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Neon-lit sign for Robert’s Western World on Broadway in Downtown Nashville Photo by SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images

The 15 Best Places to Dine Around Downtown Nashville

The blocks surrounding Broadway offer everything from Italian fine dining to comforting fried bologna sandwiches

by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones and Eater Staff Updated
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by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones and Eater Staff Updated
Photo by SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images

When people think of going out in downtown Nashville, they usually envision Broadway’s raucous pedal taverns, honky-tonks, and rooftops rather than high-quality food at intriguing restaurants. But the influx of visitors in recent years has helped draw excellent new options to augment some existing charmers. Dining out in the city center has never been better, whether you want Italian fine dining or a comforting fried bologna sandwich. Here are downtown Nashville’s top restaurants.

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Black Rabbit

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The Farm House chef-owner Trey Cioccia now has two downtown restaurants under his belt with the addition of this cozy Printer’s Alley cocktail den — and both have solid happy hours. Black Rabbit is an ode to a bygone era, with both decor and menu reflecting that aesthetic. Standouts range from the signature rabbit rolls to a smoked rib-eye and chocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallows. They also offer Saturday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

218 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 891-2380
(615) 891-2380

Also featured in:

Skull's Rainbow Room

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The original Skull’s Rainbow Room from the 1940s, a legendary hangout and performance venue, shuttered in 1999. The Printers Alley icon reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz, late-night weekend burlesque, and many of the vintage touches of the original. The revamped dinner menu features luscious lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, and an excellent garlic honey-glazed pork chop.

222 Printers Aly, Nashville, TN
(615) 251-9076
(615) 251-9076

Also featured in:

Rae's Sandwich Shoppe

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A line is a common occurrence at this longstanding deli on Union, open only for lunch most weekdays. Find standout versions of hot sandwiches like Cubans, Monte Cristos, and hot brown handhelds all served on New Orleans-style French bread alongside original creations, soups, and salads.

501 Union St, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 313-7237
(615) 313-7237

Also featured in:

Gannons

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Live jazz is one of the main draws at this casual fine dining destination in the downtown Marriott Courtyard. But the oysters, mushroom risotto, and prime rib know how to hold their own. The sleek Art Deco-ish dining room gussied up in black and gold also serves a stellar duck confit empanada, peach bacon glazed pork chop, and New Zealand rack of lamb with chamomile gastrique.

170 4th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
(615) 920-6792
(615) 920-6792

Ophelia's Pizza + Bar - Nashville

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This eclectic, yet homey, downtown cafe specializes in wood-fired pies, antipasti, and an impressive charcuterie board. You can choose to dine al fresco and enjoy an Ophelia’s negroni (blood orange gin, Campari, vermouth, and orange cream bitters) on the intimate patio out front, or post up at the bar towards the back and watch the staff hustle to and from the kitchen. Don’t miss one of the best desserts in the city: the cannoli sundae with ricotta ice cream.

401 Church Street, TN 37219
(615) 505-1562
(615) 505-1562

Also featured in:

D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe

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Nashville native David Andrews moved back from NYC in 2016 and opened his first shop downtown. At D’Andrews, a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, you can grab an espresso, nitro cold brew, or latte with homemade syrups to go with decadent rotating pastries including double-butter croissants, blueberry corn muffins, and brioche pecan cinnamon buns. The breakfast and lunch cafe also makes an enticing assortment of salads, soups, and sandwiches, including a BLT, a pimento grilled cheese, and egg sandwiches, all on house focaccia.

555 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 375-4934
(615) 375-4934

Also featured in:

Robert's Western World

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Before Broadway’s streetscape was overtaken by three-story mega-bars named after modern country music stars, Robert’s Western World has consistently offered old-school country music and rockabilly for those seeking a true Nashville honky-tonk experience. And while this is undoubtedly more bar than restaurant, Robert’s $6 Recession Special — a fried bologna sandwich with an icy PBR and Moon Pie for dessert — is an iconic Music City meal.

