The Buttermilk Ranch, a favorite Nashville breakfast spot, serving up delectable salted honey butter croissants.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Nashville’s food scene takes center stage
If you think Nashville's only claim to fame is its music, just wait until you sit down at a restaurant. Here, every meal tells the city’s story—from fiery hot chicken that'll make you sweat (in the best way) to buttery biscuits and smoky barbecue that could win over even the pickiest food critic.
Whether you're brunching in a sun-soaked café, sampling your way through a food tour or sipping cocktails with a view of the skyline, Nashville's food scene offers a bold, creative and welcoming vibe. So, loosen your belt, bring your appetite and get ready to savor the flavors that make Music City a true culinary destination.
Nashville Hot Chicken: The City’s Signature Dish
Authentic Nashville hot chicken from Hattie B’s offers a spicy kick to lunchtime favorites.
Kick things off with a dish that's as fiery as a Saturday night on Lower Broadway: Nashville hot chicken. Born from a legendary act of revenge by a scorned lover in the 1930s, this crispy, cayenne-laced bird came about when Thornton Prince’s girlfriend sought revenge after his late-night out. Intended to deliver a mouth-on-fire punishment, she doused his fried chicken with extra spice—only for him to love it so much he asked for seconds. This sparked a Music City classic, with Nashville Hot Chicken becoming the city's culinary calling card.
Start your pilgrimage at Prince's Hot Chicken, the original spot where it all began. The chicken is juicy, the crust is crisp and the heat? Well, you might want a side of pickles and a tall glass of sweet tea to tame the fire. For a modern twist, Hattie B's is so popular, it regularly sees lines snaking out the door. Its clever hot chicken menu ranges from “Southern” (no heat) to “Shut the Cluck Up!” (for fearless bring-the-heat lovers).
Party Fowl brings its own flair, with creative spins like hot chicken and stuffed French toast or hot chicken poutine—proof that this dish is as versatile as it is addictive.
Pro tip: Go with friends and order a spread of heat levels (from easy-as-pie Southern Fried to you’ve been warned Poultrygeist) so everyone can find their tastebud’s comfort zone.
In Nashville, hot chicken isn't just a meal—it's a rite of passage.
Southern Fare and Classic Comforts
A tribute to all things Southern, Edley’s BBQ serves up tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, flavorful pulled pork and classic Nashville sides.
If hot chicken is Nashville's headline act, Southern comfort food delivers the soulful encore that keeps you coming back for more. Start your morning with a pilgrimage to Biscuit Love, where pillowy, buttery biscuits are piled high (with classic toppings like sausage gravy) and the legendary “Bonuts” (a biscuit-doughnut hybrid) are topped with lemon mascarpone.
For brunch, locals flock to Butcher & Bee, a sunlit spot where Southern classics get a modern twist—think whipped feta with honey dip, farm-fresh eggs and inventive dishes like avocado crispy rice and chicken shawarma pita sandwich. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, picking up a to-go order or dining in for the chef-driven brunch menu, head to The Butter Milk Ranch, a small-batch bakery in the 12th South District.
Of course, you can’t leave Nashville without sampling the city’s barbecue royalty. Iconic spots like Peg Leg Porker, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, and Edley's Bar-B-Que serve up smoky ribs, pulled pork and brisket that melt in your mouth and leave you with a case of the happy “meat sweats.”
Craving that classic, mom-and-pop eatery vibe? Slide into a booth at a “meat-and-three” like Arnold's Country Kitchen or Swett's Restaurant. Here, you'll choose a main (fried chicken, meatloaf or catfish, anyone?) and pile on three sides (think mac and cheese, turnip greens and candied yams). It's comfort food with a side of nostalgia, served cafeteria-style and always with a smile.
Food Tours & Culinary Experiences
Sweets-lovers partake in a colorful and customizable candy making experience at Goo Goo Chocolate Co., Nashville.
