Nashville’s Coolest Restaurants: 12 Unique Spots You Can’t Miss

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Looking for some unforgettable places to eat in Nashville? After visiting the city three times, I’ve had my fair share of meals here, and I’m excited to share the best spots I’ve found.

Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back brunch, a hipster hangout, or a fancy night out, Nashville’s got you covered. I’ve put together a list of 12 unique and trendy restaurants that hit all the right notes, from casual weekend plans to date nights. So, if you’re planning a trip or just want to try something new, these are the spots you need to check out. So fly to Nashville and let’s dig into its incredible food scene.

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this walking food tour in Nashville. They bring you to the best foodie neighborhoods in the city to taste Southern flavors like pulled pork, whiskey glazed donuts, catfish tacos, and more. This tour is an absolute must-do on any Nashville itinerary in my opinion.

Unique Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee: 12 Memorable Places to Eat in Nashville

Are you ready to discover the most unique restaurants in Nashville? There’s a wide variety of places to eat in Nashville to please all visitors. Are you looking for a spicy kick with authentic hot chicken? Or would you rather indulge in a slice of New York-style pizza with a Southern twist? Take a cheap flight to Nashville and prepare to be amazed. Here’s your in-depth guide to the most unique restaurants in Nashville.

1. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Nashville Hot Chicken / Southern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Iconic Nashville hot chicken, varying heat levels, classic Southern sides.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Hot chicken fanatics, spice lovers, and quintessential Nashville eats.

Feel the legendary Nashville burn at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken! This Music City icon serves up that famous fiery fowl with heat levels for every daredevil. The aroma of spicy fried chicken is irresistible, and the long lines are a testament to its fame.

Choose your heat wisely, from “Southern” (no heat) to “Shut the Cluck Up!!!” Order a hot chicken platter with sides like pimento mac & cheese or collard greens. The banana pudding is a perfect way to cool down.

2. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden

• 📍 Location: East Nashville
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Gourmet Burgers / German-Inspired / Beer Garden
• 🔥 Standout Features: “Wurst-Burger” creations, extensive craft beer, lively beer garden.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Burger connoisseurs, craft beer fans, and casual outdoor dining.

Get your prescription for deliciousness at The Pharmacy in East Nashville! This spot is renowned for gourmet burgers, house-made “wursts,” and a vast craft beer selection. The lively beer garden buzzes with energy, and the air sizzles with grilling patties.

You’ll want to try a signature burger, like “The Farm Burger” or “The Mission City Burger”. Their selection of German and local beers on tap offers perfect pairings. The sweet potato fries are a popular side.

• Read More: 12 Unique Restaurants in Tennessee: The Most Unusual Eateries Across the Volunteer State

3. The Catbird Seat

• 📍 Location: The Gulch
• 💲 Price range: $215+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American / Experimental / Tasting Menu
• 🔥 Standout Features: Intimate U-shaped counter, direct chef interaction, adventurous seasonal menu, open kitchen.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Culinary thrill-seekers, special occasions, and adventurous eaters.

Forget just having dinner; this is a front-row seat to a culinary performance. The Catbird Seat puts you right in the action at its exclusive U-shaped counter, wrapped around a bustling open kitchen. The only sounds are the precise sizzle of pans and the chefs who lean over to personally explain each dish.

You might get inventive dishes featuring anything from king crab with morel mushrooms to dry-aged duck. Pro-tip: get the thoughtfully curated beverage pairings to complete the experience.

4. The Standard of Magic (House of Cards)

• 📍 Location: Downtown
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person (Dinner & Show/Experience)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale American / Steak & Seafood / Magic Show
• 🔥 Standout Features: Underground magic supper club, live magic, opulent/vintage decor.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique/theatrical nights out, magic show fans, and upscale mysterious dining.

Prepare for an evening of mystery and illusion at House of Cards, an underground supper club and magic emporium. This venue offers a unique theatrical experience with opulent vintage decor, secret rooms, and incredible live magic performances by talented illusionists.

Enjoy upscale American fare, perhaps a perfectly cooked steak like the filet mignon, or elegant seafood dish such as the Chilean sea bass. The truffle fries are a popular accompaniment. (Dress code often enforced for entry).

5. The Rabbit Hole at Henley

• 📍 Location: Midtown, Kimpton Aertson Hotel – Henley’s private space
• 💲 Price range: Varies (Private dining/event focused)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American / Southern / Upscale
• 🔥 Standout Features: Intimate private dining, speakeasy-esque, chef-driven menus.
• 🎯 Perfect For: VIP private dinners, exclusive celebrations, and curated culinary events.

