The spread at Edessa, a local legend in Nashville’s flourishing Kurdish community. | Edessa Restaurant From the cayenne pepper-spiked fried chicken to fried bologna sandwiches that fuel the city’s musicians Nashville is known for its legends — larger-than-life icons who’ve put this city on the map for their songs and charisma: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn, to name only a few. But at the heart of Music City is a town that likes to eat, where dishes have become as famous as the musicians who sometimes stop by for a bite (and maybe to play a song) at spots like Robert’s, Arnolds, a ..read more

A spread at Arnold’s Country Kitchen. | Bill Addison From Southern staples to fiery fowl, no one leaves Music City hungry Nashville has long been a travelers’ destination as a nexus for the American country music industry and home of the South’s most rollicking honky-tonks. And while the city’s impressive lineup of musicians strumming from sunrise to sundown still attracts live music fans in droves, Nashville has evolved its offerings far beyond boot scootin’: it’s a culinary destination whose influence has expanded exponentially in recent years. No Nashville visitor will ever leave the city h ..read more

Miel owner Seema Prasad. | Nikki Christie In Off Hours, Eater goes behind the scenes with chefs and restaurateurs from across the Nashville food and beverage industry In Off Hours, Eater Nashville goes behind the scenes with folks from across the food and restaurant industry to take a peek at life outside of their chef coats and aprons. We’re digging deep to find out where they go to eat and drink around town when they’re not at work, who their dream dinner guest is, and what motivates them to keep cooking. Today’s installment: Seema Prasad, owner of Miel. Seema Prasad’s 30-year culinary caree ..read more

Gertie’s Bar at The 404 Kitchen. | Sam Angel How to fete Derby Day 2024 in Nashville, as the Kentucky Derby reaches its 150th year Mint juleps, seersucker suits, and jockey silks are in the air as we approach the 150th annual Kentucky Derby, which runs this year on May 4. The Run for the Roses has been called the most exciting two minutes in sports, so finding the perfect spot to celebrate must be done in advance to not miss a second of the action. We’ve gathered all the Nashville bars and restaurants celebrating the Derby in style this year, from watch parties to food and drink specials and p ..read more

Jacqueline Plus: Philly cheesesteaks in the Nations, a Tanya Tucker tequila pop-up, and more Summer unofficially kicks off in Nashville when A) pools start to re-open and B) all of the city’s favorite temporary outdoor bars start to dust off their awnings. Falling squarely under option B: Jacqueline, the outdoor bar with a decidedly New England-in-July vibe at the Optimist. The Germantown patio oasis has plenty of backyard lawn games on deck to accompany the summer-approved cocktails on the menu like the Aloha Ice with shaved ice, vodka, passion fruit, orange, and guava; a piña colada with fer ..read more

Beale Street. | Memphis Travel/Facebook A historic soul food restaurant popular with civil rights icons and celebrities, ribs from a barbecue hall-of-famer, Elvis-themed cocktails at a sophisticated bar on the east side, and more of Memphis’s best meals To understand the food community in Memphis, it helps to start with a wider view of this entrepreneurial city. It launched music icons like Elvis, Al Green, and Three 6 Mafia, and it was the birthplace of corporations such as FedEx and Holiday Inn. While Memphis may be synonymous with traditions like blues and barbecue to the rest of the world ..read more

Meats and chops shine on Mimo’s new menu. | Four Seasons Nashville As the Four Seasons’ Italian eatery says goodbye to chef Aniello Turco, it welcomes two new chefs with a flair for visual surprises After a seismic shift in its culinary leadership, Four Seasons Nashville’s sunny Italian showpiece, Mimo, is completely overhauling its menu with Tuscan-leaning dishes plated with eye-popping visuals. The modern, foliage-adorned restaurant debuted in late 2022 under the watch of Aniello “Nello” Turco. Mimo, in its original form, leaned heavily into Southern Italian dishes with its three-tomato spag ..read more

Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden Plus: Little Rad Market soft opens in Belle Meade, a block party at Frankie’s,  and more Elm Hill Pike’s funky burger shack and beer garden is getting a second location — Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden is bringing its smash patties and Old Bay-seasoned wings to Bellevue this fall. Named after chef-owner Shane Nasby’s grandfather, Cledis has quickly made a name for itself with its inventive twists on burger toppings and the crispy patties being churned out from a food truck parked in the beer garden. The new location will carry some of the same creat ..read more

Some of the pub fare at McCreary’s down in Franklin. | McCreary’s Irish Pub and Eatery/Facebook Whiskey, beer, and bangers for life Irish pubs may see a spike in popularity every March 17, but their welcoming spirit, cozy atmosphere, and ever-flowing Guinness taps deserve their flowers all year long. If you’re looking for a new spot to grab a pint and some tasty pub fare — not to mention hear some of the most unique live music in Nashville — these spots can’t be beat. The Lost Paddy 715 Spence Lane, Nashville, TN 37217 (615) 750-2744 Irishman Micheal O’Leary founded the Lost Paddy in 2019, and ..read more

A night at Bar Otaku. | Emily Dorio Plus: Smokehouse Sips reopens at Loveless, a Sean Brock collab with the Frist Art Museum, and more One of Otaku Ramen’s locations is getting a bit of a rebrand. Starting today, April 15, the East Nashville location of the local ramen chain officially turns into Otaku Ramen Izakaya from 4 to 10 p.m. seven days a week. According to owner Sarah Gavigan, the new iteration will channel the spirit of the Japanese “yokocho” (or, alleyway) in the Golden Gai district of Shinjuku in Tokyo. What that means in terms of the experience is a return to the Bar Otaku menu ci ..read more