Southern$$$east-nashville
Chef Hal Holden-Bache's East Nashville room in Nashville opened in 2012 in a Lockeland Springs corner storefront, running wood-fired pizzas and Southern plates.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Pork chop
Order: Margherita pizza from the wood oven, the pork chop with redeye gravy.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 17:30 runs half-price pizza and pours at the bar; a James Beard nominee for Community Kitchen.
French Italian$$$east-nashville
Margot McCormack's Five Points room in East Nashville has cooked French-Italian country food since 2001, with a daily menu and a wood-burning fireplace.
Signature: Daily-changing menu, Cassoulet in winter
Order: Whatever the daily menu lists; the cassoulet in cold months is the move.
Tip: The bar runs an aperitivo menu Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday brunch books out a week ahead.
Italian$$east-nashville
Philip Krajeck's casual East Nashville sibling to Rolf and Daughters opened in 2018, running naturally leavened pizza and a vegetable-forward menu with natural wine.
Signature: Naturally leavened pizza, Vegetable plates
Order: The mushroom pizza and whatever bitter green is currently on the menu.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. Walk-in seats at the long marble bar are the best move on a weeknight.
Wine bar plates$$$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$$east-nashville
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened in 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Izakaya small plates
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus the karaage chicken.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Japanese$$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.