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.
Signature dishes: Seafood tower, Oysters and grilled fish
Must order: The opulent seafood tower for two, plus the wood-grilled fish of the day.
Tip: Skip the line by booking the bar; downstairs at Le Loup serves the same raw bar with cocktails.
Address: 1400 Adams Street Nashville, Tennessee 37208
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.
Signature: Cornbread skillet, Pork belly with peas
Order: The cornbread skillet, then whatever the menu lists from the wood hearth.
Tip: Lunch is a quieter seat with the same kitchen. Book the porch in spring; it overlooks downtown.
Sean Brock's East Nashville Appalachian fine-dining room opened in 2021, named for his grandmother. Recommended in the inaugural 2025 Michelin Guide American South.
Signature: Heritage pork, Cornmeal and grits
Order: The full tasting if you can; otherwise heritage pork from Brock's own farm.
Tip: June, the upstairs tasting counter, is on hiatus for guest chef sessions in 2026. Audrey itself runs nightly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
