20 Greatest Eating places in Downtown Nashville (+ Bonuses!)

If you’re planning a weekend getaway or vacation to Nashville and working on the all-important (some might say most important) aspect of where to chow down, drink up, and otherwise stuff yourself silly, you’ve boot-scooted to the right place. If there’s one thing that draws travelers to Music City more than the music and the Grand Ole Opry House, it’s the cuisine scene.

From fine dining to honky-tonks, food halls, sandwich shops, and rooftop bars, restaurants in Nashville offer a wide variety of ways to dine on specialties like Nashville hot chicken, country ham, all the beef you can eat, and Southern sides such as collard greens, cheese grits, and potato salad. Save room for banana pudding, chess pie, and cinnamon rolls covered in cream cheese icing.

Looking for live music to back up breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack? Not a problem. It’s actually harder to find an eatery that doesn’t have live music of some sort. Even Taco Bell has a stage. This is Music City, after all!

Best Restaurants in Downtown Nashville

 1. Assembly Food Hall Downtown

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

What do you do when one person wants tacos, another wants Asian, and yet another wants Italian? You go to Assembly Food Hall. With more than 30 dining choices, it’s the solution to all of your problems (at least the ones involving the hangry vibes of your traveling companions – sorry, we can’t help with the rest of your issues).

Assembly Food Hall Downtown is located across from the Ryman Auditorium. Dining choices include the Liege Waffle Co., Prince’s Hot Chicken, Cotton & Snow shaved ice, Hans Banh Mi & Pho, Thai Esane, and the Velvet Taco. Enjoy rooftop and outdoor seating, as well as live music and line dancing lessons.

See Related: Where to Stay in Nashville: Best Areas & Neighborhoods

2. Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Address: 530 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Uber drivers are an excellent way to find the best restaurants in Nashville. You’ve gotta talk about something while you’re sitting there — and it might as well be about what’s good to eat in Nashville. On a recent trip, I was quick to chat with my driver about where I should dine.

The stylish and modern Blanco Cocina + Cantina was one such suggestion. It’s next to the National Museum of African American Music, across from Bridgestone Arena, and near the nightlife of lower Broadway.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina menu items include chicken tortilla soup, Tuscan chimichangas, grilled mahi tacos, fajitas, burritos, bowls, and enchiladas. Don’t forget margaritas, sangria, and craft beer.

The Renaissance Nashville Hotel is just around the corner and makes a terrific anchorage for convenience to attractions and restaurants in Downtown Nashville. The luxury hotel has an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness room, a restaurant, and a bar.

All guest rooms have a mini fridge, a coffee maker, seating areas, and flat-screen TVs with streaming services. Babysitting services are available too.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Tennessee & Places to Visit

3. Butcher & Bee

Address: 902 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37206

Opened in 2011 (on King Street) as a predominately sandwich-oriented shop, the menu at Butcher & Bee now offers a fresh and fabulous assortment of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired items prepared with local ingredients. Choose from matzo chicken schnitzel, grilled halibut skewers, hummus and whipped feta dip with fermented honey and black pepper, bacon-wrapped dates, grilled cauliflower, and falafels.

There are also sandwiches, just in case you were wondering. Beverage options include kombucha, local beer, cider, and a large selection of wine. You can also enjoy weekend brunch at this hip Nashville restaurant, which is perfect for a date night or girls’ night out.

Butcher & Bee operates two locations, as well as The Daily, a two-location coffee, juice, sandwich, and pastry shop. The Redheaded Stranger, in east Nashville, is part of the Butcher & Bee family. If you’re looking for Southwestern tacos, homemade tortillas, smoky brisket, hatch green chilis, and outlaw country music, head on over for a fun twist on Tex-Mex.

See Related: Best Hotels in Nashville, Tennessee

4. Carne Mare

Address: 300 12th Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37203

Looking for a glamorous dining experience complete with wagyu beef, house-made pasta, and fine seafood? Carne Mare is one of the best restaurants in Nashville for a date night or special occasion.

