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East Nashville is a community in metamorphosis. Historic homes mingle with modern architecture— a quirk resulting from the loss of 600 buildings in the 1916 fire. Since the early 2000s, East Nashville has been the growing epicenter of the city’s artistic movement, with creative folks attracted to the area’s cultural diversity and eclectic vibe.
The ambiance extends to the culinary scene as well. East Nashville features unique and ambitious restaurants— not just places to eat but expressions of culinary excellence. Below are a few favorites:
East Nashville is a community in metamorphosis. Historic homes mingle with modern architecture— a quirk resulting from the loss of 600 buildings in the 1916 fire. Since the early 2000s, East Nashville has been the growing epicenter of the city’s artistic movement, with creative folks attracted to the area’s cultural diversity and eclectic vibe.
The ambiance extends to the culinary scene as well. East Nashville features unique and ambitious restaurants— not just places to eat but expressions of culinary excellence. Below are a few favorites:
Here you can find Israeli-inspired food of fine quality. The Butcher and Bee started out as a place for gourmet sandwiches but has since expanded to offer all kinds of food. If choosing between the mujadara, smoked steak, and other plates is challenging, ask Chef’s choice for a journey through their favorite dishes. If you want to dine in, make a reservation. But if you’re in a hurry, check out the Butcher and Bee’s take-out menu. Shining stars include the feta spread (made with fermented honey) and the fancy BLT (like a common BLT, but better, and lamb bacon instead of pork bacon).
This cozy spot focuses on a rustic environment, seasonal Italian dishes, and a selection of handpicked wines. The space has high ceilings with various flowers and vines hanging from the rafters and exposed brick walls, and the main room is white with pine shelving, seats, and tables. The menu changes with the seasons but contains scrumptious Italian seafood, locally grown veggies, and various thin-crust pizzas. The wine list is not the largest, but that is because the sommelier has chosen the best of the best.
Here you can find Israeli-inspired food of fine quality. The Butcher and Bee started out as a place for gourmet sandwiches but has since expanded to offer all kinds of food. If choosing between the mujadara, smoked steak, and other plates is challenging, ask Chef’s choice for a journey through their favorite dishes. If you want to dine in, make a reservation. But if you’re in a hurry, check out the Butcher and Bee’s take-out menu. Shining stars include the feta spread (made with fermented honey) and the fancy BLT (like a common BLT, but better, and lamb bacon instead of pork bacon).
This cozy spot focuses on a rustic environment, seasonal Italian dishes, and a selection of handpicked wines. The space has high ceilings with various flowers and vines hanging from the rafters and exposed brick walls, and the main room is white with pine shelving, seats, and tables. The menu changes with the seasons but contains scrumptious Italian seafood, locally grown veggies, and various thin-crust pizzas. The wine list is not the largest, but that is because the sommelier has chosen the best of the best.
The Tennessee Cobbler Co. is the dream child of a husband-and-wife baking team. If you spot this food truck around town, jump on the chance to try one of their ten flavors of cobbler, all of which are available gluten-free on request. But you don’t have to wait on chance— check out their schedule. Warm cobblers may offer sublime comfort during the cold months, but during summer, fortunately, any cobbler can be reincarnated as a milkshake.
When Howard Greenstone moved from New York to Nashville, he found the culinary scene in Music City to have a gaping hole. With a love of Jewish cooking inherited from his grandfather (after whom the restaurant is named), Howard was the perfect person to change that. Today, Shep’s Delicatessen brings together Jewish cuisine from around the world and adds a few Southern twists as a nod to Nashville. One great option from their breakfast-all-day menu is babka French toast (a braided bread originating in Poland and Ukraine). For lunch, try a corned beef stack with Jewish rye and mustard.
Joyland combines classic Southern fast food with a dash of inspiration taken from Japanese convenience stores. The restaurant is perfect to satiate midnight munchies on the weekend. This stop lives up to its name because it is tough not to be full of joy the second you step into this colorful restaurant. The decor is reminiscent of a diner from the 70s, with bright blue, red, and yellow stripes shooting across white walls. The "Joyburger Deluxe" is a classic complete with pickles, onions, and "Joysauce."
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 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.
No, this isn’t a local farm supply store. Instead, ACME Feed & Seed is a one-of-a-kind southern dining experience in the Lower Broadway historic district. Housed within the original ACME Farm Supply structure built in 1890, ownership kept the original design and name to preserve a part of the city’s unique identity. Recognized as a notable honkey-tonk, ACME Feed & Seed is a four-story building providing live country music, a rooftop bar, and delicious southern cuisine. A few standout dishes include dry rub ribs, smoked brisket, and shrimp and grits.
This hidden gem tucked inside the Country Music Hall of Fame is surrounded by live music at all times. It boasts a subtle design, providing locally-sourced food without distracting from the museum environment. The star of the show here is the Hall of Fame Burger– a beef-and-bacon patty, buttermilk cheddar cheese, chow chow aioli, lettuce, tomato, and house-made pickles, all on a stout beer bun. Other great options include the Piggywhich Grilled Cheese (rising above typical grilled cheese through smoky Gouda cheese sauce and coleslaw) and the gluten-free veggie bowl.
Maybe you’re not looking for an exquisite culinary journey but good food and a good time. In that case, check out East Nashville Beer Works for an excellent selection of beer and pizza. A huge outdoor space and playground make it good for families, too. For one of their signature pizzas, try the Perfect Pig, topped with Pulled Pork and barbecue sauce. They also offer six vegan pizzas, along with an option to replace any pizza with a gluten-free crust.
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