BBQ to Monkfish: How to Eat Your Way Through Nashville

From grits to goose to fried green tomatoes, Nashville offers a taste of the South for visitors on any budget. True to form, here are some of the best restaurants, grills, and barbecue joints to be found in the Music City, with many offering musical accompaniment to their main courses. (For partying in Nashville, click here, or getting cultural, click here.)

Capitol Grille
capitolgrillenashville.com

For fine dining at its finest, make a reservation at the Capitol Grille, located in the historic Hermitage Hotel. This four-star restaurant features such delicacies as roasted monkfish, pork breast, duck, lamb, and dry-aged beef, many of which are farmed locally. And don’t forget to make a stop in the men’s bathroom. Even ladies will want to take a peek at the restored chartreuse tiles and vintage décor, which has been featured in history books and modern music videos alike. 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; 615-345-7116; 231 6th Avenue North

Ravello Italian Cuisine
marriott.com

Hearty portions are never a problem at Ravello, a restaurant inspired by the cuisine of southern Italy. Situated in the atrium of the Gayland Opryland Resort — a massive enclosed hotel and entertainment complex adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry House — Ravello offers an impressive list of craft cocktails as well as impressive servings of veal, quail, scallops, roasted chicken, lamb, steaks, and more. In addition to its meats, this Italian eatery also boasts pastas like fazoletti, oven-baked cannelloni, and lasagna with a suckling pork ragu, which are made in-house daily. 615-458-6848; 2800 Opryland Drive

The Farm House
thefarmhousetn.com

Founded by former Capitol Grille chef Trey Cioccia, The Farm House offers fine dining with a philosophy that fuses classic Southern cooking with locally farmed meats and vegetables. With soft lighting and a vintage Dixie décor that is sure to appeal to romantics, The Farm House features appetizer treats like the double deviled egg, beer cheese, and buttermilk quail with waffles and honey. Make sure to leave room for the hearty main courses, which range from North Carolina trout to short rib to pork belly agnolotti to the farm burger topped with cornmeal bacon. The dry-aged steaks, served a la carte, are also a tantalizing option, particularly with complementary sides like cornbread, smoked gouda grits, fried green tomatoes, and the restaurant’s famous Tennessee white cheddar macaroni and cheese. 615-522-0688; Lunch (Tuesday - Friday): 11 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.; Dinner: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Brunch (Sunday): 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; 210 Almond Street

Two Twenty-Two Grill
countrymusichalloffame.org/two-twenty-two-grill/

Helmed by executive chef Jeremy Foy, who specialized in pork racks, the Two Twenty-Two Grill is a perfect lunch locale that serves traditional Southern fare like pulled pork and chicken sandwiches within the lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Enjoy the tastes — and sounds — of the South, as the classics of country complement meal options that include the green chili avocado burger, soy-glazed salmon filet, and pizzas whose crusts are made by hand daily. No time for table service? The Grill also offers a “2go” service for visitors seeking a quick salad, sandwich, coffee, or pastry in-between destinations. Lunch (Monday - Saturday): 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; 615-2916759; 222 5th Avenue South

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant
puckettsgrocery.com/nashville

For fine diners that like a side of music, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant serves up traditional Southern cuisine alongside performances from local artists, who strum sets six nights per week. Puckett’s, which has its roots as a small general store, has blossomed into a popular local chain with options like Cajun chicken and waffles, baby back ribs, chicken fried steak, fried pickles and jalapenos, and cherry-smoked hot wings. Those looking for a stronger taste of the South can also order flights of whisky distilled in Tennessee. Dinner (Sunday): 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Dinner (Monday - Thursday) 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Dinner (Friday - Saturday) 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.; 615-770-2772; 500 Church Street

Edley’s Bar-B-Que
edleysbbq.com

For true Southern barbecue, Edley’s is a must-visit. Its meats are smoked daily within the smoke of white oak wood, producing some of Nashville’s most mouthwatering and flavorful ribs and pork sandwiches. For pescetarians, the shrimp and catfish sandwiches, served with slaw and pickles, are also a delectable treat. Edley’s Bar-B-Que offers traditional sides like macaroni and cheese, black-eyed peas, potato salad, baked beans, and greens, which are whipped together from scratch using local recipes, as well as an impressive selection of local beer. Just be sure to leave room for the dessert, as the chess and pecan pie may have you coming back for more. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (bar open late night); 615-873-4085; 908 Main Street; Additional location at 2706 12th Ave South (615-953-2951)