12 New Nashville Restaurants to Try This Month
A fresh crop of Nashville restaurants has arrived! From Italian fare and Mexico City-inspired tacos to barbecue, boba, and soft serve, here’s what’s new this September. Image: Puesto
Nashville’s September restaurant openings are giving us plenty of reasons to indulge. This month brings a New York City bakery favorite, Mexico City-inspired tacos, a new Italian restaurant in Green Hills, and an entire lineup of local concepts under one roof. There’s also a new spot for lunch in Centennial Park, boba in The Nations, and even a shop dedicated to chocolate-dipped bananas. Here are the new Nashville restaurants and food spots to know this month!
Asulon Collective Coffee House
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
More Info: asuloncollective.com
Nashville-born Asulon Collective has officially put down roots in Wedgewood-Houston. What began as a single coffee cart now has a permanent home at Park Commons, where it pours third-wave specialty coffee alongside house blends, single-origin and decaf options, and drinks made with homemade small-batch syrups. Pair your coffee with something sweet from the pastry case, where you might spot homemade strawberry or brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts, brownies, muffins, cookies, and more.
Croquet Cafe
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: croquetcafe.com
Centennial Park has its first permanent dining destination with Croquet Cafe, now open inside the park’s restored 1963 Croquet Clubhouse. Developed with guidance from The Grilled Cheeserie founders Joseph Bogan and Crystal De Luna-Bogan, the menu takes its cues from a Southern picnic, with seasonal salads, paninis, wraps, picnic boxes, baked goods, smoothies, soft serve, and locally roasted coffee. Even better, the nonprofit café gives back: Proceeds from every purchase help support Centennial Park.
Ember & Oak
Neighborhood: Whites Creek
More Info: emberandoaknashville.com
Ember & Oak is now open at The Grove at Whites Creek, taking over the former Café Fontanella space with a new ownership team and a modern Southern menu. Business partners Lanquist and Steve Swayne are behind the 130-seat restaurant, where Chef Swayne serves premium steaks, chicken fried chicken, a biscuit platter, and a signature 11-inch burger. Weekend brunch, cocktails, and live music are also part of the mix.
Harding House Brewing Co. + Saap Saap BBQ + Jubilee Bar + Dogwood Acres Dairy
Neighborhood: Sylvan Park
More Info: hardinghousebrew.com, southernsaap.com, dogwoodacresdairy.com
Harding House Brewing Co. is back, and its new home at L&L Market comes with a few friends. After closing its former Nations taproom in 2024, the brewery has reopened with four local concepts sharing one space: Harding House, Saap Saap BBQ, Jubilee Bar, and Dogwood Acres Dairy.
Harding House continues to brew beers that emphasize Tennessee agriculture and seasonal ingredients, while Jubilee Bar expands its drink options with cocktails and mocktails.
Come hungry, because Saap Saap BBQ has also traded its pop-up status for a permanent home here. From Clinton Spruill and Amy Watson, the restaurant brings together Southern barbecue and Amy’s Lao heritage. Current menu offerings include a pulled pork sandwich with herb slaw, smoked steak kow jee pate with pickled vegetables, smoked half chicken with sticky rice or cornbread, jaew dipping sauces, and crab rangoon dip.
And dessert is only a few steps away. Dogwood Acres Dairy serves soft serve made with milk from Tennessee dairies, with rotating flavors inspired by regional and seasonal ingredients. Founder Taylor Ussery has experimented with distinctly Southern elements such as honeysuckle, pawpaw, and buttermilk, along with extras like lavender waffle cones and bee pollen sprinkles.
LA PERLA at Paloma
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: Instagram
There’s a new reason to browse East Nashville’s Galeria Paloma. Tucked inside the vintage shop, La Perla is a walk-up coffee window serving espresso and matcha drinks with house-made Mexican-inspired syrups. Try something a little different, like the Nana’s Pudding Latte, then browse the racks while you sip. On Saturdays, the café also stocks one-of-a-kind pastries from local Latina-owned Doris Bakery, making your weekend vintage hunt considerably sweeter.
