10 Foods Nashville Is Known For & Where To Eat Them

What food is Nashville known for? If you’re traveling to Music City, you’ll surely want to try the signature dish, Nashville hot chicken. But there are many more iconic foods you won’t want to miss!

Most people go to Nashville, Tennessee, for the country music. I went for the food. Nashville’s culinary scene blends the two draws to offer a taste of southern comfort like no other.

As always, my husband Mike and I began our gastronomic journey through Nashville's must-try dishes with a long list of foods and eateries.

We stuffed ourselves silly doing our due diligence in order to create this Nashville famous food list for our readers. Not only does it contain the best food in Nashville cuisine, but we found the best places to try these foods too, so these eateries are on the list as well!

Luckily, the best food in Nashville doesn’t necessarily mean fancy Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s all about the local fare, and all of the places on this list are casual and affordable!

Foods Nashville Is Known For

Nashville’s food scene is loaded with music venue eateries bearing the names of country stars.

These are great for a fun-filled few hours of live performances. But if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Nashville, TN, for the city’s most famous foods, here’s your list!

1. Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken at Hattie B's — Nashville hot chicken, the most famous food Nashville is known for

Legend has it the original version of this famous Nashville food was invented during the height of the Great Depression by the scorned lover of Thornton Prince. She fried up chicken with so much cayenne pepper and chiles that she was sure she’d cause Prince great pain.

Instead, her revenge recipe sparked the birth of the first hot chicken restaurant in the United States! That’s because Prince loved the spicy fried chicken, and so did his friends with whom he shared it. Prince figured there were plenty more folks out there who would love the chicken too. He worked to perfect the recipe and opened the original location of Prince’s on 28th Ave. and Jefferson St.

Sales of the chicken really took off when the location shifted to near the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry. Nowadays, Prince’s has multiple locations, and hot chicken has become the most famous food from Nashville. (Learn about next-door neighbor North Carolina’s spicy chicken sensation.)

Where To Eat Nashville Hot Chicken in Nashville?

In recent years, hot chicken has become so popular that there’s no part of Nashville without an eatery specializing in it. But ask the locals and they’ll be split between the following two spots.

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

Since it invented the most well-known dish in the city, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is also one of the most famous restaurants in Nashville.  Whether it’s a spicy chicken sandwich, wings, tenders, or quarters, you can order the spice level from plain to XXX HOT. Even the mild has a kick, so if you can’t handle the heat, but still want to try this famous fried chicken, order plain or lite mild.

If you’re visiting Nashville, the downtown location in Assembly Food Hall will be the closest to the city’s major attractions. Please just be aware you won’t have the full menu options here.

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken 

More than one Nashville local insisted we try Hattie B’s, and with good reason.

Nope, it’s not the original version of Nashville hot chicken, but it’s the best. My born-in-the-South husband even thinks it’s the best fried chicken he’s ever had!

Whether you go when they open or in the late night hours, there’s going to be a long line at the Broadway location. Do not fret, this operation runs efficiently and quickly. Pro Tip: Order some fried pickles to nosh on while you wait for your chicken to arrive.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: 5069 Broadway Place, #103, Nashville, TN 37203

2. Meat and Three

Meat and three at Monell's — Meat and three is more like three meats and nine at the iconic Nashville restaurant, Monell's.

A good way to sample the local flavors is to order meat and three at one of the many homestyle Nashville, TN, restaurants. The concept that originated in Music City is simple: Choose one meat and three side dishes for a hearty meal full of comfort food.

The meat choices typically include southern specialties like country ham, pork chops, roast beef, catfish, and fried chicken.

Sides rooted in soul food like back-eyed peas, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and hush puppies dominate the plate.

Where To Eat Meat & Three in Nashville?

Monell’s

There are lots of good places for meat n’ three, but the local favorite (and mine) is Monell’s in Germantown.

One of the travelers we met at Vista Verde Ranch told us it was her favorite when she lived in TN, and that it’s one of the most iconic restaurants for classic southern foods.

I can see why. Especially if you don’t think one meat and three sides is enough. At Monell’s, they fill the table with many choices. You can try them all and eat as much of each as you’d like—they’ll bring more. We were so full after lunch, we skipped dinner!

Our meal offered fried chicken, blackened catfish, pulled pork, corn pudding, peas, coleslaw, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, corn bread, biscuits, and pecan pie. To drink, there’s always the southern staple, sweet tea, the Nashville preference, fruit tea, and lemonade.  

Not only is this delicious abundant meal affordable, it’s all served family style, and you never know what interesting people you’re going to meet at your table. Monell’s is truly one of the most unique places to eat in Nashville and should not be missed.

Monell’s: 1235 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208  

Arnold's Country Kitchen  

Arnold’s is another popular restaurant in Nashville for a more traditional meat & three. Don’t let the cafeteria-type setting fool you. Everything here is cooked fresh daily. Don’t just take my word for it, this mom and pop diner has won plenty of accolades, including a James Beard American Classics Award.  