416 Broadway B, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 244-9552
(615) 244-9552

Also featured in:

Fifth + Broadway

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Massive mixed-use development Fifth + Broadway added dozens of excellent dining options for those visiting the popular honky-tonk strip. Standalone highlights include locally grown chains Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Slim & Husky’s (the pizzeria made history as the first-ever Black-owned restaurant to open on Broadway) plus the wine-soaked Sixty Vines and the glamorous Twelve Thirty Club, which offers live music and food across several floors. The Assembly Food Hall here also offers a staggering variety of stalls and seating areas across multiple levels, including local favorites like Thai Esane, Saffron the Indian Kitchen, Steam Boys, Donut Distillery, and Prince’s Hot Chicken — creator of the iconic Nashville hot chicken.

5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 800-5395
(615) 800-5395
An overhead view of Assembly Food Hall in downtown Nashville
Assembly Food Hall at Fifth + Broadway.
Assembly Food Hall

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The Southern Steak & Oyster

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Once upon a time, this was one of the only places in town with an oyster bar. Today, it still remains a local and tourist favorite for its refined Southern dining experience and top-notch street-level patio — even as other oyster bars have cropped up around town. Chase the briny bivalves with thoughtfully prepared traditional dishes like fish and grits, fried chicken with collards and country ham gravy, and steak blue cheese biscuits.

150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN
(615) 724-1762
(615) 724-1762

Also featured in:

Etch

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Revered chef Deb Paquette has a knack for bold flavor, which Etch showcases charmingly in unexpected dishes like octopus and shrimp bruschetta and Moroccan bastilla with saffron eggplant, vegan ricotta harissa carrot ribbons, and almond fennel orange pesto. Perhaps the most popular dish is the roasted cauliflower, available at lunch and dinner with truffled pea puree, salted almonds, feta crema, and red bell pepper sauce. Here, long-time pastry chef Megan Williams turns out meal-closing gems like a pear hazelnut tart on shortbread crust and various housemade ice creams.

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN
(615) 522-0685
(615) 522-0685

Also featured in:

1 Kitchen

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Situated on the ground floor of the earthy, eco-luxe environs of the 1 Hotel, 1 Kitchen is helmed by Top Chef alum Chris Crary, who puts out an evolving seasonal menu with a zero-waste ethos. The restaurant strives to source 75% of its ingredients within a 200-mile radius, all of which are incorporated in dishes like sweet molasses wheat bread, farmer’s squash soup with curried chickpeas, and duck leg confit. After your meal, head up to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Harriet’s, for a nightcap under the stars.

 

710 Demonbreun Street, TN 37203
(615) 432-2203
(615) 432-2203

Also featured in:

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

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Martin’s is an easy place to recommend to folks with a hankering for Southern barbecue. Pitmaster Pat Martin is keeping the West Tennessee tradition of whole-hog barbecue alive and well, growing his Nolensville-based restaurant into a chain spread across several states. The downtown Nashville location has a mammoth beer garden in the back, providing tons of seating, games, and a stage for live music. Don’t miss Martin’s quintessential pulled-pork barbecue sandwich; other hits include wings, wet or dry ribs, brisket sandwiches, barbecue bologna sandwiches, and Redneck Tacos on cornbread hoecakes.

410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN
(615) 288-0880
(615) 288-0880

Also featured in:

Yolan

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Nashville scored big when James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and wine expert Cathy Mantuano came to town. The powerhouse couple brought a fine dining Italian menu to the Joseph hotel along with sumptuous wines, standout service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Try a chef’s tasting menu — there’s even a rare vegetarian version — or order any of the pasta options a la carte and save room for jaw-dropping desserts from executive pastry chef Noelle Marchetti.

403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 231-0405
(615) 231-0405
A pasta dish in a wide white bowl.
Pasta at Yolan.
Haas & Haas Photography/Yolan

Also featured in:

Bourbon Steak Nashville

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The Nashville location of Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak chain boasts 280 seats on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott hotel downtown, so the views are top-notch. The more-is-more approach carries through one of the city’s most extensive whiskey lists and opulent dishes ranging from black truffle mac and cheese to lobster pot pie to a 40-ounce wagyu tomahawk rib-eye carved table-side.

