Gone are the days when grabbing a meal with the youngsters meant greasy burgers and playgrounds of questionable sanitation. As Music City’s culinary scene has expanded, more restaurants have taken steps to provide high-quality service to adults while keeping little ones occupied with their menus, coloring activities, or an outdoor play area. Following are some of the most-recommended dining locations:
Gone are the days when grabbing a meal with the youngsters meant greasy burgers and playgrounds of questionable sanitation. As Music City’s culinary scene has expanded, more restaurants have taken steps to provide high-quality service to adults while keeping little ones occupied with their menus, coloring activities, or an outdoor play area. Following are some of the most-recommended dining locations:
Nicky’s offers ‘Family Nights’ every Monday, where kids can eat pasta and pizza free with the purchase of an adult meal. And with Tony Galzin, a chef who’s won awards for best new restaurant AND Chef of the Year, that meal will satisfy your taste buds. The Classic Margherita Pie is as good as it gets! If your kids can indulge their sweet tooth, get them the Chocolate Gelato. On weekend mornings, you can grab a bagel and cream cheese from their shop, offering classic bagels and satisfying breakfast sandwiches.
Coloring is a go-to activity for keeping kids engaged while waiting. With tables covered in butcher paper and crayons provided in abundance, Pastaria presents a more creative alternative. The kid’s menu is also a coloring book. If your child is energetic, they can explore the outdoor area and bocce ball court. The kid’s menu offers spaghetti, pizza, and pasta. The adult menu boasts 10 unique sauces, each with organic ingredients and chitarra noodles. The bucatini and chicken Parmesan are two of Pastaria’s best.
Nicky’s offers ‘Family Nights’ every Monday, where kids can eat pasta and pizza free with the purchase of an adult meal. And with Tony Galzin, a chef who’s won awards for best new restaurant AND Chef of the Year, that meal will satisfy your taste buds. The Classic Margherita Pie is as good as it gets! If your kids can indulge their sweet tooth, get them the Chocolate Gelato. On weekend mornings, you can grab a bagel and cream cheese from their shop, offering classic bagels and satisfying breakfast sandwiches.
Coloring is a go-to activity for keeping kids engaged while waiting. With tables covered in butcher paper and crayons provided in abundance, Pastaria presents a more creative alternative. The kid’s menu is also a coloring book. If your child is energetic, they can explore the outdoor area and bocce ball court. The kid’s menu offers spaghetti, pizza, and pasta. The adult menu boasts 10 unique sauces, each with organic ingredients and chitarra noodles. The bucatini and chicken Parmesan are two of Pastaria’s best.
This iconic meat and three establishment has been Nashville's favorite stop for burgers, shakes, and sodas since 1939. Elliston Place offers a nostalgic environment that feels as though it has not changed since the 50s. The breakfast menu (served "all dadgum day") is full of classic southern dishes. Buttermilk biscuits, eggs, pancakes, and bacon make an appearance. The fried chicken biscuits display the flavors of Tennessee. Two sunny-side-up eggs, crispy fried chicken (Classic or Nashville Hot,) and pepper gravy on a fluffy biscuit.
For an educational and interactive dining experience, pick Mafiaoza’s. The ‘build-your-own’ pizza option lets kids roll the dough while the chefs enthrall them with their pizza-throwing prowess before heating your meal to perfection in a brick oven. Enjoy a chewy crust, tasty sauce, and whatever toppings the kids decided were best (Mafiaoza’s provides many, so if children lead the way, be prepared for some weird combinations!) As a side, try their delectable Ravioli Sticks.
Established in 2012, Fat Bottom Brewing opened its doors in East Nashville before expanding to Nations in West Nashville in early 2017. Fat Bottom Brewing produces inventive beers following globally acclaimed recipes. From a smoked pumpkin porter and prickly pear Saison to a bourbon barrel-aged oatmeal stout. Apart from the beers, Fat Bottom offers dishes such as burgers and small bites like crab cakes and wings. The brewery has a play area for kids, a patio, and a beer garden.
A staple of the 12 South district. They offer assorted patties, from bison to veggie. Burger Up offers classics, like the pressed double patty, and novelty burgers, like the peach jam burger. All the meat is grass-fed, and the burgers are thick and cooked to request. They also have a Franklin location.
This old-school burger shack is full of french fries and chill vibes. Hugh-Baby's idea is to offer a simple experience and focus on crafting the small things well. Hence, they have a streamlined menu full of budget-friendly food that has been shown the same dedication as a 5-star steakhouse. The beef is hand-ground, the fries are made from fresh potatoes each morning, and they smoke the BBQ overnight. Everything about Hugh-Baby's is top quality yet frugal. The cheeseburger comes in at $5.29, and the pulled pork sandwich is $4.29. The real low-cost highlight is available on Fridays. The Slugburger is only $2.79, making it the cheapest sandwich in the city.
Outside the Grilled Cheeserie hangs a neon sign with the words ‘Melts and Shakes.’ Created by a husband-and-wife team with kids, the Cheeserie aims to offer a fine dining experience for adults while embracing customers of all ages. Kids can design their grilled cheese sandwiches and gulp old-fashioned floats, while adults can enjoy the richness of the Umami Melt (featuring miso mayo and confit mushrooms) or a Farmer’s Market Salad made from the freshest ingredients.
At the Pfunky Griddle, the kids are the chefs. Sit back and let the servers bring batter for pancakes or French toast while your children get creative with up to 24 toppings. Eggs and potatoes round out the selection of all-you-can-eat breakfast items. Pfunky also offers coffee and espresso. For something unique, get a Special Espresso combining up to seven shots. And if you’re looking to eat gluten-free, you won’t miss out on pancakes— Pfunky provides gluten-free batter and designated GF griddles.
Located in the historic district of Germantown, Monell’s Dining has served family-style comfort food since 1995. While this all-you-can-eat southern cuisine hotspot often opens during business hours, they host "midnight country breakfast," classic American food every Saturday. This buffet includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, grits, hash browns, juices, and freshly brewed coffee. One of the few options for breakfast food after midnight, Monell's does not disappoint.
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