The South's caviar: sharp cheddar, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, and a kick of cayenne, served as a dip with crackers or spread thick in a sandwich.
Where to eat it: 6 restaurants across 1 city.
Pimento cheese emerged as a Southern staple in the 1930s when canned pimentos became widely available; by the 1950s it was the universal Southern lunch counter and church-potluck spread. Husk Nashville under Sean Brock made the chef-driven version a fine-dining starter; Arnold's Country Kitchen still serves the meat-and-three version with crackers, a daily staple.
Common allergens: Dairy, Egg
Tip from the editors. Duke's mayonnaise is the Southern non-negotiable; Hellmann's gives a sweeter, slightly different pimento cheese. Hand-grating the cheese, not buying pre-shredded, is the second non-negotiable.
Sean Brock's Rutledge Hill institution in Nashville cooks ingredient-driven Southern food on a wood hearth, recommended in the 2025 Michelin Guide American.
Order: Cornbread skillet, then whatever the menu lists from the wood hearth.
Tip: Lunch is quieter with the same kitchen. Book the porch seats in spring; they overlook downtown.
Arnold's meat-and-three lunch in Nashville delivers a protein plus three vegetables and tea for under $15. Located in The Gulch. At 605 8th Ave S.
Try: Meat-and-three plate
Tip: Lunch only, Monday to Friday 10:30-14:30; cafeteria line moves fast. Cash and card.
Philip Krajeck's casual East Nashville room in Nashville opened 2018, running naturally leavened pizza and a vegetable-forward menu with natural wine on tap.
Signature: Naturally leavened pizza, Vegetable plates
Order: The mushroom pizza and whatever bitter green is currently on the menu.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. Walk-in seats at the long marble bar are the best move on a weeknight.
Loveless Cafe on Highway 100 in Nashville has served scratch biscuits, country ham and redeye gravy since 1951, anchoring the Natchez Trace's tourist circuit.
Order: Country ham with redeye gravy and biscuits
Tip: Lines build by 09:00 weekends; put your name down and shop the on-site Hams & Jams Country Market while you wait.
Tandy Wilson's James Beard award-winning Italian-Southern kitchen in Germantown, Nashville opened 2007. Led by chef Tandy Wilson and Bradley Midgett.
Order: Belly ham pizza with mozzarella, oregano, chiles and pickled peppers.
Tip: Sunday Suppers are the easy seat: family-style menu, $65 per person, no special-occasion bookings.
Maneet Chauhan's Gulch room in Nashville runs globally inflected American comfort food with strong cocktails, opened 2018 and steady at the top of the area.
Signature: Crispy pork shank, Fried chicken
Order: Crispy pork shank with chili crisp, plus the kale Caesar.
Tip: Happy hour is generous and easy to walk into; book ahead for the patio in warm weather.
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