restaurants.md

Fancier:

• Two Ten Jack - Kieran's absolute favorite place, and one of my favorites. Hidden in East Nashville, this place has some incredible Japanese dishes from Ramen to Yakitori. The drinks are phenominal and if the weather is good the patio is awesome. Definitely call ahead or use the app Resy since they are strict about how many people they can have at once.

• Chauhan Ale and Masala House - Super good and interesting Indian food that isn't your typical stuff. They continually win awards for their burger oddly enough but I've had it and it is awesome. The owners also own The Mockingbird and Tansuo and are all on the same block. Each place has a solid menu with a great variety. I've heard excellent things about the Peking Duck at Tansuo.

• Lockeland Table - Super chill spot in East Nashville that is a neighborhood favorite. They make some killer cocktails and the food is always top notch.

• Bastion - Can't go wrong with either the bar or the restaurant. The set menu always changes but it always has some awesome things. The nachos on the bar menu are a city classic for us.

• City House - ran by a James Beard award winner who has made appearances on a few of Anthony Bourdain's shows, the pizza is incredible. The belly ham pizza is a winner every single time.

• Patterson House - Fantastic cocktails, with a solid atmosphere. Perfect for a more romantic like evening. Definitely make reservations for this place.

• Bourbon Steak - This place is vvv expensive, however it has arguably the best views in Nashville, which scores well for an evening to remember.

More Chill

• Hattie B's - The most popular hot chicken spot in Nashville and most consistent in terms of heat. They have really good sides as well. I usually go between Hot and Damn Hot. I would recommend going to the one at Charlotte and 53rd because its the largest location with the best parking. The one in Midtown is always crowded and parking is hard if not impossible.

• Slow Burn - A hidden gem for hot chicken but be ready, it will absolutely hit you if you aren't ready. One of my absolute favorites.

• ML Rose - neighborhood bar and grill that does a great burger with a large beer selection. Great place to catch a game or just relax for a few. We go to the one at 11th Ave in a neighborhood called Capitol View because of the abundant parking. Nashville has terrible parking btw.

• Merchants - one of the few spots on Broadway I would go to eat. The first floor is a more relaxed bistro, while the second floor is good for a fancy night out. The first floor has an appetizer of duck fat tater tots which are pretty amazing.

• Robert's Western World - this place has the best music on Broadway and tends to be more old school country and western versus cover bands. It's a dive bar but the food is surprisingly solid.

• Jack Brown's - dive-y place that only does burgers and beer. But the burger is always good and they have a few fun burger choices. If the weather is nice, they have a solid patio.

• Loveless Cafe - A little outside the city but worth the drive. This place is a Nashville institution that does southern cooking right. Their jams are a thing of legend.

• Frothy Monkey - Chill coffee shop with multiple locations around the city that does breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus a good cocktail menu.

• Five Points Pizza - Our favorite pizza spot in town. They are only doing take out right now but you can grab a pizza and head to the Parthenon if the weather is good.

• Pinewood Social - Part coffee shop, part work space, part bar, part bowling alley with a killer patio and fantastic menu. It's close to downtown but tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Red Headed Stranger - Taco shop in East Nashville that does awesome tacos and margaritas. Good for breakfast or dinner.

• Fat Bottom Brewery - Awesome brewery with a great open beer garden with some games you can play while you drink or wait for some food.

• Tennessee Brew Works - A brewery right downtown with an excellent food menu. The burger has won awards from multiple magazines in town.

• No Quarter - Pinball bar in East Nashville. No food (but you can BYOF/order something). Tons of fun is to be had here!

Not Restaurants

• Parthenon/Centennial Park - Only 1:1 scale replica of the Parthenon in the world, with an art museum and 34 foot sculpture of Athena.

• Bicentennial Park - Nice area to escape the lights and noise of downtown, has a farmers market for a quick stop to eat as well as a comprehensive history of Tennessee up to 1997.

• National Museum of African American Music - just opened but looks to be incredibly cool. Havent been yet, but its on the list.

• Country Music Hall Of Fame - kind of a gimme but also a must do in Nashville. It covers so much of country music histoy that you can easily spend 2 hours here and still not see everything. Worth getting the add on bus trip to RCA Studios since thats where a lot of the music magic happened in Nashville.

• Musicians Hall Of Fame - doesnt get the attention it deserves since it's not right in the downtown core, but this museum is dedicated to the musicians who supported the band leader (The Tennessee Three for Johnny Cash for example). Rarely crowded but a really nice escape.

• River Queen Voyages - kayak down the Cumberland river and get an awesome view of downtown, and great way to cool off in the heat.

• Green Fleet Bikes - guided bike tour through downtown that points out fun places to eat and drink.

Places to Avoid:

• Barista Parlor - way over priced and way too into themselves to make a decent cup of coffee.

• The Pharmacy - It's not bad, but there are plenty of better burger spots around town.

• Bolton's Hot Chicken and Fish - One of the OG hot chicken places but they are wildly inconsistent with their spices, so getting medium may mean you get xx-hot and that is a recipe for a terrible time.

• Ordering food at most of the honky tonks on Broadway. It's gonna be over priced and not very good.