Good Eats in Nashville, TN
March 1, 2008 6:49 AM Subscribe
Visiting Nashville, TN next week and am seeking recommendations for locally owned (non-chain) restaurants.
My husband and I like a wide variety of foods (BBQ, pasta, Mexican, Asian, you name it), and want to dine someplace a little off the beaten path without it being a dive, tourist trap or part of the restaurant chain-borg. Does the hive mind have any favorites?
Thanks in advance.
My husband and I like a wide variety of foods (BBQ, pasta, Mexican, Asian, you name it), and want to dine someplace a little off the beaten path without it being a dive, tourist trap or part of the restaurant chain-borg. Does the hive mind have any favorites?
Thanks in advance.
Sunset Grill and Jackson's on 21st and Belcourt, in the Belmont & Vanderbilt University area, are both delicious -- but the first is swank and the second medium to swank. Look for these if you want a special dinner.
The Pancake Pantry is in the same area, and it's a good breakfast joint -- so good, in fact, there's always a long line out the door on weekend mornings, and they bring out coffee or lemonade for those who wait. I only pass this along, because I could never wait that long for a pancake, but it must be a hell of a thing.
Vanderbilt students love Cheeseburger Charlie's and the San Antonio Taco Company in the Vanderbilt area, and I enjoyed them both, although the latter is a grease factory. (I have a weakness for that every so often.) Sitar, on West End, is good Indian food for my money, although I don't know if I'm a discriminating customer -- I just know I like it hot and carby. La Paz on Hillsboro Pike is a good sit-down Mexican place.
I miss going to school there now. Thanks a lot!
posted by Countess Elena at 7:00 AM on March 1, 2008
The Pancake Pantry is in the same area, and it's a good breakfast joint -- so good, in fact, there's always a long line out the door on weekend mornings, and they bring out coffee or lemonade for those who wait. I only pass this along, because I could never wait that long for a pancake, but it must be a hell of a thing.
Vanderbilt students love Cheeseburger Charlie's and the San Antonio Taco Company in the Vanderbilt area, and I enjoyed them both, although the latter is a grease factory. (I have a weakness for that every so often.) Sitar, on West End, is good Indian food for my money, although I don't know if I'm a discriminating customer -- I just know I like it hot and carby. La Paz on Hillsboro Pike is a good sit-down Mexican place.
I miss going to school there now. Thanks a lot!
posted by Countess Elena at 7:00 AM on March 1, 2008
Fido's is a coffee shop AND restaurant on 21st Ave in Hillsboro Village I would recommend them heartily.
There is an excellent sushi restaurant in the Gulch called Cru-sans or something that effect. Another great sushi place but more homey is also on 21st near the Vanderbilt campus, sorry can't think of the name.
posted by norabarnacl3 at 7:39 AM on March 1, 2008
There is an excellent sushi restaurant in the Gulch called Cru-sans or something that effect. Another great sushi place but more homey is also on 21st near the Vanderbilt campus, sorry can't think of the name.
posted by norabarnacl3 at 7:39 AM on March 1, 2008
Loveless Cafe- a bit out of the way, but so so good.
For a light lunch, check out Calypso Cafe. It's healthy, cheap, delicious Caribbean. There are a couple of locations... but it's a local chain.
Another local chain for food on the run is Fat Mo's Burgers. They season their burgers in a mysterious but intensely yummy way.
And if you a serious lover of soul food, you should make the trip down I-24 to Murfreesboro to experience Kleervu.
posted by kimdog at 7:55 AM on March 1, 2008
For a light lunch, check out Calypso Cafe. It's healthy, cheap, delicious Caribbean. There are a couple of locations... but it's a local chain.
Another local chain for food on the run is Fat Mo's Burgers. They season their burgers in a mysterious but intensely yummy way.
And if you a serious lover of soul food, you should make the trip down I-24 to Murfreesboro to experience Kleervu.
posted by kimdog at 7:55 AM on March 1, 2008
Yet another local chain: Whitt's Barbecue. Man, I wish I had one of their pulled pork sandwiches for lunch....
posted by Janta at 8:07 AM on March 1, 2008
posted by Janta at 8:07 AM on March 1, 2008
I moved here for grad school this year and consider myself an avid foodie. Nashville's food scene has been somewhat of a letdown so far -- though I mostly only eat very close to campus. That said:
posted by fourstar at 8:08 AM on March 1, 2008
- Yes
- Fido's: coffee house with really tasty menu though small portions
- Jackson's: my second choice for lunch after Fido's
- Mambu: love it
- Midtown Cafe (amazing)
- Tin Roof
- Broadway Brewhouse: decent Cajun-style food -- its in a converted gas station and a lot of writers and musicians hang out in the back
- No
- Pankcake Pantry: they make their pancakes with Bisquick and their OJ is from concentrate ... this place is so incredibly overrated.
- Cheeseburger Charlie's: over-cooked, over-salted, unfriendly service. If you want a burger, you're much better off going to 5-Guys down the street (but hey, it's not local)
- SatCo: is about drinking -- the tacos are one notch above cafeteria-grade
posted by fourstar at 8:08 AM on March 1, 2008
Samurai at Elliston Place is pretty darn good Sushi.