Lupo Notte
Neighborhood: Green Hills
More Info: luponotte.com
Green Hills has a new Italian option with the opening of Lupo Notte at Vertis Green Hills. Executive Chef Owen Lane, whose Nashville résumé includes Pastis, Audrey, and June, leads the kitchen, where house-made pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas share the menu with seafood and Italian-inspired starters.
Look for Lupo Meatballs made with Wagyu beef, Italian sausage, and veal; sweet corn-filled agnolotti; snapper served in tomato broth; and 12-inch pizzas made with 48-hour fermented dough. Options range from a classic Margherita to Soppressata finished with Calabrian honey. The bar rounds things out with Italian-inspired cocktails and an international wine list with plenty of Italian varietals.
Nigel’s Bananas
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
More Info: nigelsbananas.com
Seaside, FL, staple Nigel’s Bananas has opened its first Nashville location in Hillsboro Village. The dessert shop starts with your choice of a frozen banana, ice cream bar, cheesecake, or slice of key lime pie, then dips it in dairy-free chocolate and piles on your choice of toppings and drizzle. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, too.
Puesto
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: eatpuesto.com
California favorite Puesto has made its Nashville debut at Nashville Yards, marking the family-owned restaurant’s first location outside its home state. Founded by brothers Alex, Eric, and Alan Adler and their cousin Isi Lombrozo, Puesto specializes in Mexico City-inspired tacos served on handmade blue corn tortillas. Look for fillings like filet mignon, lobster, chicken al pastor, and Baja fish, along with guacamole, housemade salsas, and plenty of margaritas.
The new restaurant at 991 Exchange Lane also offers an extensive collection of agave spirits, plus Mexican lagers brewed by Puesto.
Uni Uni Boba
Neighborhood: The Nations
More Info: uniuni.us
Chicago-based Uni Uni Boba has landed in The Nations, with a menu spanning more than 50 drinks and treats. Sip your way through fruit and milk teas, including a lychee-jasmine green tea latte or rose latte with milk mochi, and don’t overlook the croffles, a croissant-waffle mashup. The brown sugar boba croffle, topped with chewy pearls, is already calling our name.
Still hungry? Keep scrolling for more recent Nashville openings!
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UPDATES FROM AUGUST 2026
We’re closing in on fall, but before you start thinking about sweater weather and pumpkin everything, there are several new Nashville restaurants to try. From a Colombian coffee shop to an intimate new spot from the team behind award-winning Peninsula, these recent openings offer plenty of reasons to dine out.
Alma Viva Café
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: cafealmaviva.com
Midtown’s new Alma Viva Café brings a taste of Colombia to Nashville with a menu rooted in the founders’ heritage. Specialty coffee takes the lead, with espresso drinks, lattes, and signature creations featuring tropical flavors and ingredients like panela.
The café also serves an all-day Latin-inspired brunch menu, plus croissants, cakes, cookies, and a dedicated selection of Colombian baked goods. Even the beans have Colombian roots, with single-origin coffee playing a starring role.
Cauponor
Neighborhood: Germantown
More Info: cauponornashville.com
The team behind Peninsula has expanded to Germantown’s Neuhoff District with Cauponor, an intimate 14-seat restaurant led by award-winning chef Jake Howell. Seafood anchors the European-inspired menu, where dishes are designed and priced for two.
Expect inventive combinations such as cured scallops, squid-ink crêpes with sweetbreads, escargot with white chocolate, and steamed egg with truffle and Osetra caviar. Rather than a traditional tasting menu, diners can build their own progression of highly composed dishes. As an aside, it’s only open from Tuesday through Thursday, so make those reservations!
Dottie’s at Southall
Neighborhood: Franklin
More Info: southalltn.com
One of Franklin’s best-kept secrets is getting easier to discover. Dottie’s Speakeasy at Southall Farm & Inn has been tucked away on the property since 2024, but it’s now welcoming outside guests for the first time. The vintage-filled hideaway has also introduced weekly experiences, including mini martini tastings, wine and spirits education, Thursday caviar service with bubbles or vodka, and live music on weekends.