Journey down The Rabbit Hole at Henley for an exclusive and intimate dining adventure in Midtown. This unique space, part of the acclaimed Henley, offers a private, speakeasy-esque setting for chef-driven modern American and Southern cuisine, designed for sophisticated experiences.
A meal here is typically a bespoke affair, often featuring special tasting menus or customized multi-course dinners that showcase seasonal ingredients. Expect dishes like seasonal crudos, inventive vegetable preparations, and perfectly cooked local meats.

6. Pinewood Social

• 📍 Location: Downtown/SoBro
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New American / Coffeehouse / Cocktail Bar / Bowling Alley
• 🔥 Standout Features: Multi-concept social space, coffee/restaurant/bowling/cocktails, stylish industrial-chic.
• 🎯 Perfect For: All-day hangouts, casual business meetings, and group activities/food/drinks.

Eat, drink, work, and play at Pinewood Social, a one-of-a-kind Nashville gathering spot! This massive, stylish space brilliantly combines a fantastic coffee bar, a delicious New American restaurant, a craft cocktail bar, and even a vintage bowling alley.

Start your day with amazing avocado toast and specialty coffee. Enjoy a creative fried chicken sandwich or their popular pot roast hash for lunch. Sip expertly crafted cocktails before hitting the lanes. It’s a truly unique and versatile destination.

• Read Next: 12 Unmissable Activities in Nashville, TN You’ll Love

7. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations, including Downtown/SoBro
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: West Tennessee Whole Hog BBQ / Southern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary whole hog BBQ, Pitmaster Pat Martin, live-fire cooking.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Whole hog BBQ fanatics, authentic Southern ‘que, and casual flavorful feasts.

Make a pilgrimage to a temple of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint! Helmed by pitmaster Pat Martin, this Nashville institution is renowned for its incredible, slow-smoked whole hog cooked over live fire. The rustic beer garden atmosphere is lively.

You absolutely have to try their famous whole hog platter or a hefty brisket sandwich. Their ribs and classic Southern sides like mac & cheese and baked beans are also phenomenal. It’s a true taste of West Tennessee tradition.

8. Rolf and Daughters

• 📍 Location: Germantown
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American / Mediterranean-Inspired / Pasta
• 🔥 Standout Features: Industrial-chic Germantown setting, house-made pastas, fermented ingredients.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pasta perfectionists, innovative flavor fans, and trendy Nashville dining.

Experience pasta perfection at Rolf and Daughters in Nashville’s Germantown. This acclaimed spot, in a cool industrial-chic building, is known for incredible house-made pastas and thoughtful use of fermented ingredients, adding unique depth. The aroma is intoxicating.

A wise choice is diving into any of their seasonal pasta dishes – always phenomenal – such as the bucatini or the garganelli verde. Sharing creative small plates like the heritage chicken or their sourdough bread with seaweed butter is also a great idea.

9. Five Points Pizza

• 📍 Location: East Nashville & West Nashville
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New York Style Pizza / Slices
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic NY-style pizza, by-the-slice options, popular neighborhood pizzerias.
• 🎯 Perfect For: NY-style pizza purists, quick delicious slices, and casual satisfying meals.

Get your Big Apple pizza fix in Music City at Five Points Pizza! With locations in East and West Nashville, this spot serves authentic New York-style pizza – thin crust, wide slices, and perfect foldable texture. The aroma of baking dough is irresistible.

You absolutely have to grab a classic pepperoni slice or try one of their creative specialty pies like the “Prosciutto & Basil”. Their garlic knots are legendary, and the Meatball Pizza is another fan favorite. It’s a true neighborhood pizzeria.

10. Chauhan Ale & Masala House

• 📍 Location: The Gulch
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Indian / Gastropub / Craft Beer
• 🔥 Standout Features: Chef Maneet Chauhan, Indian/Southern fusion, craft brewery.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Modern Indian food fans, creative culinary fusions, and upscale gastropub.

Embark on a vibrant culinary journey where India meets the South at Chauhan Ale & Masala House in The Gulch! Helmed by celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan, this innovative gastropub offers a unique fusion of traditional Indian flavors and Southern traditions.

A meal here is an invitation to explore inventive dishes like hot chicken pakoras or lamb keema papadi nachos. Their Golmaal Ribs and creative cocktails perfectly complement the bold flavors. It’s a true celebration of global tastes with local charm.

