Nashville is a city known for its rich and delicious Southern cuisine. These five restaurants in Nashville are some of the best in the city. From classic meat-and-threes to creative takes on Southern comfort food, each restaurant offers a unique and delicious dining experience.
1. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – This restaurant, among the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is famous for its Nashville-style hot chicken, which is marinated in spices and fried to perfection. Customers love the juicy chicken and the variety of spice levels to choose from. The sides, such as pimento mac and cheese and black-eyed pea salad, are also highly recommended.
2. Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Arnold’s, another of the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, has been a Nashville institution for over 30 years and is known for its traditional Southern meat-and-three menu. Customers rave about the fried chicken, meatloaf, and mac and cheese, as well as the friendly service and cozy atmosphere.
3. Loveless Cafe – This restaurant, amid the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, has been serving Southern comfort food for over 70 years, and customers keep coming back for the biscuits and preserves, fried chicken, and homemade desserts. The ambiance of the restaurant is also a big draw, with its charming country decor and live music.
4. Monell’s Dining & Catering – Monell’s, one of the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a family-style restaurant where customers sit at large tables and pass dishes around, just like at a family dinner. The menu changes daily, but typically includes fried chicken, pot roast, and a variety of sides. Customers love the homestyle cooking and the convivial atmosphere.
5. Biscuit Love – Biscuit Love, one of the most popular Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a popular brunch spot that specializes in Southern-style biscuits. The biscuits are made from scratch and can be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as fried chicken, bacon, or gravy. Customers also recommend the Bonuts (fried biscuit doughnut holes) and the homemade jams and jellies.
Top 5 Southern Cooking Restaurants in Nashville
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Address: 112 19th Ave. S
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, another of the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a casual restaurant that specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken. The interior of the restaurant is bright and colorful, with picnic tables and counter service. The restaurant has a fun and lively atmosphere with music playing in the background.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is famous for its juicy, crispy hot chicken that is marinated in spices and fried to perfection. Customers can choose from six different spice levels, ranging from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up (extremely spicy). In addition to the hot chicken, Hattie B’s also serves a variety of Southern-style sides, such as pimento mac and cheese, collard greens, and black-eyed pea salad.
One unique feature of Hattie B’s is that customers can order a half bird, whole bird, or wings, allowing them to customize their order to their appetite. The restaurant also offers a gluten-free option for their hot chicken.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Hot Chicken Sandwich: A juicy, spicy chicken breast served on a bun with pickles and coleslaw.
▣ Southern Greens: A blend of collard, turnip, and mustard greens cooked with bacon and served with vinegar pepper sauce.
▣ Pimento Mac and Cheese: Elbow macaroni mixed with creamy pimento cheese and topped with breadcrumbs.
▣ Black-Eyed Pea Salad: A tangy salad made with black-eyed peas, onion, and celery, dressed in a mustard vinaigrette.
▣ Banana Pudding: A classic Southern dessert made with layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers.
Service at Hattie B’s is fast and efficient, with customers placing their orders at the counter and then finding a seat at a picnic table. The food is served quickly, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
Customer Reviews:
“I had the medium hot chicken with pimento mac and cheese, and it was incredible. The chicken was perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of spice. The mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy, with a hint of smokiness from the pimento. Highly recommend!”
“The hot chicken here is no joke – I ordered the ‘Damn Hot’ and it was seriously spicy. But it was also delicious, with a crispy crust and juicy meat. The collard greens were also fantastic. Just be prepared for some serious heat!”
“I came here with a group of friends and we all loved the hot chicken. I got the wings, and they were cooked perfectly – crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The banana pudding was also a standout – it was light and creamy, with a great banana flavor.”
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is a must-visit restaurant in Nashville for anyone who loves spicy, flavorful food. The hot chicken is the star of the menu, but the sides and desserts are also fantastic. The atmosphere is casual and fun, making it a great spot to grab a quick lunch or dinner. Highly recommend! They have earned the rank of the top 5 Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Address: 605 8th Ave. S
Arnold’s Country Kitchen, amid the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is an institution that has been serving traditional Southern meat-and-three meals for over 30 years. The restaurant is housed in a nondescript brick building, and the interior is cozy and unpretentious, with simple wooden tables and chairs.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen is famous for its meat-and-three menu, which allows customers to choose a meat and three sides for their meal. Some of the signature dishes on the menu include the fried chicken, meatloaf, and mac and cheese. The restaurant also offers daily specials, such as chicken and dumplings and pork chops.
