40 mid-range rooms in Nashville, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Nashville, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Nashville food.
Kisser ★ 4.8
east-nashville · 747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207
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.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.
Crema Coffee Roasters ★ 4.8
east-nashville · 226 Duke St, Nashville, TN 37207
Crema's roasting operation in East Nashville at Duke Street pulls in green coffee from Ethiopia, Colombia and Guatemala. Open roastery mon-fri 09:00-17:00.
Tip: The roastery is open to visitors with notice; the public coffee classes happen at the Hermitage Avenue cafe instead.
Bearded Iris Brewing ★ 4.8
germantown · 101 Van Buren St, Nashville, TN 37208
Bearded Iris Brewing's Germantown flagship in Nashville pulled out of the East Nashville origin site and now anchors Van Buren Street with hop-forward IPAs.
Tip: The Homestyle IPA is the constant on tap; the Greenway from this side of the canal is a 15-minute walk to downtown.
Two Ten Jack ★ 4.8
east-nashville · 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in East Nashville serves the city's reliable late-night bowl: tonkotsu, miso, karaage and sake.
Tip: Friday and Saturday kitchen runs until 23:00; happy hour 16:00-18:00 covers $5 small plates and discounted sake.
Prince's Hot Chicken ★ 4.7
south-nashville · 5814 Nolensville Rd, Ste 110, Nashville, TN 37211
Andre Prince Jeffries's family invented hot chicken in Nashville in the 1930s. The Nolensville shop runs the canonical version. James Beard America's Classic.
Tip: The Nolensville location is the heart of the operation; the original Dickerson Pike shop closed and reopened on Broadway.
Folk ★ 4.7
east-nashville · 823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
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.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. Walk-in seats at the long marble bar are the best move on a weeknight.
Kisser ★ 4.6
east-nashville · 747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207
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.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.
Butcher and Bee ★ 4.6
east-nashville · 902 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Bryan Weaver's East Nashville outpost of the Charleston-born Mediterranean room on Main Street in Nashville. Vegetable-forward Israeli food by Chris DeJesus.
Tip: Reservations on Resy for the dining room; the bar takes walk-ins early.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint ★ 4.6
downtown · 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
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.
Tip: The beer garden out back is the move on warm nights; live music starts at 19:00 most days.
Steadfast Coffee ★ 4.6
germantown · 603 Taylor St, Nashville, TN 37208
Steadfast Coffee in Germantown, Nashville roasts on-site at the Taylor Street cafe and runs a national subscription programme alongside the Coffee Soda cult.
Tip: Subscription beans ship monthly from this address; the cafe runs cupping events most months, see the calendar.
Yazoo Brewing Company ★ 4.6
madison · 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115
Yazoo Brewing's Madison taproom 10 miles north of downtown Nashville opened on its current Cumberland River site in 2019. At 900 River Bluff Dr.
Tip: Brewery tours run weekends; the Grillshack on-site serves burgers and fries. Hop Project IPA series is the pick.
Edley's Bar-B-Que ★ 4.6
12-south · 2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Edley's 12 South barbecue counter in Nashville runs Friday and Saturday until 22:00 with pulled pork, the Tuck Special and a patio off 12th Avenue South.
Tip: Order at the counter; the patio gets the runoff from 12 South nightlife. Late-night kitchen Friday and Saturday only.
Kisser ★ 4.6
east-nashville · 747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207
Brian Lea and Leina Horii's Highland Yards counter in East Nashville quietly out-cooks most of Nashville's downtown rooms with okonomiyaki, curry rice.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.
Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish ★ 4.6
east-nashville · 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Bolton Polk's Main Street hot chicken shop in East Nashville cuts a smaller, darker-fried hot chicken than Hattie B's at half the price. At 624 Main St.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Tiny counter; takeaway is the move.
Noko ★ 4.6
east-nashville · 701 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
Junior Vo's wood-fired Asian room on Porter Road in East Nashville runs Sunday brunch with hamachi crudo and Japanese chicken-and-waffles. OpenTable Top 100.
Tip: Reservations recommended; the bar takes walk-ins. Brunch runs 11 to 2:30 Sundays only.
Folk ★ 4.5
east-nashville · 823 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
Philip Krajeck's casual East Nashville sibling to Rolf and Daughters opened in 2018, running naturally leavened pizza and a vegetable-forward menu.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. Walk-in seats at the long marble bar are the best move on a weeknight.
Peg Leg Porker ★ 4.5
the-gulch · 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203
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.
Tip: Lines build by 12:00; come at 11:00 for an easy table. Bourbon list is unusually deep for a BBQ joint.
Monell's Dining and Catering ★ 4.5
germantown · 1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Monell's family-style Southern dining in Germantown, Nashville has run since 1995, seating strangers at communal tables in a Victorian house north.
Tip: Reservations available; tables seat ten. Sunday brunch is the marquee meal, books a week ahead.
Henrietta Red ★ 4.5
germantown · 1200 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Julia Sullivan's Germantown seafood room in Nashville runs a Saturday and Sunday brunch with raw bar and wood-grill plates. Open tue-sun, see site.
Tip: Brunch is the easier seat than dinner; book the bar for walk-in availability.
Hattie B's Hot Chicken ★ 4.4
hillsboro-village · 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
The Bishop family's Midtown hot chicken counter in Nashville opened in 2012 and is the tourist-friendliest gateway to the dish. Located in Hillsboro Village.
Tip: Lines run 60 minutes at peak. Hit a satellite location (West, Downtown) or go off-peak for a faster seat.
Monell's Dining and Catering ★ 4.4
germantown · 1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Monell's family-style Southern dining in Germantown has run since 1995, seating strangers at communal tables in a Victorian house seven blocks north.
Tip: Reservations available; tables seat ten. Sunday brunch is the marquee meal, books a week ahead.