201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(629) 208-8440
(629) 208-8440

Also featured in:

Husk

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Situated a few blocks south of Broadway in a historic house built in 1879, Husk has been dishing up rustic Southern fare with an emphasis on sourcing ingredients only found in the South. Chef Ben Norton’s menu utilizes in-house pickling and garden-fresh herbs and produce to deliver hearty standouts like shrimp and grits, country ham, pimento cheese, cheddar biscuits, and catfish that bring back diners time and again.

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 256-6565
(615) 256-6565

Also featured in:

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Black Rabbit

218 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201

The Farm House chef-owner Trey Cioccia now has two downtown restaurants under his belt with the addition of this cozy Printer’s Alley cocktail den — and both have solid happy hours. Black Rabbit is an ode to a bygone era, with both decor and menu reflecting that aesthetic. Standouts range from the signature rabbit rolls to a smoked rib-eye and chocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallows. They also offer Saturday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

218 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 891-2380
(615) 891-2380

Skull's Rainbow Room

222 Printers Aly, Nashville, TN

The original Skull’s Rainbow Room from the 1940s, a legendary hangout and performance venue, shuttered in 1999. The Printers Alley icon reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz, late-night weekend burlesque, and many of the vintage touches of the original. The revamped dinner menu features luscious lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, and an excellent garlic honey-glazed pork chop.

222 Printers Aly, Nashville, TN
(615) 251-9076
(615) 251-9076

Rae's Sandwich Shoppe

501 Union St, Nashville, TN 37219

A line is a common occurrence at this longstanding deli on Union, open only for lunch most weekdays. Find standout versions of hot sandwiches like Cubans, Monte Cristos, and hot brown handhelds all served on New Orleans-style French bread alongside original creations, soups, and salads.

501 Union St, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 313-7237
(615) 313-7237

Gannons

170 4th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37219

Live jazz is one of the main draws at this casual fine dining destination in the downtown Marriott Courtyard. But the oysters, mushroom risotto, and prime rib know how to hold their own. The sleek Art Deco-ish dining room gussied up in black and gold also serves a stellar duck confit empanada, peach bacon glazed pork chop, and New Zealand rack of lamb with chamomile gastrique.

170 4th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
(615) 920-6792
(615) 920-6792

Ophelia's Pizza + Bar - Nashville

401 Church Street, TN 37219

This eclectic, yet homey, downtown cafe specializes in wood-fired pies, antipasti, and an impressive charcuterie board. You can choose to dine al fresco and enjoy an Ophelia’s negroni (blood orange gin, Campari, vermouth, and orange cream bitters) on the intimate patio out front, or post up at the bar towards the back and watch the staff hustle to and from the kitchen. Don’t miss one of the best desserts in the city: the cannoli sundae with ricotta ice cream.

401 Church Street, TN 37219
(615) 505-1562
(615) 505-1562

D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe

555 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219

Nashville native David Andrews moved back from NYC in 2016 and opened his first shop downtown. At D’Andrews, a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, you can grab an espresso, nitro cold brew, or latte with homemade syrups to go with decadent rotating pastries including double-butter croissants, blueberry corn muffins, and brioche pecan cinnamon buns. The breakfast and lunch cafe also makes an enticing assortment of salads, soups, and sandwiches, including a BLT, a pimento grilled cheese, and egg sandwiches, all on house focaccia.

555 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 375-4934
(615) 375-4934

Robert's Western World

416 Broadway B, Nashville, TN 37203

Before Broadway’s streetscape was overtaken by three-story mega-bars named after modern country music stars, Robert’s Western World has consistently offered old-school country music and rockabilly for those seeking a true Nashville honky-tonk experience. And while this is undoubtedly more bar than restaurant, Robert’s $6 Recession Special — a fried bologna sandwich with an icy PBR and Moon Pie for dessert — is an iconic Music City meal.

416 Broadway B, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 244-9552
(615) 244-9552

Fifth + Broadway

5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203

Massive mixed-use development Fifth + Broadway added dozens of excellent dining options for those visiting the popular honky-tonk strip. Standalone highlights include locally grown chains Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Slim & Husky’s (the pizzeria made history as the first-ever Black-owned restaurant to open on Broadway) plus the wine-soaked Sixty Vines and the glamorous Twelve Thirty Club, which offers live music and food across several floors. The Assembly Food Hall here also offers a staggering variety of stalls and seating areas across multiple levels, including local favorites like Thai Esane, Saffron the Indian Kitchen, Steam Boys, Donut Distillery, and Prince’s Hot Chicken — creator of the iconic Nashville hot chicken.