Located within the W Hotel in the Gulch neighborhood, the Italian chophouse is led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini and Chef della Cucina Levi Raines. This traditional steakhouse offers yellowfin tuna tartare, roasted swordfish, salt-baked Florida red snapper, hand-cut pappardelle with lamb Bolognese, and 12-ounce gorgonzola-cured wagyu striploin.

Searching for something to do after this decadent meal? Check out the nearby Station Inn, a laid-back bar with nightly live bluegrass, classic country, and American roots bands. Dierks Bentley, Sturgill Simpson, and The Time Jumpers have performed here. Head here to check out performances from artists like Larry Cordle (singer/songwriter known for writing the song Murder on Music Row, performed by George Strait and Alan Jackson), Val Storey, Alan Bibey, and Grasstowne, Carl Jackson, Emily Ann Roberts (finalist and Team Blake member on NBC’s The Voice), and Unspoken Tradition.

If you’re into a less lively atmosphere than the crazy of Lower Broadway, you’ll probably like this area of town known as the Gulch. It has an urban and upscale vibe with an approachable ambiance. Check out the What Lifts You wings mural, Carter Vintage Guitars (which also hosts live music), the Nashville Boot Co., or Rudy’s Jazz Room for New Orleans cocktails (think: Sazeracs, absinthe frappés, and hurricanes), cuisine and jazz music.

5. Copper Branch Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant

Address: 601 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219

You might be thinking, “Nashville sure has a lot of meat, BBQ, and down-home comfort food.” And you would be correct. That’s why we went beyond the burgers and fried chicken to find fresh (and greener) fare for the non-carnivores in the crowd.

Located beside the Nashville Public Library, Copper Branch Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant offers a selection of Asian-inspired bowls, shitake mushroom burgers, falafel wraps, soups, flatbread pizzas, all-day breakfast items, and even plant-based hot chicken. Looking for a matcha or chai latte? This is your place. And yes, they have live music.

Copper Branch is just down the block from Dream Nashville, a super cute boutique hotel encompassing two historic structures near Printer’s Alley. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway or special occasion. Enjoy a fitness room, 24-hour room service, and meeting space.

Swanky art deco-inspired guest rooms are decked out in designer furniture, colorful accessories, lush fabrics, and opulent fixtures. Hotel dining options include Stateside Kitchen and Natura Nashville.

See Related: Best Bars in Nashville, Tennessee

6. Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Address: 4500 Murphy Road, Nashville, TN 37209

Edley’s Bar-B-Que is in Sylvan Park near the Parthenon (the one in Nashville, not Athens). They have locations across town from Lenox Village and Melrose (home to a variety of antiques and retail-centric locations) to east Nashville, so if you miss this one, check them out somewhere else on your travels.

Order from classic dishes and unique selections such as smoked sausage with house-made pimento cheese, chicken, a grits casserole (with gouda cheese, no less), fresh and crispy salads, and brisket everything (platters, tacos, sandwiches, and other such meaty creations).

The Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville – Vanderbilt-Elliston Place is nearby if you’re searching for accommodations near the best restaurants in Nashville. Located within easy access to Vanderbilt University and Music Row, the hotel offers free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a business center, and free Wi-Fi. It’s also pet friendly, so buckle up Fido or Rex and get that road trip started.

7. Emmy Squared Pizza

Address: 404 12th Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37203

Got a craving for a hearty slice of pizza while wandering around Music City? Creative pizza concoction is the name of the game at Emmy Squared, found in the Gulch neighborhood south of downtown Nashville. They’re also located in Germantown, Green Hills, and East Nashville.

This unique pizza joint combines a New York-style pizza with a Detroit-style square slice. Perhaps the most impressive idea of this creation is the focaccia-like dough, which has a caramelized and crispy cheese edge. Pile on the toppings and put it on my plate, please! Other menu items include a double-stack burger, a spicy chicken sandwich, salads, and a chicken parm sandwich.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Johnson City, Tennessee

8. Etch

Address: 303 Demonbreun, Nashville, TN 37201

From award-winning chef Deb Paquette, Etch offers two private dining rooms, a full bar, and a chef’s bar (guests are welcome to interact with the chef). One of the best restaurants in Nashville, the open-kitchen concept brings an intimate touch to the upscale dining room.

