Where to grab a bite in Downtown Nashville before your concert, sports match, or Broadway revelry.
by Chris Chamberlain, Valerie Hammond, Erin Byers Murray, Nancy Vienneau
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Acme
With four stories to explore Acme is sure to have whatever you’re looking for. Enjoy a sit-down restaurant on the first floor with a multi-ethnic menu and live music. Move up to the second floor and you’ll find chef Sam Katakura and his staff making a mix of nigiri and rolls at a 16-seat sushi bar. For music events and private parties make your way to the third floor, and to take in the sweeping views of the Cumberland, take a seat at the roof-top bar on the fourth floor. 101 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-915-0888; theacmenashville.com
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Baja Sexto
One of the newest spot to join the fast-casual movement, Bajo Sexto is putting a Mexican spin on the trend. Created by chef Jonathan Waxman, the concept, which is named for a 12-string guitar often called the “sixth bass, x93 lets you tour the entire country of Mexico through their extensive taco list. 216 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-577-7717; bajosextotaco.com
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Bakersfield
Bakersfield is a quaint Mexican restaurant serving authentic food, a grand selection of tequila and whiskey, and an atmosphere all its own. While their simple menu allows for quick service, you won’t be in any hurry to leave. 201 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-522-0970; bakersfieldtacos.com
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Barlines
One of the nicest spots to catch a game in town is Barlines, the sports and spirits bar at the Omni Hotel downtown. Named after the lines on a musical staff, the fifth avenue honky tonk takes that theme even further with live music performed on a stage in the middle of the dining room. The menu at Barlines features several elevated bar plates, many augmented with a Southern touch. 250 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-782-5300; omnihotels.com
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Bob’s Steak & Chop House
Bob's gives Music City a lively, upscale steakhouse experience that also serves as a hot spot for special occasions. The massive steak and seafood entrees are accompanied by decadent side dishes followed with desserts like marbled chocolate amaretto cheesecake topped with whipped cream and toasted almonds and crème brulee. Aiming for quality and diversity, they also offers a selection of over 450 wines. 250 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-761-3707; bobs-steakandchop.com
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Capitol Grille
Most major food cities can boast at least one legacy restaurant—the historical dining room that still proudly offers formal service and a kitchen packed with pedigreed chefs. In Nashville, it’s the Capitol Grille set inside the Hermitage Hotel, where oversize chairs, linens on the table, and an air of elegance mark the type of dining experience that seems to be fading under as a horde of casual, small-plate-focused restaurants move in. 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219; 615-345-7116; capitolgrillenashville.com
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Demos’ Restaurant
This family style restaurant is serving up specialty steak and spaghetti from an old family cookbook. Only a couple blocks away from the legendary Ryman Auditorium, sit down to diner before heading off to see a show. 300 Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-256-4655; demosrestaurants.com
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The Diner
Hyped as an upscale eatery, The Diner Nashville stands out for being a six-story restaurant—as well as a 24-hour joint. The ground floor shows off a traditional diner vibe, there’s a laid back sports-bar vibe on the second story, and you’ll find a raw bar and a sushi bar on the top floor. With so many dining and drinking options, you could easily spend all day here—or save your visit for the nighttime. 200 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-782-7150; thediner.com
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Etch
Nashville legend, Deb Paquette has a way of making every dish is new and fresh. The beautiful downtown dining room gets its finish touch from pastry chef Megan Williams and her savory-sweet-tangy-fruity-chocolaty seductions. 303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-522-0685; etchrestaurant.com
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The Farm House
Everything on Chef Trey Cioccia’s menu at The Farm House reflects the same ethos: delicious Southern classics that are ramped up and treated with respect. Cioccia makes his own bacon, cornbread, and sauces in house and you’ll find a solid selection of local brews on tap. As The Farm House recipes incorporate nothing but locally sourced ingredients, Cioccia ensures the delectable meals are also the freshest. 210 Almond St, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-522-0688; thefarmhousetn.com
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Frothy Monkey
Don’t be fooled by the coffee shop title because Frothy Monkey has everything from craft beer to exquisite entrees. With a central downtown location it’s only a quick walk from Broadway and a great choice for brunch, coffee or a low-key date night dinner. 235 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219; 615-891-1015; frothymonkey.com
