Vacation Spots Blog: Food in Nashville – 10 Nashville Dishes That You Have to Try

By: Two Monkeys Travel - Contributor

Try some of the best Nashville dishes in Tennessee. These 10 dishes will make your Tennessee experience unforgettable and satisfying.

American Cuisine 10 Nashville Dishes that You Should Try — Photo by Brandon Jean

Nashville is famous for its legendary country music. Many country musicians live in this city. Nashville does not only have an amazing musical art but also has a diverse and authentic cuisine. While Asians love rice, Nashville locals can’t skip their biscuits on every dish.

In the 16th century, Spanish came to Tennessee, including Nashville. At that time, Indian tribes were Tennessee’s native but forced to move far away from downtown. A few years later, the British came to this region as well. Their existence was affecting Nashville cuisine. The cultural exchange made its culinary riches. Here we have a list consisting of 10 types of Nashville dishes that you can try while you’re staying here.

Table of Contents

1. Hot Chicken

One of the must-eat dishes in Nashville is Hot Chicken. As the name implies, this dish is seasoned chicken spicy enough to produce a hot sensation in the mouth. The chicken covered in flour deep-fried until it has a goldish color. The spicy paste made from cayenne chili uses to make it spicier. The most commonly used parts of chicken meat are chicken breasts and thighs. The dish usually enjoyed along with bread and pickle.

You can find this dish in almost all restaurants in Nashville. There are festivals and competitions held throughout the city to celebrate it. Hot chicken recipes in each place have their own characteristics and spices. There are various tastes of the dish that will be satisfying your tongue.

2. Catfish

Catfish is a freshwater fish that is very popular in Tennessee, including Nashville. There are various ways of serving catfish that you can choose. One of those is fried catfish made from the filet catfish marinated with lemon juice and pepper. The fish then covered in flour and fried it until it has a golden color. This dish serves along with jalapeno pickle slices.

Hot fish is also a favorite dish made from catfish. The process to make is approximately similar to hot chicken. If you can’t find the hot fish stall, you can also find this dish in hot chicken stalls.

3. Bonuts

Have you ever imagined what if donuts taste like biscuits? You can feel this mixture in Bonut, which made from biscuit dough fried in a donut shape. Bonut is usually served on top of blueberry sauce and topped with lemon mascarpone cream. A serving of this dish usually contains several bonut.

While you are in Nashville, visit the Biscuit Love Gulch for an authentic bonut taste. You can get one portion of 5 pieces of bonut for $7. In addition to this place, you also get Bonut in other restaurants or cafes in Nashville with a taste that is not much different.

Biscuit Love Gulch is in 316 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203.

4. Meat and Three

One of Nashville’s signature dishes that is influenced by South American culture is Meat and Three. The meaning of this dish is one meat and three side dishes. The meat that you can choose is chicken, ham, beef, steak, meatloaf, or pork chop. As for the side dishes, the choices available are vegetables, potatoes, corn or cream corn, green beans, gelatin, mac, and cheese, or spaghetti.

You can add cornbread and a glass of sweet tea while enjoying this dish to make it more complete. Although it was popular in all the mainland America and even Hawaii, Meat and Three originally came from Tennessee, Nashville to be precise. Come to Wendell Smith Restaurant for the best experience of enjoying Meat and Three while in Nashville.

Wendell Smith Restaurant is at 407 53rd Ave N, Nashville.

5. Cauliflower

Hot cauliflower is the development of a hot chicken dish. With the same seasoning sauce as hot chicken, cauliflower is marinated in white rice flour and cream, then baked in the oven. Almond flour added to enrich the flavor of the dish. Local’s enjoying cauliflower along with bread and pickle.

This dish is suitable for you who are vegetarian, and love spicy food. The smeared roasted cauliflower is a paste made from a spicy sauce, syrup (usually maple), oil, and vinegar. When visiting Nashville, try going to Arnold’s Country Kitchen at 605 8th Ave S to get a taste of a superb hot cauliflower.

6. Lobster Brie Mac and Cheese

One of the most popular seafood is lobster. As long as you don’t have an allergy to this crustacea or you’re a vegetarian, you should try this lobster brie mac and cheese. Mac and cheese cooked with usual with process using spices such as thick cream, brie cheese, parmesan cheese, leeks, salt, black pepper, and of course, lobster meat.

There are so many places that are providing this dish on their menu. One of those is Cabana, who is offering an unforgettable taste. You can get this dish for $14, and you will never be upset with its taste and service.

Cabana is in Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212.

7. Corn Bread

One of the best Nashville dishes that you should try is cornbread. It is a kind of menu that you can enjoy any time with a delicious and savory taste. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, even as a dessert, and enjoy it along with the barbecue. Savor it while it’s hot for the best experience. The cheddar cheese slices in the dish bring out a savory taste. There are also sweet variants for the children. Visit The Sands to get the best cornbread in town.

The Sands is in 937 Locklayer Street (behind U.S. Tobacco), Nashville.

8. Santa Fe Cornmeal Pancake

Another corn-based dish that you should not miss is Santa Fe cornmeal pancakes. This dish is very suitable for breakfast, and best eaten with butter, maple syrup, sour cream, and salsa.

One of the best places that you can visit is the Nashville Pantry Pancake. This place has been around since 1961. Local and tourist’s favorite place to enjoy the corn pancakes in the morning. Because it is very famous, this place often has long queues, so you have to manage your time well if you want to visit this shop. You can get one portion of Santa Fe Cornmeal Pancake for $10.04 and plain cornmeal for $7.37.

Pancake Pantry is in 1796 21st Ave S, Nashville.

9. Banana Pudding

After having enough of various types of the main dishes, it’s time to try Nashville’s famous dessert, Banana Pudding. This dish has a creamy, sweet, and delicate taste. Visit the Loveless Cafe for an unforgettable banana pudding taste. This place is trendy, and it appeared in various TV programs and films that were shot in Nashville.

The Loveless Cafe is in 8400 TN-100, Nashville.

10. Belle Meade Bourbon

Belle Meade Bourbon is a Nashville brand that produces local whiskey. It means beautiful meadows in English. Charles Nelson is a factory that makes 30 different labels, one of which is this Belle Meade Bourbon. This company has been operating since the early 19th century so that the taste will be exceeding your satisfaction.

Belle Meade Bourbon itself is a new product from this company and distributed to the public in 2012. There are several types of Belle Meade that you can enjoy, such as Belle Meade Bourbon, Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finish, Belle Meade Cognac Cask Finish, Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish, and Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon. What distinguishes each type of drink is the age and method of storage.

You can find Belle Meade Bourbon in various bars in Nashville very easily.

Those are several Nashville authentic dishes that you can try. Even though popular with its fast food, exploring America’s authentic dishes can be very interesting and challenging at the same time. So, which one of those dishes do you want to try immediately?