It’s that time again! We’re here with our seasonal roundup of new restaurants in Nashville. This year, many restaurants sadly close their doors, but we’ve welcomed wonderful new concepts in their places. In just four months, 14 new restaurants have joined our list with plenty more on the horizon. From beloved chefs bringing new cuisines to Nashville to beautifully designed restaurants in the heart of downtown, there is a taste of something for everyone.
New Restaurants in Nashville
Opened in January 2019
Bar Otaku
505 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 454-3946
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
When one door closes, another opens, as they say, and that’s the case with Sarah Gavigan’s new izakaya Bar Otaku, which took the place of Little Octopus early this year. A convivial atmosphere dreamed up to be a spot for gathering after work, late at night or over big group dinners, this tiny restaurant in the Gulch is warm and inviting with just a touch of kitschy details. Order small plates to share and don’t miss the hamachi.
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A Bar Otaku dinner means a spread is inevitable.
Liberty Common
207 1st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 • (615) 649-8900
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Liberty Common has made a splash in the Nashville Instagram world, and its lovely design is part of its charm. A long, marble bar, soaring ceilings and different seating areas all boasting unique design are just a few of the features we love. Now serving brunch starting at 9:30 a.m. every day, it’s a beautiful spot to take guests visiting during the week, especially if they’re craving chicken and waffles. Happy hour at the bar (both indoor and outdoor) starts at 2 p.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. The soupe a l’oignon is fabulous!
RELATED: Good Vibes, Good Food: 2 New Nashville Restaurants We Tried & Loved
We have a feeling this will be a popular spot before spring and summer concerts at Ascend!
Pelican & Pig
1010 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 730-6887
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The long-awaited Pelican & Pig is owned and operated by the husband and wife duo, Nick and Audra Guidry. The restaurant is “fine-casual,” serving food influenced by their travels and long-time inspirations. The menu changes seasonally, and you can expect a depth of flavor in each creative dish. The restaurant is housed in what was once an auto upholstery shop, and the open kitchen creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Opened in February 2019
Brixx
2035 Richard Jones Rd, Nashville, TN 37215 • (615) 678-1066
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
One of the latest additions to the Vertis building, Brixx opened its doors serving wood-fired pizzas and salads to Green Hills. The chain restaurant has locations across the South, and Nashville’s location opened in early February. Added bonus: Diners can get their pizza fix late at night!
Twilight Tavern
5303 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 953-7001
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Twilight Tavern took over the space that was once Bajo Sexto on Charlotte Avenue. The sports bar proudly serves beer and bar food and provides a spot outside of downtown traffic to grab a cold one after work. Enjoy the usual suspects like burgers, fries and chicken fingers, as well as some new favorites like a fiesta chicken sandwich with pineapple, gravy fries and Seoul rolls filled with spicy Korean chicken.
Twilight Tavern has been a well-welcomed – and always packed! – spot on Charlotte Avenue.
Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop
718 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 610-3395
Hours: Every day, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Not new, but certainly beloved, Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop opened its third Nashville location in Berry Hill this year. The cooked-to-order burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, BBQ sandwiches and fries all make menu appearances, and you’ll notice a few new items, like a turkey sandwich and fried chicken sandwich, too!
New to the menu, the Hugh-Baby’s chicken sandwich is served with pickle and your choice of Comeback sauce, white sauce or honey mustard. Image: Hugh-Baby’s
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Opened in March 2019
Poke Bros.
2414 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 647-7117
Hours: Every day, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Poke Bros. arrived in Nashville serving fresh fish, Hawaiian-style. The restaurant offers build-your-own poke bowls … essentially, sushi in a bowl! Fast and healthy, they also offer signature bowls like the Da Vine, which features marinated tuna, sweet onion, seaweed salad, masago and more, as well as options with cooked chicken for those who are seafood-averse.
Steam Boys
1200 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 678-6336
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Steam Boys is a fast-casual Chinese restaurant that serves bao, dumplings and noodle soups to Germantown. The savory and comforting dishes are staples in Chinese culture and fill a much-desired hole in Nashville’s food scene. The owners and operators are customer-focused, and it shows! Don’t leave without a soup dumpling.
Stateside Kitchen
210 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 • (615) 622-0500
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Brunch: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dinner: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tucked inside of the Dream Hotel, Stateside Kitchen serves up dinner and, as of this weekend, brunch! The serene setting beneath a glass atrium in the center of the hotel provides a new delicious spot to dine downtown. Stateside Kitchen serves a brasserie-like menu with highlights including their giant prawn sushi roll, grilled artichokes, 22-oz Kurobuta bone-in pork chop and more.
Enjoy Stateside Kitchen’s sushi before catching a show downtown. Image: Stateside Kitchen
Saint Stephen
1300 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 974-0121
Hours: Dinner, Monday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Taking the place of Mop/Broom Mess Hall, Saint Stephen has burst onto the scene bringing rock ‘n’ roll vibes with its Grateful Dead-inspired name. The menu is a delightful mixture of elevated cuisine and casual bar fare. James Beard Award-winning chef RJ Cooper also serves a tasting counter experience that should not be missed!
Gino’s East
311 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 • (615) 323-5300
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Gino’s East brings authentic Chicago deep dish pizza to downtown Nashville. The pizza spot boasts a large outdoor patio and bar, as well as games like cornhole to entertain while you eat. The menu is filled with everything from their famous deep-dish pizza to thin crust pizza to salads, sandwiches and more. After dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, take a few steps into The Comedy Bar, their Chicago partner, for a few laughs after dinner!
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Pemrose
211 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 577-6688
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Another sad closing-turned-happy opening is found in Pemrose. Housed in the former space of Fin & Pearl, Pemrose serves seafood and sushi in a comfortable atmosphere. They fly fresh seafood in daily to ensure every bite comes straight from the sea. They are open daily for lunch, dinner with indoor and outdoor seating and serve brunch on the weekends as well.
The seafood tower offers a taste of what Pemrose is all about! Image: Pemrose
STK
700 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 619-3500
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
STK is a chic new steakhouse and lounge downtown. Inside of the Terrazzo condo building, the incredibly spacious restaurant emphasizes incredible food as well as a social experience. In addition to their dining room and bar, the restaurant houses four private dining rooms for parties up to 60. The menu features, as you’d expect, a variety of steaks, as well as starters, salads and seafood that will make your mouth water.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
2400 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 747-2473
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nashvillians now have another outpost for some of the best barbecue in town. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint recently opened its doors near Midtown bringing barbecue to Centennial Park, Vanderbilt and the surrounding area. You can’t go wrong with a plate of their famous BBQ, but if you’re in the mood for something different, try their catfish tacos or pimento cheese club.
Just a small spread Martin’s BBQ offerings. Image: Martin’s BBQ
Coming Soon …
- Downtown Sporting Club (VERY soon!)
- O-Ku Sushi
- Red Headed Stranger
- Ford Fry’s The Optimist/Le Loup/Star Rover
… so stay tuned for our next roundup bound to have plenty more delicious spots to try. Until then, mark these new hot spots off your list, and find more local restaurants in the SB Guide and SB App!
SB TIP: When you need to book a sitter for your night out, download Wyndy!
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