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 dishes: Naturally leavened pizza, Vegetable plates
Must 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.
Address: 823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Izakaya plates
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus karaage chicken.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Brian Lea and Leina Horii's 40-seat Highland Yards Japanese comfort-food room earned a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand and Garden and Gun Hot List in Nashville.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Curry rice
Order: Okonomiyaki with bonito flakes, plus seasonal curry rice and karaage.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Izakaya plates
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus karaage chicken.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Sarah Gavigan's Division Street ramen shop in The Gulch, Nashville opened 2014 and remains the Gulch's reliable bowl. Walk-in friendly, kid-friendly, full bar.
Signature: Tonkotsu Original, Karaage chicken
Order: Tonkotsu Original with the runny egg, karaage to share.
Tip: The private karaoke room books for groups of six; happy hour 16:00 to 19:00 runs $5 small plates.
Brian Lea and Leina Horii's 40-seat Highland Yards Japanese comfort-food room earned a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand and Garden and Gun Hot List in Nashville.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Curry rice
Order: Okonomiyaki with bonito flakes, plus seasonal curry rice and karaage.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.
Edley's 12 South barbecue counter in Nashville smokes pork shoulder over hickory and serves the city's reliable BBQ-and-beer lunch since 2011.
Signature: Pulled pork sandwich, Tuck Special
Order: The Tuck Special: smoked brisket with pimento cheese and bacon on Texas toast.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs Friday and Saturday until 22:00; patio gets the runoff from 12 South strolling.
Pat Martin's Nashville BBQ joint in downtown runs old-school whole-hog barbecue, a massive beer garden and live music nightly behind the Music City Center.
Signature: Whole-hog pulled pork, Redneck Taco
Order: Pulled pork sandwich with Alabama white sauce on top, and a side of mac.
Tip: The beer garden out back is the move on warm nights; live music starts at 19:00 most days.
Carey Bringle's Gleaves Street BBQ joint in The Gulch, Nashville smokes Memphis-style dry-rub ribs since 2013. Family-owned, catering-strong, taproom-tight.
Signature: Dry-rub ribs, Pulled pork plate
Order: Half rack of dry-rub ribs, smoked beans, banana pudding.
Tip: Lines build by 12:00; come at 11:00 for an easy table. Bourbon list is unusually deep for a BBQ joint.
