Where We’re Eating: Fall 2026

By Jill Melton, Carrington Fox, Sarah Wilson and Olivia Escude

Em & Me Café, Germantown 
It’s refreshing to find authentic Vietnamese food, coffee and vibes in the heart of Germantown, rather than tucked in a strip mall in a suburb off the beaten path. Em & Me (meaning “little one” and “mother” in Vietnamese) is owned and operated by Tu and BJ, who met through Bumble in 2020. Born in Vietnam, Tu comes from a family of café owners, and while her profession in Nashville has been in the tech world, she decided to come full circle with Em & Me. Her mom mans the kitchen, where the menu consists of her recipes. The Bún vermicelli noodle bowl with tofu was fresh and bright and perfect for the August heat. The soft pretzel with Curry Coco dip (lemongrass, coconut milk curry sauce) was a delightful surprise. But the stars were the drinks. The house yogurt drink with fruit, based on yogurt made by Tu’s mom, is sublime, and the Robusta Dreamsicle (locally roasted Vietnamese robusta beans plus salted cold foam) was everything you want from a country that produces great coffee. BJ and Tu have created a warm, inviting space for eating, gathering or working. They have live music, as well as trivia nights.
@emandmecafe, JM 

Em & Me owner Tu Trieu

Etc., Green Hills 
Chef Deb Paquette knows her way around the spice cabinet, and her menu at this cozy gem in the heart of Green Hills reflects it. When we ordered catfish to share, each serving arrived beautifully plated. The warm burrata shakshuka served with housemade focaccia was a highlight, as was the pork katsu. But save room for dessert, as you’ll want to keep the chocolate malt cake all to yourself. 
@etc.nashville, JM 

Culture Club, Wedgewood-Houston 
Soft-serve froyo is more fun than an arcade game, and I love it even more now than I did back when I was the kind of girl who put gummy bears and cookie dough on top. At Culture Club, I let the unadorned flavors of the Greek yogurt shine: peanut butter, tart and nondairy coconut are among the best varieties. And if I do backslide from the high-protein snack toward carbolicious toppings, it’s going to be golden caramelized croissant crumbs from local Perenn Bakery gilding that frozen lily.
@eatcultureclub, CF 

Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, Nashville Yards 
Big, bright, fresh and pretty darn délicieux is Sweet Paris, where we zoomed through the line to select from à la minute crêpes, salads, omelets, pastries and other delights français. We landed on mushrooms, corn salsa, black bean purée and chipotle, as well as an açai bowl, which doubled as dessert, layered with frozen berries, banana, avocado and peanut butter drizzle. Merci for the thoughtful attention from servers who stopped by to make sure our counter-service orders arrived correctly, and for the cheerful space to relax during a pedestrian exploration of the new, sprawling Nashville Yards. 
@sweetparis, CF 

Sojourner at Southall, Franklin 
After factoring in the luxe, post-prandial experience of strolling the grounds of Southall and lounging under lazy fans in a rustic pavilion overlooking a meadow, I figure I more than got my money’s worth out of a $25 hamburger. Plus, that gold-tinged gazpacho, made with Cherokee tomatoes and vegetables grown on premises, is a destination in and of itself. Note: Make sure to score a reservation ahead of time to ensure a seamless entry at the gatehouse.
@southalltn, CF 

Red Pony, Franklin 
An evening at the bar of Red Pony is enough to get you scrolling Williamson County real estate listings. The starter of four lamb lollipops, encrusted with pepper-tinged chimichurri and plated with fried onion strings, was enough for dinner when paired with a green salad loaded with charcuterie and olives. Smoked shrimp lettuce wraps and a poblano bisque were creative and fresh and left us wanting to return more often. Maybe that’s why everyone in Red Pony knows each other.
@redponyrestaurant, CF 

The Catbird Seat, Paseo South Gulch 
If money were no object, we’d pop over to the Michelin-starred culinary laboratory and chef’s counter as frequently as the menu rotated, to see what unusual ingredients the team is introducing (ramps, pluots, sea buckthorn) and what clever contortions they’re putting familiar ingredients through (like hay-smoked oysters). With almost a dozen dazzling courses, the prix fixe experience—which relocated to the Eighth Avenue last year—is fun, fascinating and memorable, if not pricey. Two dinners, plus beverages clocked in over $600 after tax and tip. 
@the_catbirdseat, CF 

Smith & Lentz, East Nashville 
When this East Nashville brewery started doing homemade pizzas (with housemade ranch dressing) eight years ago, it was a revelation. Now, the farm-to-table menu is way beyond pizzas, with locally sourced produce starring in fresh salads and sides. Radicchio Caesar salad from Harpeth Moon Farm, anyone? While the pizzas, with their blistered, earthy crusts and yummy toppings, are still tops, don’t skip dessert. Seasonal favorites such as strawberry-rhubarb pie and carrot cake with carrot-caramel sauce find their way on the menu regularly. Oh, did we mention their homemade ice cream? Buttered cornbread and blackberry jam and Crema coffee and miso caramel are worth the trip without pizza at all. 
@smithandlentzbeer, JM 

