What to order at Bad Idea

Must order
Tell the sommelier your price range and let them build a flight with snacks.
Signature dishes
Seasonal small plates, Wine pairings
Editor tip
The bar takes walk-ins; named Michelin American South Sommelier of the Year 2025.

Taste Seasonal small plates with a local in Nashville

Dishing on Downtown: Nashville Food Tour★ 5.0 (3)

Guided tour · 3 hours

Dishing on Downtown: Nashville Food Tour

Walk through Downtown Nashville with five food tastings, lively stories, and sights like the Ryman, Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway’s honky tonks, and hidden gems...

from$145 Check dates

See all 188 food experiences in Nashville

CuisineWine bar
Price$$$
NeighborhoodEast Nashville
Last verified

Location

Address: 1021 Russell St #101, Nashville, TN 37206

Also in east-nashville

Two Ten Jack ★ 4.3

$$ Japanese IzakayaEast 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.

OrderTonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus the karaage chicken.

TipHappy hour 16:00-18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.

Kisser ★ 4.6

$$ JapaneseEast 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.

OrderOkonomiyaki with bonito flakes, plus seasonal curry rice and karaage.

TipLunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.

Mas Tacos Por Favor ★ 4.4

$ MexicanEast Nashville

Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. Priced at $.

OrderTwo fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup with avocado.

TipClosed Mondays. Lunch lines build by 12:00; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for an easy seat.

Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish ★ 4.6

$ Hot ChickenEast Nashville

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.

OrderHot chicken thigh sandwich with slaw, plus the hot whiting fish.

TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.

Full east-nashville food guide →

More restaurants in Nashville

Two Ten Jack ★ 4.3

$$ Japanese IzakayaEast 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.

OrderTonkotsu ramen with extra egg and chashu, plus the karaage chicken.

TipHappy hour 16:00-18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.

Kisser ★ 4.6

$$ JapaneseEast 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.

OrderOkonomiyaki with bonito flakes, plus seasonal curry rice and karaage.

TipLunch only Wednesday through Sunday. No reservations; queue starts before opening on weekends.

Mas Tacos Por Favor ★ 4.4

$ MexicanEast Nashville

Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. Priced at $.

OrderTwo fried avocado tacos and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup with avocado.

TipClosed Mondays. Lunch lines build by 12:00; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for an easy seat.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken ★ 4.4

$$ Hot ChickenHillsboro Village

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.

OrderHot chicken at Hot level, pimento mac, banana pudding.

TipLines run 60 minutes at peak. Hit a satellite location (West, Downtown) or go off-peak for a faster seat.

Prince's Hot Chicken ★ 4.7

$$ Hot ChickenSouth Nashville

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.

OrderQuarter dark, Medium heat, plain white bread with pickles.

TipThe Nolensville location is the heart of the operation; the original Dickerson Pike shop closed and reopened on Broadway.

Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish ★ 4.6

$ Hot ChickenEast Nashville

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.

OrderHot chicken thigh sandwich with slaw, plus the hot whiting fish.

TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.

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