Nashville Food and Music
Music City’s Food Destinations Filled With Southern Fun and Flavors
Nashville’s culinary scene is as sophisticated and diverse as the city itself, with an influx of restaurants created by star chefs, and the soulful southern culinary culture that elevates a visit. There’s a destination to find every type of food – fun, fried, fiery, and fancy – and the perfect beverage to go along with it.
Nashville: Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. Legendary country music venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and historic Ryman Auditorium are Downtown, as is the District, featuring honky-tonks with live music. Nashvill is known as Music City.
Southern Favorites
As part of America’s south, Nashville’s excellent southern-focused restaurants serve rich cooking, soulful flavors and deep-fried comforts. Fluffy, warm biscuits, grits, hot chicken and waffles, hush puppies, mustard greens, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes and gravy, served with a cold glass of sweet tea, are among the staples of the southern menu. Seek out these favorites at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner to get the true taste of Americana, often at affordable prices, as well.
- Big Al’s Deli and Catering has a big menu and daily specials featuring another southern staple – the plate lunch.
- Known for soul food served family style, Monell’s Dining and Catering has three locations in the greater Nashville area.
Homemade Nashville Hot Chicken with Bread and PIckles
Hot chicken
Take a stroll on the spicy side with one of Nashville’s most famous dishes – Hot Chicken – classic fried chicken served with a side of heat. You can find Hot Chicken places in most neighborhoods, and may even have the opportunity to put your request in for reasoning ranging from “mild” to “turn on the A/C it’s gonna be HOT”!
- With three Nashville locations, you’re never too far from a great source for Hot Chicken – Hattie B’s . And, many Nashville restaurants carry this signature dish.
A little live music with your food?
When in Music City, why not enjoy some live music as you dine, and maybe a little dancing? A great selection of restaurants feature live music.
- In the Printer’s Alley district, Skull’s Rainbow Room serves a special mix of live jazz, craft cocktails, an award-winning menu, and more.
- Robert’s Western World is a honky tonk and dive bar with live traditional country, western, and rock-a-billy music 7 days a week, 16 hours a day.
- With two locations perfect for relaxing, The Stillery offers burgers, signature mason jar drinks, and a second floor music space featuring local up and coming acts on Friday and Saturday nights.
- B.B. King’s Blues Club & Restaurant in “the District,” has live music, hearty fare, signature drinks, and dancing.
Nashville, Tennessee – October 8, 2017: Neon signs light the strip along Broadway in Nashville
Party wagons
Nashville’s cuisine isn’t just about the food. It’s also about the warm atmosphere, and of course, the beverages, adult and otherwise. Whether on a tractor, wagon, bus or carriage, Nashville’s parties on wheels invite you to hop on for some outdoor sightseeing while sipping an adult drink.
These BYOB (bring your own booze) party bikes are a great way to be outdoors, get a little exercise, see the sights, and party, drink in hand!
A tractor, a wagon, and moonshine make for a one-of-a-kind tour of Nashville!
- Horse and Carriage Rides
Countless horse and carriage rides start from the vicinity of Second and Broad streets. No reservations are required – just walk up and ask “how much,” and if the price is right, step in and see the city at a horse-drawn pace.
Nashville, Tennessee, USA – April 5, 2013: A bachelorette party rides down Broadway in a pedal tavern in Nashville, Tennessee
Chef-driven venues
Nashville is an exciting place for food, with lots happening on the food scene all around the city. Restaurants run by world-class chefs offer a cutting-edge culinary scene on par with the best of New York City and beyond.
In 2019, The James Beard Foundation honored several Nashville restaurants as semifinalists:
- Folk, semifinalist, Best New Restaurant
- Margot Café & Bar, chef Margot McCormack, semifinalist, Outstanding Chef
- The Catbird Seat, The Patterson House, Henrietta Red, and others run (Strategic Hospitality, semifinalist, Outstanding Restaurateur)
- Bastion’s Josh Habiger, semifinalist, Best Chef: Southeast
For more information, visit the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
If you want to see America’s south, check out our Nashville & Memphis Vacation Package