Admission is $25, while Southall hotel guests and January diners receive complimentary access.
Girlcrush Social House
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: girlcrushnash.com
East Nashville has a new LGBTQ+ gathering place with Girlcrush Social House, a queer space centered on women, from twin sisters and music industry veterans Emily and Jamie Dryburgh. Located on Woodland Street, Girlcrush brings together food, drinks, live music, and community in a space complete with a sprawling backyard.
It’s also the new permanent home of the sisters’ RNBW Collective, Nashville’s long-running LGBTQ+ music showcase, which spotlights queer artists and songwriters through twice-monthly performances.
Sarabha’s Creamery
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: sarabhascreamery.com
Sarabha’s Creamery has expanded from its original Vanderbilt-area shop to East Nashville’s Lost & Found, an open-air destination on Gallatin Road filled with local food, drinks, and retail concepts. The family-owned creamery specializes in Indian-style ice cream made in-house, with flavors ranging from traditional favorites to creative combinations.
Beyond scoops, look for kulfi, falooda, milkshakes, chai, and other sweet treats. Grab something cold, then explore Lost & Found’s collection of food vendors, bars, and gathering spaces.
Thai Samurai: River North
Neighborhood: River North
More Info: thaisamurai.com
Thai Samurai has added a fourth Middle Tennessee location, bringing its mix of Thai and Japanese cuisine to the growing River North development. The expansive menu moves from sushi and sashimi to curries, noodles, rice bowls, and Japanese entrées.
Start with fresh shrimp rolls or crab rangoon before digging into favorites like pad Thai, drunken noodles, Panang curry, or basil duck. Sushi fans can choose from nigiri, sashimi, traditional rolls, and plenty of specialty creations.
Veselka
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: Instagram
A little piece of New York City has landed in East Nashville. Veselka, the beloved Ukrainian restaurant that has been an East Village fixture for more than 70 years, has opened its first-ever expansion inside Lakeside Lounge. The menu brings some of Veselka’s best-known comfort foods south, including handcrafted pierogi served boiled or fried, beef stroganoff, crispy potato latkes, kielbasa, and homemade soups. You’ll also find a chicken schnitzel sandwich and classic Reuben among the offerings.
WeHo Provisions Co.
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
More Info: wehoprovisionsco.com
Wedgewood-Houston has a new neighborhood sandwich shop with the arrival of WeHo Provisions Co. on Merritt Avenue. The grab-and-go market specializes in freshly made “sammies,” including breakfast options like ham, egg, and cheese with basil aioli on a buttered Cuban roll. For lunch, try the S of Nashville, N of Cuba, piled with slow-smoked pulled pork, ham, Swiss, mustard, honeycrisp aioli, and pickles. Round things out with Southern sides and sweets like banana pudding.
Xul Beer Company
Neighborhood: The Nations
More Info: xulbeer.com
Knoxville-based Xul Beer Company has officially made its mark on Nashville after acquiring Southern Grist Brewing earlier this year. The former Southern Grist taproom in The Nations has been transformed into Xul West Nashville, pouring a rotating lineup of the brewery’s creative beers and taproom exclusives.
Known especially for inventive IPAs and fruited sours, Xul has also brought along select Southern Grist favorites. The revamped space pairs its industrial bones with dark finishes, velvet seating, brass accents, and vintage horror art.
Still hungry? Keep scrolling for more recent Nashville openings!
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UPDATES FROM JULY 2026
Hungry for something new? We’ve got plenty to taste this summer, with Nashville’s newest restaurants serving everything from hand-rolled sushi and authentic Italian gelato to towering pizzas and veggie-forward fare. This month’s additions stretch from downtown and Midtown to Sylvan Park, with tons of exciting stops in between. Here are the latest Nashville-area restaurants and bars to check out.
Blue Hound Brew
Neighborhood: Music Row
More Info: bluehoundbrew.com
Coffee gets the draft treatment at Blue Hound Brew, a locally owned concept serving cold brew lattes and matcha straight from the tap. Billed as Nashville’s first nitro cold brew bar, the shop focuses on high-quality ingredients, including specialty-grade cold brew and organic milk, without artificial sweeteners or added preservatives.