11. The Stillery

• 📍 Location: Downtown & Midtown
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Southern / Gastropub / Moonshine
• 🔥 Standout Features: Mason jar cocktails/moonshine, live music, Southern comfort/pizza.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Casual downtown/Midtown eats, live music fans, and unique moonshine cocktails.

Get a taste of Southern hospitality with a spirited kick at The Stillery! With bustling locations in Downtown and Midtown Nashville, this spot is known for delicious American and Southern comfort food, fantastic brick oven pizzas, and creative cocktails.

You’ll certainly want to try their famous hot chicken pizza or a juicy Stillery Burger. The Brussels sprouts appetizer is another popular pick. Definitely sample one of their signature mason jar cocktails. It’s a fun, unpretentious place for great food.

12. Skull’s Rainbow Room

• 📍 Location: Printers Alley
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Creole / Supper Club & Burlesque
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic Printers Alley (1948), live jazz/burlesque, speakeasy/classic cocktail.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique entertaining nights out, live jazz/burlesque fans, and vintage supper club.

Experience a dazzling night of vintage glamour and live music at Skull’s Rainbow Room in Nashville’s historic Printers Alley! This legendary spot, open since 1948, oozes old-school supper club charm with a speakeasy vibe, offering live jazz and captivating burlesque shows.

Sip on a classic Manhattan and enjoy their Creole-inspired American cuisine. Many recommend the Filet Mignon Skull’s Way or their prime rib. The crab cakes are also a well-loved choice. It’s a truly unique and entertaining Nashville experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Most Unique Restaurants in Nashville, TN

Are you looking for more content about where to eat in Nashville, Tennessee? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Nashville’s most unique restaurants.

What food should you not miss in Nashville?

When in Nashville, indulging in the city’s signature hot chicken is a must. This spicy fried chicken dish, often served with pickles on white bread, has become synonymous with Nashville’s culinary identity. Additionally, don’t miss out on the city’s BBQ offerings, biscuits, and classic Southern sides.

What makes Nashville’s dining scene so unique?

Nashville’s dining scene is a vibrant mix of traditional Southern comfort foods and innovative culinary experiences. From BBQ joints that have been serving up smoky delights for decades to modern fusion restaurants blending global flavors, there’s always something new and exciting to try. Plus, with the city’s rich musical heritage, many spots offer live performances, making dining in Nashville a multi-sensory experience.

What is famous food in Nashville?

Nashville, Tennessee, is a city renowned for its music, but its culinary scene is equally worthy of applause. Here are some of the famous foods you should try when you’re in the Music City:

• Meat and Three: A quintessential Southern meal, it consists of a meat dish accompanied by three sides like mac and cheese, cornbread, or vegetables.
• Hot Fried Chicken: Nashville’s own spicy twist on fried chicken, seasoned with cayenne chili and often served with potatoes or pickles.
• Barbecue: Known for its smoky flavor and tender texture, the meats are smoked and simmered for hours.
• Country Ham: A traditional dish where the ham is cured in salt and other drying ingredients, intensifying its flavor.
• Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya: A Creole-inspired dish featuring sautéed rice, pepper, onions, and tomatoes, along with chicken thighs and smoked sausage.
• Grilled Pimento Mac n Cheese: A delightful combination of macaroni, cheese, toasted bread, and butter.
• Fried Catfish: A Southern staple, the catfish is seasoned with lemon juice and pepper before being fried.
• Biscuits: A popular side dish, often served with meat and three or hot fried chicken.
• Cornbread: Another popular side, made from locally grown corn.
• Fried Pickles: Sliced pickles coated in flour and spices, then deep-fried.
• Bonuts: A hybrid of biscuits and doughnuts, deep-fried and glazed with various toppings.
• Roasted Cauliflower: A vegetable dish marinated with flour and cream, then baked.
• Kimchi Spring Rolls: A fusion dish featuring a rich recipe of veggies like cabbage, carrot, and cucumber.
• Fruit Tea: A Southern specialty drink made from brewed black tea flavored with various fruit juices.
• Belle Meade Bourbon-Tennessee Whiskey: A local distillery product that complements the city’s culinary offerings.

Are there any affordable yet unique places to eat in Nashville?

Absolutely! While Nashville boasts its fair share of upscale dining establishments, there are plenty of affordable gems that offer unique dining experiences. Places like Five Points Pizza serve up gourmet flavors without the hefty price tag. Additionally, the city is home to various food trucks and local eateries that serve delicious meals without breaking the bank.