The menu is inspired by different regions from around the world. Choose from shrimp bruschetta, Argentinian beef tenderloin, fried cornmeal catfish, and charred broccolini with roasted sweet potatoes. Along with a large wine list, beverages include craft beer and specialty cocktails.

Etch is near the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and across the street from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

9. Gathre

Address: 1810 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Located within the cool and artistically inspired Hotel Fraye, Curio Collection by Hilton, Gathre is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu features selections such as New York strip, seared salmon, crab cakes elote, and coq au vin.

The breakfast and brunch crew will appreciate choices like bacon flights, giant cinnamon rolls, baskets of beignets, lobster Benedict, and chicken and waffles. Brunch often includes the entertainment of a DJ.

Looking for something to do before or after dinner? Check out the indoor/outdoor rooftop bar, Eddie Ate Dynamite. In concert with the hotel’s creative vibe, the name is a play on the mnemonic memory system for remembering the six guitar strings in standard tuning: Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie (EADGBE). Enjoy daily live music while sipping local beer and your favorite cocktails. I highly recommend the frosé.

And if you need a place to crash, look no further! The Hotel Fraye, Curio Collection by Hilton features an artistic aesthetic with a laid-back ambiance in its lobby, guest rooms, and public spaces.

Designed with an emphasis on convenience, comfort, and functionality, the spacious rooms have amenities like headboard reading lights and bedside charging ports, as well as plenty of other outlets for all your mobile devices. There’s also a mini fridge, a desk, and extra seating.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Knoxville, Tennessee

10. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Midtown

Address: 112 19th Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37203

When you first walk up to Hattie B’s, you’ll probably wonder if it’s really worth the wait (Insider tip: When there’s a long line, it usually means it’s worth the wait). Don’t think too long and just get in line! Hattie B’s is one of the most popular places for Nashville’s famous hot chicken. Tender on the inside and fried to a crisp golden crunch, Nashville hot chicken features a blend of spices that brings the heat to the table.

Use this line time to choose from hot chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders to platters and wings. Then choose your heat level. Heat options range from Southern (no heat), mild, and medium to hot, damn hot, and shut the cluck up.

Hattie B’s was founded by a father and son (both named Nick Bishop) and named after three women in the family (all named Hattie). There are multiple locations around town, so you can expect to be near one or more of I might consider to be the best restaurants in Nashville.

If you’re looking for more in the way of hot chicken, head on over to Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. There’s one at 5055 Broadway and one south of the downtown area. They also have a food truck.

11. Henrietta Red

Address: 1200 4th Avenue N, Nashville, TN 37208

Situated in the Germantown area of Nashville, a bit north of downtown, Henrietta Red is near the Tennessee State Museum and the Capitol. The elegant and airy restaurant opened in 2017, bringing a contemporary coastal ambiance to Music City. It makes a wonderful choice for a romantic occasion, a special event, or a group get-together.

James Beard Award nominee Chef Julia Sullivan leads the restaurant with seasonally driven items such as seared scallops, smoked fish, gnocchi with dandelion greens, and sweet potatoes with nori butter. There’s a raw oyster bar, a cocktail bar, outdoor courtyard seating, and a daily cava and oyster happy hour.

The weekend brunch menu includes a selection of sweet pastries and savory options like buttermilk biscuits with apple butter, mushroom polenta, quiche, and caviar, in addition to mimosas, bloody Marys, and Palomas.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

12. Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ

Address: 121 3rd Avenue, Nashville, TN 37201

Dedicate a whole day, or night, to your love for the Man in Black. Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ is conveniently located beside the Johnny Cash Museum.

Southern comfort food like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and hush puppies, as well as BBQ, wings, entrée salads topped with pulled chicken or pork, smoky sliced brisket, fried chicken, and Nashville’s famous hot chicken are all served here. Enjoy live music and a welcoming atmosphere at this popular spot.

The Walk of Fame, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are just a walk away. The Hilton Nashville Downtown is an excellent choice to be near all the downtown action and the best Nashville restaurants.

