Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining Nashville.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Nashville.
A 22-seat counter on the fifth floor of the Bill Voorhees Building in Paseo South Gulch, Nashville, awarded a Michelin Star in 2025 under Ortiz and Doubrava.
OrderThe full chef's counter tasting; the menu shifts seasonally.
Book4 weeks ahead
TipReservations open one month in advance on Tock. Wednesday through Saturday only; one seating per night.
Josh Habiger's 24-seat tasting-menu room in Wedgewood-Houston, Nashville opened 2016 and was awarded a Michelin Star in November 2025 under Strategic.
OrderThe chef's tasting menu; no a la carte service.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipThe adjacent neighbourhood bar runs walk-in service with a separate snack menu and is the cheaper way to try the kitchen.
Irish chef Trevor Moran's 12 South dumpling and kakigori counter in Nashville earned a Michelin Star and 20th place on North America's 50 Best Restaurants.
OrderPork dumplings in chicken broth and the seasonal kakigori shaved ice.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipFriday through Sunday only, lunch and dinner. Moran wants his team to have weekends; midweek bookings are not an option.
Sean Brock's Appalachian fine-dining room in East Nashville opened 2021, recommended in the 2025 Michelin Guide. Sam Jett took day-to-day in 2025.
OrderHeritage pork from Brock's own farm and the cornmeal program.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipJune, the tasting counter upstairs, is on hiatus for guest-chef sessions in 2026. Audrey downstairs runs nightly.
The Joseph Hotel's Italian fine-dining room in downtown Nashville opened August 2020 with refined regional Italian cooking. A Forbes Star award-winner.
OrderPasta tasting paired with a deep regional Italian wine list.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipThe espresso bar on the ground floor serves casual antipasti at half the price; counter seats welcome walk-ins.
Sean Brock's Rutledge Hill institution in Nashville cooks ingredient-driven Southern food on a wood hearth, recommended in the 2025 Michelin Guide American.
OrderCornbread skillet, then whatever the menu lists from the wood hearth.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipLunch is quieter with the same kitchen. Book the porch seats in spring; they overlook downtown.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Hermitage Hotel restaurant in downtown Nashville opened 2022. Order the plant-forward small plates built around tennessee produce.
OrderPlant-forward small plates built around Tennessee produce.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipWeekend brunch at 11:00-14:00 is the Hermitage's quieter face; the bar pours top by-the-glass selections.
Strategic Hospitality's Gulch steakhouse in Nashville cuts dry-aged beef tableside, runs a deep American wine list in a slick warehouse-converted dining room.
Order32oz dry-aged ribeye for two; cotton candy foie gras as the starter.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipThe bar runs walk-in service with a $25 burger that pairs with the same wine list at half the spend.
Philip Krajeck's Germantown Italian-American kitchen in Nashville earned a Michelin Recommended listing in 2025 for its handmade pastas and wood-fired plates.
OrderSquid ink chitarra with octopus and chickpea, plus seasonal vegetable plate.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipReservations on Resy 30 days out; the bar takes walk-ins from 17:00 and serves the same menu.
Tandy Wilson's James Beard award-winning Italian-Southern kitchen in Germantown, Nashville opened 2007. Led by chef Tandy Wilson and Bradley Midgett.
OrderBelly ham pizza with mozzarella, oregano, chiles and pickled peppers.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipSunday Suppers are the easy seat: family-style menu, $65 per person, no special-occasion bookings.
Guided tour · 3 hours
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Editor picks in Nashville include The Catbird Seat, Bastion, Locust, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.