Pioneering chef Deb Paquette’s bold, globally inspired menu takes center stage at this critical darling in downtown Nashville. Grab a spot at the lively chef’s counter for a front-row seat to the open kitchen, where Paquette turns out artfully plated dishes like pan-seared scallops with Thai lemongrass curry paired with stellar, Wine Spectator-awarded wines. No meal here is complete without one of pastry chef Megan Williams’s knockout desserts.

Grinding and pressing heirloom corn tortillas are the specialty of chef Julio Hernandez, who caught the attention of Bon Appétit and a James Beard Award nom with the lime green food truck that shot him to fame. Now at a permanent location in The Gulch, you can score Hernandez's beloved birria plus all-new dishes featuring several types of mole and Southern-inflected takes on Mexican fare, like grits served with salsa and tostadas.

Chauhan Ale & Masala House is acclaimed James Beard Award winner and celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan’s flagship Nashville restaurant. The two-time "Tournament of Champions" winner serves a fusion of Indian favorites and Southern comforts, like tandoori shrimp and grits or lamb keema nachos. Brunch is also a favorite for sweet dosa pancakes in the old brick building filled with colorful curtains and floral garlands.

Nashville’s only Forbes Star Award-winning restaurant, Yolan goes all-in on Italian fine dining—think exquisite pastas, a 55-day dry-aged strip steak, and white truffle supplements. Exceptional service, a standout Italian-leaning wine list, and stellar desserts from pastry chef and 2023 James Beard semifinalist Noelle Marchetti make this swanky spot inside The Joseph Nashville hotel the ultimate dining destination.

Ultra-fresh global seafood takes center stage at Locust, noma alum Trevor Moran’s buzzy 12 South spot and Eater Nashville’s Best New Restaurant of 2021. Expect playful, ever-changing dishes like a Nashville hot chicken-style swordfish and a caviar-studded crab omelette, all in a compact space with an energetic playlist and laid-back vibe that make dining here feel like attending a super cool dinner party.

Chef Julia Sullivan’s chic Germantown bistro is what seafood dreams are made of—the James Beard finalist dazzles with an elegant menu starring the likes of sustainably sourced oysters, Tennessee paddlefish caviar, and a saffron-topped red snapper with Carolina gold rice. Snag a seat at the raw bar for a front-row seat to why GQ named this one of 2018’s Best New Restaurants in America.

Chef Tandy Wilson has eight James Beard Award nominations and one win under his belt for the innovative pizza and Italian fare he slings at City House. Wilson tops blistered pie crusts coming out of the woodfired oven with the likes of house pork belly ham or local and seasonal veggies, plus ensures there's very little food waste in dishes such as bread gnocchi with cauliflower ragu that uses up leftover pizza crust.

Chinese American flavors meet Tennessee ingredients at this sleek restaurant named one of the 25 best in the city by The New York Times. Inspired by consulting chef Brandon Jew’s SF hotspot Mister Jiu's, Choy dishes up cross-cultural hits like roast duck with peanut butter hoisin and gulf snapper with fermented black beans. Beverage titans Justin Mueller & Abe Vucekovich have created an enviable drinks program spotlighting rare selections that pair perfectly with the food and moody interiors.

Part cocktail bar, part fine-dining restaurant, Bastion is where you go for ever-evolving New American tasting menus from James Beard-nominated chef Josh Habiger. Settle into the intimate, 24-seat space to feast on playsful dishes starring oysters, caviar, and potato mochi topped with shaved bonito. Add in top-notch cocktails, and it’s easy to see why Eater Nashville named it 2023’s Restaurant of the Year.

When it opened 2011, Strategic Hospitality’s flagship tasting restaurant kicked off a new era of fine dining in Nashville. In addition to racking up accolades from GQ and Bon Appétit, Catbird Seat has been an incubator for some of the city’s top chefs. Today, Tiffani Ortiz and Andy Doubrava command the open, counter-style kitchen, turning out innovative New American tasting menus that can stretch to 18 courses of dishes like a walnut cookie filled with chicken liver mousse and berry preserves.