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Gray & Dudley
Chef Levon Wallace mans the 21C hotel’s new dining space aiming for aneclectic menu using seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Shareable plates, meat-focused entrees, and a variety of salads make up the dinner menu—lunch and breakfast are soon to be revealed. The restaurant name hearkens to the original Gray & Dudley Hardware Company who occupied the space in the 1900s. 221 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-610-6460; grayanddudley.com
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Hard Rock Cafe
While the Hard Rock Café has restaurants nationwide, Nashville’s own pays tribute to its Music City location. Sitting in the epicenter of downtown, you can enjoy dining al fresco on the second floor patio or stay indoors and experience live music and walls lined with historic memorabilia. 100 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-742-9900; hardrock.com
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Kitchen Notes
With a menu described as “Southern, x93 good things are sure to follow. Kitchen Note’s decadent comfort foods are made with fresh from the farm ingredients and are served with an all-day Biscuit Bar in the Omni Hotel right next to the Music City Hall of Fame. 250 Fifth Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-761-3700; omnihotels.com
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Merchants
Any place that serves duck fat tater tots as decadent as Merchants deserves recognition. Munch on a few while sipping a classic co*cktail and follow it up with plates of deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes with spicy pepper jam and pimento cheese. Dine upstairs for a slower-paced evening and order the shrimp & grits. 401 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-254-1892; merchantsrestaurant.com
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Morton’s
While its premier dishes include prime-aged beef and savory seafood, the Bar 12.21 at Morton’s is also the perfect place to share Bar Bites and drinks before enjoying a performance at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) or a free Live on the Green concert. 618 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219; 615-259-4558; mortons.com
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The Palm
Sure, there are lots of Palms—but ours, staked in the heart of downtown Nashville, has nestled itself into the hearts of locals. More than 300 luminaries caricatured on the walls brand this as a Music City joint and on any given night those very faces are living it up in the bar and dining room. 140 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-742-7256; thepalm.com/Nashville
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Pancho & Lefty’s
Taking over the historic, multi-level restaurant space facing Bridgestone Arena, Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina is a venture from the Edley’s Bar-B-Que team. Opened late May 2017 on Lower Broadway, the spot is perfect for a rooftop view and pre-Preds game dining. 104 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-933-3390; panchoandleftys.com
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Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant
From Leiper's Fork to Franklin and now in downtown Nashville, Puckett's has always been known for their tempting Southern dishes and great live music. Enjoy daily specials like BBQ pulled pork, fried catfish, roasted chicken with a heavy dose of sweet tea. If you get the chance, order their sweet potato fries! 500 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219; 615-770-2772; puckettsgrocery.com
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Southernaire Market
A corner store with more to offer than just fresh market goods, the Southernaire is serving up Creole-Inspired dishes in SoBro. Peruse their shelves of artisan goods while you wait on your made-to-order salad or sandwich, perfect for a quick downtown bite. 150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-490-8077; southernairemarket.com
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The Southern Steak & Oyster
The Southern Steak & Oyster is a spacious, modern restaurant located near Broadway and a quick walk from the Music City Center. An oval bar anchors the room and provides a perch for raw bar enthusiasts (they have anywhere from five to eight oyster varieties available daily) but the menu reaches across Southern state lines with chicken fried chicken, fish tacos, and smoked baby back ribs. 150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-724-1762; thesouthernnashville.com
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Sun Diner
Whether it’s your rise-and-shine meal as you go out to brave the day, or your saving grace in the wee hours after a night of honky-tonkin’, Sun Diner serves breakfast fare around the clock. Taking its inspiration from the legendary Sun Records, which launched the careers of The King and The Man in Black, the music-themed diner is fittingly housed next door to the Johnny Cash Museum. Fate or fortune—it’s the ideal spot for a 24-hour joint in the heart of Music City. 105 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; 615-742-9099; sundinernashville.com
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Trattoria II Mulino
New York meets Nashville in this downtown spot on Fifth Ave. An inviting indoor-outdoor setting is paired with experimental Italian dishes inspired by Italy’s Abruzzo region. 144 Fifth Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-620-3700; trattoriailmulino.com
