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New AmericanThe Gulch
Maneet Chauhan's Gulch room in Nashville runs globally inflected American comfort food with strong cocktails, opened 2018 and steady at the top of the area.
OrderCrispy pork shank with chili crisp, plus the kale Caesar.
TipHappy hour is generous and easy to walk into; book ahead for the patio in warm weather.
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New AmericanGermantown
Chef Philip Krajeck's Germantown Italian-American kitchen in Nashville opened in 2012 inside the Werthan factory and runs handmade pastas and wood-fired.
OrderSquid ink chitarra with octopus and chickpea, plus the wood-fired pork.
TipReservations open 30 days out on Resy; the bar takes walk-ins from 17:00 and serves the same menu.
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Italian SouthernGermantown
Chef Tandy Wilson's Germantown room in Nashville serves blue-collar Italian and Southern cooking since 2007. Kitchen leans italian southern.
OrderBelly ham pizza with mozzarella, oregano, chiles and pickled peppers.
TipBradley Midgett took executive chef duties in March 2025; the menu stays Wilson's. Sunday Suppers are the easy seat.
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SeafoodGermantown
Chef Julia Sullivan's Germantown seafood room in Nashville opened in 2017 with a raw bar, wood-grill program and a wine list built around growers.
OrderHalf-dozen oysters from the daily list, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
TipBrunch on Saturday is the easier seat. Happy hour 17:00-18:00 runs $1 oysters at the bar.
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SeafoodGermantown
Ford Fry's Atlanta-born seafood concept landed in Nashville's Germantown Hammer Mill in 2023, anchoring a seafood tower programme and Le Loup cocktail lounge.
OrderThe opulent seafood tower for two, plus the wood-grilled fish of the day.
TipSkip the line by booking the bar; downstairs at Le Loup serves the same raw bar with cocktails.
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SouthernDowntown
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.