It’s right beside Bridgestone Arena and offers three restaurants, two bars, conference space, a business center, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is pet friendly in case you have country music-loving canines (and they’re under 75 lbs).

13. Luigi’s City Pizza

Address: 105 3rd Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37201

Set amid the lively (some might say crazy) atmosphere of Lower Broadway’s Honky-Tonk Highway, Luigi’s City Pizza serves hand-tossed New York-style pizza. It’s sandwiched between Luke’s 32 Bridge and Sun Diner behind the Patsy Cline Museum.

With a brick-lined bar and vintage atmosphere, it provides a terrific way to enjoy a slice, a big plate of garlic knots, and a pitcher or pint while visiting Nashville. One of the best restaurants in Nashville, the menu also offers chicken and mushroom alfredo, bruschetta, seven-layer lasagna, and chicken parmesan.

The Omni Nashville is a couple of blocks away from Luigi’s and makes a terrific spot for families, couples, or groups to base a Nashville vacation. There’s a rooftop pool, a couple of restaurants, a poolside bar, a fitness center, and a full-service spa.

See Related: Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

14. Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint

Address: 410 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201

About a block or so behind the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Martin’s Nashville is one of the newest locations in a regional Southern chain. Martin’s is also located in Alabama, Kentucky, and Charleston, South Carolina.

It’s similar in menu and ambiance to those locations but a whole lot bigger (What else can you expect from Nashville?). There’s the typical dining room with indoor seating, a large dining area for groups and private events, and a beer garden with games, seating, and a live music stage.

This was another one of those Uber driver recommendations. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to visit, but I have been to the one in Charleston and only have good things to say about it.

BBQ nachos, brisket burgers, brisket or catfish tacos, and sliced smoked turkey trays are just a few of the meat-centric menu items. If you’re feeling adventurous, or nostalgic, order the smoked bologna sandwich for a taste of Southern flair.

15. Puckett’s

Address: 500 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219

With the feel of an old-time General Store, Puckett’s is the place to sit down and rest a while (and fill up on traditional Southern food and hospitality). It’s on a quieter street off the main drag of Broadway, so the vibe is more on the laid-back side.

The Puckett’s tradition dates to the 1950s as a grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. This Nashville restaurant has locations across the state of Tennessee, including Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, and Franklin. Yes, there’s a large stage for live music.

Order the meat and three, a popular menu item that includes a choice of meat and three side dishes. You can also do meat and one or two if you prefer. Sides include items like skillet mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, collard greens, sweet potato fries, and smoked baked beans.

Sandwiches, burgers, shrimp and grits, and chicken platters feature heavily on the menu. Sip local draft brews, specialty cocktails, and wine, or partake in a whiskey flight during weekday lunch or dinner.

Don’t forget the famous cinnamon rolls, deep-friend brownie sundaes, or the Presley parfait, which is a Mason jar filled with crushed vanilla wafers, banana pudding, peanut butter mousse, and whipped cream. We think the King would approve.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Memphis, Tennessee

16. Sun Diner

Address: 105 3rd Avenue, Nashville, TN 37201

If all-day breakfast is your thing, Sun Diner is where you want to be. Choose from fluffy cinnamon rolls, Elvis pancakes (with a drizzle of peanut butter), chicken and waffles, crème brulée French toast, and country-fried steak and eggs. Lunch items range from a “red hot” chicken sandwich and hot wings to biscuits, burgers, and short rib hash.

It’s a small space, so you’ll probably have to wait for someone to get up and leave. Take this time to peruse the vintage photos on the wall. It’s a better idea than drooling over the shoulder of the person still sitting at the counter.

This lively eatery, situated beside the Johnny Cash Museum, is themed to the historic Sun Records studio where the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley recorded albums. The legendary and historically significant Sun Records, launched by Sam Phillips in 1952, fused rock and roll and country to become “hillbilly” (in the ‘50s), better known as rockabilly today.

The actual Sun Records was further south in Memphis. We’re happy to get a taste of it here in Nashville.

