Nashville Food Scene Guide: What to Eat and Where to Eat It
Nashville, Tennessee is a city with a lot to offer visitors. From its world-famous music scene to its vibrant nightlife, there's something for everyone in Nashville. But one thing that often goes unnoticed is Nashville's food scene. The city has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, serving everything from classic Southern cuisine to international fare.
If you're planning a trip to Nashville, be sure to add some of the city's delicious food to your itinerary. Here's a guide to the Nashville food scene, including what to eat and where to eat it:
Nashville Hot Chicken
No trip to Nashville is complete without trying the city's signature dish: hot chicken. Hot chicken is fried chicken that is coated in a spicy sauce made with cayenne pepper and other spices. The heat level of hot chicken can vary widely, so be sure to ask your server for recommendations if you're not sure what to order.
Some of the best places to get hot chicken in Nashville include:
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack: The original hot chicken joint, Prince's has been serving up some of the best hot chicken in Nashville since 1945.
Hattie B's Hot Chicken: Hattie B's is one of the most popular hot chicken spots in Nashville, and for good reason. Their chicken is crispy and flavorful, and their sauce is perfectly spicy.
Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish: Bolton's is another great option for hot chicken in Nashville. They offer a variety of heat levels to choose from, so you can find the perfect level of spice for your taste buds.
Meat and Three
Another Nashville staple is the meat and three. A meat and three is a meal that consists of a protein and three side dishes. The protein is typically fried chicken, pork chops, or catfish, and the side dishes are typically vegetables such as collard greens, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes.
Some of the best places to get meat and three in Nashville include:
Arnold's Country Kitchen: Arnold's is a Nashville institution, and their meat and three is one of the best in the city. They offer a variety of proteins and side dishes to choose from, so you're sure to find something to your taste.
Loretta's Lynn's Cafe: Loretta's Lynn's Cafe is another great option for meat and three in Nashville. They offer a variety of Southern comfort food dishes, including fried chicken, catfish, and meatloaf.
Swett's Restaurant: Swett's Restaurant is a Nashville classic that has been serving up meat and three since 1954. They offer a variety of proteins and side dishes to choose from, as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu.
Southern Food
Of course, no trip to Nashville would be complete without trying some of the city's delicious Southern food. Nashville has a wide variety of Southern restaurants to choose from, serving everything from fried chicken and waffles to shrimp and grits.
Some of the best places to get Southern food in Nashville include:
The Catbird Seat: The Catbird Seat is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant that serves up modern Southern cuisine. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect to find dishes such as fried chicken with biscuits and gravy, and shrimp and grits with bacon and cheddar cheese.
Acme Feed & Seed: Acme Feed & Seed is a popular restaurant that serves up Southern comfort food in a casual setting. The menu features dishes such as fried chicken, catfish, and barbecue.
Husk Nashville: Husk Nashville is a restaurant that serves up Southern cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features dishes such as wood-fired oysters, grilled catfish with pickled shrimp, and fried chicken with waffles.
Barbecue
Nashville is also known for its barbecue. The city has a number of great barbecue restaurants to choose from, serving everything from pork barbecue to brisket.
Some of the best places to get barbecue in Nashville include:
Peg Leg Porker: Peg Leg Porker is a popular barbecue joint that serves up some of the best pork barbecues in Nashville. The pork is smoked over hickory wood and
International Cuisine
In addition to its Southern and barbecue restaurants, Nashville also has a number of great restaurants serving international cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for Mexican, Italian, or Asian food, you're sure to find something to your taste in Nashville.
Some of the best places to get international cuisine in Nashville include:
Mas Tacos Y Tequila: Mas Tacos Y Tequila is a popular Mexican restaurant that serves up authentic Mexican cuisine. The menu features dishes such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
Etch: Etch is a modern Italian restaurant that serves up wood-fired pizzas and pasta. The menu also features a variety of small plates and appetizers.
Chauhan Ale & Masala House Chauhan Ale & Masala House is an Indian restaurant that serves up traditional Indian dishes with a modern twist. The menu features dishes such as chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, and naan bread.
Dessert
No meal is complete without dessert, and Nashville has a number of great dessert shops to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for ice cream, cake, or pie, you're sure to find something to your taste in Nashville.
Some of the best places to get dessert in Nashville include:
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is a popular ice cream shop that serves up unique and delicious flavors. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect to find flavors such as Brambleberry Crisp, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, and Salted Caramel.
Edley's Bar-B-Que: Edley's Bar-B-Que is a popular barbecue joint that also serves up some of the best banana pudding in Nashville. The banana pudding is made with fresh bananas, Nilla Wafers, and a creamy custard.
Arnold's Country Kitchen: Arnold's Country Kitchen is a Nashville institution that also serves up some of the best peach cobblers in the city. The peach cobbler is made with fresh peaches, a buttery crust, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Drinks
Nashville is also known for its nightlife, and there are a number of great bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink. Whether you're in the mood for a beer, cocktail, or wine, you're sure to find something to your taste in Nashville.
Some of the best places to get drinks in Nashville include:
Acme Feed & Seed: Acme Feed & Seed is a popular restaurant and bar that serves up a variety of drinks, including beer, cocktails, and wine. They also have a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city.
The Patterson House: The Patterson House is a cocktail bar that serves up classic cocktails with a modern twist. The menu features drinks such as the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, and the Margarita.
Pinewood Social: Pinewood Social is a bowling alley, bar, and restaurant all in one. They serve up a variety of drinks, including beer, cocktails, and wine. They also have a food menu that features dishes such as burgers, pizzas, and salads.
Nashville has a vibrant food scene with something to offer everyone. Whether you're in the mood for classic Southern cuisine, international fare, or delicious desserts, you're sure to find something to your taste in Nashville.
So next time you're in Nashville, be sure to check out some of the city's great restaurants. You won't be disappointed!
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