10 Best Tennessee Restaurants

Tennessee is famous for dishes like Nashville Hot Chicken, Memphis-style dry-rub ribs, and country ham. The state's food identity is shaped by two distinct culinary capitals. What sets Tennessee's food apart is this specialization; Nashville is the origin of Hot Chicken, a culinary technique where fried chicken is coated in a cayenne pepper-based paste. Memphis is a global destination for barbecue, specifically its dry-rubbed ribs, where spices are applied to the meat before it is slow-smoked without sauce. Key ingredients that define the state's cooking include Tennessee whiskey, which is used in glazes and sauces, and Benton's smoky bacon and country ham, a prized artisanal product from East Tennessee used by chefs nationwide.

The average cost of a meal in Tennessee at a budget restaurant is between $15 and $25 for one person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $60 and $110. Meals at high-end or fine dining establishments like Audrey or Present Tense start at $165 per person and can exceed $225 for tasting menus.

Tennessee is home to several beloved regional fast-food chains, with Pal's Sudden Service in East Tennessee being a local institution for its burgers and shakes, and Krystal being a Southern staple for its small, square sliders. These regional chains operate alongside popular national brands throughout the state.

• Pal's Sudden Service: An East Tennessee exclusive, known for its extremely fast drive-thru service, Big Pal burgers, Frenchie Fries, and sweet tea.
• Krystal: A Southern chain founded in Chattanooga, famous for its small, steamed-bun sliders with onions, mustard, and a pickle.
• Cook Out: A popular chain known for its extensive menu of char-grilled burgers, barbecue plates, and more than 40 flavors of milkshakes.
• Bojangles: A favorite for its Cajun-seasoned fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits made from scratch, and "Bo-Rounds."
• Back Yard Burgers: Founded in Mississippi but with a strong presence in Tennessee, this chain is known for its 100% Black Angus beef burgers grilled over an open flame.
• Jack's: An Alabama-based chain popular in Tennessee for its breakfast menu, especially its biscuits, as well as its fried chicken and burgers.
• Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken: Originating in Mason, Tennessee, this chain serves spicy fried chicken based on a family recipe, with locations now across the country.
• Central BBQ: A Memphis-based chain that offers quick-service barbecue, famous for its pulled pork sandwiches and ribs.

The Tennessee dining scene continues to expand, with a number of new establishments opening in the Memphis area. Recent openings include The Dame, a craft cocktail bar in a historic downtown building, and 711 Social, a spot specializing in Asian street food. These new restaurants bring fresh concepts to the state's food landscape.

• The Dame: A new cocktail bar in downtown Memphis located in the historic Hotel Pontotoc. The Dame offers a menu of creative drinks, local beer, and bar bites in an upscale, cozy setting. Located at 69 E Pontotoc Ave, Memphis, TN 38103.
• 711 Social: A new restaurant specializing in spicy Malatang and Asian street food. 711 Social offers build-your-own bowls, small plates like takoyaki, and a late-night kitchen with karaoke on weekends. Located at 711 E Pkwy S, Memphis, TN 38104.
• Cocozza East: The second location of the American-Italian restaurant Cocozza. Cocozza East serves a menu of classic Italian-American dishes and features a full bar in the East Memphis neighborhood. Located at 919 S Yates Rd, Memphis, TN 38120.
• Maeve's Tavern: An Irish pub on the historic Collierville Town Square from the owners of Bog & Barley. Maeve's Tavern serves a menu of classic Irish fare, such as fish and chips and shepherd's pie. Located at 78 N Main St, Collierville, TN 38017.
• Tous Les Jours Bakery: A locally owned location of the French-Asian bakery chain Tous Les Jours. The bakery offers a selection of sweet and savory baked goods, including milk bread, mochi donuts, and crafted cakes. Located at 5849 Poplar Ave Ste 103, Memphis, TN 38119.

Tennessee's main cities, Nashville and Memphis, have several popular restaurants in their downtown areas such as Husk, Drusie and Darr by Jean-Georges, and Flight Restaurant. The list below shows the best restaurants to try in Tennessee's key downtown locations.

