8 Nashville Foods You Have to Try—And Where to Get the Best Version

Nashville isn’t just famous for country music and honky-tonks—it’s also a food lover’s paradise. From crispy fried chicken covered in fiery spices to sweet banana pudding that melts in your mouth, Music City serves up flavors you won’t forget.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these iconic dishes will give you a true taste of what makes Nashville special.

1. Fried Pickles – Puckett’s Restaurant

Crunchy on the outside, tangy on the inside—fried pickles are the perfect way to start any Nashville meal. Puckett’s Restaurant takes thick dill pickle slices, coats them in a crispy batter, and fries them until golden brown.

The result is a snack that’s both salty and sour, with just the right amount of crunch. Dip them in ranch dressing or their special sauce for an extra kick of flavor.

Puckett’s has several locations around Nashville, making it easy to grab this tasty appetizer wherever you are. The portions are generous, so bring friends to share.

2. Biscuits & Gravy – Biscuit Love

There’s nothing quite like waking up to warm, fluffy biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy. Biscuit Love has perfected this Southern breakfast classic, making biscuits from scratch every single morning. Their version features buttermilk biscuits that are light and buttery, topped with rich gravy made from real sausage.

Located in the Gulch neighborhood, Biscuit Love often has a line out the door, but the wait is absolutely worth it. They also offer creative variations with different toppings and add-ons.

This dish is filling enough to keep you satisfied until lunchtime, and it represents true Southern comfort food at its finest.

3. The Bushwacker – Broadway Brewhouse Downtown

Imagine a milkshake and a tropical vacation had a delicious baby—that’s the Bushwacker. Broadway Brewhouse Downtown serves up this frozen cocktail that tastes like a chocolate-coffee dream with hints of coconut and rum. It’s creamy, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink.

The Bushwacker became famous in beach towns but has found a perfect home on Nashville’s busy Broadway strip. After a long day of exploring honky-tonks and live music venues, this frozen treat hits the spot.

Even though it tastes like dessert, remember it packs a punch with its alcohol content. It’s become a must-try for visitors looking to cool down while enjoying Nashville’s vibrant downtown scene.

4. Nashville Hot Chicken – Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Nashville hot chicken is the city’s most famous food export, and Hattie B’s does it better than almost anyone. They take crispy fried chicken and coat it with a special blend of cayenne pepper paste that creates intense heat and incredible flavor.

You can choose your spice level from mild to shut-the-cluck-up hot. Even the mild version has a nice kick, so start there if you’re sensitive to spice.

This dish represents Nashville’s culinary identity, and trying it is practically required if you want to understand the city’s food culture.

5. Meat & Three – Arnold’s Country Kitchen

At Arnold’s Country Kitchen, lunch isn’t just a meal—it’s a tradition that’s been going strong since 1982. The meat and three concept is simple: pick one meat and three side dishes from whatever’s cooking that day. You might choose fried chicken, meatloaf, or roast beef, then add mac and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

Everything is homemade using recipes passed down through generations. The cafeteria-style setup lets you see all your options before deciding.

Arnold’s closes early and only serves lunch, so plan accordingly. The prices are incredibly reasonable for the amount of food you get.

6. Barbecue – Peg Leg Porker

Smoky, tender, and fall-off-the-bone delicious—that’s what you’ll find at Peg Leg Porker. Owner Carey Bringle is a championship pitmaster who slow-smokes his meats over hickory wood for hours until they reach perfection. The pulled pork is especially amazing, with a nice bark on the outside and juicy meat inside.

Their dry rub adds the perfect blend of spices without overpowering the natural flavors. The ribs are equally impressive, requiring just a gentle tug to come off the bone.

Don’t skip the sides—the baked beans and coleslaw complement the meat beautifully. Peg Leg Porker also makes their own whiskey on-site, adding another unique element to your visit.

7. Banana Pudding – The Loveless Cafe

Some desserts are so good they’re worth the drive, and The Loveless Cafe’s banana pudding is definitely one of them. Located just outside downtown Nashville, this historic restaurant has been serving Southern comfort food since 1951. Their banana pudding features layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy custard topped with whipped cream.

It’s served in a mason jar, making it easy to eat and impossibly cute for photos. The texture is perfectly smooth, not too thick or too runny.

Many people claim this is the best banana pudding in Tennessee, and it’s hard to argue once you taste it. The Loveless Cafe is also famous for their biscuits and country ham, so come hungry.

8. Local Burgers – The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden

Housed in an actual old pharmacy building, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden serves burgers that are anything but ordinary. They source their beef from local farms and grind it fresh daily, creating patties that are juicy and full of flavor. The menu features creative combinations like the Love Potion with bacon jam and brie cheese.

You can also build your own burger with dozens of topping choices. The buns are soft and slightly sweet, holding everything together without falling apart.

With an impressive beer selection and a spacious outdoor patio, this spot is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with friends who appreciate quality ingredients and creative cooking.