By the editors, Jill Melton, Carrington Fox, Sarah Wilson, Olivia Escude and guest columnist, Robyn Singer @nashvillenoshes
Sushi-San, 12 South
Coming in hot from Chicago, Sushi-San is bringing fun energy and culinary chops. With
a lively atmosphere, hip-hop soundtrack and even a walk-up soft-serve window, this
sushi spot is as fun as it is delicious. Behind the playful vibes is a commitment to
quality, with fish flown in through a direct partnership with the Yamasaki family at
Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. The restaurant also boasts one of the largest Japanese whisky
selections in the country, featuring more than 180 bottles. On a recent visit with friends,
highlights included beautifully curated sashimi sets, bluefin chili ponzu with watermelon
and chili crunch, tuna crispy rice, and specialty nigiri like Hokkaido scallop with nori-
infused French butter and lime zest. Even the yuzu tomato with fried shallots proved
unexpectedly delightful. @therealsushisan, RS
Junior, East Nashville
From Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters and Folk comes Junior, an intimate and
unassuming gem tucked inside the former Piggly Wiggly off Dickerson Pike. Sure,
rideshare drivers may mistakenly drop you near the neighboring liquor store, but once
you step inside, you’ll quickly realize you’ve found something special. Describing itself
as modern American with French and Basque influences, Junior seats just 50 guests,
creating a lively atmosphere where conversations between strangers at the bar feel
inevitable. It was recently named one of USA Today’s restaurants of the year, landing
on the list of top places to eat in America. Order generously. The tagliatelle with lamb
ragu, dry-aged angus and Wagyu beef cuts (with off-the-menu fries and escargot aioli),
and the decadent chocolate soufflé are all standouts: thoughtful, indulgent, and quietly
exceptional. @juniornashville, RS
Charmers, Germantown
From the team behind East Nashville’s Peninsula comes Charmers, a riverfront bar
above the Cumberland River in Neuhoff District, which rewards explorers. Spotting the
neon sign on your first try feels like a small victory, but once inside, you’re welcomed
with inventive cocktails, killer views and one of the city’s best burgers paired with
craveable salt-and-vinegar curly fries. Do not skip the housemade horseradish sauce for
dipping: it’s a game changer. Unpretentious and quickly becoming a beloved local
hangout, Charmers leans into a playful Star Wars cantina aesthetic and features a
riverfront patio that invites lingering. Equal parts neighborhood bar and destination, it’s a
refreshing and much-needed addition to the waterfront dining scene. @charmers.nashville, RS
Prime + Proper, Downtown
Located inside Grand Hyatt Nashville at Nashville Yards, Prime + Proper Steakhouse
brings Detroit luxury dining to Music City as the brand’s first location outside its
hometown. The service is impeccable with a legion of waiters parading to the table. The
space—in the former home of Sean Brock’s Bar Continental—has been totally reimagined, featuring the city’s largest restaurant dry-aging facility, where premium cuts
are butchered and aged on site in striking display cases. Guests can choose from
USDA Prime beef, rare cuts such as Australian and Japanese Wagyu, pristine seafood
and indulgent offerings such as a trio of caviar. Wood-fired scallops, colossal prawns,
chilled shellfish towers and pristine daily catches, along with playful selections like crab
beignets and chicken-fried lobster, showcase a seafood program that rivals the
steakhouse’s beef offerings. Members of the exclusive Knife Society enjoy access to
rare selections and personalized service. @primeandproperrestaurants, RS
Eleven11, East Nashville
Cocktail Bar, Discotheque, Restaurant
“I wanted this place to be reminiscent of the small neighborhood restaurants in New
York City,” Chef Son Pham (originally of Catbird Seat) said warmly as we sat down at
the intimate counter for 11. Indeed it is. (And a bit sneaky to find, with a small door
between Fancypants and FLWR in the old Piggly Wiggly off Dickerson). Seated at the
counter, just feet from the kitchen, we watched the chef fan flames of a small Japanese
grill for the 65-day aged ribeye and piped a beautiful foam onto savory shrimp toast with
milk bread. With a small menu of Vietnamese-inspired dishes (nine, to be exact), we
tried most of them. Sea scallop in blood orange ponzu was fresh and bright. Whole fried
redfish in a bright pool of nuoc cham is petite and perfect for leisurely noshing as you
pick fish off the bone. Don’t skip dessert. Ginger ice cream with tofu, caramel and
shortbread was light, cold and perfect. The adjacent bar, which they call a discotheque,
is open to 2 a.m. and super vibey. We’ll be back for drinks and dancing, for sure. @eleven11nashville, JM
Moto Moda, Wedgewood Houston
A motorcycle-themed pizza joint is not where we would typically gravitate, but this
painstakingly rehabbed warehouse with beautiful vintage bikes and great natural light is
a gorgeous destination behind the original Dozen location. Owner Jimmy Connor has
been in the apparel and bike business for years and decided to add pizza to it, bringing
in Wes Scoggins, aka “the Jewish cowboy chef,” to wrangle thick slabs of sourdough
fermented focaccia and New York–style pies. Dare we say, it’s a perfect place for boys,
young and old. @motomodashop, JM
The Sicilian Butcher, Wedgewood Houston
Have a hankering for old-fashioned, big, Italian American food with rich red sauce,
meatballs, clam sauce, pizza and pasta? This is your spot. Started in Texas by Chef
Joey to honor his master chef father, Tomaso Maggiore, this spot in Wedgewood
Houston is as big as we imagine Chef Joey, whose photos adorn the walls alongside
snapshots of his father. Grilled bread and Sicilian olives and artichoke hearts started us
off with a bang. From there, we only made a small dent in the menu, tasting charred
octopus, Sicilian meatballs and arancini. All were fantastic. The menu is vast, and we’ll
be back to try the signature dishes including rigatoni, lasagna and three-meat fazzoletti.