Arnold's Country Kitchen: 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 

Elliston Place Soda Shop 

Another one of the best Nashville restaurants for meat and three is Elliston Place Soda Shop. A neighborhood institution near Centennial Park since 1939, Elliston’s began as an ice cream soda shop. Today, they offer a full southern menu and even live music. 

Elliston Place Soda Shop: 2105 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203

3. Barbecue 

Nashville BBQ at the Peg Leg Porker — Barbecue nachos, BBQ ribs, and lots of sides at the Peg Leg Porker Restaurant in Nashville

We’re talking about some of the most popular food in the south. So, just like in other southern foodie destinations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, lots of Nashville, Tennessee, restaurants specialize in BBQ.

The most common style of barbecue you’ll find in Music City is Memphis-style, and the predominant meat is pork. Think low and slow smoked baby-back ribs and pulled pork. Note, “Memphis-style” is the style of barbecue as opposed to “St. Louis-Style,” which refers to the style of rib.

Memphis BBQ can be “wet”—sauced before, during, and after the meat is cooked. Or it can be “dry”—using a dry rub either before or after smoking. Try both wet and dry, your taste buds will not complain!

Where To Eat Barbecue in Nashville?

Peg Leg Porker 

This is one of the best Nashville restaurants for BBQ and traditional southern sides! And they have a whole slew of awards to prove it! For example, Southern Living Magazine has picked the Peg Leg Porker at least six times as the best BBQ in the state of Tennessee!

For tender, fall-off-the-bone, dry rubbed ribs, my pick is also the Peg Leg Porker. But I really loved their pulled pork nachos too. I always think the best Mexican food in the States is in California, so I dismissed the nachos at first. Turns out they were one of the best things I ate in Nashville!

Two more surprises: #1. the green beans—probably the best green beans I’ve ever had. #2. Kool Aid pickles—a dish I had never heard of. The woman next to me got so excited when she saw my pickles, I wound up sharing with her.

We met the owner and pit master of the Peg Leg Porker, Carey Bringle. From using his grandma’s recipe for pimento cheese spread to carefully smoking his ribs for 3½ hours, his passion for serving top-quality traditional southern food is quite evident.

If you’re wondering about the name, Bringle came up with it as a way to acknowledge his prosthetic leg, which obviously didn’t hold him back from realizing his dreams.

Peg Leg Porker: 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203

4. Goo Goo Clusters

Goo Goo Clusters in Nashville — Goo Goo Clusters, one of the most famous foods invented in Nashville

What is a Goo Goo Cluster? Goo Goo Cluster candies are layers of marshmallow nougat, caramel, and peanuts covered in milk chocolate.

Invented in 1912 at the Standard Candy Company, the clusters are considered to be the first combination candy bar. In the 1930s when food was scarce and expensive, Goo Goo Clusters were marketed as an affordable nutritious lunch.

Goo Goo Clusters are so beloved by Nashvillians that Dolly Parton had them flown in to her while filming the movie “Rhinestone.” Being the generous soul she is, Dolly did share with her castmates.

Where To Eat Goo Goo Clusters in Nashville?

We had to make a pilgrimage to the Goo Goo Shop in downtown Nashville. The store is also part museum and part factory and offers the originals plus new varieties of the candy bar. You can even create your own flavors!

Goo Goo Chocolate Co.: 116 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

5. Biscuits & Gravy

Biscuits and gravy, a staple breakfast at Nashville restaurants

This popular dish has humble roots in the southern Appalachian saw mills of the 1800s. It was an economical way to provide enough calories to the workers to keep them going.

Over 200 years later, biscuits & gravy remains a staple breakfast dish in every southern state.

In the beginning, the biscuits were not the light, flaky, buttery biscuits we’re accustomed to eating today. They were more like a dense dough blob.

The typical gravy today is still sausage, but definitely more tasty and less pasty than what was served in the ole days. Many restaurants also have new modern takes on the dish; some even serve vegetarian versions.

Where To Eat Biscuits & Gravy in Nashville? 

Biscuit Love

Biscuit Love is one of the best restaurants Nashville, TN, has for breakfast.

The biscuits are the lightest, flakiest biscuits I’ve had. You can actually see the layers when they are not covered in gravy. You can tell great care goes into each one.

The secret to the success of this family-run business is its commitment to making everything from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.

Biscuit Love started as a food truck in 2012 and has grown to five brick-and-mortar locations. The Gulch location will most likely be the closest to where you’re staying.

Biscuit Love: 316 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 

6. Banana Pudding

The most popular dessert in Nashville, banana pudding

Banana pudding is Nashville’s number one dessert. As a big banana fan, I couldn’t have been happier to see it on so many menus.

Lots of different variations exist for the recipe and presentation. Most often it is layers of creamy banana pudding, sliced bananas, and either sponge cake or, more commonly, vanilla wafers.

Culinary historians are not quite certain how banana pudding came to Nashville. However, one thing is clear: It’s here to stay!

Where To Eat Banana Pudding in Nashville?

The Loveless Cafe 

The Loveleass Cafe, also a popular spot for biscuits, is one of the most iconic Nashville restaurants for banana pudding.

Lots of other restaurants use packaged puddings and wafers, but at Loveless, each component is made in house. They even share their banana pudding recipe on their site for you to make at home.