Iggy’s, Wedgewood-Houston 
This Italian trattoria-style restaurant was on a bit of an island when it opened three years ago, but with the surrounding area sprouting apartments and condos, it is now the walkable favorite of many We-Ho residents. The Italian menu of the Poli brothers is well executed and thoughtfully served small-plate-style. The whipped ricotta with red onion jam and RC Farms peaches was a win, as was the Agnolotti Doppio with corn-and-ricotta filling. Local farms such as Bear Creek Farm and Farm & Fiddle get top billing in the housemade pasta dishes that change seasonally. Grab a seat at the bar and watch the effortless dance of the kitchen. @iggys_nashville, JM 

Croquet Cafe, Centennial Park 
Finally, Centennial Park has a café where you can grab something to eat without leaving the park. The cafe is housed in the former clubhouse for croquet players (built in 1963), and operates as a nonprofit for the Centennial Park Conservancy. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, but I especially love that you can take lots of things with you for a picnic. Grab a sandwich, a drink and a snack, find a shady spot under the trees and you’re set. The panini sandwiches are made to order and perfect for a casual lunch in the park. 
@croquetcafe, SW 

NOKO, East Nashville 
Walking into the cool, dark, vibey bar at Noko from the sunny hot pavement on a sweltering August day was mesmerizing— and a perfect prelude to a great meal. For three years, Noko has been one of Nashville’s most beloved restaurants among chefs and foodies. The Asian-inspired and wood-fired menu did not disappoint. The meats are expertly done with great attention, only outdone by the staff. We can see why Noko landed in our Summer Restaurant Issue as the best restaurant to work for in Nashville. Our servers, one just back from Greece and the other embarking on an Italian journey, both subsidized by the restaurant, were the best. The Burnt Ends lettuce wraps and the charred scallion noodles (complete with poached egg) were fantastic. We’ll be back soon for the lobster bao buns and crab fried rice.
@nokonashville, JM 

Charred Scallion Noodles at NOKO 

Antoinette’s Wine + Provisions, Sylvan Park 
We’ve already been to Antoinette’s a handful of times since it opened in May, which is probably the best endorsement I can give for this new neighborhood spot. It’s the kind of place that makes you happy to have a good restaurant (and wine shop) close to home. 

The big backyard with picnic tables is perfect for lingering over a bottle of wine, and they’re getting ready to add a stage for live music. The menu is made for sharing, so you can order enough to make a whole meal or just grab a few things to snack on. The lovely wine list is not wildly expensive. 

We always seem to order the charcuterie, the seasonal vegetables and the focaccia with maple butter—which is so good, I could honestly make a meal out of it. I also love that you can order from a QR code at your table, with each person handling their own order. No more complicated math when the check comes!
@antoinettes.wine, SW 

Bao Babies Food Truck, Charlotte Pike 
Tucked into the food truck park at 51st and Charlotte, Bao Babies is one of those Nashville finds that you might drive right past—but you shouldn’t. The bao buns are obviously the star. They’re steamed to order, so they come out warm, fluffy, juicy and ridiculously delicious. Pair them with a mango boba tea and you have a pretty perfect lunch. 

I recently discovered that you can also text your order ahead, which is especially helpful because the hours are a little… unconventional. They close Monday through Thursday and open Friday through Sunday, with slightly different closing times, so definitely check before you go. 

There’s nothing fancy about it, and that’s part of the charm. Just really good food served from a food truck by people who clearly know what they’re doing. 
@bao_babies, SW 

The Thirsty Goat, Sango, Tenn. 
After two hours of highly competitive pickleball, my husband and I settled in at Thirsty Goat, just south of Clarksville, technically Sango. This neighborhood spot serves handcrafted pizzas alongside local craft beers and seltzers. Outdoor seating area and picnic tables support bench-loads of friends, their pizzas and pints, and giant Jenga sets that could tumble down into the mulch at any moment. The Crazy Ex has a cream cheese base, Monterey Jack and cheddar, bacon, pickled jalapeños and honey: the perfect trifecta of sweet, savory and spicy. We usually pair it with something more classic, like the Hawaiian, with red sauce, Canadian bacon and pineapple, or the Kitchen Sink, loaded with cheese, pepperoni, chicken and bell pepper. Add whatever hazy IPA is in the latest draft rotation and we’ve almost forgotten who won the pickleball match. (I won. And that ball was out, I swear.) 
@the.thirsty.goat, OE