But we’ll need to take a walk first. @thesicilianbutcher, JM
Leche de Tigre, Smyrna
A Peruvian friend recommended this café as the best place to get ceviche and leche de
tigre, or “tiger’s milk,” the classic Peruvian dish of fish in a bright marinade of lime juice,
peppers and vegetables. On an uncharacteristically hot Friday in March, we were
craving ceviche, and since we were in Lent, it had to be fish. My friend was not wrong.
We settled in with a cold mango fresca and ordered leche de tigre: think white gazpacho
served in a giant parfait glass with a spoon. It consists of a beautiful creamy broth
(although it contains no dairy) and chunks of sweet potato, fish, shrimp and red onion
throughout. Refreshing and rich at the same time. Chaufa (Peruvian fried rice) was a
perfect combination of savory rice with shrimp, barbecued mussels, bass and calamari.
We started with the fried yuca (think French fries) served with the best chunky, fresh,
mayo-based dipping sauce. Chef-owner Roberto was excited to greet a new customer
and tell us about his culinary journey and the restaurant. There is a second location in
The Wash on Gallatin Pike in East Nashville. @lechedetigre615, JM
Elliston Place Soda Shop, Midtown
This vintage soda shop, in Nashville since 1939, still has its chops (and some of its
servers). On a recent Sunday, while on a pancake hunt, we came up short at many
places—with waits or only waffles—and ended up at this classic. Just coming off a big
crowd, our breakfast of a cheese omelet, pancakes, biscuits and cheese grits was
delivered in record time, from some of the nicest servers (all Vandy students) ever. No
fancy bottomless mimosas here, just solid Southern food. @epsodashop, JM
The Chloe, Hillsboro Village
What a surprise this is. A 20-room boutique hotel that bridges two bungalows with a
light-filled, cozy restaurant and bar. The place exudes warmth and comfort the minute
you walk through the comfy, couch-lined lounge through the bar to the restaurant. It’s a
much-needed addition to what was a local neighborhood now occupied by mainly chain
restaurants. Springing from their sister hotel in New Orleans, the Sazerac is perfect, as
are the French Creole touches on the menu. A puddle of romesco holds charred
broccoli and cauliflower with mint, and red snapper is served atop a court boullion with
rice, shrimp and oysters. We might just suggest some bread (French, of course) to sop
up all the yummy sauces. Be sure to save room for apple beignets for dessert. @thechloenashville, JM
Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q, Decatur, Ala.
When the sandhill cranes returned to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur,
Alabama, this winter, we made a pilgrimage to view the graceful birds at their seasonal
home along wetlands of the Tennessee River. Sights and sounds of the mass migration
exceed all expectations, if you’ve never been there. Same could be said of smoked
meats and signature white sauce at Big Bob Gibson’s just down the road. The century-
old barbecue enterprise served a Sunday lunch that was worthy of our field trip across
state lines and left us marveling about coconut pie, brisket and smoked chicken on the
plate, as well as majestic murmurations of migratory birds on the wing. @bigbobgibsonbbq, CF
El Panenque, Green Hills
I’m confident that fajitas and enchiladas are excellent at this low-key landmark, but
nothing can distract me from the deep bowl of steaming chicken broth, strung with white
meat, studded with rice and bobbing with cool hunks of buttery avocado. No stronger or
more curative wintertime elixir is available without a prescription. Take two sips with
some chips and salsa and call me in the morning. @palenquenashville, CF
The Countrypolitan, Downtown
My dog and I enjoyed every meal we ate in the farm-to-table-themed restaurant in the
historic bank that now houses a hotel, aka Hotel Indigo. Thanks to Winter Storm Fern,
we had the opportunity to sample pretty much the entire menu over the better part of an
icy week downtown. Pan-seared Bucksnort trout, blueberry-and-wine short ribs, pork
ribeye with romesco, grits and broccolini and a burger with pimento cheese and bacon
on brioche eased the stress of so much weather-induced dislocation. Come to think of
it, those evenings with fellow storm staycationers listening to live music—including a
particularly timely, grateful rendition of “Wichita Lineman”—rank among the most
Nashville nights my dog and I have ever known. @countrypolitannashville, CF
The Bread Basket, Signal Mountain, Tenn.
