I get asked for Nashville restaurant recommendations all the time, by natives and visitors alike. Recently, as I rattled off my latest list of rapid-fire recommendations, I noted an obvious trend and finally just spit it out: “Right now, all of Nashville’s best restaurants are Asian.”
Before you come for me, please know that this article isn’t actually intended to be a ranking of the best restaurants in Nashville — nor is it a ranking of the best Asian restaurants in Nashville — but rather a celebration of the recent uptick in elevated Nashville dining experiences with Asian-inspired menus. A love note!
Plenty of upscale Asian concepts have come and gone over the years, with a couple of pioneer spots like Virago (open since 2000) and Two Ten Jack (open since 2014) standing the test of time. Others occupied space on the scene for only a short time (RIP Tánsuŏ and Green Pheasant). All the restaurants on this list are relative newcomers, many of which are already raking in awards.
They’re outstanding, and you’ve GOT to try them.
*Listed in alphabetical order
Bad Idea
Neighborhood: East Nashville – Five Points
More Info: badideanashville.com
Housed in a refurbished church on Russell Street in East Nashville, the experience at Bad Idea is a treat from the moment you approach the doors (bonus points if the sun has already set). Intricate woodwork and stained glass line the space alongside funkier elements like colorful seating and strips of neon lighting. Flooded with natural light by day and decidedly dim and vibey by night, the restaurant’s Lao-influenced menu is fit for special occasions.
The exact offerings will vary from week to week, but you can always count on a selection of small plates and large-format entrées meant for sharing. The wine list is extensive, but what’s most impressive is the servers’ ability to talk you through your wine order with playfulness and enthusiasm, regardless of your level of expertise … always appreciated!
Choy
Neighborhood: The Gulch
More Info: choynashville.com
The newest addition on my list of current go-to spots, Choy opened its doors in the summer of 2024, sliding into the space formerly occupied by Maneet Chauhan’s Tánsuŏ. Choy offers a modern spin on Chinese cuisine, with clear nods to the American South. For example, as tea is a symbol of hospitality in both cultures, it’s only natural that every meal at Choy begins with a seasonal tea.
Only open for dinner, Choy is a fabulous date night or girls’ night locale, complete with mood lighting and delicious cocktails. The service is formal but unfussy, and it’s definitely special-occasion fare. I sadly don’t have a photo of my absolute favorite dish — the Beef Chow Fun – but I have to insist that, while the sticker price may seem steep at $45, the portion is huge and can easily be shared. I order it every time.
Choy offers a happy hour at the bar Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., which is a great time to test the waters! I recommend using a rideshare whenever you choose to visit, as parking in this area is pretty limited.
Kisser
Neighborhood: East Nashville – Highland Yards
More Info: kisserrestaurant.com
Kisser is currently only open for lunch on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, with a slighter longer brunch service on Saturday and Sunday. (Fingers crossed they expand their service someday.) They don’t accept reservations, but ya gotta make the time. If there’s a wait (which there probably will be), put your name on the list, grab a coffee at Flora + Fauna next door, and browse the neighboring shops. Down the hall, Garage Sale Vintage even has a full bar!
Once you’re seated, you’ll have your pick from a small but mighty menu of comforting mainstays like the locally beloved katsu chicken sandwich, onigiri, and noodle bowls. The atmosphere is casual and bustling, but everything is executed perfectly. Portions are filling, and prices are reasonable. If you have time for ONE lunch in Nashville, this is the one I’ll recommend.
Locust
Neighborhood: 12 South
More Info: locustnashville.com
Open since 2020, we can certainly consider Locust a pioneer of this recent boom. They’ve experimented with different service structures over the years, and currently, they’re offering lunch Friday through Sunday (reservations required), dinner on Saturday and Sunday (reservations required), and a casual late-night service on Sundays (reservations NOT required).
The menu at Locust is short, with every single dish executed deliciously. If you’re a staunch vegetarian, this isn’t your spot. Selections will change based on what’s fresh and in season, but you can expect to see seafood dishes like caviar and razor clams, with a couple of meatier options like beef tartare hand rolls and ribs.
The atmosphere is both airy and intimate, with an uncrowded dining room serving tables of no more than four diners. Go here only with your serious foodie friends and plan to order one of everything!
Noko
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: nokonashville.com
The StyleBlueprint team was originally introduced to the Noko concept way back before they opened the doors to the restaurant. Three years or so ago, their team treated ours to a lunch of kimchi Caesar salad, crab fried rice, and a pan of “District Sandos” — grilled cheese with prosciutto, togarashi, and truffle aioli. Not your everyday desk lunch. All three items landed on the final dinner menu, and to this day, we can’t stop raving about them.
But once the doors were open, we saw what they could really do with a full wood-fired setup … and a full bar. Beyond the cozy shareables I’ve already mentioned, they have delicious preparations of wagyu beef, charred shishito peppers, truffle edamame, and deliciously done-up cocktails like the Ube Colada (pictured below).
The atmosphere is modern yet relaxed, with fun, friendly service every time. If you can handle a little heat, request seats at the chef’s counter so you can watch the action! Reservations aren’t required, but they’re definitely recommended.
Present Tense
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
More Info: liveinthepresenttense.com
Located on the bottom floor of the Placemakr building in Wedgewood-Houston, Present Tense has established quite a following. While you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, my personal favorites are the tuna tartare (with wagyu fat, served on seaweed sourdough) and the Japanese sweet potato.
I’ve enjoyed every savory dish I’ve tried, but the dish I really dream about (and kinda can’t shut up about) is the homemade black sesame soft serve. It has a savory nuttiness about it, making it taste vaguely like peanut butter ice cream without being overly sweet. If they happen to have a jammy, fruity seasonal flavor available, go for a swirl, and thank me later.
Note: The Placemakr building in general — and the Present Tense space specifically — will feel familiar to folks who have been following the evolution of the Wedgewood-Houston area for a while now. The hotel began as Bento Living, and the restaurant was once The Hart. Not much changed about the interiors during either transition.
Honorable Mentions
I haven’t personally tried any of these spots, but I’ve heard rave reviews from friends and other SB team members. They’re all on my must-try list — and further proof of Nashville’s appetite for Asian-inspired dining.
*Also listed in alphabetical order
888
Attached to downtown’s JW Marriott Hotel – with its own private, deliberately inconspicuous entrance — 888 opened its doors in September 2024. In addition to cocktails, sushi, entrées, and share plates, the space serves up a vinyl listening lounge experience.
Kase x Noko
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Kase x Noko is the sister restaurant to Noko — located right next door — and based solely on the affiliation, one can safely assume it’s an incredible experience. Kase x Noko specializes in an intimate, 14-course chef-led omakase experience.
Onda
Upscale Korean fare just off of Music Row! At Onda, you can expect favorites like beef bulgogi, bibimbob, and glass noodles, all served up in a contemporary but casual setting.
Sushi | Bar
A slightly more extravagant omakase experience than the one promised at Kase x Noko, the tasting menu at Sushi | Bar in The Gulch consists of 17 courses served up to only 12 diners per seating. While I haven’t experienced a meal here, I’ve toured the space, and it’s stunning. (And I can attest that the cocktails next door at Golden Sound are delicious!)
**********
Hungry for more? Check out our New Nashville Restaurants series, updated each and every month!
Your StyleBlueprint AI Companion
