Dining in Nashville

Nashville presents residents and visitors with a sophisticated restaurant scene. With a combination of the “meat & three” that was raised to its peak of fame by Vidalia’s and Georgia Brown in Washington, its unique barbecue, and combinations of Cajun, Italian, and most other types of foods you can call to mind, Nashville is definitely a city that appreciates good dining and has plenty of it to offer. Perhaps Nashville’s most famous culinary skills have been used on their pork; from their salty and delectable country ham to the previously mentioned barbecue as well as their local breakfast sausage, Nashville is known for having in abundance the tasty treats that are not widely available in other regions.

If you’re visiting Nashville, you absolutely must try out the different types of dining opportunities and attempt to identify your favorite taste of Nashville. These are some of the restaurants that some locals and visitors in Nashville rated highest for customer satisfaction, quality, and a unique ambiance.

• Antonio’s. This diamond in the rough (hidden by the glory of Nashville’s Mario’s) is an upscale Italian restaurant with wide selections of pastas, meat dishes, and wines. The fresh ingredients and great recipes make the food, though a little pricey, quite worth it.
• Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery. A casual award-winning microbrewery that has won the love of its diners with its great sandwiches, pasta, pork chops, and more.
• Calhoun’s. The World’s Best Ribs. This award, won by the original Calhoun’s, pretty much sums up the experience waiting for you here. While other entrees are also high-quality, the ribs are what people leave licking their lips over.
• Houston’s. Though it’s now a national chain, Houston’s started in Nashville, with its great casual dining. It is especially busy at lunchtime.
• Loveless Café. While it may look a little less than worthy to be on the “Nashville’s Best” list, this old-time Southern café has been filled for years by Nashville locals and music stars who visit night after night for some of the best biscuits and country ham in the nation.
• Merchant’s. Quite a creative restaurant, Merchant’s is known for many unique dishes, and their upper floors have a dress code. Adventurous diners enjoy this place!
• Zola. From Spanish port tenderloin to Greek lamb chops, the Mediterranean tastes at Zola make is a flavorful experience. This is a nationally recognized restaurant.

Other favorites include the Belle Meade Brassiere, Dalt’s, Fifth Quarter, Mario’s, Mere Bulles, Rosko’s, New Orleans Manor, and Sunset Grille.