Our 2019 Best Restaurant List

The first thing you’re asked when one finds out you work with Edible is, “where should we eat?” This shouldn’t be a “head scratcher” for editors of a food magazine, but oddly enough it is. There are hundreds of fabulous places to eat in Music City and surroundings. We challenged ourselves to narrow our list to where we send freinds and family. Here it is.

Chris Chamberlain is the contributing editor, a sage Nashville eater and a bourbon afficianado. Here are his top five picks.

1. Arnold's Country Kitchen—Lunch on a weekday? Look no further. Fresh ingredients, hospitality and secret "cheffy touches" (wasabi powder in the greens and cherry wood used to smoke their ribs) set Arnold's apart, although they don't make a big deal about it. Brave the lines; it's always worth it. update: Arnold's closed in 2023. 

2. Henrietta Red—The nuance and techniques that chef Julia Sullivan and the rest of her kitchen put into cooking some of the best seafood I've ever eaten in a landlocked state raise Henrietta Red above the crowded field. Airy and pleasantly buzzing with happy diners and drinkers, the view of the kitchen shucking oyesters is an extra entertaining touch.

3. Thai Esane—Many peope feel that authentic Thai food has to be made in a dingy street stall, but Thai Esane serves it up in a sleek and comfortable dining room. To be sure, the woks in the kitchen are probably worn as hell from the volume of amazing noodle and rice dishes that come out of there, and you can get them as spicy as you can handle. (Try asking for the "Nina Hot" if you're especially brave, and if they know you, they'll bring the pain). Must haves: garlic-heavy chicken noodle soup is the best cold and flu cure outside of Baptist Hospital.

4. The Gambling Stick—A simple trailer parked in front of Porter Road Butcher (who also provides the excellent locally-surced meats that they smoke), they deliver pulled pork, ribs and beef brisket, plus innovative comfort food sides like baked beans teeming with chunks of burnt ends. If they have beef ribs as a special, disregard everything I've written, get the ribs! Bonus: you can eat in a small canvas tent like a soldier at Gettysburg. Update: Closed in 2022

5. Butcher & Bee—With a menu of small shareable plates revolving around exotic Middle Eastern flavors, everyone can find something that fits them. If not, then I'm not sure we can be friends. It's the kind of place where a table full of avowed carnivores can order the whole menu of mezze (sort of Mediterranean tapas) and walk away satisfied and happy. Their avocado crispy rice and whipped feta with fermented honey have quickly become iconic Nashville dishes. 

Chris' runner ups include City House, Lockeland Table, The Smiling Elephant, Martin's Bar-B-Que and Margot Café.

Looking for a secret spot? Chris recommends Zulema's Taqueria. "While I often don't like to share my secret dining spots, I'm not concerned about mentioning this one, because most people couldn't find Zulema's Taqueria using Waze and dedicated navigation drone. If you do find this hidden gem with delicious Mexican and Central American food, must haves are the yucca fries and the house-made horchata," said Chris.

Lisa Kaitlyn is Edible Nashville's assistant editor, resident dancer, burger fanatic and 20 something. Check out her top five Nashville restaurants. 

1. Burger Republic—Best burgers. That's a fact. Annual competitors in the World Food Championships, they feature the highest rated burger in the world (The 96 Burger). The S'mores milkshake is also an award winner in my book.

2. Fido—Great food in an unpretentious atmosphere, it's my go-to spot to catch up with friends, hole up and work, or simply celebrate the tastes of the season. Must haves: Steak & Hash, Turkey & Brie and Sweet Potato French Toast. 

3. Bourbon Steak—This restaurant just exudes cool and has the best view of downtown. They serve the most perfectly cooked rib-eye (crispy on the outside, like butter on the inside). And sharing an order of Mac & Cheese or the Mud Pie dessert should be counted as an act of sacrifical love. 

4. Deacon's New South—If heaven were a restaurant in the South, the menu would look like Deacon's. Start with the Skillet Yeast Rolls, then order anything (Scallops, Filet or Mussels & Pork Belly, if available) with a side of collard greens and finish with Coconut Three Ways. 

5. Puckett's—I have yet to find better fried chicken anywhere in Nashville. 

Assistant editor Ann Walczak is a hospitality veteran and a Nashville newbie, but her restaurant picks would make you think she's been here her whole life. Here are her top five and her runner up's. 

