Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Hermitage Hotel restaurant in downtown Nashville opened 2022. Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2025 and Modern Luxury hotel pick.
Must order: Plant-forward small plates built around Tennessee produce.
Tip: Weekend brunch at 11:00 to 14:00 is the Hermitage's quieter face; the bar pours top by-the-glass selections.
Address: 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
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.
Order: 32oz dry-aged ribeye for two; cotton candy foie gras as the starter.
Tip: The 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.
Order: Squid ink chitarra with octopus and chickpea, plus seasonal vegetable plate.
Tip: Reservations 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. Bradley Midgett took executive chef duties in March 2025.
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.
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.
