East Nashville is known for its nightlife, artisan shopping, and "off the beaten path" vibe. Locals frequent this neighborhood to get away from the tourist-driven parts of town. Listed below are some of East Nashville's most beloved restaurants.
East Nashville is known for its nightlife, artisan shopping, and "off the beaten path" vibe. Locals frequent this neighborhood to get away from the tourist-driven parts of town. Listed below are some of East Nashville's most beloved restaurants.
This sleek, upscale restaurant offers contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. Chinese and French recipes influenced the owners, and they also returned to Vietnam to visit family and update their menu. For appetizers, try the Cha Gio, spring rolls filled with pork, carrot, sweet potato, cabbage, wood ear mushroom, and bean thread, fried till crispy and served with fish sauce. For an entree, the Com Chien Cua is the house special. This dish consists of jasmine rice with garlic, egg, pea, carrot, onion, and crab, all cooked in a traditional wok and topped with Shichimi togarashi pepper and masago.
Chef Sean Brock's flagship restaurant serves unique cuisine based on his Appalachian roots. The restaurant's namesake is Brock's grandmother, whose cooking inspired him to bring the flavors of his home to East Nashville. The corn grits with grilled Royal Red Shrimp are the perfect starter. As for entrees, try the Bucksnort Trout. They also offer wine pairings at $60 per meal, and for everyone who dines at Audrey, one meal feeds the homeless.
This sleek, upscale restaurant offers contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. Chinese and French recipes influenced the owners, and they also returned to Vietnam to visit family and update their menu. For appetizers, try the Cha Gio, spring rolls filled with pork, carrot, sweet potato, cabbage, wood ear mushroom, and bean thread, fried till crispy and served with fish sauce. For an entree, the Com Chien Cua is the house special. This dish consists of jasmine rice with garlic, egg, pea, carrot, onion, and crab, all cooked in a traditional wok and topped with Shichimi togarashi pepper and masago.
Chef Sean Brock's flagship restaurant serves unique cuisine based on his Appalachian roots. The restaurant's namesake is Brock's grandmother, whose cooking inspired him to bring the flavors of his home to East Nashville. The corn grits with grilled Royal Red Shrimp are the perfect starter. As for entrees, try the Bucksnort Trout. They also offer wine pairings at $60 per meal, and for everyone who dines at Audrey, one meal feeds the homeless.
This contemporary eatery brings the food and charms of the Iberian Peninsula to East Nashville. This restaurant offers an intimate setting, with only 35 seats in the dining area. The decor teleports the diners to the old world, with soft lighting, antique wall hangings, and antique books on shelves. Because of the focus on fresh ingredients, the menu is changing. However, the fresh takes on Spanish classics will be a delightful experience, no matter the menu.
This izakaya (Japanese pub) is the first of its kind in the Nashville area. Two Ten Jack offers traditional food like ramen and grilled meats but utilizes locally sourced ingredients. The environment is laid-back, staying true to the izakaya experience. For a small plate, try the pork gyoza. These traditional steamed dumplings are served piping hot and stuffed with sweet and sour pork. Regarding main dishes, ordering a few yakitori (grilled skewers of meat and vegetables) is a great way to experience the many flavors of Japanese pub fare.
Named after Willie Nelson’s album, this was the first restaurant to bring southwestern flavors to East Nashville. With modern decor, lots of spice, and an inviting team of hosts and servers, this eatery takes Tex-Mex to a new level. While the burritos and burgers are delightful, the menu focuses on tacos. They offer traditional options like chorizo and egg or pulled pork with white onion or the novel chopped brisket with Dr. Pepper hot sauce.
This stop is a contemporary all-day cafe serving East Nashville enticing takes on American classics. As the name suggests, the establishment is monochrome pink, creating a unique atmosphere. Try the grilled chicken sandwich from the daytime dine-in menu—tender chicken with creamy avocado, Fontina cheese, and a smoked paprika aioli. For an evening entree, a must-try is the dinner bowl: creamy coconut curry broth, black rice, grilled cauliflower, mushrooms, and seasonal squash.
Korean-style fried rice, BBQ, and Beverages; if it is Korean cuisine, they do it best at Babo. This laid-back bar has been serving residents of East Nashville since 2018. As of Spring 2022, Babo also offers patio seating. More important than the seating, however, is the food. For shareable plates, start with the kimchi fried rice. This delicious bowl of traditional Korean grains is perfect for the evening. Try Korean fried chicken with gochujang and soy-garlic sauce for an entree.
This nonchalant East Nashville eatery serves fried chicken with classic sides such as mac and cheese, grits, and pineapple coleslaw. The twist? It’s all stuffed into a waffle cone! While the idea may seem like a gimmick, it makes for the perfect street food. Load up on crispy chicken and an array of sauces. Then choose a topper (such as the 'slaw), and then bite into the sweet, crunchy flavors.
This inconspicuous roadside shack dishes out the best burgers in East Nashville. Although the gravel parking lot, walk-up window, and screened-in porch may be intimidating, the warm smiles of the staff and the wafting smell will dissipate all worries. Everything is spiced to perfection; the patties are juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, the buns are buttery, and the fries are hot and salty.
As a company, Crema possesses a true mastery of coffee. Their website boasts numerous pages detailing the nature of their specialty coffee: where it’s grown, how it’s processed, how it’s brewed, and how they ensure that each step results in better-tasting coffee. And to learn more, sign up for one of their coffee classes. Crema serves nuanced beverages with a variety of aromas and flavors. If you wonder where to start, ask for the Cuban Espresso. To deepen your experience, ask for beans from Rwanda, Brazil, or Ecuador, and see if you can taste the difference.