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An orange dish garnished with cilantro.
The Ceppe from Yolan, a pasta dish with carrot, lobster and spring herbs.
Yolan

18 Excellent Date-Night Restaurants in Nashville

New ideas for a romantic evening out on the town

by Kellie Walton and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
The Ceppe from Yolan, a pasta dish with carrot, lobster and spring herbs.
| Yolan
by Kellie Walton and Eater Staff Updated

Finding a perfect match might not be the easiest thing to do in Nashville, but at least the city is packed with plenty of restaurants that can serve as a solid setting for anything from a one-drink-test-date to a proposal. Bookmark this list for the next time a date-night dinner destination needs to be decided.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Noko

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East Nashville’s new wood-fired, Asian-influenced restaurant, Noko, is the latest and greatest spot to impress a date. Chef Dung “Junior” Vo shows off his culinary chops with standout dishes including tuna crispy rice, wood-fired 42-ounce tomahawk ribeyes, and the District Sando, a glorified grilled cheese stuffed with prosciutto, truffle aioli, white cheddar and togarashi. Wash it all down with a wagyu fat-washed old fashioned. 

701 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 712-6894
(615) 712-6894

Also featured in:

The Optimist

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Make a reservation or belly up to the bar at the dimly lit luxe seafood spot in Germantown to share a meal of everything from lobster rolls to oysters to whole roasted flounder with pecan meuniere. For those who desire more, step outside to Jacqueline, the expansive patio bar that transports guests beachside with shaved ice cocktails, lawn games, and seafood snacks. 

1400 Adams St, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 709-3156
(615) 709-3156
A platter of lobster, shrimp, and oysters.
Seafood from the Optimist.
The Optimist

Also featured in:

The Lipstick Lounge

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East Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge (also known as “The Lip”) is an excellent LGBTQ+ venue for a lively date night, as long as you’re up for a little karaoke. Visit for brunch held every Saturday and Sunday, or opt for an outing that could last all night long – the Lip is open nightly until 3 a.m. Celebrate an extra special occasion with a cigar and a cocktail at the new upstairs bar, the Upper Lip. 

1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 226-6343
(615) 226-6343

Also featured in:

Tempered Café & Chocolate

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If a daytime date is the plan, Germantown’s Tempered makes their own truffles (and drinking chocolate) and pairs them with wine or whiskey. At night on Thursday through Saturday, the space transforms into an absinthe bar — the Green Hour, another good choice for cocktails and conversation (and of course, more chocolate).

1201 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 454-5432
(615) 454-5432
Nine different chocolates.
Chocolate from Tempered Cafe.
Tempered Cafe/Facebook

Also featured in:

Skull's Rainbow Room

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Located in Printer’s Alley with live music most nights, locals count on this old-school venue for an unpretentious scene filled with solid tunes and stiff drinks like the Rainbow Room, with vodka, ginger, pineapple, cava, and orange bitters. To eat — musts include the lobster bisque, cheese plate, prime rib empanadas, and the grilled pork chop with rosemary, bacon, and garlic honey glaze.

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 810-9631
(615) 810-9631
The outer signage for Skulls’.
Skull’s.
Website/Skull’s Rainbow Room

Also featured in:

The River House

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From the owners of Nashville staple BrickTop’s, the expansive River House sets an excellent scene for a date with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and white linen-clad tables topped with dishes from its luxurious menu of seafood, steaks, and sides. There is a business casual dress code.

313 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 271-7868
(615) 271-7868
Bar with drop lighting and stools.
The bar at the River house.
The River House

Also featured in:

Pins Mechanical Co

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Keep your next date casual at Pins Mechanical, a bar and entertainment venue in one. Bond over a friendly competition at one of the onsite arcade games, play a round of duckpin bowling, or cozy up next to an outdoor fire pit, boozy slush or seasonal cocktail in-hand. Hungry? Pins partners with local food trucks to serve customers nightly. 

1102 Grundy St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 610-7461
(615) 610-7461

Yolan

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The ultra-luxe Joseph Hotel opened in 2020, and with it came James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano’s downstairs Italian stunner Yolan, complete with a cheese cave, the city’s most impressive wine list, and fresh pasta aplenty. Don’t miss pastry chef Noelle Marchetti’s stunning desserts and focaccia.

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

Also featured in:

Listening Room Cafe

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If there’s one thing Nashville does best, it’s live music, and The Listening Room places the city’s top singer-songwriters in the spotlight through storytelling rounds taking place multiple times per day. Share a bottle of wine, a few appetizers like fried pickles and beer cheese pretzels, and a bourbon caramel brownie for dessert while bonding over a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite songs. 