1. Caffé Nonna—A warm, cozy, 50-seat "mom & pop" style cafe n Sylvan Park. Features a small, but smartly curated wine list and a plethora of daily made in-house pasta, pizza and seafood dishes. Must haves: Spinach Gnocchi, Nonna Meatballs and Salmon Rustica. 

2. House of Kabob—Nashville's not-so-best-kept secret on Thompson Lane, House of Kabob makes everything fresh daily and it shows. Fresh, authentic and unique, a family-run gem. Must haves: Lamb Shank, Shirazi Salad, Tourishi and Persian Ice Cream.

3. Village Pub & Beer Garden—This Inglewood hangout features a bar feel, board games, overflowing handmade craft pretzel sandwiches and half price mules of all kinds on Mondays - need we say more? Give Village Pub a visit, and you'll come back often enough that everybody will know your name in no time. Must haves: Pulled Pork Stuffed Pretzel, Hawaiian Stuffed Pretzel. 

4. El Tapatio—With a food truck on the side and the smell of smoked meat permeating the air, this humble Mexican joint serves authentic food for a steal—two can dine heartily for a crisp $20. Must haves: Spicy Pork Gringas Taco, Lingua Taco, Beef Tostada. 

5. Attaboy—Finding something you love at Attaboy is as easy as falling downa rabbit hole. Knock on the door, cozy up to the dimly-lit bar and tell the craftsman (or craftswoman) behind it what spirit or flavor you fancy that evening and a concoction will appear so perfect, you'd swear they climbes inside your head to find it. 

Ann's runner ups include Etch, No. 308, Geist, Skull's Rainbow Room, Marsh House and Cafe Roze.

Founder, editor and cook, Jill Melton is an experienced Nashville eater. Check out her top four best restaurants. 

1. Epice—Upscale Middle Eastern with the creamiest hummus you'll have outside of Israel. Always calm, cool and consistent in the bustling (tourist laden) 12 South neighborhood. Get the Epice Salad (with fig vinaigrette) and add salmon or lamb. 

2. Butcher & Bee—The Turnip Cacio e Pepe is a revelation as is the Whipped Feta with fermented honey and Fire Roasted Carrots. Saddle up to these veggie dishes with some fresh pita. 

3. Marché—If I lived on the East side I would be in serious trouble from their almond croissants. French inspired, everything is done with a light hand and is fresh and just on point. Update: Closed in 2022

4. Miss Saigon—When cold to the bone, the Pho at this Vietnamese restaurant off Charlotte Pike is what I crave. Slurpy and steamy, with copious amounts of mint, basil and sprouts on the side. Accompany it with a DáChanh, fresh squeezed lime juice with sugar and ice. 

Local food writer and restaurant reviewer Nancy Vienneau shared some of her top picks. 

1. Anatolia—For a comforting quiet dinner with hubby, it's this Turkish restaurant in Lions Head Village.

2. Cafe Roze—Julia Jaksic's beautiful creative dishes please a wide range of tastes and preferences. 

Complete contentment at Nicky's Coal Fired, Margot Café or Folk.

Feeling celebratory, and flush with cash: Bourbon Steak has unparalelled views, and the sizzling shellfish platter in red miso butter and the service are both on point. 

If it's an adventure I'm after, something outside my dining—or cooking—experience, it's Peninsula for chef Jake Howell's take on Iberian fare or The Green Pheasant (closed in 2022) chefs Jess Benefield and Trey Burnette's exploration of Japanese cuisine, or chef Josh Habiger's singular Bastion.

Johnny Todd, senior community and marketing director at Yelp, shared a few of his favorite restaurants with Edible. 

1. Margot Café & Bar—The OG. Longe before coastal types deigned to write about Nashville's food scene, Margot was serving up inventive dishes that change day to day.

2. High Garden—In a city full of coffe, High Garden pays lowing attention to tea. With more varietals than you've ever heard of, the space offers a laptop-free zone of Middle Earth relaxation. (Update: no longer there. Sadly destroyed by the tornado of 2020) 

3. Answer—Quiet, polished and confident in what it does, theis small plate heaven perfectly matches its Sylvan Park setting. 

4. Brother Z's Wangs—As Dickerson Pike changes, I hope that its Nashville staples are protected. You haven't had wings until you've been here. You haven't.

5. The Soda Bar—One part of sweet tooth, one part nostalgia, 100% (new) Murfreesboro. The shaved ice/ice cream/soda concoctions are worth the drive. 

To see the Illustrated list from the March/April 2019 issue click here.