Every year we give you a list of Nashville’s best restaurants, and it’s here again: 2018. It’s going to be the best culinary year yet, if we have anything to say about it, so we pulled together a solid short list of cheeseburger eateries and anniversary-worthy restaurants that will stun the eyes AND the taste buds. We only find the best of the best, so in no particular order, here are the restaurants in Nashville you simply MUST try in 2018.
May the reservations begin.
- Henrietta Red
Henrietta Red - Facebook
Henrietta Red - Facebook Henrietta Red is probably one of the most beautiful new restaurants to grace Nashville’s newest booming industry, but their seafood-centric meals and inventive cocktails make for a memorable experience. (1200 4th Avenue)
- Rolf & Daughters
Rolf & Daughters - Facebook
Rolf & Daughters - Facebook Rolf & Daughters has been around since 2012, and the industrial-inspired decor and seasonal menu keeps it on our list, year after year. Located in historic Germantown, this is a must for locals AND tourists alike. (700 Taylor Street)
- Little Octopus
Little Octopus - Facebook
Little Octopus - Facebook Little Octopus used to occupy a pop-up space in East Nashville, but has since moved to the ever-shiny Gulch neighborhood just outside of downtown. The Caribbean-inspired fare keeps you on your toes and the decor is truly some of the most luxurious and elegant in the city. (505 12th Ave. S.)
- Barcelona
Barcelona - Facebook
Barcelona Edgehill - Facebook Barcleona serves up Spanish dishes tapas-style, and we’d highly recommend anything that has to do with their roasted peppers and cauliflower. It’s absolutely dreamy alongside the crusty bread they deliver in spades to your table. (1200 Villa Place, Suite 110)
- Cafe Roze
Cafe Roze - Facebook
Cafe Roze - Facebook Pronounced, “rose,” like the flower, Cafe Roze is the millennial pink eatery that struck social media by storm with a lightning bolt of free publicity and simple, gourmet dishes artfully served with a local flourish. (1115 Porter Road)
- Butcher & Bee
Butcher & Bee - Facebook
Photo Credit Butcher & Bee serves up small plates and is located in a large, unassuming space right off of the main throughway in East Nashville. Their hummus is superb, and its Middle Eastern influences really shine in its seasonal vegetarian options. (902 Main Street)
- Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway
Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway - Facebook
Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway - Facebook The fare is fresh and the drinks are fun, but the vibe at Hemingway’s simply can’t be beat. The Wedgewood-Houston bar opened just this May and made quite the splash. (438 Houston St. Ste 160)
- The Mockingbird
The Mockingbird - Facebook
The Mockingbird Nashville - Facebook The Mockingbird restaurant in the Gulch neighborhood is located right next-door to #8 on our list, and puts a creative twist on your standard diner fare. Open for dinner nightly, you’ll want to make sure you make reservations or figure out how to get a seat on the patio during warmer months. (121A 12th Avenue N)
- Pastaria
Pastaria - Facebook
Pastaria Nashville - Facebook Pastaria heralds from St. Louis, and offers up some of the best Italian fare in the city. We aren’t really surprised, since some of the most authentic Italian eateries make their home on The Hill in St. Louis - we’ll forever be grateful Pastaria decided to open up shop in an airy space just off of Charlotte Avenue. (8 C1TY Blvd)
- Peninsula
Peninsula - Facebook
Peninsula Nashville - Facebook Nashville hasn’t offered up much in lieu of Portuguese eats in the past, but this Spanish and Portuguese restaurant infusion boasts a solid menu and thoughtfully designed decor. Peninsula truly offers up an experience in atmosphere and cuisine. (1035 W Eastland Avenue)
- Henley
Henley - Facebook
