Tandy Wilson's James Beard award-winning Italian-Southern kitchen in Germantown, Nashville opened 2007. Bradley Midgett took executive chef duties in March 2025.
Must 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.
Address: 1222 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
A 22-seat U-shaped counter on the fifth floor of the Bill Voorhees Building in Wedgewood-Houston, Nashville, awarded a Michelin Star in 2025 under Ortiz and Doubrava.
Order: The full chef's counter tasting; the menu shifts seasonally.
Tip: Reservations 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 Hospitality.
Order: The chef's tasting menu; no a la carte service.
Tip: The 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 2025.
Order: Pork dumplings in chicken broth and the seasonal kakigori shaved ice.
Tip: Friday 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 American South for thoughtful sourcing.
Order: Heritage pork from Brock's own farm and the cornmeal program.
Tip: June, the tasting counter upstairs, is on hiatus for guest-chef sessions. Audrey downstairs runs nightly.
Tony Mantuano's Joseph Hotel Italian room in downtown Nashville opened August 2020 with refined regional Italian cooking, awarded a Michelin Star in 2025.
Order: Pasta tasting paired with a deep regional Italian wine list.
Tip: The 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 South.
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.