Signal Mountain, Tenn., just west of Chattanooga, has been home to this family-owned
bakery since 1989. Son Anson now carries on the family business started by his
parents, Marie and Charlie. My own family goes every chance we get. The cream
cheese muffins are impossibly tender. The cinnamon apple bread is the loaf you bring
home “for the family” and then quietly slice into again after dinner. Their sourdough rises
for two full days, and it shows in that chewy, tangy bite. Everything is handmade. For
me, it’s their Black Magic Cake: a dark, deeply chocolate Bundt that’s so moist and rich
that I dream about it long after the last bite is gone. (I recently received one for my
birthday and was told to slice it and freeze the slices for late-night indulgences. It lasted
just a bit longer). @thebreadbasket423, SW
ABA, Wedgewood Houston
Full disclosure, I was skeptical at best of this Instagram hot spot across from Pastis in
construction-riddled (and parking-deprived) Wedgewood Houston. But a friend made a
reservation, and we found ourselves there on a cold Monday night. Due to the temps,
we were seated inside instead of on the “bumpin’” patio. Among ficus trees aplenty and
evocative lighting, we sat down for a shared-plate dinner. The food was indeed good, as
one would expect of a production by Lettuce Entertain You, one of Chicago’s most
successful hospitality companies. We lapped up everything with the exceptionally
tender, housemade pita bread. Smoky garlic hummus (one of six kinds) with preserved
lemon and chili oil was terrific, as was whipped feta spread. @abarestaurant, JM
Miss Lucille’s Café, Clarksville
Nothing stirs up an appetite like a good treasure hunt, and in Clarksville, I love to shop
around at Miss Lucille’s Marketplace, a warehouse-sized wonderland of antiques, vintage finds and local boutiques. But on the rare occasion I leave the market empty-handed, I never skip a stop at the café tucked inside the market. My standing order is the Mockingbird: a blackberry-lavender latte that strikes the perfect balance between floral and fruity. The café itself blends Southern charm with a touch of industrial flair. The menu leans Southern-inspired but casts a wide net. You’ll find hearty biscuits and
gravy, fluffy pancakes and a lineup of sandwiches, salads and rice bowls that make
lunch just as tempting as breakfast. Over the years, Miss Lucille’s has met every
craving and occasion: a warming bowl of tomato soup with grilled cheese on a chilly
day, an Asian-inspired chicken rice bowl to power another round of shopping, and
leisurely patio breakfasts that send my out-of-town guests home raving. It’s equal parts
gathering place and indulgence. @misslucillescafe, OE
Trailhead Beer Market & Gato Peligraso Food Truck, Knoxville
Located in South Knoxville near the banks of the Tennessee River and just minutes from Ijams
Nature Center, Trailhead Beer Market has been a beloved neighborhood hangout since 2015.
Self-described as a little “scruffy,” this casual craft beer spot sits on the edge of the Urban
Wilderness, where hikers, paddlers and cyclists drift in still flushed from the trails. Inside, the
vibe is cozy and unpretentious; outside, a dog-friendly patio hums with conversation.
The curated beer selection—available for both on- and off-premise enjoyment—pairs perfectly
with weekly Vinyl Night on Tuesdays and Sunday “bring your own meat” grilling. On fall
Saturdays, expect a sea of orange as they stream every University of Tennessee, Knoxville
football game. Board games and giant Jenga keep kids (and grown-ups) entertained long after
sunset. Sometimes live music, too.
Parked in the lot, the Gato Peligroso food truck delivers bold weekly specials—think taco of the
week, soup simmered low and slow and a burger of the week. My recent salmon burger was
worth the drive. Casual, welcoming and deeply community-centered, it’s Knoxville at its best. @trailheadbeer & @gatopeligrosokno, SW
O-Ku, Germantown
In the heart of Germantown, we ducked in after the Nashville ice storm, our cheeks still stinging
from the wind, and settled into a sleek, quiet space. The sushi is pristine, clean and fresh,
exactly what we craved. O-Ku specializes in upscale, contemporary Japanese cuisine.
Ironically, at a sushi-heavy table, my favorite bite was duck skewers: tender, savory and rich
with flavor. Still, every dish we sampled felt intentional and polished. Cocktails were equally
lovely—balanced, aromatic and beautifully presented. I always go for something with gin.
The only drawback? The paid parking lot nearby isn’t validated by the surrounding businesses,
which takes a little shine off the experience. Even so, O-Ku delivers an elevated, memorable
meal—one that warms you from the inside out, no matter the weather. @okunashville, SW