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Bazar Travels

Where to Eat in Nashville

111 restaurants in Nashville

Nashville's food reputation runs on hot chicken and honky-tonks, and both are worth doing once. But the city spread out a long time ago, and most of the good eating sits in neighborhoods that each have their own character.

Start with the hot chicken, since it is the local invention. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack South is out on Nolensville Pike, Hattie B's has a Lower Broadway location, and Helen's Hot Chicken sits closer to Midtown. Barbecue is a separate tradition here: Peg Leg Porker BBQ on Gleaves Street and Edley's Bar-B-Que on 12th Avenue South are the two names that come up most often.

Downtown splits into two moods. Broadway is the loud one, where Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Robert's Western World and The Twelve Thirty Club sit within a few blocks of each other. Printers Alley, one street over, is quieter and older, with Skull's Rainbow Room, Fleet Street Pub and Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.

Away from the tourist core, East Nashville has Graze Nashville on Eastland Avenue and The Nashville Biscuit House on Gallatin Avenue. Germantown holds Monell's and Mother's Ruin on 6th Avenue North. Hillsboro Village is where Biscuit Love and The Grilled Cheeserie share Belcourt Avenue. Everything below is mapped with an address and photos, so you can plan around where you are actually staying.

Where to Eat in Nashville: FAQ

What food is Nashville known for?

Hot chicken, which was invented here. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack South on Nolensville Pike is the original lineage, while Hattie B's and Helen's Hot Chicken are the easiest to reach from downtown. Barbecue and meat-and-three cooking run a close second.

Where should I eat in East Nashville?

Graze Nashville on Eastland Avenue and The Nashville Biscuit House on Gallatin Avenue are the two anchors, with Living Waters Brewing over on East Trinity Lane. The neighborhood sits just across the river from downtown.

Where do locals eat away from Broadway?

Germantown, 12 South and Hillsboro Village. Monell's and Mother's Ruin are on 6th Avenue North, Edley's Bar-B-Que is on 12th Avenue South, and Biscuit Love and The Grilled Cheeserie share Belcourt Avenue in Hillsboro Village.

Where can I get barbecue in Nashville?

Peg Leg Porker BBQ on Gleaves Street and Edley's Bar-B-Que on 12th Avenue South are the most-cited options. Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse on Donelson Pike is the convenient one if you are coming from the airport.

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