618 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 259-3600
(615) 259-3600

Also featured in:

Marsh House

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Find seafood and Southern fare in stunning digs at Marsh House, located on the bottom level of the Thompson Nashville Hotel. The seafood-heavy menu’s highlights include seafood towers, seared scallops, blackened swordfish, hearty bowls of gumbo, and, of course, oysters. Cap the date with a cocktail at the Thompson’s rooftop bar, L.A. Jackson. 

401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 262-6001
(615) 262-6001
The bar and middle table at Marsh House.
Marsh House.
Sam Angel

Also featured in:

Midtown Cafe

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Charming longtime Music Row destination Midtown Cafe is a Nashville staple from Randy Rayburn. Open for over 30 years, the cozy little cafe known for its lemon artichoke soup transports diners back to Nashville before the influx of bro-country and bachelorettes. Midtown Cafe offers a free shuttle service for travelers to downtown hotels, and for locals who need transportation to downtown performances after dinner (must reserve ahead).

102 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 320-7176
(615) 320-7176

Also featured in:

The 404 Kitchen

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Previously housed across the street in a small repurposed storage container, executive chef Matt Bolus’ Gulch restaurant upgraded to a much larger space with an expanded menu a few years back, and the vibe and menu are vastly different. Catfish bites and pimento cheese are standout starters — then move on to a green salad with charcoal vinaigrette, and mains like the whole smoked fried chicken or steaks. Post dinner, head downstairs to Gertie’s Bar to check out the city’s largest whiskey selection, and a seriously good old-fashioned.

507 12th Ave S Fl 2, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 251-1404
(615) 251-1404
A steak on top of greens on a wood table.
The 404 Kitchen pork t-bone.
Andrea Behrends

Also featured in:

Otaku Ramen

Copy Link

Ramen and hot chicken bao buns are a solid date-night move in Nashville. Sarah Gavigan’s Gulch restaurant’s tonkotsu shio ramen is an iconic Nashville dish — prime for slurping side-by-side at the counter with your date over a container of sake to share.

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 942-8281
(615) 942-8281

Also featured in:

Henley

Copy Link

Since taking the helm as executive chef of the Kimpton Aertson Hotel and its brasserie and standout bar in 2021, Chopped champion Kristin Beringson has made the Southern-leaning seasonal menu her own, churning out stellar plates featuring ingredients from the Nashville region. Favorites include biscuit beignets, country fried oysters, and the Westholme brisket with gnocchi and brussels.

2023 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 340-6378
(615) 340-6378
Cool bar with a mural of eyes behind it.
The bar at the Henley.
Sam Angel

Also featured in:

Answer

Copy Link

Answer is exactly the comfortable neighborhood restaurant that could easily become a weekly date-night destination. There’s a solid happy hour for those who don’t mind dining at the bar, but the small patio is also a nice spot to enjoy Chef Chris Raucci’s eclectic menu of chile-glazed tofu, dry-aged beef albondigas, and more. A stroll around idyllic Sylvan Park, post-dinner makes a fine finish.

132 46th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 942-0866
(615) 942-0866
Empty bar area with stools and marble countertops.
The bar area at Answer.
Sam Angel

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Barcelona Wine Bar Edgehill

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An interesting wine list and tapas menu of Spanish favorites like patatas bravas and croquetas make Barcelona a fun choice for a night out in Nashville. The roomy, dimly lit restaurant is always rather lively, so perhaps make this a spot for weeknight dining.

1200 Villa Pl #110, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 327-0600
(615) 327-0600
The dining room with wine in the background.
Barcelona.
Sam Angel

Also featured in:

Plaza Mariachi

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Dates don’t have to break the bank to be fun, and Nolensville Pike’s Plaza Mariachi helps prove that point. Affordable dinner options, shopping, plus free entertainment (everything from bands to fire dancing to aerial performances) every night of the week makes a date at Plaza Mariachi a memorable occasion. A nice move is to grab a café Cubano from Trinity Coffee, then stroll around the plaza with elotes or sit down for juicy steak from Tres Gauchos.

3955 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 373-9292
(615) 373-9292

Also featured in:

ButterFLY Garden Brunch & Events

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A newcomer to Nashville’s Lenox Village neighborhood from owners Shannon Randles and chef Jerod Wilcher, the ButterFLY Garden does brunch best,with bottomless menus on Saturdays and Sundays. Treat your date to an all-you-can-eat chef’s choice menu, which may include bottomless biscuits and gravy, catfish, shrimp and grits, pasta primavera, and mimosas for $50 per person. 