Henley Nashville - Faceboo Shareable plates are the name of the game at this modern Nashville restaurant. The menu is perfectly inventive and supported by the more than enthusiastic local community. (2023 Broadway)
- Hugh Baby’s
Hugh Baby’s - Facebook
Hugh-Baby’s - Facebook The old Porter Road Butcher shop has been laid to rest off of Charlotte Avenue, and replaced with the nostalgic and wildly delicious Hugh-Baby’s. This is where you come with a hankering for something full of flavor and heavy with American history. (4816 Charlotte Avenue)
- Tánsuŏ
TÀNSUŎ - Facebook
Tánsuŏ - Facebook Tánsuŏ just opened in March, but is already making waves for its contemporary approach to classic Chinese cuisine. The word, “Tánsuŏ” actually means, “to explore” in Cantonese, so come prepared for an adventure. (121B 12th Avenue N)
- Eio & The Hive
Eio & The Hive - Facebook
Eio & The Hive - Facebook We can’t get over the gorgeous interior design at Eio & The Hive. This stunning Charlotte Avenue eatery serves only organic and locally sourced ingredients, investing in the Nashville economy while also feeding its hungry residents. Does it get any better than that…? (5304 Charlotte Avenue)
- Milk & Honey
Milk & Honey - Facebook
Milk and Honey Nashville - Facebook The Chattanooga-based Milk & Honey just opened their first full-fledged restaurant in Nashville’s popular Gulch neighborhood. Serving up full meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as sustaining an operating coffee bar, keeps M&H on the top of the list for hungry business folk. (214 11th Ave S)
- Kuchnia + Keller
Kuchia + Keller - Facebook
Kuchia + Keller - Facebook Kuchia + Keller is open for dinner all week long, from 5pm straight through to the wee hours of the morning, only closing at 1am. The homey neighborhood bar and restaurant takes its culinary cues from both Poland and Germany, which means you’ll enjoy a hearty meal and leave full. (1300 3rd Avenue N)
- Black Rabbit
Black Rabbit - Facebook
Black Rabbit - Facebook There’s a bit of mystery surrounding the new downtown bar, Black Rabbit, and we have a feeling everyone likes it that way. You can find it in Printers Alley and enjoy fun cocktails and small plates in a sophisticated lounge. Pinkies out, everyone. (218 3rd Ave N)
- Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar - Facebook Hopdoddy owes its burger grandeur to the great state of Texas. You can order a beer alongside your handcrafted burger and enjoy your meal in a fun, quirky environment. (1805 21st Avenue South, Suite 100)
- The 404 Kitchen
The 404 Kitchen - Facebook
The 404 Kitchen - Facebook The 404 Kitchen just made a big move across the street which is all sorts of good news for locals. The renowned restaurant now has a larger seating area for patrons, which means that more of Nashville will have the chance to indulge in the restaurant’s classic European dishes. (507 12th Ave South)
- Adele’s
Facebook / Adele’s Nashville
Facebook / Adele’s Nashville Good food and good wine are the name of the game at Adele’s, perfectly offset by an elevated atmosphere of upscale, light-infused brilliance. (1210 McGavock Street)
Continue exploring our great state of Tennessee at this stunning wintry oasis. Have you been?
Henrietta Red - Facebook
Henrietta Red is probably one of the most beautiful new restaurants to grace Nashville’s newest booming industry, but their seafood-centric meals and inventive cocktails make for a memorable experience. (1200 4th Avenue)
Rolf & Daughters - Facebook
Rolf & Daughters has been around since 2012, and the industrial-inspired decor and seasonal menu keeps it on our list, year after year. Located in historic Germantown, this is a must for locals AND tourists alike. (700 Taylor Street)
Little Octopus - Facebook
Little Octopus used to occupy a pop-up space in East Nashville, but has since moved to the ever-shiny Gulch neighborhood just outside of downtown. The Caribbean-inspired fare keeps you on your toes and the decor is truly some of the most luxurious and elegant in the city. (505 12th Ave. S.)