17. Superica

Address: 605 Overton Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Situated in the Gulch neighborhood, south of downtown, Superica is a bright and colorful fiesta of tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and other Tex-Mex favorites. Superica is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. It’s near the railroad tracks and the What Lifts You wings mural, so hop on over after you take that obligatory Insta shot.

I’ve gotta say this is one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Entrees include skirt steak, Gulf red snapper, and carne asada. For brunch, order up huevos rancheros, tamales and eggs, or a cheesy plate of potatoes, chorizo, and eggs. Margaritas, mojitos, craft beer, and red, white, and sparkling wines round out the beverage list.

The Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown is just a block away if you’re in the market for a place to stay. The hotel offers on-site dining, room service, a rooftop bar, a fitness room, and free Wi-Fi.

See Related: Flyover States That Aren’t Boring

18. Twelve Thirty Club

Address: 550 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Owned by Tennessee native and NSYNC superstar Justin Timberlake (in partnership with 12-time James Beard Award nominee Sam Fox), the Twelve Thirty Club is inspired by the supper clubs of the early 19th Century. The closing time for restaurants and pubs was 12:30 am.

The Twelve Thirty Club offers an elegant and inviting art deco interior accented by regional specialties, rooftop dining, live music, and a bar. The venue encompasses an entire block and consists of several concepts within one building: Supper Club, the Honky Tonk, a rooftop dining area, and private dining rooms.

The Supper Club menu features seafood, sushi, sake, and salads, as well as Chilean sea bass, Wagyu Bolognese, braised short ribs, and New York strip, filet mignon, and ribeye steaks. The Honky Tonk menu is a fun mix of spaghetti Bolognese, turkey pastrami sandwiches, burgers, all-day egg sandwiches, chopped salads, and a slew of craft cocktails. The rooftop menu is all about appetizers like salt-crusted pretzels, Lebanese hummus, shrimp cocktail, and truffle fries.

Reservations are required for the Supper Club and the Honky Tonk. Rooftop dining is first-come, first-serve.

See Related: Best Summer Vacations in the US

19. Xiao Bao

Address: 830 Meridian Street, Nashville, TN 37207

Part 50s diner, part traditional Chinese restaurant, and part wine bar, Xiao Bao is the place to go when you crave the flavors of Asian cuisine. Choose from selections such as biang biang hand-pulled noodles, tuna tartar, peanut mochi dumplings, fried dumplings with lemongrass pork, and fluffy pork belly bao buns.

Visit on the weekend for brunch options such as egg and cheese bao buns and chicken fried steak. Beer, wine, and cocktails feature heavily on the menu.

Xia Bao is located just across the Cumberland River in east Nashville in McFerrin Park. The website says to “look for the strawberry.” So, well, look for the strawberry.

Hint: there’s a giant strawberry outside.

Xiao Bao is the creation of the husband-and-wife team of Joshua Walker and Duolan Li. Their first endeavor was with the equally popular Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston, South Carolina. If you’re ever in Charleston, give that one a visit. No word on if there’s a giant strawberry.

20. Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

Address: 307 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar sits along the Honky-Tonk Highway (about a six-block section in the Lower Broadway area) with several other big-name bars, pubs, and restaurants. Along with great food and beverages, they all have multiple floors and stages as well as rooftop bars (gotta get in those Nashville views).

We chose Aldean’s for its inviting atmosphere and well-rounded menu. Choose from selections such as bison sliders, hot chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese with cavatappi pasta, grilled chicken, striped bass with lump crab, sesame salmon salad, and Southern nachos (with pulled pork and BBQ sauce).

By the numbers, this entertaining eatery consists of 27,000 square feet and has six bars and four levels (including the largest rooftop patio on Lower Broadway). The main bar is decked out with a 1961 John Deere tractor, a tribute to a certain number-one song about a “Big Green Tractor.” Enjoy live music by local and regional performers.

Note: Aldean’s and many of the below venues require over-21 status after 6:00 pm.

BONUS! Other celebrity-owned bars/restaurants in Nashville

Being Music City and home to some of the best fixings in Tennesee, it’s little wonder that Jason Aldean isn’t the only famous musician with fingers in the restaurant pie. Here are some of the top celebrity-owned bars and restaurants in Nashville!

• Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink
  If you’re looking for a sushi fix in a town full of burgers, BBQ, and sizzling slabs of meat, Luke Bryan’s is the place to find it. One of the best (possibly only) sushi rooftop venues in town (there are three other floors along the way), you can get your fill of sashimi, sushi rolls, and bowls. Oh, and there are plenty of wings, ribs, wraps, sliders, and tacos to go along with three stages of great live music.

• Blake Shelton’s Ole Red
  With selections like a Blue Tick Burger, an Austin Brisket Sandwich, and Honey Bee Hot Chicken and Waffles, Mr. “The Voice” himself shows off a creative and hit song-boosting aesthetic (Recognize any of those menu item/song titles?). Toss in Redneck Nachos, Southern Tot Poutine (think: Canada comes to the South), and a Kiss My Country Grilled Chicken Sammich for a full-on plate of country goodness. This place is like being at a concert that just so happens to have food. You might see former The Voice contestants and some of the best up-and-coming artists in town.

• Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa
  ACM, Grammy, and CMA award-winning singer/songwriter appears to be the only girl to take on this guy-centric culinary scene. We say, You go girl! A taste of Texas comes to Tennessee with this Tex-Mex stop. Burritos, enchiladas, and tacos stuffed with all kinds of goodness vie for attention on an extensive chef-driven menu. The cantina features a creative list of cocktail creations appropriately named Gunpowder and Lead, Locomotive, Kerosene, Bluebird, and Little Red Wagon. Check out the tequila, mezcal, and anejo list. There’s a first floor, a cantina, and a rooftop music stage (if you can make it up there after all that mezcal).

• Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
  The “What Was I Thinkin’” and “Drunk on a Plane” singer/songwriter brings a free and easy (down the road) touch to this Nashville hot spot. The menu features bourbon-glazed wings, catfish and chips, sliders, wraps, and BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. Enjoy live music, weekend brunch, the Tip it on Back rooftop bar and line dancing. There are even expert instructors to help with your grapevine, weave, scoot, or brush moves (those would be line-dancing moves for the real novices).

• A.J.’s Good Time Bar – We all love A.J. (a.k.a. Alan Jackson).
  So, you know you’re gonna love his bar/restaurant. Billboard Magazine has even named it the number one honky tonk in Nashville. There are three floors, a rooftop bar, and lots of live music for your listening enjoyment. The 6,000-square-foot building is the oldest on Broadway (and has seen life as a Civil War hospital, the city’s first used record store, and the home of Bullet Records). Watch the game, sing some karaoke, catch an up-and-coming band, or just enjoy an excellent meal. It’s all a good time here.

• Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk and Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse
  That gigantic eyesore on the corner with four stories, a 5th-story rooftop bar, and music blasting to the rafters at 11:00 in the morning? That would be Kid Rock’s. There are four music stages (including a two-story main stage) and six bars within this complex that can hold almost 2,000 people. If you get around to asking for a menu, choose from steak (including a 36-oz. ribeye), a grilled BBQ chicken club, salads, potato skins, nachos, and burgers, as well as a big-ass selection of cocktails, whiskey, moonshine, and local beer.

• Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
  More than just a Parrothead paradise, Buffett brings a touch of tiki, bamboo, and Texas Gulf Coast to the middle of Music City. The menu offers Caribbean chicken egg rolls, crab cakes, Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, chicken and broccoli pasta, key lime pie, and all the frosty, fruity cocktails you would expect.

• FGL House
  Cruise on over to Florida Georgia Line’s Nashville eatery and music venue. It’s just a bit off the main drag of Broadway, across from the Johnny Cash Museum and beside the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. A laid-back Southern-style menu features shrimp and grits, Atlantic salmon, Cajun pasta, burgers, flatbreads, and chicken and waffles. Creatively named cocktails pay tribute to collaborations with Nelly as well as their own music bank with “This Is How We Roll,” “Round Here,” “Party People,” “Cruise,” and “Tip it Back.”

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