Where do celebrities eat in Nashville?

Nashville, the Music City, is not just a haven for country music lovers but also a hotspot for celebrity sightings. Many celebrities call Nashville home and are often seen around town, especially in bars and restaurants.

• Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa: Owned by country music star Miranda Lambert, she is known to perform here quite often.
• Whole Foods in Green Hills: A popular grocery store where celebrities like to shop and sometimes eat at the in-store cafes.
• Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro: A breakfast spot frequented by celebrities.
• Santa’s Pub at Bransford Ave: A dive bar where you might spot a famous face.
• Pinewood Social: A trendy spot known for its food, bowling alley, and pool.
• Fido’s Coffee Shop in Hillsboro: A popular coffee shop where celebrities often hang out.
• The area of Franklin and Brentwood: These affluent neighborhoods have various dining spots where celebrities are often seen.

These are just a few places where you’re likely to bump into a celebrity while dining out in Nashville.

Are there unique Nashville restaurants that cater to plant-based diets?

Yes, Nashville is increasingly becoming a haven for vegetarians and vegans. Many restaurants, even those that traditionally serve meat-centric dishes, now offer plant-based options. Establishments like The Wild Cow and Avo are entirely vegetarian and offer a range of delicious and innovative dishes.

What is the signature dish of Nashville?

The undisputed signature dish of Nashville is “Hot Chicken.” This fiery delight is deep-fried chicken that’s been marinated in a spicy sauce, usually served atop white bread with pickles. Its origins trace back to the local African-American community, and over the years, it has become a staple that both locals and visitors crave.

Which hidden culinary treasures in Nashville should I explore?

While Nashville boasts several renowned dining spots, some lesser-known gems offer equally delightful experiences. Venturing off the beaten path can lead to some mouthwatering discoveries:

1. The Mockingbird: A modern diner serving global fare with a playful twist.
2. Five Points Pizza: Located in East Nashville, this pizzeria is all about authentic New York-style pizza with a Nashville touch.
3. Rolf and Daughters: Situated in the historic Germantown neighborhood, it offers a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine, blending it seamlessly with Southern flavors.

What bar in Nashville has the best food?

Here are some bars in Nashville that are highly rated for their food:

• The Stillery: Located in Downtown Nashville, this bar offers American cuisine with a twist. Their menu may look like standard bar food, but the taste is exceptional. They offer outdoor seating, delivery, and takeout.
• HiFi Clyde’s Nashville: Situated in Midtown, this sports bar offers surprisingly good food that goes beyond typical bar fare. It’s family-owned and operated, and also offers outdoor seating, delivery, and takeout.
• The Twelve Thirty Club: This cocktail bar in Downtown Nashville is known for offering more than just typical bar food. They also provide outdoor seating, delivery, and takeout.
• Ole Smoky Distillery/Yee-Haw Brewing Co.: Located in Sobro, this distillery and brewery also offers tacos. They have outdoor seating and delivery options.
• Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar: This American traditional beer bar in Downtown Nashville offers appetizers that exceed the usual bar food expectations. They also have outdoor seating.
• The Local: Located in Midtown, this bar is known for offering food that is not typical bar fare but much more. They also offer outdoor seating.
• City Tap House: Situated in Sobro, this gastropub offers a wide range of beers on tap and some of the best bar food in the area. They offer delivery and takeout options.

Where can I find the best food in Nashville with a view?

Nashville is blessed with scenic beauty, and several restaurants capitalize on this with stunning views. For a dining experience paired with a visual treat, consider spots near the Cumberland River or those with rooftop dining options. These places often combine Nashville’s scenic beauty with its culinary delights.

Final Thoughts on Nashville’s Unique Restaurants

Nashville shines brightly on the food front. From sizzling hot chicken joints to cozy pizza spots like Five Points Pizza, every nook of this city offers flavors that captivate and delight. The blend of Southern traditions with innovative twists ensures a dining experience that’s both familiar and refreshingly new.

Dive into the rich flavors at Rolf and Daughters or grab a slice at a local pizzeria, and you’ll quickly realize that Nashville’s food scene is as vibrant and diverse as its musical heritage. Each restaurant, be it a renowned eatery or a hidden Nashville gem, paints a vivid picture of the city’s rich culture, history, and passion for good food.

As you explore the city, remember to bring your appetite and a sense of adventure. The unique restaurants in Nashville stand ready to serve up unforgettable moments, one plate at a time.