6917 Lenox Village Dr, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 739-6077
(615) 739-6077

More in Maps

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Noko

701 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

East Nashville’s new wood-fired, Asian-influenced restaurant, Noko, is the latest and greatest spot to impress a date. Chef Dung “Junior” Vo shows off his culinary chops with standout dishes including tuna crispy rice, wood-fired 42-ounce tomahawk ribeyes, and the District Sando, a glorified grilled cheese stuffed with prosciutto, truffle aioli, white cheddar and togarashi. Wash it all down with a wagyu fat-washed old fashioned. 

701 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 712-6894
(615) 712-6894

The Optimist

1400 Adams St, Nashville, TN 37208

Make a reservation or belly up to the bar at the dimly lit luxe seafood spot in Germantown to share a meal of everything from lobster rolls to oysters to whole roasted flounder with pecan meuniere. For those who desire more, step outside to Jacqueline, the expansive patio bar that transports guests beachside with shaved ice cocktails, lawn games, and seafood snacks. 

1400 Adams St, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 709-3156
(615) 709-3156
A platter of lobster, shrimp, and oysters.
Seafood from the Optimist.
The Optimist

The Lipstick Lounge

1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

East Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge (also known as “The Lip”) is an excellent LGBTQ+ venue for a lively date night, as long as you’re up for a little karaoke. Visit for brunch held every Saturday and Sunday, or opt for an outing that could last all night long – the Lip is open nightly until 3 a.m. Celebrate an extra special occasion with a cigar and a cocktail at the new upstairs bar, the Upper Lip. 

1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 226-6343
(615) 226-6343

Tempered Café & Chocolate

1201 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

If a daytime date is the plan, Germantown’s Tempered makes their own truffles (and drinking chocolate) and pairs them with wine or whiskey. At night on Thursday through Saturday, the space transforms into an absinthe bar — the Green Hour, another good choice for cocktails and conversation (and of course, more chocolate).

1201 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 454-5432
(615) 454-5432
Nine different chocolates.
Chocolate from Tempered Cafe.
Tempered Cafe/Facebook

Skull's Rainbow Room

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201

Located in Printer’s Alley with live music most nights, locals count on this old-school venue for an unpretentious scene filled with solid tunes and stiff drinks like the Rainbow Room, with vodka, ginger, pineapple, cava, and orange bitters. To eat — musts include the lobster bisque, cheese plate, prime rib empanadas, and the grilled pork chop with rosemary, bacon, and garlic honey glaze.

222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 810-9631
(615) 810-9631
The outer signage for Skulls’.
Skull’s.
Website/Skull’s Rainbow Room

The River House

313 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37210

From the owners of Nashville staple BrickTop’s, the expansive River House sets an excellent scene for a date with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and white linen-clad tables topped with dishes from its luxurious menu of seafood, steaks, and sides. There is a business casual dress code.

313 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 271-7868
(615) 271-7868
Bar with drop lighting and stools.
The bar at the River house.
The River House

Pins Mechanical Co

1102 Grundy St, Nashville, TN 37203

Keep your next date casual at Pins Mechanical, a bar and entertainment venue in one. Bond over a friendly competition at one of the onsite arcade games, play a round of duckpin bowling, or cozy up next to an outdoor fire pit, boozy slush or seasonal cocktail in-hand. Hungry? Pins partners with local food trucks to serve customers nightly. 

1102 Grundy St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 610-7461
(615) 610-7461

Yolan

403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

The ultra-luxe Joseph Hotel opened in 2020, and with it came James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano’s downstairs Italian stunner Yolan, complete with a cheese cave, the city’s most impressive wine list, and fresh pasta aplenty. Don’t miss pastry chef Noelle Marchetti’s stunning desserts and focaccia.

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

Listening Room Cafe

618 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210

If there’s one thing Nashville does best, it’s live music, and The Listening Room places the city’s top singer-songwriters in the spotlight through storytelling rounds taking place multiple times per day. Share a bottle of wine, a few appetizers like fried pickles and beer cheese pretzels, and a bourbon caramel brownie for dessert while bonding over a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite songs. 