Goo goo Cluster
If you want to taste Nashville with an insider’s perspective, dive into one of the city's many food tours and hands-on culinary adventures. Guided walking food tours offer a delicious way to explore neighborhoods like The Gulch, East Nashville or Downtown. Check out Walk Eat Nashville, Underground Donut Tour, and Local Taste of Nashville, where local experts lead you from biscuit bakeries to barbecue joints, all while sharing the stories behind each bite.
Got a sweet tooth? Visit the legendary Goo Goo Chocolate Co., for a hands-on chocolate-making experience where you craft your version of Nashville's iconic “party-in-your-mouth” cluster candy.
Craving a taste of Tennessee's spirited side? Book a day trip to the famous Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, about 75 miles south of downtown Nashville. The 1.8-hour Distillery Tour provides a story-filled guided walking tour of the historic grounds where you’ll learn the secrets behind the world's most famous whiskey and sample six different whiskeys.
Pro Tip: With the distillery located 75 miles from Nashville, it’s a good idea to arrange transportation—whether that’s a private tour, car service, or Uber—so you can enjoy the whiskey responsibly.
On the way back, stop in Uncle Nearest Distillery in Shelbyville, which honors the extraordinary legacy of Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved master distiller who taught Jack Daniel his craft. The stunning 458-acre property offers immersive tours and tastings that celebrate America's first known African American master distiller—an essential pilgrimage that adds depth and perspective to any Tennessee whiskey trail adventure.
Imaginative cocktails from Nelson’s Green Briar Distillery, made with Nelson’s own bourbons and whiskeys and house-made vodka and gin.
For spirited adventures without leaving Nashville, visit Nelson's Green Brier Distillery at Marathon Village for guided tours, tastings and a bottle-your-own-Brier experience in their full-service restaurant and bar. Downtown, Liquor Lab offers Music City’s premier hands-on mixology experience, where expert bartenders transform guests into confident cocktail crafters while revealing insider techniques.
AAA Members, take note: You can often score discounts on select food tours and experiences, so remember to check your member perks before you book.
Rooftop, Trendy and Upscale Eats
A vintage bowling alley with period-specific ball returns are the highlight of Pinewood Social in Nashville.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp \ Nathan Zucker
When the sun sets over Nashville, the city's dining scene truly hits its high notes—especially if you snag a seat with a view. Rooftop hotspots like L.A. Jackson (perched atop the Thompson Hotel) serve up craft cocktails and Southern-inspired small plates alongside panoramic skyline views, making it the perfect place to toast a night out. For a swankier vibe, pop over to Rare Bird (“a colorful airborne bar scene”) or Bourbon Sky (with a glass-wall-encased outdoor terrace).
If you're craving something buzzworthy, Pinewood Social is your go-to for dining, playing (think bowling, ping pong, and bocce ball), cooling off (in two dipping pools), and handcrafted cocktails—all under one roof. Perched atop the W Nashville in the Gulch, PROOF offers a chic rooftop bar serving up 270-degree skyline views, live local music, shareable plates and inventive craft cocktails.
The Bobby Hotel’s chameleon-like Rooftop Lounge transforms with the seasons—hosting summer pickleball matches on its reservable court before morphing into the magical Camp Bobby winter wonderland complete with cozy igloos and festive holiday cocktails.
Pro tip: For some spots, it pays to make reservations (especially for sunset). Also, check dress codes, and don't be afraid to ask your server for their favorite drink or appetizer recommendations.
Savor, Save, and Celebrate in Nashville
Regionally and locally sourced ingredients are the hallmarks of the food at Biscuit Love, Nashville.
Biscuit Love
From fiery hot chicken to sky-high rooftop bites, Nashville's food scene dishes up a feast for the senses, and it's a little easier on your wallet, too.
Pro tip: Show your AAA Membership card in the AAA App at participating restaurants for exclusive discounts or check the app for deals on everything from brunch to food tours. Whether you're sampling biscuits at a local gem, joining a food tour, or splurging on a chef's tasting menu, you'll find that every meal comes with a side of Southern hospitality.
