Nashville's Culinary Stage: Celebrity Haunts, Historic Eateries, and Rising Food Artisans
Nashville's Culinary Stage: Celebrity Haunts, Historic Eateries, and Rising Food Artisans
The Chef AF Global Restaurant and Chef Sentiment Ratings
Nashville, Tennessee, once primarily known for its country music scene, has evolved into a culinary hotspot, featuring restaurants from world-renowned chefs and celebrities, historic dining destinations, innovative culinary artisans, and a rich cultural heritage. Music City's food scene is a dynamic mix of Southern tradition, celebrity flair, and innovative food artisans, where food, like music, tells a story.
Several celebrities have decided to leave their mark on Nashville's food scene, with Blake Shelton's Ole Red combining southern dishes and live music, and Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse offering a unique blend of music, food, and southern charm. Barbecue connoisseur Pat Martin’s Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint is another must-visit, known for its West Tennessee-style whole hog barbecue.
A taste of Nashville's history can be found in long-standing restaurants like the Loveless Café, serving up scratch-made biscuits and preserves since 1951. The city's culinary scene also houses restaurants from renowned chefs, including Maneet Chauhan's Chauhan Ale & Masala House, where southern and Indian flavors meld, and James Beard award-winning chef Sean Brock's Appalachian-rooted Audrey.
The city's culinary scene also benefits from the creative spirit of rising food artisans like Julia Sullivan, owner of Henrietta Red, who has made a name for herself with a menu focused on fresh seafood and vegetables. Bryan Lee Weaver's commitment to sourcing local ingredients at Butcher & Bee showcases Nashville's farm-to-table movement.
Nashville's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its food, as the culinary scene mirrors its vibrant and diverse culture. The 404 Kitchen, led by chef Matt Bolus, is a James Beard Award-nominated restaurant known for its modern take on classic European cuisine and impressive whiskey collection. Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton's East Side Banh Mi is another exciting addition, marrying Vietnamese tradition with southern flair, offering banh mi sandwiches, noodle bowls, and Gracie’s big salad.
The culinary experience in Nashville is tied closely to its music. Many restaurants in the city offer live music performances, creating an ambiance where food and music come together to offer a feast for the senses. Nashville is also the birthplace of the iconic "Nashville Hot Chicken," with Prince's Hot Chicken Shack credited with this spicy creation since the 1930s. André Prince Jeffries, the great-niece of James Thorton Prince is still serving Nashvillians. Here's another tidbit: Nashville is also home to more than 180 live music venues, according to Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. So, in between meals, there's always a tune to be heard.
Nashville's culinary scene is a place where food enthusiasts can connect with the true feeling of the city. It's a place where food, like music, is a celebration of its rich and diverse cultural heritage.
As host of the show Chef AF, I recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing two of Nashville's most talented executive chefs, Chris Neff of Makeready L & L and Steven De Vellis, formerly of E3 Chophouse Nashville. Both restaurants showcase the vibrancy and innovation of the city's culinary scene. At Makeready L & L, a social gathering hall with Italian sensibilities, Chef Neff and I delved into how he transforms authentic recipes into menu classics, including his famous lasagna served on Fridays. Meanwhile, at E3 Chophouse, a ranch-to-restaurant steakhouse owned by the families of retired MLB player Adam LaRoche and country music stars Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, I explored menu innovation and signature dishes with former Executive Chef De Vellis. These engaging interviews offer a unique perspective on the art and dedication behind Nashville's thriving food scene.
Executive Chef Turns Authentic Recipes Into Menu Classics
Noelle, Nashville’s Executive Chef Chris Neff talks about the creative process behind menu development, fine-tuning recipes, and adding the Innovator Dinner Series at Makeready L & L.
A Chef’s Insights Into Menu Innovation
Executive Chef Steven De Vellis from E3 Chophouse in Nashville, Tennessee talks about menu innovation as well as integrating 2023 hospitality and food trends into the menu.
The Chef AF Rating System has launched and is tracking the best food artisans worldwide based on consumer sentiment. Daniel Boulud, Lidia Bastianich, Marcus Samuelsson and Brooke Williamson are just a few of the chefs we’ve featured.