5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 800-5395
(615) 800-5395
An overhead view of Assembly Food Hall in downtown Nashville
Assembly Food Hall at Fifth + Broadway.
Assembly Food Hall

The Southern Steak & Oyster

150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN

Once upon a time, this was one of the only places in town with an oyster bar. Today, it still remains a local and tourist favorite for its refined Southern dining experience and top-notch street-level patio — even as other oyster bars have cropped up around town. Chase the briny bivalves with thoughtfully prepared traditional dishes like fish and grits, fried chicken with collards and country ham gravy, and steak blue cheese biscuits.

150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN
(615) 724-1762
(615) 724-1762

Etch

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN

Revered chef Deb Paquette has a knack for bold flavor, which Etch showcases charmingly in unexpected dishes like octopus and shrimp bruschetta and Moroccan bastilla with saffron eggplant, vegan ricotta harissa carrot ribbons, and almond fennel orange pesto. Perhaps the most popular dish is the roasted cauliflower, available at lunch and dinner with truffled pea puree, salted almonds, feta crema, and red bell pepper sauce. Here, long-time pastry chef Megan Williams turns out meal-closing gems like a pear hazelnut tart on shortbread crust and various housemade ice creams.

303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN
(615) 522-0685
(615) 522-0685

1 Kitchen

710 Demonbreun Street, TN 37203

Situated on the ground floor of the earthy, eco-luxe environs of the 1 Hotel, 1 Kitchen is helmed by Top Chef alum Chris Crary, who puts out an evolving seasonal menu with a zero-waste ethos. The restaurant strives to source 75% of its ingredients within a 200-mile radius, all of which are incorporated in dishes like sweet molasses wheat bread, farmer’s squash soup with curried chickpeas, and duck leg confit. After your meal, head up to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Harriet’s, for a nightcap under the stars.

 

710 Demonbreun Street, TN 37203
(615) 432-2203
(615) 432-2203

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN

Martin’s is an easy place to recommend to folks with a hankering for Southern barbecue. Pitmaster Pat Martin is keeping the West Tennessee tradition of whole-hog barbecue alive and well, growing his Nolensville-based restaurant into a chain spread across several states. The downtown Nashville location has a mammoth beer garden in the back, providing tons of seating, games, and a stage for live music. Don’t miss Martin’s quintessential pulled-pork barbecue sandwich; other hits include wings, wet or dry ribs, brisket sandwiches, barbecue bologna sandwiches, and Redneck Tacos on cornbread hoecakes.

410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN
(615) 288-0880
(615) 288-0880

Yolan

403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

Nashville scored big when James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and wine expert Cathy Mantuano came to town. The powerhouse couple brought a fine dining Italian menu to the Joseph hotel along with sumptuous wines, standout service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Try a chef’s tasting menu — there’s even a rare vegetarian version — or order any of the pasta options a la carte and save room for jaw-dropping desserts from executive pastry chef Noelle Marchetti.

403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 231-0405
(615) 231-0405
A pasta dish in a wide white bowl.
Pasta at Yolan.
Haas & Haas Photography/Yolan

Bourbon Steak Nashville

201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

The Nashville location of Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak chain boasts 280 seats on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott hotel downtown, so the views are top-notch. The more-is-more approach carries through one of the city’s most extensive whiskey lists and opulent dishes ranging from black truffle mac and cheese to lobster pot pie to a 40-ounce wagyu tomahawk rib-eye carved table-side.

201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(629) 208-8440
(629) 208-8440

Husk

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210

Situated a few blocks south of Broadway in a historic house built in 1879, Husk has been dishing up rustic Southern fare with an emphasis on sourcing ingredients only found in the South. Chef Ben Norton’s menu utilizes in-house pickling and garden-fresh herbs and produce to deliver hearty standouts like shrimp and grits, country ham, pimento cheese, cheddar biscuits, and catfish that bring back diners time and again.

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 256-6565
(615) 256-6565

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