Southern$$$east-nashvilleMon-Sat 16:00-22:00
Chef Hal Holden-Bache's East Nashville room in Nashville opened in 2012 in a Lockeland Springs corner storefront, running wood-fired pizzas and Southern.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Pork chop
Order: Margherita pizza from the wood oven, the pork chop with redeye gravy.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00-17:30 runs half-price pizza and pours at the bar; a James Beard nominee for Community Kitchen.
Spanish$$$east-nashvilleThu-Sat 17:00-22:00
Jake Howell's 38-seat Iberian room in East Nashville off the Gallatin corridor in Nashville. Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 and a James Beard win for Howell.
Signature: Braised rabbit, Oyster croquetas
Order: The braised rabbit in garlic broth with piment d'espelette aioli and the oyster croquetas.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday only with 38 seats. Reservations recommended; bar walk-ins early are the move.
Italian$$east-nashvilleMon-Wed 17:00-21:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-22:00
Philip Krajeck's casual East Nashville sibling to Rolf and Daughters opened in 2018, running naturally leavened pizza and a vegetable-forward menu.
Signature: Naturally leavened pizza, Vegetable plates
Order: The mushroom pizza and whatever bitter green is currently on the menu.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. Walk-in seats at the long marble bar are the best move on a weeknight.
Wine bar$$$east-nashville
A converted East Nashville church running 150 artisan wine selections and seasonal small plates, named to the New York Times 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Wine pairings
Order: Tell the sommelier your price range and let them build a flight with snacks.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins; named Michelin American South Sommelier of the Year 2025.
Japanese Izakaya$$east-nashvilleMon-Thu 11:00-14:00, 16:00-21:00, Fri 11:00-14:00, 16:00-22:00, Sat 16:00-22:00
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened in 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Izakaya small plates
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus the karaage chicken.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00-18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Japanese$$east-nashville
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.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Curry rice
Order: Okonomiyaki with bonito flakes, plus seasonal curry rice and karaage.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.