Bad Idea is a wine bar restaurant in East Nashville, 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.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Seasonal small plates, Wine pairings
Must 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.
Address: 1021 Russell St #101, 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.
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.
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.
Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. Priced at $.
Signature: Fried avocado taco, Tortilla soup
Order: Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup with avocado.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Lunch lines build by 12:00; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for an easy seat.
Bolton Polk's Main Street hot chicken shop in East Nashville is the editor's pick on the hot-chicken map: smaller, cheaper and darker-fried than Hattie.
Signature: Hot chicken, Hot fish
Order: Hot chicken thigh sandwich with slaw, plus the hot whiting fish.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.
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.
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.
Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. Priced at $.
Signature: Fried avocado taco, Tortilla soup
Order: Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup with avocado.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Lunch lines build by 12:00; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for an easy seat.
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.
Signature: Hot chicken, Pimento mac and cheese
Order: Hot chicken at Hot level, pimento mac, banana pudding.
Tip: Lines run 60 minutes at peak. Hit a satellite location (West, Downtown) or go off-peak for a faster seat.
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.
Signature: Hot chicken, Quarter dark
Order: Quarter dark, Medium heat, plain white bread with pickles.
Tip: The Nolensville location is the heart of the operation; the original Dickerson Pike shop closed and reopened on Broadway.
Bolton Polk's Main Street hot chicken shop in East Nashville is the editor's pick on the hot-chicken map: smaller, cheaper and darker-fried than Hattie.
Signature: Hot chicken, Hot fish
Order: Hot chicken thigh sandwich with slaw, plus the hot whiting fish.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.