The name of this coffee shop has nothing to do with the loss of love. It was started in 1951 by Lon and Annie Loveless.

The Loveless Cafe: 8400 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN 37221 

7. Local Burgers 

Pharmacy Burger incorporates local ingredients and traditions — Pharmacy Burger incorporates local ingredients into their delicious burgers.

Nashvillians, like most Americans, love their burgers. So, naturally, some of the best places to eat in Nashville, TN, are gourmet burger houses.

In recent years, the burger quality in the entire city (outside of fast food) seems to have been elevated. There’s a focus on incorporating traditional flavors and local ingredients into the burgers made here, so you’ll find options that include country ham, maple bacon, pimento cheese, and farm fresh eggs.

If you haven’t tried a farm burger (topped with egg), Nashville is the perfect place to do so.

Where To Eat Burgers in Nashville?

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden 

I think the best restaurant in Nashville for a juicy burger is The Pharmacy Burger Parlor, and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way: This place was full when we walked in at 5:30 pm!

The menu includes the popular farm burger, but I couldn’t resist ordering the White Oak BBQ Burger (medium rare) with housemade Coca-Cola BBQ sauce, smoked bbq onions, locally sourced premier bacon, provolone, crispy onion straws, and pickle slices. YUM!

The french fries and sweet potato fries are hand-cut, or for a change of pace, you can try the tater tots (a famous Oregon food).

Are you wondering about the beer garden part of the name? The outside space in the back has a fun, lively atmosphere with lights and picnic tables. It’s very beer gardenesque—but there’s lots of other good stuff too.

This burger restaurant makes a variety of German sausages in house. Split a plate and wash them down with a Belgian or local ale from the exceptional beer list.

If beer is not your preferred beverage, perhaps a spiked lemonade or a non-alcoholic phosphate will do? Ice cream sodas, shakes, and malts can double as a bevvy and dessert.

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor: 731 Mcferrin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

8. Fried pickles

Fried pickles, one of the most popular appetizers in Nashville

Fried pickles are a ubiquitous appetizer in Nashville. These are dill pickles that are sliced, battered, and fried until crisp.

The traditional sauce to dip your pickle in is ranch. However, you’ll see everything from hot sauce to honey mustard offered as eateries try to distinguish their pickle offerings from those of their competitors.

Where To Eat Fried Pickles in Nashville?

Puckett’s Restaurant

Since I haven’t found any fried pickles that are head and shoulders above the rest, I’d say there’s no reason to make a special trip to find them.

Unless you’re dining fancy, most popular places to eat in Nashville will have fried pickles on the menu.

But if you want a good excuse to partake in happy hour and listen to live music, the fried pickles at Puckett’s Restaurant are half off from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. 

Puckett’s Restaurant: 500 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219 

9. Whiskey Milkshakes

Whiskey milkshakes and bushwhackers are a great way to end a meal in Nashville.

If you’ve sipped a Jack Daniel or George Dickel whiskey, you probably never thought about blending either with ice cream. In Nashville, doing so is both common practice and lip-smacking good!

If you’re an ice cream lover, skip banana splits and order boozy milkshakes made with local whiskey. I call it a dessert, but feel free to think of it as a luscious liquored libation.

Some bars have cool cocktail names for their shakes and some will call it a bushwhacker. True bushwhackers, though, usually have rum. So, if you want the hometown liquor, make sure you ask for it—because it is unique.

What makes Tennessee whiskey special is the Lincoln County Process. It may sound weird, but in this distillation method the whiskey is filtered through charcoal chips before it ages in the cask.

Where To Enjoy Whiskey Milkshakes in Nashville?

You may think any place that has a full bar can make a whiskey milkshake or bushwhacker, but they need ice cream too!  

Yup, there are plenty of places that have both! Below are a few places that won’t disappoint.

Broadway Brewhouse Downtown 

Cool off with a bushwhacker listening to live performances on Honky Tonk Highway. Good times are almost guaranteed.

Broadway Brewhouse Downtown: 317 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201  

Party Fowl 

Another one of the Nashville, TN, restaurants that is popular with hot chicken lovers also serves a mean whiskey milkshake.  

Party Fowl: 719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

The Pharmacy

Our favorite Nashville burger place also has a variety of infused shakes and ice cream sodas.

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor: 731 Mcferrin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

10. Moon Pies

Tennessee food folklore says in 1917, a coal miner asked a representative of the Chattanooga Bakery, Inc., for a snack as big as the moon.

The baking company sandwiched marshmallow between graham cracker cookies, dipped it in chocolate, and dubbed it MoonPie.

Like Goo Goo Clusters, during the Depression, MoonPies were a popular working-man’s lunch, often consumed with an RC Cola. The two together would cost a dime.

The dynamic duo was so popular that they were even immortalized in the hit song “RC Cola and a Moon Pie.”

Where To Eat Moon Pies in Nashville?

Moon Pies are still an affordable treat! No need to go to a special bakery or restaurant. You can buy them at a local grocery store like Krogers, general stores, candy stores, and Cracker Barrel restaurants.