Chapter Three
The Michelin Guide American South put Music City on the global map — Stars, Bib Gourmands, and notable mentions.
Phillip Krajeck. Handmade pastas. A cornerstone since 2012.
Phillip Krajeck's restaurant in Germantown (700 Taylor St). Italian-inflected, handmade pastas, communal tables. One of the cornerstones of Nashville's modern dining scene since 2012.
Chef Josh Habiger's WeHo flagship. Tiny, technical, soulful.
Chef Josh Habiger's Wedgewood-Houston flagship — a tiny tasting-counter restaurant behind a buzzy bar, blending technical precision with a playful, contemporary edge.
Immersive chef's-counter tasting. The ultimate high-signal move.
An immersive, technical chef's-counter tasting experience downtown where the cooks plate right in front of you. Multi-course, beverage pairings, the hardest reservation in town and worth it.
12South precision — dumplings and kakigori, North America's 50 Best.
A 12South jewel box recognized among North America's 50 Best Restaurants, built on a tight menu of handmade dumplings and shaved-ice kakigori.
Japanese-inspired comfort. Bib Gourmand value.
A snug Japanese-inspired spot delivering comfort and craft at a value — handrolls, noodles, and small plates that punch far above the price. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Chef Jake Howell — 2025 James Beard Best Chef: Southeast.
An East Nashville restaurant led by Chef Jake Howell, honored with the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. Iberian-leaning, deeply personal cooking with a great wine list. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Local-favorite Tex-Mex. Bib Gourmand.
An East Nashville Tex-Mex counter beloved by locals — breakfast tacos, queso, and a tidy patio. Michelin Bib Gourmand for quality and value.
Sean Brock's Neapolitan pizza, vinyl next door at Anaconda.
Chef Sean Brock's East Nashville take on Neapolitan pizza, often paired with a record at neighboring vinyl bar Anaconda. Blistered pies, natural wine, easy hang. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Thai street-style. A local favorite.
A Thai street-style spot flagged as a local favorite — bold, fragrant, fast-casual cooking. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Elevated Sicilian street food.
A focacceria turning out elevated Sicilian street food — sfincione, arancini, focaccia sandwiches done with real care. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Traditional Uzbek cuisine — global-map depth.
Traditional Uzbek cooking — plov, samsa, hand-pulled noodles — adding genuine global-map depth to the city's dining scene. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
A converted East Nashville church. Michelin Sommelier Award.
Housed in a converted East Nashville church, Bad Idea earned the Michelin Sommelier Award for its beverage program. Esoteric wine, ambitious plates, a one-of-a-kind room.
Sean Brock's Appalachian flagship. A "Country" essential. Weekend brunch, Sat & Sun 10am–2pm.
Chef Sean Brock's Appalachian flagship in East Nashville — heirloom ingredients, live-fire cooking, and a deep Southern point of view. Notable Mention. Weekend brunch served Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am–2:00pm.
Michelin Green Star for zero-waste at Southall Farm & Inn.
The restaurant at Southall Farm and Inn in Franklin, awarded a Michelin Green Star for zero-waste sustainability — hyper-seasonal, farm-driven cooking about 40 minutes south of town.
Sean Brock's walk-in sister. $15 Audrey Burger. Everything else: $5.
Walk-in-only affordable sister concept from the Audrey team (809 Meridian St, McFerrin Park). Opens nightly at 5:00 PM — get there early to grab a spot. Features the acclaimed $15 Audrey Burger alongside a menu where every other drink and snack is exactly $5. Rotating affordable menu with huge value.