Nashville’s Top 7 James Beard Honored Restaurants

Nashville is known as the "Music City," and country music goes hand-in-hand with the popular capital city of Tennessee. Home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville has a vibrant live music scene but it's also the birthplace of Nashville hot chicken, a fiery, spicy, seasoned fried chicken known for its unique blend of spices.

Nashville hot chicken aside, the Music City has many top-notch restaurants. Several have been nominated for the James Beard Award and many have received the distinctive honor. These restaurants are local favorites, and for good reason. Next time you're in Nashville, check out these 3 James Beard award-winning restaurants and 4 honorable mentions that are definitely worth trying.

Tucked away on an unassuming street in Germantown is City House. This popular spot serves more than just Italian food, it's the kind of cuisine that we'll make you want to come back for more. With its homemade ingredients and Southern flair, it's a favorite of locals

This restaurant is known for having some of the best hot chicken in town. The famous recipe and love for chicken has been around for nearly 100 years, and they don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Lucky for both residents and visitors, as they can't seem to get enough!

If you're looking for Southern soul food in the Nashville area, look no further! Arnold's Country Kitchen has made it into numerous top publications and has even been featured on the popular show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". It's just that good. Served cafeteria style, this eatery has been a staple in Nashville for many years.

Moving on to trendy and rustic, Bastion is one Nashville haunt that you can't pass up when in the Music City. While it may not have one the top James Beard award, it was still a nominee and for good reason. It has an extensive bar with creative cocktails as well as a reservation-only tasting menu all in a warehouse-style setting.

Similar to the vibe of Bastion with its inventive cocktails and trendy dishes, Rolf and Daughters has become a local favorite. From its rigatoni with pork ragu to its dry aged beef tartare, you can't go wrong with any dish at this spot. Not to mention its quaint yet creative list of desserts that you can't pass up!

If you're in the mood for oysters or just seafood in general, Henrietta Red is your go-to. Situated in Germantown, this restaurant is know for its simplicity and fresh ingredients. Order from the raw bar and try their extensive selection of oysters, or try out the dinner menu complete with seafood—and non-seafood items—for you to enjoy.

Finally, we're throwing another Southern restaurant into the mix—but with a twist. Located in an historic mansion, Husk is like no other in that it serves your favorite Southern cuisine but in a creative way. Try their pimento cheese alongside benne seed wafers or even the Manchester farms quail with sweet corn and jalapeño.