Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Salt-cured, smoke-cured and aged Tennessee ham, sliced thin and pan-fried. The signature pork product of the region, with redeye gravy as its match.
Tennessee country ham follows a 200-year-old tradition: pork hind legs are salt-cured for several weeks, smoked, then aged six to 18 months. The result is a dry, salty ham closer to Italian prosciutto than to wet-cured American ham. Loveless Cafe's country-ham program has run since 1951 in Nashville. Edwards in Surry, Virginia and Newsom's in Princeton, Kentucky are the regional producers Nashville restaurants source from most often.
3 editor picks for Tennessee country ham in Nashville, ranked by editorial score. All Nashville signature dishes · Tennessee country ham across every city.
Also in: Greenville, Richmond.
Sean Brock's Rutledge Hill institution in Nashville cooks ingredient-driven Southern food on a wood hearth, run today by chef de cuisine Brian Baxter.
OrderThe cornbread skillet, then whatever the menu lists from the wood hearth.
TipLunch is a quieter seat with the same kitchen. Book the porch in spring; it overlooks downtown.
Monell's family-style Southern dining in Germantown has run since 1995, seating strangers at communal tables in a Victorian house seven blocks north.
OrderThe full family-style spread: fried chicken, country ham, mac and cheese, greens.
TipReservations available; tables seat ten. Sunday brunch is the marquee meal, books a week ahead.
The Loveless Cafe on Highway 100 in Nashville has served scratch biscuits, country ham and redeye gravy since 1951, anchoring the Natchez Trace's tourist.
OrderPlate of biscuits with peach preserves; country ham and redeye gravy with eggs.
TipLines build by 09:00 weekends; put your name down and shop the on-site Hams & Jams Country Market while you wait.
Tennessee country ham makes more sense with someone from Nashville explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 2 hours
This 2-hour cocktail tour in Nashville details some of the lesser known, but significant historical sites and stories involving Tennessee whiskey and country music.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Walk through Downtown Nashville with five food tastings, lively stories, and sights like the Ryman, Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway’s honky tonks, and hidden gems...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience East Nashville through 5 tastings and stories of resilience, creativity, and community on a guided walking food tour.
