Put aside the cloth napkins for a sampling of some of the more down-home cooking that has served Nashville locals and visitors alike for decades. A city of creators, Nashville is credited for the creation of hot chicken. Hot chicken is exactly what it sounds like...hot fried chicken. Head to the birthplace of this amazing heartburn inducer, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Other local hot chicken favorites include Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Party Fowl, Pepperfire Hot Chicken, and Scoreboard Bar & Grill, but many restaurants have their own variation of the recipe on their menu. Another Nashville food staple is the classic “meat and three,” downhome, Southern cooking where you typically go through a line, cafeteria-style, and order a meat and three sides. Places like Loveless Cafe, Elliston Place Soda Shop, and Puckett's Grocery will force you to make those tough life decisions like fried chicken or meatloaf, mac & cheese, or mashed potatoes. And do not leave without trying a delicious pie or banana pudding. Another node to Nashville’s Southern heritage is the award-winning barbecue joints you’ll find throughout the city. Places like Martin’s BBQ Joint, Peg Leg Porker, Edley’s Bar-B-Que, and Bar-B-Cutie each have their own distinct recipes that have locals passionately debating the best barbecue spot in town.
Discover Nashville Hot Chicken.
See more Nashville's Barbecue Restaurants.
Check out Nashville's Meat & Three Restaurants.
“While famous for its specialty hot fried chicken, the most notorious and popular dish in town, Nashville’s sticky rib joints and fine dining eateries all celebrate homegrown southern food.”
Peg Leg Porker
Innovation abounds in Nashville as chefs at restaurants all around town are using the creative energy of the city to hit the high notes with their award-winning dishes. Head to Etch, Catbird Seat, and Rolf and Daughters for a meal that will impress even the most well-traveled foodie. The city is also showing its international influences with restaurants like Chauhan Ale and Masala House, Anatolia, and Epice, featuring traditional ethnic dishes. If you find yourself downtown, head to Black Rabbit, where you will be transported to a 1920's 1920s-style upscale cocktail bar. Enjoy a drink or two while dining on small plates and finger foods.
“Music City’s culinary scene is hitting a high note as Nashville’s signature southern fare of red-hot chicken and buttermilk biscuits makes room for haute cuisine, vegan dishes and fusion food.”
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Rolf & Daughters
Raise a glass to Nashville’s crafty cocktail scene. Restaurants and bars like Bastion, Pinewood Social, Sedona Taphouse, and The Patterson House are creating cocktails that will have you making friends with the bartender so you can learn the recipe. If you’d rather go straight to the source then head to one (or some) of Nashville’s breweries and distilleries. Nashville’s original craft brewery, Yazoo Brewery, is located in the Gulch and has an open taproom, and offers brewery tours Wednesday through Saturday. Other craft breweries worth trying include Tennessee Brew Works and East Nashville Beer Works just to name a few. If your palate prefers wine, a visit to the stunning Arrington Vineyards is a must. You can get a taste at City Winery (where you can eat, drink, and see a concert), Grinder's Switch, and The Winery at Belle Meade. Distilleries also abound in Nashville including Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, located in Marathon Village, which offers tours and a tasting room. Nashville Craft Distillery, Pennington Distilling Company, and Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. are just down the road in Tullahoma, and one of the most famous distilleries of all, Jack Daniel Distillery, is located in Lynchburg, TN.
Have a Drink in Nashville.
Check out Nashville's Wineries, Distilleries, Breweries, & Cideries.
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Tennessee Brew Works