Pair your pour with a selection of snacks and pastries, including cookies and croissants, for an easy morning or afternoon pick-me-up. Oh, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the animal community!
Culture Club
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: eatcultureclub.com
Following the success of its Wedgewood-Houston flagship, Culture Club has opened a second location at the entrance to Chief’s on Broadway. The new walk-up window serves the brand’s signature frozen Greek yogurt, chef-curated toppings, and specialty sundaes, making it easy to grab a refreshing treat while exploring downtown.
Helmed by Chef Noelle Marchetti, Culture Club puts an elevated spin on frozen yogurt with creative flavors, oodles of toppings, and even a classic affogato with coconut yogurt and espresso.
Famous Friends
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: famousfriends.com
Yes, another country artist has joined Nashville’s bar scene. Chris Young recently opened Famous Friends, a new sports bar in the Demonbreun Hill corridor. Named after his chart-topping collaboration with Kane Brown, the concept is located next door to longtime live music destination Tin Roof. Along with beer and cocktails, you can snag eats like fried banana peppers, burgers, and wings.
Hattori Nori
Neighborhood: Sylvan Park
More Info: hattorinori.com
Hattori Nori has officially opened at L&L Market, introducing Nashville’s first dedicated sushi hand roll bar. Founded by Chef Art Stacks (of Ricey & Co.), the intimate counter-service concept serves hand rolls one at a time to ensure the nori stays perfectly crisp.
Alongside fresh seafood and meticulously prepared rice, you can enjoy a curated selection of sake, beer, and wine. It’s an elevated yet approachable take on Japanese dining that brings a fun new experience to Nashville’s sushi scene.
Naked Farmer
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: eatnakedfarmer.com
Naked Farmer opened at The Arcade, bringing its seasonal, veggie-forward approach to Music City. The menu centers on locally sourced ingredients and customizable plates, with options including a steak Caesar salad, crispy tofu with kimchi, and the Local Farmer Plate featuring charred chicken thighs with three sides.
Other highlights include the High Protein Plate and the Summer BBQ Chicken Salad, offering plenty of fresh options for lunch or dinner.
Nosh Desserts
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: nothinglikenosh.com
Nosh Desserts is growing, with a second outpost (at OneC1TY) joining its original spot at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, which also remains open. Known for creative sweets blending global influences with familiar favorites, the bakery’s offerings range from key lime and yuzu cheesecake to miso caramel brownies.
Nowhere Special
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
More Info: nowherespecialnash.com
Dinner, drinks, brunch, or a late night out? Nowhere Special is designed for all of the above. The new Hillsboro Village concept serves a wide-ranging menu featuring dishes like jerk shrimp tacos, deep-fried cornish hen, and braised oxtail grilled cheese, along with a creative cocktail lineup.
Open seven days a week, the restaurant shifts from happy hour and dinner to weekend brunch and late-night entertainment, with hookah options and a fully covered patio.
Sweetgreen
Neighborhood: The Gulch
More Info: sweetgreen.com
Sweetgreen has made its Tennessee debut, bringing its fast-casual concept to The Gulch. Known for seasonal, chef-crafted menus, the restaurant serves scratch-made salads, warm bowls, protein plates, and wraps, with an emphasis on thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Sweetgreen works with farmers and growers to create fresh, flavorful dishes that change with the seasons.
Zio Matto Gelato
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: ziomatto.com
After building a following at Memphis-area farmers’ markets and local shops, Zio Matto Gelato has opened a permanent gelateria at The Arcade. Founder Matteo Servente draws inspiration from his hometown of Torino, Italy, crafting authentic Italian gelato in small, handmade batches.
Even the name has a personal story: Zio Matto, which translates to “Crazy Uncle,” comes from a childhood nickname given to Matteo by his niece. It’s a sweet little taste of Italy in Nashville, with flavors like tiramisu and stracciatella.
Dig in, Nashville!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