One unique feature of Arnold’s is that the menu changes daily, based on what ingredients are available and what the chefs feel like cooking. This means that customers can always expect something new and exciting when they visit.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Fried Chicken: A crispy, juicy chicken leg quarter, fried to perfection.
▣ Meatloaf: A classic meatloaf made with ground beef and pork, served with brown gravy.
▣ Mac and Cheese: Elbow macaroni mixed with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, topped with breadcrumbs.
▣ Turnip Greens: Tender greens simmered with ham hocks and seasoned with vinegar and pepper.
▣ Chess Pie: A sweet and buttery Southern dessert made with sugar, butter, eggs, and cornmeal.
Service at Arnold’s is friendly and efficient, with customers lining up to place their orders at the counter. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations. The restaurant is popular, so there may be a wait for a table during peak hours.
Customer Reviews:
“Arnold’s has the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. It’s so crispy and juicy, with a great seasoning. The mac and cheese is also fantastic – it’s creamy and cheesy, with a breadcrumb topping. And the service is always friendly and welcoming.”
“I had the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, and it was the ultimate comfort food. The meatloaf was moist and flavorful, and the brown gravy was rich and delicious. The green beans were cooked perfectly, with a bit of crunch.”
“The daily specials at Arnold’s are always amazing. I had the chicken and dumplings and it was so flavorful and comforting. The dumplings were light and fluffy, and the broth was savory and comforting. I also loved the chess pie for dessert – it was sweet and buttery, with a crispy crust.”
Arnold’s Country Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone looking for traditional Southern comfort food. The fried chicken, meatloaf, and mac and cheese are all standouts, and the daily specials are always exciting. The atmosphere is cozy and unpretentious, and the service is friendly and welcoming. They can definately be counted among the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville.
Loveless Cafe
Address: 8400 Hwy. 100
The Loveless Cafe, one of the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a legendary restaurant that has been serving Southern comfort food for over 70 years. The restaurant is housed in a charming country-style building, with a cozy interior decorated with vintage signs and memorabilia.
Loveless Cafe is famous for its biscuits and preserves, which are made from scratch and served with every meal. The menu features a variety of Southern dishes, such as fried chicken, country ham, and catfish, as well as classic sides like mac and cheese, fried okra, and collard greens.
One unique feature of Loveless Cafe is that it also has a country store on-site, where customers can purchase the biscuits and preserves to take home with them.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Biscuits and Gravy: Two warm biscuits topped with creamy sausage gravy.
▣ Hot Chicken: Nashville-style hot chicken served on a white bread sandwich with pickles and a side of coleslaw.
▣ Country Ham: Thinly sliced ham served with red-eye gravy and two eggs any style.
▣ Fried Catfish: A crispy fillet of catfish served with hushpuppies and a side of tartar sauce.
▣ Blackberry Cobbler: A warm, gooey cobbler made with fresh blackberries and topped with a buttery crust.
Service at Loveless Cafe is friendly and efficient, with customers being seated at tables by the hostess. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations. The restaurant can be busy during peak hours, so there may be a wait for a table.
Customer Reviews:
“The biscuits and gravy at Loveless Cafe are out of this world. The biscuits are so fluffy and buttery, and the sausage gravy is rich and creamy. I also loved the fried catfish – it was perfectly crispy and not greasy at all.”
“The hot chicken here is a must-try. It’s spicy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The coleslaw is a great complement to the chicken. And of course, the biscuits are amazing – they’re light and fluffy with a crispy exterior.”
“Loveless Cafe is such a charming place to visit. I had the country ham with red-eye gravy and it was delicious – the ham was so tender and flavorful. And the blackberry cobbler was the perfect dessert – sweet and tart and topped with a flaky crust.”
Loveless Cafe is a Nashville institution that is well worth a visit for anyone looking for classic Southern comfort food. The biscuits and preserves are a standout, as are the hot chicken, country ham, and fried catfish. The atmosphere is charming and cozy, and the service is friendly and efficient. They rank amid the top 5 Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville for good reasons.
Monell’s Dining & Catering
Address: 1235 6th Ave. N
Monell’s Dining & Catering, one of the most popular Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a family-style restaurant that has been serving traditional Southern meals for over 25 years. The restaurant is housed in a charming Victorian-style mansion, with cozy dining rooms and a front porch for outdoor seating.
Monell’s is famous for its family-style dining, where customers sit at large tables and pass dishes around, just like at a family dinner. The menu changes daily but typically includes Southern classics like fried chicken, pot roast, and biscuits, as well as a variety of sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes.