• Husk: Located in a historic mansion in downtown Nashville, Husk is known for its rule of using only ingredients sourced from the South to create its modern Southern cuisine.
• Drusie and Darr by Jean-Georges: At the heart of downtown Nashville inside The Hermitage Hotel, Drusie and Darr is a fine dining restaurant from a world-renowned chef, famous for its truffle pizza and upscale, globally-inspired dishes.
• Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar: Memphis's Flight is a highly sought-after restaurant in the downtown core, specializing in small plates, entrees, and wine served in themed "flights" of three.
• Catherine & Mary's: This downtown Memphis restaurant from two James Beard-nominated chefs specializes in traditional Tuscan and Sicilian cuisine, with a focus on handmade pasta.

Yes, there are lunch spots in Tennessee worth trying, including Nashville's Arnold's Country Kitchen and Kisser, and Memphis's Central BBQ. Arnold's Country Kitchen is a legendary "meat-and-three" in Nashville, serving Southern comfort food cafeteria-style with a menu that changes daily. Kisser offers a unique lunch experience in East Nashville with its menu of Japanese comfort food, including sandos and udon. For a classic taste of the state, Central BBQ in Memphis is a go-to spot for its slow-smoked pulled pork sandwiches and barbecue nachos.

Yes, there are good places for dinner in Tennessee, such as the pioneering Margot Café and Bar, the modern Rolf and Daughters, and the high-concept Audrey. Margot Café and Bar in East Nashville offers a rustic and romantic dinner with its daily-changing menu of French and Italian-inspired dishes in a restored 1930s building. Rolf and Daughters in Nashville's Germantown provides a sophisticated dinner of handmade pastas and rustic Mediterranean fare in a stylish, industrial-chic setting. For a destination dinner, Audrey offers a multi-course tasting menu from Chef Sean Brock that explores and elevates the food of the Appalachian region in a modern, fine dining atmosphere.

Tennessee has several vegan restaurants, including The Southern V, Imagine Vegan Cafe, and The Wild Cow. The Southern V in Nashville specializes in 100% plant-based versions of Southern comfort food classics, like fried 'chicken' and mac and 'cheese'. Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis offers an extensive menu of vegan comfort food, from burgers and pizzas to brunch dishes. The Wild Cow in Nashville serves vegetarian and vegan food with a focus on fresh, globally inspired dishes like salads, bowls, and sandwiches. Another Nashville option, Vege-licious, provides a menu of homestyle vegan soul food.

Restaurants in Tennessee that serve gluten-free food include dedicated bakeries like The Gluten Free Goose and restaurants with extensive gluten-free options. The Gluten Free Goose in Nashville is a 100% gluten-free bakery offering a range of cakes, cookies, and breads. For dining out, many restaurants are accommodating. The Wild Cow in Nashville offers a largely gluten-free menu with clearly marked items. Fine dining establishments like Audrey and Rolf and Daughters can cater to gluten-free needs with advance notice. In Memphis, the restaurant Hog & Hominy offers gluten-free pizza crust and can modify many of its Italian-Southern dishes.

Tennessee's most famous cuisines are Barbecue and Southern. The state's culinary identity is shaped by its major cities, each with its own distinct specialty, and its deep agricultural roots. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Tennessee.

• Barbecue: Tennessee is a top-tier barbecue destination. The state is most famous for Memphis-style barbecue, which focuses on pork ribs and pulled pork shoulder. The defining characteristic of Memphis barbecue is the "dry rub," a complex blend of spices applied to the meat before it is slow-smoked over hickory wood. A tangy, tomato-based sauce is often served on the side.
• Southern / Meat-and-Three: This is the foundational cuisine of the state. A "meat-and-three" is a restaurant concept where customers choose one meat entree and three vegetable side dishes from a daily-changing menu. Staples include fried chicken, meatloaf, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
• Hot Chicken: This culinary style originated in Nashville and has become a national phenomenon. It consists of fried chicken that is basted with a cayenne pepper-infused paste. The chicken is served on white bread with pickle chips and can be ordered at various heat levels, from mild to extremely spicy.
• New Southern / Appalachian: In Nashville and East Tennessee, chefs are redefining Southern and Appalachian food. This modern approach involves using traditional ingredients like heirloom grains and heritage-breed meats, but preparing them with contemporary techniques. Restaurants like Husk and Audrey are leaders in this movement, focusing on the specific foodways of the Appalachian region.

Country Ham and Biscuits: Cured country ham is a staple of rural Tennessee cuisine. Artisanal producers like Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams are nationally renowned. Biscuits are a cornerstone of breakfast, often served with country ham, gravy, or local jams.