618 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 259-3600
(615) 259-3600

Marsh House

401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Find seafood and Southern fare in stunning digs at Marsh House, located on the bottom level of the Thompson Nashville Hotel. The seafood-heavy menu’s highlights include seafood towers, seared scallops, blackened swordfish, hearty bowls of gumbo, and, of course, oysters. Cap the date with a cocktail at the Thompson’s rooftop bar, L.A. Jackson. 

401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 262-6001
(615) 262-6001
The bar and middle table at Marsh House.
Marsh House.
Sam Angel

Midtown Cafe

102 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Charming longtime Music Row destination Midtown Cafe is a Nashville staple from Randy Rayburn. Open for over 30 years, the cozy little cafe known for its lemon artichoke soup transports diners back to Nashville before the influx of bro-country and bachelorettes. Midtown Cafe offers a free shuttle service for travelers to downtown hotels, and for locals who need transportation to downtown performances after dinner (must reserve ahead).

102 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 320-7176
(615) 320-7176

The 404 Kitchen

507 12th Ave S Fl 2, Nashville, TN 37203

Previously housed across the street in a small repurposed storage container, executive chef Matt Bolus’ Gulch restaurant upgraded to a much larger space with an expanded menu a few years back, and the vibe and menu are vastly different. Catfish bites and pimento cheese are standout starters — then move on to a green salad with charcoal vinaigrette, and mains like the whole smoked fried chicken or steaks. Post dinner, head downstairs to Gertie’s Bar to check out the city’s largest whiskey selection, and a seriously good old-fashioned.

507 12th Ave S Fl 2, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 251-1404
(615) 251-1404
A steak on top of greens on a wood table.
The 404 Kitchen pork t-bone.
Andrea Behrends

Otaku Ramen

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203

Ramen and hot chicken bao buns are a solid date-night move in Nashville. Sarah Gavigan’s Gulch restaurant’s tonkotsu shio ramen is an iconic Nashville dish — prime for slurping side-by-side at the counter with your date over a container of sake to share.

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 942-8281
(615) 942-8281

Henley

2023 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Since taking the helm as executive chef of the Kimpton Aertson Hotel and its brasserie and standout bar in 2021, Chopped champion Kristin Beringson has made the Southern-leaning seasonal menu her own, churning out stellar plates featuring ingredients from the Nashville region. Favorites include biscuit beignets, country fried oysters, and the Westholme brisket with gnocchi and brussels.

2023 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 340-6378
(615) 340-6378
Cool bar with a mural of eyes behind it.
The bar at the Henley.
Sam Angel

Answer

132 46th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

Answer is exactly the comfortable neighborhood restaurant that could easily become a weekly date-night destination. There’s a solid happy hour for those who don’t mind dining at the bar, but the small patio is also a nice spot to enjoy Chef Chris Raucci’s eclectic menu of chile-glazed tofu, dry-aged beef albondigas, and more. A stroll around idyllic Sylvan Park, post-dinner makes a fine finish.

132 46th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 942-0866
(615) 942-0866
Empty bar area with stools and marble countertops.
The bar area at Answer.
Sam Angel

Related Maps

Barcelona Wine Bar Edgehill

1200 Villa Pl #110, Nashville, TN 37212

An interesting wine list and tapas menu of Spanish favorites like patatas bravas and croquetas make Barcelona a fun choice for a night out in Nashville. The roomy, dimly lit restaurant is always rather lively, so perhaps make this a spot for weeknight dining.

1200 Villa Pl #110, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 327-0600
(615) 327-0600
The dining room with wine in the background.
Barcelona.
Sam Angel

Plaza Mariachi

3955 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

Dates don’t have to break the bank to be fun, and Nolensville Pike’s Plaza Mariachi helps prove that point. Affordable dinner options, shopping, plus free entertainment (everything from bands to fire dancing to aerial performances) every night of the week makes a date at Plaza Mariachi a memorable occasion. A nice move is to grab a café Cubano from Trinity Coffee, then stroll around the plaza with elotes or sit down for juicy steak from Tres Gauchos.

3955 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 373-9292
(615) 373-9292

ButterFLY Garden Brunch & Events

6917 Lenox Village Dr, Nashville, TN 37211

A newcomer to Nashville’s Lenox Village neighborhood from owners Shannon Randles and chef Jerod Wilcher, the ButterFLY Garden does brunch best,with bottomless menus on Saturdays and Sundays. Treat your date to an all-you-can-eat chef’s choice menu, which may include bottomless biscuits and gravy, catfish, shrimp and grits, pasta primavera, and mimosas for $50 per person. 

6917 Lenox Village Dr, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 739-6077
(615) 739-6077

Related Maps