the middle of dinner? They have a dance floor that will let you do just that. With walls filled with photos and memorabilia, you may want to visit a few times to soak it all in.
Keep in step and stay up to date with Music City Bar & Grill
Puckett’s Restaurant – Downtown Nashville Puckett’s originally opened in the 1950s as a grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. They since have grown to 6 locations and feature live music and events for all ages. Serving breakfast to dessert, Puckett’s has a range of Southern comfort food for even the most discerning diner. Chicken and Apple Jacks breakfast platter, Pimento Cheese Bites, Smoked Meatloaf, Music City Hot Chicken Sandwich, and the Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding are just a few of the recommended menu items to try. Wash it down with Puckett’s own homemade blackberry-citrus sweet tea or pick some up by the gallon to go. Dine-in or take-out, the food’s always good at Puckett’s in downtown Nashville
House of Cards Go underground inside the Johnny Cash Museum to House of Cards, a 10,000 square foot space that offers a unique and mystical dining experience for adults 21 and older. Guests are encouraged to wander the dining room to see magician performances that will awe and delight. A full magic show is free with entree. The restaurant features classic American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The menu offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options as well. With a strict no photography policy, as well as a dress code, this restaurant may seem buttoned-up but don’t be too quick to judge. Note: They do offer a buffet family brunch on Sundays, see website for details and dress code. Pick a card, any card at House of Cards
Black Rabbit
Take a stroll down Printers Alley and you will come upon the chic, intimate Black Rabbit. Order up some snacks or small plates such as Goat Cheese Toast, Rabbit Rolls, Charred Corn Grits, and Mahi Mahi - which are just some of their selections. For heartier appetites, a ribeye or half chicken might just hit the spot. Craft cocktails named Devil’s Temptation, Goat Rodeo, Eastside Cowboy, and Hot Lips Houlihan (for those M.A.S.H. fans) are intriguing enough to try by name alone.
No waistcoat or pocket watch needed at Black Rabbit
Henrietta Red
Named in honor of Chef Julia Sullivan’s grandparents, Henrietta Red opened in 2017 and is well-known for its fresh, seasonal fare and oyster bar. In 2018, Henrietta Red was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best New Restaurant and made it to the semi-finals. In 2020, Chef Sullivan was a finalist for the award of Best New Chef Southeast. The menu is seasonal, and at the time of this publication, fall menu items include Spaghetti Squash Toast, Zucchini Tempura, Wood Roasted Oysters with choice of Green Curry or Peach Poblano Butter, and Winter Squash Salad. Enjoy the fine menu and Southern hospitality on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch.
Southern hospitality is at its freshest at Henrietta Red
Pinewood Social
Where can you get dinner, take a yoga class by the pool, and bowl a few strings all in one visit? Pinewood Social was an innovative addition to the Nashville scene in 2015. The idea of a swimming pool, bowling alley, restaurant/coffee shop all rolled into one had a few people scratching their heads, but it quickly caught on with locals and tourists alike. With American fare (a few Southern favorites thrown in) including vegetarian/vegan options, inventive cocktails, a pool/patio area, and bowling, it would be hard to say there’s nothing to do at Pinewood Social.
Get a snack, take a dip, or bowl a few strings at Pinewood Social
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Discover art deco décor with opulence at every turn, an upscale menu famous for handcrafted steaks, and lively entertainment at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in Nashville. An elegant night out is on the menu in dining areas with ornate chandeliers, red cushioned chairs, and tables set exquisitely with precision. The atmosphere has the look and feel of the 1920s era. The menu features handcrafted steaks with a sizeable list of accompanying sauces to choose from, seafood delights (including sushi), delectable desserts, and a fourteen-page wine list which includes a featured collection of wines from the Far Niente family of wines in partnership with Jeff Ruby.
Nashville dining at its finest at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
The Loveless Café
Last but certainly not least is the Loveless Cafe, which, by the way, is so much more than just a café! The location hosts The Barn, an event space that has hosted the performances of many a famous country music star, as well as a market, a gift shop, and even an outside area set up with yard games that make it easy to linger all day. Local menu favorites include Biscuits (used throughout the menu from breakfast to dinner in varying ways), Pulled Pork Barbeque Omelet, Chicken & Waffle, Pimento Cheese and Bacon Burger, and Real Banana Puddin’.
Get some Southern love at the Loveless Café
We hope this list inspired you to plan a getaway to Nashville soon. If you have another Nashville restaurant to tell us about, please reach out to winniwanderer@winni.com. Hearing from you will make our day!
By Staff Contributor
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