Don’t Leave Nashville Without Trying These Award-Winning Eats

Nashville is more than honky tonks and hot chicken. It is a full-on flavor capital where chefs riff on Southern roots with daring technique, seasonal bounty, and plenty of personality. If you love eating your way through a city, these award-winning spots will turn your itinerary into a delicious treasure hunt.

Book a table, bring your appetite, and get ready to make reservations the highlight of your trip.

1. The Catbird Seat

Perched above the city buzz, The Catbird Seat puts you ringside for culinary theater. You sit at a sleek counter while the kitchen team crafts a progression of playful, boundary-pushing courses. Expect clever textures, unexpected temperature shifts, and a soundtrack of sizzling pans right before your eyes.

Ingredients lean seasonal and local, but the technique is global and fearless. One bite might nod to Southern heritage, then pivot into Nordic crispness or Japanese purity. The menu evolves constantly, so surprises drive the fun.

Conversation flows with chefs who plate and present each dish. Seats are limited, vibes are intimate, and reservations disappear fast. If you want Nashville’s most inventive night, this is the ticket.

2. Bastion

Bastion feels like a secret you are thrilled to share. The dining room is intimate and warm, spotlighting a seasonal tasting menu that whispers Southern hospitality while flexing fine-dining precision. Each course is compact, thoughtful, and elegant without losing comfort.

Expect vegetables to steal scenes and sauces that sing with acidity and restraint. The team’s creativity shows in quiet details, from fermented accents to meticulous garnish. Nothing is overwrought, everything is balanced.

Service is friendly, pacing is dialed, and the wine pairings highlight nuance rather than volume. You leave satisfied, not stuffed, with flavors lingering like a great conversation. For a refined Nashville night, Bastion’s hidden magic delivers.

3. Husk Nashville

Husk redefines Southern cooking from the ground up. The kitchen builds daily menus around what local farmers bring in, with heritage grains, heirloom vegetables, and regional proteins leading the way. Smoke, pickles, and preserves add depth like culinary storytelling.

Plates look rustic yet polished, letting the region’s bounty shine. Think cornbread that crackles, country ham with delicate sweetness, and vegetables treated like stars. Sauces whisper rather than shout, keeping flavors honest.

The setting, a charming historic home, makes every meal feel rooted in place. Service is gracious and informed, ready with sourcing details and smart pairings. If you want Nashville’s agricultural soul on a plate, Husk is the pilgrimage.

4. Kayne Prime

Kayne Prime takes the steakhouse formula and polishes it to a sleek shine. Prime and Wagyu cuts arrive with theatrical flair, from tableside slicing to dramatic boards. The grillwork is confident, locking in char and juices without masking flavor.

Beyond the beef, expect punchy sides like creamed corn brulee and truffled potato variations. Sauces span classic to modern, letting you customize each bite’s personality. Presentation leans bold, yet service stays smooth and attentive.

The room hums with energy, perfect for celebrations or power dinners. Wine and whiskey lists are deep, with staff eager to guide. For a glamorous carnivore’s night in Nashville, Kayne Prime hits every note.

5. Rolf and Daughters

Rolf and Daughters blends rustic soul with sharp, modern edges. The pastas are the headline, handmade with toothsome bite and layered sauces that linger. Starters and wood-fired plates bring smoke, acid, and herbal brightness in perfect rhythm.

Expect seasonal shifts, but favorites like heritage pork or fermented chili heat often anchor the menu. The kitchen is fearless with bitterness and umami, balancing everything with vibrant greens and citrus. Textures matter here, from crackly to silky.

The room buzzes with neighborhood energy, and cocktails match the kitchen’s boldness. Service is relaxed and savvy, helping you build a smart shareable spread. If pasta makes you happy, bookmark this spot early in your trip.

6. etch

etch is a passport for your palate without leaving downtown. The menu travels through spices and techniques, turning familiar ingredients into attention-grabbers. You will taste bold contrasts: sweet against heat, crunch against cream, herb against smoke.

Signature appetizers set the tone with punchy sauces and layered aromatics. Mains keep the tempo, showcasing seafood, lamb, and vegetables with equal enthusiasm. Nothing feels timid, but everything feels precise.

Service is upbeat and well choreographed, with staff ready to steer first-timers. The cocktail list plays well with the food’s intensity, and desserts finish with creative flair. When you crave surprise and polish in one sitting, etch delivers memorably.

7. Aba Nashville

Aba brings breezy Mediterranean spirit to Nashville with style to spare. Mezze leads the way, from whipped spreads to crisp falafel and bright salads layered with herbs. Seafood shines with citrus and olive oil, while kebabs deliver grill-kissed depth.

The space is lush with greenery and warm light, making it ideal for lingering lunches or lively dinners. Portions encourage sharing, so you can sample widely without FOMO. Cocktails lean refreshing, sparkling with botanicals.

Vegetarians and carnivores eat happily side by side here. Service is upbeat and quick on recommendations, especially for larger groups. If you want vibrant flavors and a chic setting, Aba is a crowd-pleasing slam dunk.

8. Monell’s

Monell’s is Nashville’s family-style heartbeat. You sit at communal tables, pass platters like a holiday, and meet strangers who quickly feel like cousins. Fried chicken crackles, biscuits steam, and sides tumble in until you are grinning.

The meal arrives in waves, from creamy mac to greens with a peppery kick. Sweet tea flows freely, and desserts taste like your favorite aunt baked them. It is simple, generous, and impossibly comforting.

Expect a wait and come hungry, because seconds are built into the experience. Conversation is part of the seasoning here. If you want classic Southern comfort without fuss, Monell’s pours it straight from the heart.

9. Harper’s

Harper’s dresses up dinner like a night at the theater. Expect prime steaks, pristine seafood, and sides with the volume turned up. The presentation is dramatic, but execution backs it up with careful seasoning and perfect doneness.

Design steals glances with plush textures, sculptural lighting, and a soundtrack tuned for celebration. Cocktails skew polished and playful, matching the menu’s luxe tone. Service anticipates needs without hovering.

Come for date night, birthdays, or when you want to feel a little glamorous. Split a chilled seafood tower before a ribeye and crisp greens. You will walk out glowing, convinced Nashville does opulence as well as anywhere.

10. Skull’s Rainbow Room

Skull’s Rainbow Room is an old-soul supper club with modern polish. Tucked in Printer’s Alley, it pairs elevated American fare with live jazz and vintage charm. Steaks, chops, and classic sides anchor the menu while cocktails glide from the bar.

The room glows with candlelight and nostalgia, yet timing and technique feel current. Service keeps the evening smooth, weaving courses around the music. Every detail whispers romance and history.

Reserve for prime showtimes and arrive early for a perfect seat. Share a cocktail, split a steak, and let the band set the tempo. When you crave mood, melody, and a great meal, Skull’s is unforgettable.