Joey's is where we go on Friday's when we feel like taking a slightly longer lunch (it's about 25 minutes from the airport in Brentwood) for the most amazing tiramisu / calzone / pizza / lasagna / you name it in Nashville.
posted by ZakDaddy at 8:42 AM on March 1, 2008
Joey's is where we go on Friday's when we feel like taking a slightly longer lunch (it's about 25 minutes from the airport in Brentwood) for the most amazing tiramisu / calzone / pizza / lasagna / you name it in Nashville.
posted by ZakDaddy at 8:42 AM on March 1, 2008
Granted I haven't been back in Nashville in years but I used to like Satco both for drinking *and* for the food. Perhaps it has gone downhill. But when I used to go the chips were homemade and *usually* fresh, the tortillas likewise, the cheese dip ('queso') and guac were both pretty good, and tacos were better than any I could find elsewhere in Nashville. I used to go there in the late 80s regularly. I still go whenever I go back to visit.
posted by jockc at 8:54 AM on March 1, 2008
posted by jockc at 8:54 AM on March 1, 2008
Definitely check out Prince's Hot Fried Chicken at 123 Ewing Dr. It's the best fried chicken I've ever had.
posted by gogomickey at 8:58 AM on March 1, 2008
posted by gogomickey at 8:58 AM on March 1, 2008
My dining report on Chowhound from my last trip to Nashville.
I would particularly recommend that you make time for Monell's. It's an experience and a meal all in one, and I can't say enough good things about it.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:53 AM on March 1, 2008
I would particularly recommend that you make time for Monell's. It's an experience and a meal all in one, and I can't say enough good things about it.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:53 AM on March 1, 2008
Try to find some time to explore East Nashville and Five Points. I think it's the coolest part of Nashville, particularly as applies to dining. Family Wash, Rosepepper Cantina, Batter'd & Fried Boston Seafood House, the Sweet 16th Bakery, the Alleycat Lounge. . . lots of good options over there.
Most of all, you gotta go to Margot. It's not only my favorite restaurant in Nashville, it's one of my favorite anywhere. The food is just straight out lovely, a cut above just about anywhere else in the city. It's not super formal or dressy, but the food is refined with a wonderful, easy balance of French, Southern, and Italian flavors. I've never left without a big, goofy smile on my face from foodie joy.
Hillsborough Village is also totally worth checking out, but I'd skip Sunset Grill. It was hot 15 years ago and to me, a total disappointment now. They're doing cool stuff over in the Gulch as well (the sushi place is Ru-san, and it's pretty awesome). Somebody above recommended Mambu, and I agree. The menu is a little all over the place, but kind of in a good way. Get a lot of little things and share them.
posted by mostlymartha at 10:23 AM on March 1, 2008
Most of all, you gotta go to Margot. It's not only my favorite restaurant in Nashville, it's one of my favorite anywhere. The food is just straight out lovely, a cut above just about anywhere else in the city. It's not super formal or dressy, but the food is refined with a wonderful, easy balance of French, Southern, and Italian flavors. I've never left without a big, goofy smile on my face from foodie joy.
Hillsborough Village is also totally worth checking out, but I'd skip Sunset Grill. It was hot 15 years ago and to me, a total disappointment now. They're doing cool stuff over in the Gulch as well (the sushi place is Ru-san, and it's pretty awesome). Somebody above recommended Mambu, and I agree. The menu is a little all over the place, but kind of in a good way. Get a lot of little things and share them.
posted by mostlymartha at 10:23 AM on March 1, 2008
Seconding Loveless Cafe. I went to undergrad in Nashville, and the only restaurant that I remember is Loveless. OMG the biscuits. And sorghum. And peach jam.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:40 AM on March 1, 2008
posted by Stewriffic at 10:40 AM on March 1, 2008
I second Margot's. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is great.
Shalimar on Hillsboro is amazing Indian food. Very spicey. I hear it is much closer to Pakistani food than tradition Indian food. I can't vouch for that, but I will say that it is consistently delicious.
Copper Kettle is the best meat and three I've ever been to. High quality food and friendly environment.
Barbara's Home Cooking is the best southern cooking in Nashville. It keeps odd hours and is BYOB but the food is amazing.
posted by aburd at 12:14 PM on March 1, 2008
Shalimar on Hillsboro is amazing Indian food. Very spicey. I hear it is much closer to Pakistani food than tradition Indian food. I can't vouch for that, but I will say that it is consistently delicious.
Copper Kettle is the best meat and three I've ever been to. High quality food and friendly environment.
Barbara's Home Cooking is the best southern cooking in Nashville. It keeps odd hours and is BYOB but the food is amazing.
posted by aburd at 12:14 PM on March 1, 2008
google these:
rosepepper - texmex
family wash - gastropub
pm - sushi/asian fusion
calypso cafe - caribbean
bosco's - upscale pub
bongo java - cafe/baked goods/sandwiches
mafioza's - pizza
also seconding jackson's, tin angel (not tin roof, as above), and samurai.
posted by thinkingwoman at 1:10 PM on March 1, 2008
rosepepper - texmex
family wash - gastropub
pm - sushi/asian fusion
calypso cafe - caribbean
bosco's - upscale pub
bongo java - cafe/baked goods/sandwiches
mafioza's - pizza
also seconding jackson's, tin angel (not tin roof, as above), and samurai.
posted by thinkingwoman at 1:10 PM on March 1, 2008
Response by poster: Wow! Thanks so much everyone--you've given us a lot to think about!
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 6:23 PM on March 1, 2008
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 6:23 PM on March 1, 2008
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posted by Wolfdog at 6:58 AM on March 1, 2008