Explore Nashville’s famed food scene like never before with top local guides who know all the best eateries, hotspots, and more.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint is an award-winning roadhouse-style eatery that serves delicious West Tennessee whole-hog barbecue dishes like smoked brisket and redneck tacos. Bringle’s Smoking Oasis is another Texas-influenced barbecue spot offering similar fare.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint is a Nashville restaurant that pays homage to West Tennessee’s longstanding whole hog barbecue tradition. Since opening its doors in 2006, this landmark eatery has received many accolades for its authentic pit barbecue, warm Southern hospitality, and welcoming, well-worn spaces. Meals are served family-style daily – everything from sides to sauces is prepared from scratch every time!
Martin’s serves whole hog barbecue reminiscent of what inspired Martin’s father as a youngster. Each pig is cooked over hickory wood for one day before being pulled and served sandwich-style. Additionally, Martin’s offers an impressive selection of smoked meats, chicken dishes, tacos, and burgers.
Martin’s new SoBro location features a dining room with a screened-in porch and roll-up garage doors, four hog pits upstairs and an expansive beer garden – as well as picnic-style seating, live music performances on stage, multiple private event spaces and picnic-style seating – in addition to traditional BBQ, Martin’s offers classic southern comfort foods like biscuits and gravy, cobbler, mac n cheese and potato salad – in addition to its signature barbecue cuisine.
Bringle’s Smoking Oasis
Notable Nashville pitmaster Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker will bring his Texas Hill Country mission-style smoked meats and sides to The Nations through this new fast-casual counter order eatery, family-friendly and pet-friendly cafe in The Nations. Boasting plenty of outdoor seating, cornhole, full bar options with draft beer options, and specialty cocktails, this eatery also has industrial gas station vibes while offering plenty of family fun with plenty of seating and cornhole.
Menu offerings at Red’s offer mouth-watering brisket, pulled pork, beef ribs, and an array of other mouthwatering smoked meats as well as mouth-watering homemade side dishes such as Mexican street corn and chorizo queso – plus there are TVs scattered throughout their large patio area for added entertainment while you eat.
Nashville has quickly established itself as a top sports town, boasting professional football, hockey, and soccer teams you won’t miss watching live! There is no shortage of bars or stadiums offering energetic atmospheres with wall-to-wall TV screens and delicious food and beverages – each one well worth your consideration for watching the big game in Nashville.
The Loveless Cafe
Loveless Cafe can be found off Highway 100 about 150 yards east of Natchez Trace Parkway’s northern terminus on Highway 100 and serves made-from-scratch Southern cuisine, including country ham sandwiches and barbecue pulled pork sandwiches as well as world-renowned biscuits with strawberry peach or blackberry jam – perfect to accompany their homemade sorghum molasses or honey sauce!
Though small, Loveless Cafe draws national attention and is an essential destination for barbecue fans. Its spacious seating arrangements and selection of beverages – such as local craft beers and cocktails – also make it ideal for family outings and gatherings.
Sixth Ward in Nashville’s heart is an ideal gathering spot for barbecue fans looking for local vibes and good neighborly service. Their backyard barbecue-inspired menu pairs nicely with an extensive selection of craft beers produced locally and front-row access to all major sporting events. In addition to barbecue, Sixth Ward offers a comprehensive wine list and dessert selection and would make an excellent venue for date nights or group dinners; reservations should be made in advance to secure seating capacity.
Butchertown Hall
Butchertown Hall is located in Nashville’s historic Germantown neighborhood – once known by its original moniker of “Butchertown” due to the presence of butcher shops along its streets – and offers a modern take on the beer hall concept with an exquisite balance between rustic textures and clean light finishes. Owner Terry Raley wanted his inspiration drawn from his Texas Hill Country upbringing and its location, as it once hosted a German beer garden.
The team designed the interior to honor its historic roots while paying homage to German and Mexican cuisines. As a result, this restaurant features warm and inviting communal tables and two- and four-top booths, high ceilings with natural light creating an expansive sense of space, plus an attractive rock wall that separates a sleek bar from its main dining area.
Butchertown Hall offers premium craft tacos and Tex-Mex, emphasizing meat dishes like brisket and sausage. Their menu also boasts an impressive selection of local and imported beers available on tap; additionally, staff at Butchertown Hall specialize in small-batch beers exclusive to Butchertown Hall, such as those brewed by Blackstone Brewing, Jackalope Brewing Company, Little Harpeth Brewery, and Czann’s; these beers make Butchertown Hall one of the top places to visit in Nashville when it comes to food and beer alike!
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn Heights boasts an exceptional variety of meats above any typical neighborhood barbecue joint. Brisket and pork ribs are good, while Alabama-style chicken thighs dotted with black pepper add another dimension. There’s even an exceptional pork-and-cheddar cheese sausage with snappy skin! Additionally, their sides, such as mac n’ cheese and coleslaw, surpass expectations!
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in downtown Nashville exudes an atmosphere reminiscent of an upmarket craft brewery, with stylish decor and regular live entertainment arranged throughout the restaurant. It is an ideal destination for young people wanting to experience Nashville nightlife.
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant of Nashville will expand beyond Tennessee by opening its first location in Cullman, Alabama. The chain is known for its Memphis-style barbecue smoked low and slow over cherry wood with signature sauces, rubs, and spices. This new location in Cullman will open near the end of 2022 to join other areas such as Nashville, Chattanooga, Columbia, and Franklin Pigeon Forge. Their addition in Alabama will bring welcome dining opportunities seven days a week with breakfast, lunch, and dinner service all seven days a week.
The Ridge
The Ridge is situated at the crossroads of three iconic New York City neighborhoods – East Village, Lower East Side, and Bowery – making it the ideal venue to experience their culture, cuisine, and history. Their menu offers classic dishes with unique twists, wines, and cocktails from an extensive list. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, there’s even an outdoor patio available for use and licensed for private events; their license number can be seen on New York City’s website.
These succulent ribs are expertly smoked with hickory and basted with citrus BBQ sauce for maximum flavor! Your meal includes your choice of two sides to complete it perfectly!
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Edley’s is committed to its community through charitable works. They partner with local non-profits such as Martha O’Bryan Center and The Contributor and offer an emergency fund for their employees. You’ll find them at multiple events around Nashville for a fun place to meet new people while sampling some of Nashville’s finest BBQs.
Though small, this restaurant boasts an assortment of delicious food and drinks to please every palate – brisket, pork chops, chicken wings, or beef ribs – perfect for lunch or dinner at this friendly, accommodating establishment. The staff is also highly welcoming – making this the ideal spot to experience New Mexico cuisine!
If you’re craving something spicy, Tennessee Hot is sure to satisfy. Their fiery barbecue sauce features hickory, pecan, and red and white vinegar and comes piled high onto a bun along with pickles – add extra spice with baked beans or queso macaroni and cheese for even more flavor! Plus, they offer takeout and catering! Don’t miss it for spicy food fans! This location also accepts orders to go.
