By Deanna Kent
As well as serving up world-class music, downtown Nashville dishes out flavor that hits as hard as a big guitar solo. From sizzling steaks and sinful burgers to that world-famous hot chicken, this cityâs got more crave-worthy spots than you could ever fit into one list â but weâve giving it our best shot.
Whether youâre scouting restaurants near Broadway or chasing the best food downtown, from steak frites and smoky wings to brunch that tastes like sunshine, Nashvilleâs always ready to serve it up right.
Category 10 | Home of Luke Combs â and One Legendary Steak Frites
Find it: 120 2nd Avenue N Nashville (category10.com)
Bar food goes big at Category 10 where Southern comfort collides with a perfect flavor storm. Lively, unpretentious, but jaw-droppingly huge with lots of levels, itâs where sports fans, whiskey sippers, line dancers, and music lovers all cross paths under one roof.
Menu vibes:
With some of Lukeâs favorite dishes from Asheville to Nashville, dig into tastes that nod to the fine arts of hunting and fishing. Elevated Southern bar fare, the Cat 10 menu features smoked meats, seafood favorites, and sweet finishes.
Star of the show:
This menu proves bar food can dress up. The show-stopper might just be the Steak Frites â a 10 oz. New York Strip seared just right, topped with melty herb butter, and served with crispy duck-fat parmesan waffle fries that could headline a stage of their own.
Pro tips:
Grab a local bourbon, find a view of the big screen, and check out the full menu for Southern hits like Bar-B-Que and banana pudding.
Allergy awareness: Gluten-free and vegan items are clearly listed on their website menu.
Ole Red | Hell Right Bar-B-Que Burger
Find it: 300 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201 (olered.com)
Pure Broadway swagger: neon, guitars, and Blake Sheltonâs signature flair. The food here is all country thatâll satisfy your cravings.
Menu vibes:
Honky-tonk comfort food done big â with a side of live music.
Star of the show:
Blake Sheltonâs Ole Red dishes out a saucy, smoky beast: the Hell Right Bar-B-Que Burger. It stacks juicy beef with pulled pork, bacon, and a drizzle of house-made Bar-B-Que sauce. Itâs messy. Itâs bold. Itâs everything a Broadway night should be. (And donât even think about skipping the house-made totsâwe love âem fully loaded!)
Pro tips:
Order a local IPA, catch a set from the rooftop stage, and lean into the chaos (thatâs the point).
Allergy awareness: Gluten-free and vegan items are clearly listed on their website menu.
Robertâs Western World | The Recession Special
Find it: 416B Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 (robertswesternworld.com)
This is the flavor of an old Nashville that never lost its rhythm. In this honky-tonk haven, youâll find scuffed floors, neon beer signs, and steel-guitar twang that never quits.
Menu vibes:
Simple, soulful, and proudly low-frills.
Star of the show:
Classic never goes out of style. The Recession Special, a fried bologna sandwich, chips, a MoonPie, and a PBR, is Nashvilleâs favorite throwback meal. (And at the time of writing, itâs listed at a sweet deal for $6!) Order it, grab a stool, and listen to traditional country music. Cheap, cheerful, unforgettable.
Pro tips:
Grab a stool early, it fills up fast.
Allergy awareness?
Gluten-friendly and vegan items not listed on their website menu. (We suggest calling ahead to ask.)
Princeâs Hot Chicken | Half a Legend
Find it: 5055 Broadway Place (Inside Assembly Food Hall), Nashville, TN 37203 (princeshotchicken.com)
Fiery, crunchy, and unforgettable, this is where hot chicken began. Spice lovers from everywhere queue up, usually laughing through a few tears after that first bite. (But you can order from plain to really, really, really hot.)
Menu vibes:
Straightforward heat meets old-school soul â fried chicken, white bread, and pickles done right.
Star of the show:
The Âœ Chicken at Princeâs doesnât whisper; it hollers! Fiery, crunchy, and dripping with history â this is the original Nashville heat. Bring napkins and maybe a prayer.
Pro tips:
Order âmediumâ before you test the âhot.â Donât say we didnât warn you.
Allergy awareness? Gluten-friendly and vegan items not listed on their website menu. (We suggest calling ahead to ask.)
Martinâs Bar-B-Que Joint | Dry-Rub Chicken Wings
Find it: 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 (martinsbbqjoint.com)
Backyard barbecue bliss in the middle of downtown. Itâs massive beer garden and live music stage create a smoky oasis just steps from the honky-tonks.
Menu vibes:
Low and slow Southern BBQ. Ribs, pulled pork, and chicken done the Tennessee way.
Star of the show:
At Martinâs Bar-B-Que, pit smoke is the perfume of choice. While a standard go-to is their smoked hog, their Dry-Rub Chicken Wings are a surprise hit. Slow-smoked, then crisped and seasoned to perfectionâ pure Tennessee truth.
Pro tips:
Sit outside if you can; the patioâs where the real smoke show happens.
Allergy awareness? Gluten-friendly and vegan items not listed on their website menu. (We suggest calling ahead to ask.)
The Hampton Social | Wild Berry French Toast
Find it: 201 1st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 (thehamptonsocial.com)
From weekend brunch to happy hour, lunch, and dinner, this is a sweet escape from the Broadway buzz. Airy, coastal, and perfectly Insta-ready, check it out to find white brick, soft lighting, and rosé all day.
Menu vibes:
Different menus for weekend brunch, happy hour, lunch, and dinner, our favorite might be their brunch with a beachy spin â from lobster rolls to stacked french toast.
Star of the show:
When the weekend morning calls for something sweet, The Hampton Social answers with Wild Berry French Toast. Think fluffy brioche, tangy berries, and powdered sugar.
Pro tips:
Ask for a window seat and a sparkling rosé because brunch is a marathon, not a sprint.
Allergy awareness?
Gluten-friendly and vegan items not listed on their website menu. (We suggest calling ahead to ask.)
Final Note
From fiery fried chicken to buttery steak frites and everything in between, Nashville knows how to serve up soul in every bite. Whether youâre here for the honky-tonks or the high-end grills, each spot hits a different note on the same Southern playlist. Grab a fork â and maybe a microphone.
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