10 Hot New Restaurants in Downtown Nashville

Nashville is known for being home to the biggest Country music scene, Southern Charm, big-city excitement, and phenomenal food. From classic Southern barbecue to high-end international cuisine, there are many options, and in 2022, even more have opened up. Try some of these new spots before they’re booked up months in advance.

Owned by James-Beard-award-winning chef RJ Cooper, Acqua focuses on seafood with an Italian twist. The gourmet, 16-course tasting menu lets you enjoy small plates of dozens of innovative takes, including frutti de la mare, pasta with a calamari-based broth, or tender lamb with cauliflower.

Enjoy tapas and cocktails in an industrial-chic setting at the Tennessee take on New York’s Boqueria. A favorite in the Big Apple, this new location brings the same authentic Spanish flavors. Every meal should include their signature paella options, bursting with saffron and seafood. Pair your meal with the spectacular, light hibiscus margaritas. The restaurant also offers cooking classes, so you can learn to recreate your favorite plates at home.

Barbecue is a classic and a must-have in the South, particularly in Nashville, and now, there is no place better than Bringles Smoking Oasis. Pitmaster Casey Bringle, who also owns Peg Leg, specializes in tender and bold Texas-style barbecue, and his newest restaurant offers smoked meats, delicious comfort-food sides, and artisan cocktails that tend to use bourbon to set off the flavors of the meat. As you go through the cafeteria-style line, try the brisket and the smoked pastrami with a side of their creamy and rich macaroni and cheese, and sit outside on the dog-friendly patio area to make some new friends. For some added adventure, enjoy a moonshine slushie with some serious kick.

Bite into nostalgia at Burger Dandy. This soda-shop-inspired joint features juicy, All-American burgers, chili-cheese fries, and icy-cold milkshakes — both with and without adult-only ingredients. There’s a vegetarian option available for those who forgo meat, and Burger Dandy also offers a few choices for kids who might not be up to a burger as big as their head quite yet. The menu is limited, but the food is delicious and the atmosphere will transport you right back to the 50s.

Dig into Italian cuisine at Carne Mare. Opened at the end of 2021, the menu is all about surf-and-turf options ranging from octopus to Wagyu beef. Start with the freshly-made mozzarella sticks, then dig into baked lobster or short rib ravioli with a decadent truffle sauce. Be sure to save room for dessert, as their baked spumoni is served tableside and provides a bit of a show. While you dine, take advantage of the varied wine offerings, or try a signature cocktail for a light and refreshing contrast to the rich food.

The Electric Jane is a hot new international fusion restaurant with dishes from around the world. Enjoy marriages of French and Italian cuisine, Japanese and Mediterranean, and more. While their brunch features some exciting takes on classic dishes, their dinner is where the restaurant truly shines. The miso-yaki salmon perfectly blends a range of flavor notes and pairs particularly well with their Brussel sprouts. This location can get a bit loud, but it’s well worth it to catch some of the phenomenal live music performances hosted.

Another amazing restaurant that popped up at the end of 2021, Sadie’s serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes that are guaranteed to impress. Their brunch menu features a Turkish favorite, shakshuka, which is made with carrot cake marmalade and dried fruits. The dinner menu brings fried artichokes and spiced kabobs using your choice of meat. The beautiful interior is an incredible backdrop for a meal with family and friends.

Hit Nashville’s hottest new breakfast spot. With West-Coast origins, Snooze brings new life to your favorite morning plates and some top-level cocktails to match. The casual interior belies the cuisine until you see the menu featuring classic plates done in extraordinary ways. With eggs Benedict with lox and latke and Funky Monkey French toast, there’s something for every taste. There’s even a pancake flight for those who want to try a variety of flavors all in one trip. For beverages, they offer coffee and juice alongside mimosas, bloody marys, and an Irish Cream Latte.

This restaurant, which originated in Dallas, Texas, is a welcome addition to the Nashville cuisine scene and has opened its second location. Their zesty margaritas, various taco filling options, and cheesy queso dip are the perfect relaxed dinner option. The tikka chicken tacos combine spicy Indian sauce with Mexican flavors, and the Cuban pork tacos taste exactly like Havana. The grapefruit Paloma is the perfect cocktail to accent the spicy plates.

The Wash is a new culinary concept in Nashville, featuring six bays that each focus on a different style of cuisine, ranging from pho to Cuban dishes, Hawaiian poke bowls, and artisan cocktails. Go with friends and order plates from each stall for the full experience, and while the weather is nice, take advantage of the outdoor seating on the dog-friendly patio. Check back often, as stalls will likely change as these restaurants develop the following they deserve.

Once you’ve tasted the local cuisine, you’ll never want to leave Nashville. Janelle Waggener, real estate agent, can show you the local architecture and help you find your dream home, preferably close to your favorite restaurant. Whether you want to buy College Grove real estate or see some Belle Meade homes, she will find the best houses listed and guide you through every step of the home buying process.