Nashville’s dining scene has grown into one of the most exciting in the South, and it’s no longer just about honky-tonks and hot chicken.
In the past few years, a wave of new restaurants has brought together inventive cooking, global influences, and modern Southern comfort. Whether you’re local or visiting, these five newer spots are absolutely worth planning a meal around.
1. Audrey
In East Nashville, Audrey is chef Sean Brock’s love letter to Appalachian cuisine and his grandmother, for whom the restaurant is named.
The space itself feels serene and thoughtful, with natural light, minimalist design, and an attention to craft that extends from the ceramics on the table to the artwork on the walls.
The menu leans into ingredients and traditions from Appalachia and the South but filters them through a modern, almost meditative lens. Think beautifully plated dishes using heirloom grains, preserved vegetables, and regional produce, presented with fine-dining precision but without stuffiness. You might find cornbread that’s been reimagined into something both nostalgic and surprising, or simple vegetables treated with the same care usually reserved for expensive cuts of meat.
Service is warm and quietly attentive, and the pacing of the meal encourages you to slow down and really notice what’s in front of you. Audrey feels like a special-occasion spot, but one that’s grounded in the flavors and stories of the region rather than in showiness.
2. June
Upstairs from Audrey, June is where Sean Brock and his team push creativity even further with a more experimental, tasting-menu-driven experience. The space feels intimate and contemporary, with an open kitchen that turns the meal into a bit of a performance.
The food at June is highly technique-driven and curated into a progression of small courses. The chefs lean into fermentation, preservation, and unusual combinations of ingredients that still feel rooted in the South. You might encounter unexpected uses of familiar items—like smoked buttermilk, preserved fruits, or foraged herbs—presented in a way that keeps you guessing what’s coming next.
June is the kind of place you go when you want to surrender to the kitchen and be surprised. It’s tailored to diners who enjoy a more adventurous, chef-driven experience, and it serves as an exciting counterpoint to the more grounded comfort of Audrey downstairs.
3. Locust
Locust has developed a devoted following for its focused, almost minimalist approach to the menu and its laid-back yet intentional atmosphere. The room is spare and modern, with an energy that feels both casual and carefully choreographed.
Rather than offering a sprawling list of choices, Locust concentrates on a small handful of items it does extremely well. Handmade dumplings and shaved ice are the two headliners, an unusual but brilliant pairing that shows off both technique and playfulness. The dumplings are delicate and deeply flavored, with broths and fillings that feel both comforting and refined. The shaved ice, on the other hand, is whimsical and textural, built with layers of flavor rather than just sugar and syrup.
The menu shifts with the seasons and the team’s creativity, but the philosophy is consistent: keep things tight, do them excellently, and make the experience memorable without being fussy. It’s the kind of place where you can have an extraordinary meal without feeling like you’re at “fine dining” in the traditional sense.
4. Yolan
Yolan, located downtown, is a modern Italian restaurant that manages to feel both luxurious and inviting. The room is elegant and polished, with crisp lines, soft lighting, and an atmosphere that feels suited to celebrations but not so formal that it’s intimidating.
The cooking here is Italian at its core, but with the precision and presentation of contemporary fine dining. Fresh pastas are a major draw—delicate, perfectly textured, and anchored by deeply flavored sauces. Seafood and meats are treated simply and respectfully, allowing the quality of the ingredients to stand out. Plates are beautiful without feeling overdesigned.
Yolan also takes its wine program seriously, offering pairings that complement the progression of the meal and highlight regions of Italy alongside thoughtful global selections. Whether you order à la carte or opt for a tasting-style experience, the throughline is balance: rich but not heavy, refined but not overly precious.
5. Pelican & Pig
Pelican & Pig brings a wood-fired, ingredient-driven approach to a cozy, neighborhood-feeling space. Tucked into a former upholstery shop, it has a warm, slightly industrial charm, with the open kitchen and the glow of the fire playing a central role in the atmosphere.
The menu revolves around the hearth, showcasing vegetables, meats, and seafood that all pick up subtle smoke and char. This is the kind of place where a simply roasted carrot or cabbage can be as memorable as a steak, because the flavors are so deeply coaxed from the fire. Seasonal produce from local farms often takes center stage, and the dishes are typically composed in a way that feels rustic but still polished on the plate.
Pelican & Pig strikes a sweet spot between special and accessible. It works just as well for a night out with friends as it does for a more intimate dinner, and the food has a comforting honesty to it while still feeling modern and thoughtful.
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