One unique feature of Monell’s is that there are no menus – customers are served what is being offered that day, and everyone at the table shares the same dishes. This creates a convivial atmosphere and encourages customers to interact with one another.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Fried Chicken: Juicy chicken pieces that are perfectly seasoned and fried to crispy perfection.
▣ Pot Roast: Tender chunks of beef slow-cooked with vegetables and served with brown gravy.
▣ Biscuits and Gravy: Warm, fluffy biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy.
▣ Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes served with a side of brown gravy.
▣ Fried Okra: Crispy fried okra, a classic Southern side dish.
Service at Monell’s is friendly and welcoming, with customers being seated at large communal tables. The waitstaff is attentive and helpful, refilling dishes and making sure everyone has enough to eat. The atmosphere is cozy and convivial, with a real sense of community among the diners.
Customer Reviews:
“I love coming to Monell’s for their fried chicken. It’s so crispy and juicy, and the seasoning is spot on. The sides are also amazing, especially the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. And the family-style dining is such a unique experience – it’s like a big family dinner.”
“Monell’s is such a charming place. I had the pot roast and it was so tender and flavorful. The gravy was rich and delicious. And the biscuits and gravy were amazing – the biscuits were fluffy and buttery, and the sausage gravy was creamy and flavorful.”
“The fried okra at Monell’s is the best I’ve ever had. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And the fried chicken was delicious, with just the right amount of seasoning. The family-style dining is a lot of fun – it’s a great way to meet new people and try new dishes.”
Monell’s Dining & Catering is a unique and charming restaurant that offers a family-style dining experience with delicious Southern comfort food. The fried chicken, pot roast, and biscuits and gravy are all standout dishes, and the atmosphere is convivial and welcoming. They stand out among the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville.
Biscuit Love
Address: 316 11th Ave. S
Biscuit Love, among the top Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville, is a popular breakfast and brunch spot that specializes in creative twists on classic Southern dishes. The restaurant has a modern, industrial interior with plenty of natural light and communal tables for seating.
Biscuit Love is famous for its biscuits, which are made from scratch and served in a variety of ways. The menu also features creative takes on classic Southern dishes, such as hot chicken with benedict sauce and brisket hash.
One unique feature of Biscuit Love is that the restaurant sources many of its ingredients from local farms and purveyors, supporting the Nashville community and ensuring that the food is fresh and high-quality.
Main Menu Items:
▣ East Nasty: A biscuit sandwich with hot chicken, cheddar cheese, and sausage gravy.
▣ Bonuts: Fried biscuit doughnut holes served with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote.
▣ Brisket Hash: Smoked brisket served with roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and a poached egg.
▣ Gertie: A biscuit sandwich with bacon, fried egg, cheddar cheese, and mustard.
▣ Lil’ Bit: A biscuit with honey, butter, and house-made jam.
Service at Biscuit Love is fast and efficient, with customers placing their orders at the counter and then finding a seat at a communal table. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations. The restaurant can be busy during peak hours, so there may be a wait for a table.
Customer Reviews:
“Biscuit Love is the perfect brunch spot. The East Nasty sandwich is amazing – the hot chicken is so crispy and flavorful, and the sausage gravy is creamy and delicious. And the bonuts are a must-try – they’re like little bites of heaven.”
“I had the brisket hash and it was so good – the brisket was smoky and tender, and the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts were perfectly roasted. And of course, the biscuits were amazing. The service was also great – the staff was friendly and efficient.”
“The Lil’ Bit biscuit with honey and jam is the perfect breakfast treat. The biscuits are so light and fluffy, and the honey and jam complement them perfectly. I also loved the Gertie sandwich – the bacon and fried egg were cooked perfectly, and the mustard added a nice tangy kick.”
Biscuit Love is a must-visit for anyone looking for creative twists on classic Southern breakfast and brunch dishes. The East Nasty sandwich and bonuts are both standout items, and the use of locally-sourced ingredients adds an extra level of freshness and quality. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, and the service is fast and efficient. They deserve to be ranked among the top 5 Southern cooking restaurants in Nashville.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is a must-visit for anyone looking for Nashville’s famous hot chicken, while Arnold’s Country Kitchen offers a cozy and unpretentious atmosphere and traditional Southern dishes. Loveless Cafe is a Nashville institution that serves up delicious biscuits and preserves, as well as classic Southern entrees and sides. Monell’s Dining & Catering offers a unique family-style dining experience with amazing comfort food, and Biscuit Love puts a creative spin on classic Southern breakfast and brunch dishes.
Overall, these five restaurants in Nashville showcase the best of her Southern cuisine and are all highly recommended for visitors and locals alike.
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