Barcelona - Facebook
Barcelona Edgehill - Facebook
Barcleona serves up Spanish dishes tapas-style, and we’d highly recommend anything that has to do with their roasted peppers and cauliflower. It’s absolutely dreamy alongside the crusty bread they deliver in spades to your table. (1200 Villa Place, Suite 110)
Cafe Roze - Facebook
Pronounced, “rose,” like the flower, Cafe Roze is the millennial pink eatery that struck social media by storm with a lightning bolt of free publicity and simple, gourmet dishes artfully served with a local flourish. (1115 Porter Road)
Butcher & Bee - Facebook
Photo Credit
Butcher & Bee serves up small plates and is located in a large, unassuming space right off of the main throughway in East Nashville. Their hummus is superb, and its Middle Eastern influences really shine in its seasonal vegetarian options. (902 Main Street)
Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway - Facebook
The fare is fresh and the drinks are fun, but the vibe at Hemingway’s simply can’t be beat. The Wedgewood-Houston bar opened just this May and made quite the splash. (438 Houston St. Ste 160)
The Mockingbird - Facebook
The Mockingbird Nashville - Facebook
The Mockingbird restaurant in the Gulch neighborhood is located right next-door to #8 on our list, and puts a creative twist on your standard diner fare. Open for dinner nightly, you’ll want to make sure you make reservations or figure out how to get a seat on the patio during warmer months. (121A 12th Avenue N)
Pastaria - Facebook
Pastaria Nashville - Facebook
Pastaria heralds from St. Louis, and offers up some of the best Italian fare in the city. We aren’t really surprised, since some of the most authentic Italian eateries make their home on The Hill in St. Louis - we’ll forever be grateful Pastaria decided to open up shop in an airy space just off of Charlotte Avenue. (8 C1TY Blvd)
Peninsula - Facebook
Peninsula Nashville - Facebook
Nashville hasn’t offered up much in lieu of Portuguese eats in the past, but this Spanish and Portuguese restaurant infusion boasts a solid menu and thoughtfully designed decor. Peninsula truly offers up an experience in atmosphere and cuisine. (1035 W Eastland Avenue)
Henley - Facebook
Henley Nashville - Faceboo
Shareable plates are the name of the game at this modern Nashville restaurant. The menu is perfectly inventive and supported by the more than enthusiastic local community. (2023 Broadway)
Hugh Baby’s - Facebook
Hugh-Baby’s - Facebook
The old Porter Road Butcher shop has been laid to rest off of Charlotte Avenue, and replaced with the nostalgic and wildly delicious Hugh-Baby’s. This is where you come with a hankering for something full of flavor and heavy with American history. (4816 Charlotte Avenue)
TÀNSUŎ - Facebook
Tánsuŏ - Facebook
Tánsuŏ just opened in March, but is already making waves for its contemporary approach to classic Chinese cuisine. The word, “Tánsuŏ” actually means, “to explore” in Cantonese, so come prepared for an adventure. (121B 12th Avenue N)
Eio & The Hive - Facebook
We can’t get over the gorgeous interior design at Eio & The Hive. This stunning Charlotte Avenue eatery serves only organic and locally sourced ingredients, investing in the Nashville economy while also feeding its hungry residents. Does it get any better than that…? (5304 Charlotte Avenue)
Milk & Honey - Facebook
Milk and Honey Nashville - Facebook
The Chattanooga-based Milk & Honey just opened their first full-fledged restaurant in Nashville’s popular Gulch neighborhood. Serving up full meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as sustaining an operating coffee bar, keeps M&H on the top of the list for hungry business folk. (214 11th Ave S)
Kuchia + Keller - Facebook
Kuchia + Keller is open for dinner all week long, from 5pm straight through to the wee hours of the morning, only closing at 1am. The homey neighborhood bar and restaurant takes its culinary cues from both Poland and Germany, which means you’ll enjoy a hearty meal and leave full. (1300 3rd Avenue N)
Black Rabbit - Facebook
There’s a bit of mystery surrounding the new downtown bar, Black Rabbit, and we have a feeling everyone likes it that way. You can find it in Printers Alley and enjoy fun cocktails and small plates in a sophisticated lounge. Pinkies out, everyone. (218 3rd Ave N)
Hopdoddy Burger Bar - Facebook
Hopdoddy owes its burger grandeur to the great state of Texas. You can order a beer alongside your handcrafted burger and enjoy your meal in a fun, quirky environment. (1805 21st Avenue South, Suite 100)
The 404 Kitchen - Facebook
The 404 Kitchen just made a big move across the street which is all sorts of good news for locals. The renowned restaurant now has a larger seating area for patrons, which means that more of Nashville will have the chance to indulge in the restaurant’s classic European dishes. (507 12th Ave South)
Facebook / Adele’s Nashville
Good food and good wine are the name of the game at Adele’s, perfectly offset by an elevated atmosphere of upscale, light-infused brilliance. (1210 McGavock Street)
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