About Nashville Best Of
Your Guide to the Very Best of Nashville
Nashville is bursting with great restaurants, legendary stages, beloved local characters, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Nashville Best Of cuts through the noise with one clear pick in every category: the single place, person, or experience that we think best represents Music City.
Every winner is carefully researched, from its history and honors to the practical details like hours, addresses, and insider tips, so you can plan with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, jump into any section below.
Jump to a section
59
Hand-Picked Winners
6
Sections to Explore
1
Clear Pick per Category
2027
Edition, Freshly Researched
01 · Restaurants
Where to Eat
From fiery hot chicken to a steakhouse that’s been family-owned since 1934, these are Nashville’s best places to pull up a chair and dig in.
All 13 restaurant winners
ItalianMexicanBBQAsianSeafoodThaiSteakhouseDrive-ThruBreakfastHot ChickenLate NightBurger JointDiner
Best Hot Chicken
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
The family that started Nashville’s hot chicken craze, serving fiery birds since 1945 and honored as a James Beard America’s Classic.
Best BBQ
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Pitmaster Pat Martin’s whole hogs cook low and slow over hickory for 22 to 24 hours. No freezers, no microwaves, no shortcuts.
Best Breakfast
Loveless Cafe
Since 1951, this beloved Highway 100 cafe has drawn crowds for its famous biscuits, with up to 10,000 baked every single day.
02 · Specialties
Sweets, Sips & Local Specialties
Coffee, donuts, ice cream, craft beer, Tennessee whiskey, and the meat-and-three plates that Nashville is famous for.
All 9 specialty winners
Coffee ShopIce CreamBreweryDonut ShopCandy & ChocolateDistilleryMeat-and-ThreeBrunchBakery
Best Candy & Chocolate
Goo Goo Cluster
Invented right here in 1912, the Goo Goo Cluster is a true Nashville icon. Stop by the downtown shop for the sweetest souvenir in town.
Best Meat-and-Three
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
A James Beard America’s Classic and Michelin-listed favorite, serving the Southern plate lunch that defines Nashville dining.
Best Ice Cream
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip
A classic seasonal walk-up stand on Charlotte Avenue, serving dipped cones and thick shakes to happy crowds since 1951.
03 · Nightlife
After Dark in Music City
Honky-tonks, legendary stages, songwriter rounds, rooftop views, and every kind of bar in between. This is where Nashville really comes alive.
Best Live Music Venue
Ryman Auditorium
Built in 1892 and once home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Mother Church of Country Music has been named Pollstar’s Theatre of the Year 15 times.
Best Honky-Tonk
Robert’s Western World
No cover, real-deal country music from morning until 3 a.m., and the legendary $6 Recession Special, right on Lower Broadway.
Best Songwriter Venue
The Bluebird Cafe
The intimate room where Nashville’s songwriters play the hits, often before the rest of the world hears them. Book tickets online, and book early.
04 · Locations
Places to Explore
Parks, museums, greenways, photo spots, and neighborhoods that show off Nashville’s best side, many of them free.
All 7 location winners
PlaygroundParkNature SpotMuseumPhoto SpotGreenwayNeighborhood
Best Park
Centennial Park
132 acres in the heart of the city, home to a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, Lake Watauga, and the free Musicians Corner concerts.
Best Nature Spot
Radnor Lake State Park
Tennessee’s first State Natural Area, with peaceful lakeside trails and abundant wildlife just minutes from downtown.
Best Neighborhood
East Nashville
Nashville’s creative heart, packed with murals, music, and local favorites, including five other Nashville Best Of winners.
05 · People
The People Behind the Magic
The musicians, storytellers, chefs, and personalities who make Nashville unlike anywhere else on earth.
All 7 people winners
BandSinger-SongwriterChefAuthorComedianRadio PersonalityInstrumentalist
Best Singer-Songwriter
Jason Isbell
A six-time Grammy winner whose annual fall residency at the Ryman has become one of Nashville’s most beloved concert traditions.
Best Comedian
Tim Palmer
A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Tim uses a self deprecating form of comedy that brings every day stories to life.
Best Author
Ann Patchett
The acclaimed novelist behind Bel Canto and The Dutch House, and the owner of Nashville’s beloved Parnassus Books.
06 · Booking
Book the Best for Your Big Day
Planning a wedding, a bachelorette weekend, or a big event? These are the Nashville entertainment pros, tours, and party experiences to call.
Best Music City Tour
NashTrash Tours
Nashville’s original comedy tour since 1997: a big pink bus, big hair, and even bigger laughs as you roll past the city’s “lowlights.”
Best Entertainment Booking
A Lot More Fun Comedy
A national leader in comedy booking that has its roots in Nashville. They match comedy directly to an event's needs.
Best Wedding Band
Top Tier Band
Smooth dinner sets and a packed dance floor from a Nashville band honored by couples year after year since forming in 2009.
Your Nashville Starts Here
Find Your Next Favorite
From hot chicken at midnight to bluegrass on a Sunday night, the best of Nashville is waiting. Pick a category, plan your visit, and experience Music City like a local.