Two Ten Jack ★ 4.4
east-nashville · 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206
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.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00-18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Barista Parlor ★ 4.4
east-nashville · 519 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Barista Parlor's East Nashville Gallatin Avenue flagship moved its roasting operation on-site in 2025. Open daily 07:00-17:00. At 519 Gallatin Ave.
Tip: Single-origin pours rotate weekly; ask the bar for the lightest roast on bar that morning.
Southern Grist Brewing ★ 4.4
east-nashville · 1201 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206
Southern Grist Brewing's East Nashville Porter Road taproom in Nashville opened 2016 and runs experimental hazy IPAs, milkshake stouts and rotating.
Tip: Bottle releases run monthly; the Brunch House series in stout form is the cult drop. Outdoor seating in summer only.
Sunda New Asian ★ 4.4
the-gulch · 592 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Sunda's Gulch room in Nashville runs the city's most ambitious late-night menu: sushi, bao buns, and a deep cocktail list until 23:30 Friday and Saturday.
Tip: Bar walk-ins; sushi counter takes reservations for groups of two on the same day.
Yeast Nashville ★ 4.4
east-nashville · 805 Woodland Street, Suite 300, East Nashville, TN 37206
Yeast Nashville's Woodland Street counter in East Nashville bakes Czech-style kolaches with sausage, cheese and fruit fillings since 2014; closes by noon.
Tip: Sausage and cheese kolache plus a cherry kolache and coffee is the canonical lunch order for $8.
Pepperfire Hot Chicken ★ 4.4
north-nashville · 5104 C Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
Isaac Beard's Centennial Boulevard hot chicken shop in Nashville pioneered the Tender Royale, a chicken tender sandwich on grilled cheese. Family-friendly.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Order ahead online; Tender Royale at Medium is the cult sandwich.
Proper Bagel ★ 4.4
hillsboro-village · 2011 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
Proper Bagel on Belmont Boulevard in Nashville opened 2017 with New York-style hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels and a full appetising counter for weekend.
Tip: Saturday line builds by 10:00; Sunday is quieter. The lox platter with sliced Gaspe Nova is the upgrade move.
Two Ten Jack ★ 4.3
east-nashville · 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened in 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00-18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Edley's Bar-B-Que ★ 4.3
12-south · 2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
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.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs Friday and Saturday until 22:00; patio gets the runoff from 12 South strolling.
Rosemary and Beauty Queen ★ 4.3
east-nashville · 1102 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Rosemary and Beauty Queen on Forrest Avenue in East Nashville pours natural and orange wines and Mediterranean small plates from a tight kitchen since 2019.
Tip: Reservations on Resy; the back patio is the best seat. Snacks-only menu Sunday after 21:00.
Dose Cafe and Dram Bar ★ 4.3
inglewood · 1400 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
Dose's Riverside Village corner cafe in Inglewood, Nashville runs coffee by day and wine, beer and cocktails after 17:00 inside a full bakery and kitchen.
Tip: Brunch on weekends is the secret: full kitchen, on-site pastry, and a quiet patio few visitors find.
Biscuit Love ★ 4.3
the-gulch · 316 11th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37203
Karl and Sarah Worley's Gulch biscuit counter in Nashville opened 2012 and pioneered the city's all-day biscuit sandwich format. Located in The Gulch.
Tip: Bonuts are the order; East Nashville location at 1024 Woodland gets through the queue faster on weekends.
Adele's ★ 4.3
the-gulch · 1210 McGavock St, Nashville, TN 37203
Jonathan Waxman's Gulch room in Nashville opens Sundays for an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch with carving station, smoked salmon, pastries and the JW chicken.
Tip: Book mid-morning; the carving station replenishes through service. Reservations open 30 days out.
Otaku Ramen ★ 4.2
the-gulch · 1104 Division Street Nashville, TN 37203
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.
Tip: The private karaoke room books for groups of six; happy hour 16:00-19:00 runs $5 small plates.
Crema Coffee Downtown Cafe ★ 4.2
downtown · 15 Hermitage Ave, Nashville, TN 37210
Crema's downtown Hermitage Avenue cafe in Nashville houses the company's Coffee Education and Events Lab, where all public classes and cuppings happen.
Tip: Coffee classes run monthly; book online. Pourover flight tastings let you try three single origins at one sitting.
Tennessee Brew Works ★ 4.2
wedgewood-houston · 809 Ewing Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Tennessee Brew Works in Wedgewood-Houston, Nashville sits below the Division Street Bridge with a four-story brewery, taproom, restaurant kitchen and live.
Tip: Country Roots Saison made with Tennessee sweet potatoes is the unsung beer. Live music most evenings.
Robert's Western World ★ 4.2
downtown · 416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Robert's Western World on Lower Broadway in Nashville stays open until 02:00 every night with free live country music, the Recession Special and a fast-pour.
Tip: Tip the band $5 per set if you stay. The Recession Special: fried bologna sandwich, chips and a PBR for $7.
Loveless Cafe ★ 4.2
south-nashville · 8400 Hwy 100, Nashville, Tennessee 37221
Loveless Cafe on Highway 100 in Nashville has served scratch biscuits, country ham and redeye gravy since 1951, anchoring the Natchez Trace's tourist circuit.
Tip: Lines build by 09:00 weekends; put your name down and shop the on-site Hams & Jams Country Market while you wait.
Pinewood Social ★ 4.2
downtown · 33 Peabody Street, Nashville, TN
Strategic Hospitality's 13,000 square-foot Peabody Street complex in downtown Nashville serves weekend brunch with bowling lanes, copper-bar coffee cocktails.
Tip: Family groups book the lanes; brunch + a game runs about $40 per person. Reserve 10:00 lanes for a quieter time.