It’s hard to choose just one must-try dish in Nashville. That’s why we’ve decided on twelve. These are dishes that go beyond a normal meal and cross into creative menu items that portray the diverse food selection in Nashville. If you try anything from a local restaurant, it’s got to be one (or all) of these top picks.
Hot Chicken Pakoras at Chauhan Ale & Masala House
Slugburger at Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop
The bad news? The Slugburger from Hugh Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop is only available on Fridays. The good news? It’s well worth waiting until the end of the week for. The burger is deep fried using ground pork and soy meal, then topped with pickles, chopped onions and mustard.
Sugar and Spice Pancakes at Pancake Pantry
Hot Chicken at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
Since Nashville is known for its spicy chicken, a plate full of the bird is a must at Prince’s Hot Chicken. Choose from mildly spicy to XXX hot, and enjoy with a side of potato salad, baked beans or coleslaw.
Scrapple at Josephine
A scrapple is a method of cooking that uses every part of an animal. Chef Andy Little of Josephine serves his scrapple three different ways: traditional, Nashville Hot, or in an eggs Benedict. Late American food writer Josh Ozersky even called Little’s scrapple one of the greatest things he ever ate.
Josephine, 2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 292 7766
Garganelli with Pork Ragout at Rolf and Daughters
Bring out your Italian side with a non-traditional plate of pasta. The flavors of pork, spinach and tomato come together for this pasta dish from Rolf and Daughters. Garganelli verdi is a spinach pasta that gets topped with heritage pork and sarvecchio.
Rolf and Daughters, 700 Taylor St, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 866 9897
The Bird is the Word at The Mockingbird
Southern dishes are all about toppings, condiments and sides. The Bird is the Word is a classic southern dish (with a twist) that checks all three of these off the list. Executive Chef at The Mockingbird, Brian Riggenbach, creates this by covering chicken fried chicken thighs in white chorizo gravy and serving it with salsa verde mashed potatoes.
The Mockingbird, 121 12th Ave N, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 741 9900
Butterscotch Habanero Bread Pudding at Midtown Cafe
Pudding is more than a term of endearment in Nashville. It’s also a delicious dessert offered by Midtown Cafe. The tasty Butterscotch Habanero Bread Pudding is made doubly delectable by being topped with vanilla bean ice cream and white chocolate sauce.
Midtown Cafe, 102 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 320 7176
Greg Brady Burger from Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint
Biscuits and Country Ham at The Loveless Cafe
Cafe, Restaurant, American, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Fast Food, Street Food
Brunch for Two at Party Fowl
A meal and drink in one, Party Fowl serves the Brunch for Two, which is a Bloody Mary topped with hot Nashville chicken, scotch eggs, fried okra and avocado.
Party Fowl, 719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 624 8255
About the author
Leena is a freelance writer, fashion blogger, wife, and mom. She currently lives just outside of Nashville, TN, where she spends most of her days chasing after two little people 24/7. She has written for sites like Life as Mama, opeeqo and various celebrity influencer blogs.
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