The best date nights in Nashville, TN are getting easier to plan as the city is quickly gaining notoriety for its innovative restaurants, and the charming go-to’s found all around the city. Music City’s eateries are going beyond Southern charmers like barbeque and sweet tea as well. From farm-to-table selections, Japanese Robatayaki, and authentic Italian eats, Nashville’s restaurant scene is quickly on the rise. With such promising menus, just imagine how visiting one of these restaurants will elevate your very-thought-out date night. Here are 10 of the best date nights in Nashville you can plan – and eateries to share an evening on the town with your significant other.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Urban Grub | 2506 12th Ave S. | Once an old car wash, this eatery has stone fireplaces and booths tucked away in intimate corners ideal for private dining. The menu features an array of small plates from oysters to charcuterie, and big-plate options from their chops menu like Kentucky lamb chops, Louisiana rib eye, and 24-hour braised Andouille pork shank. There is also an outdoor beer garden offering a view of the restaurant’s meat-curing room. Wrap up the evening with a real treat: Order the infamous banana pudding pie, made with a shortbread crust, roasted banana cream, fresh bananas and vanilla wafer crumble. |
| Saint Anejo | 1120 McGavock St. | This space has a fun cantina vibe, with a tequila lounge, oversized indoor-outdoor bar, and large patio for enjoying dinner and drinks along Music Row. Start with a margarita off of the tequila and mescal menu, with over 120 labels infused with fresh nectars and spices. Next, order the house-made guacamole, with options to add spicy crab, veggies or mango pineapple. The menu also offers creative taco choices like chicken tinga and pork belly. Entrees also include larger options like the half-roasted chicken, red snapper or the chimichanga. |
| City House | 1222 4th Ave N | City House is a romantic spot right in the heart of Nashville’s Germantown. The menu incorporates local ingredients for all of their dishes, and their house-cured salami is the tastiest around. The selection of classic pizzas, like the Margherita, will provide an array of solid choices, but for those looking for something a bit more creative, try the belly ham and mozzarella pie for some salty goodness. Other dishes, such as the rigatoni and brisket or the sour grits, are unique in and of themselves, and pair beautifully with the artisanal cocktails. Try one of their refreshing drinks like the Bandit, made with grapefruit juice, ginger ale, and lime. |
| Sinema | 2600 8th Ave S | Situated in the former Melrose Theatre, this trendy American eatery features two levels of dining space, including a bar and private areas for post-dinner cocktails. Start with the truffle flatbread, or one of the delicious artisanal cheese boards, with cheese sent from NYC’s Murray’s Cheese Shop and Picholine. Entrees include the steakhouse menu, featuring cuts from 16-ounce NY Strip to their delicious filet mignon trio, served topped with three different sauces. Afterward, splurge on a guest favorite: the plum and corn dessert, made with ginger plum jam, sweet lime corn cake, vanilla bean plum ice cream, sweet corn and a brown butter honey cookie. |
| Watermark | 507 12th Ave S | If your date night is truly a special night, Watermark will fit the bill Celebrate with drinks like The Summer Bite (tequila, triple sec, lime, jalapeno and cucumber) or the Boardwalk (bourbon with orange bitters). The menu options are eclectic, and include beef carpaccio or short rib ravioli in sage brown butter, hazelnuts and parmesan. For the second course, the burrata salad or gazpacho are always good choices, and for entrées, the New Bedford scallops or 16-ounce prime grilled rib eye will definitely not disappoint. Wrap up with the crème brulee for two and an espresso martini from the dessert cocktail menu. |
| Kayne Prime Steakhouse | 1103 McGavock St. | At Kayne Prime Steakhouse, diners will enjoy a farm-to-table steakhouse menu in a boutique setting. Noted for its delicious Wagyu beef and steaks, be sure to taste-test some of the other unique options offered. Start with the cheese plate — perfect for sharing — and the house-made bacon, topped with black peppercorn and maple cotton candy topping. In between courses, go for the refreshing strawberry shrub salad or the spicy shishito peppers topped with sweet sesame and ginger. We suggest the cold 10-ounce lobster tail or the shrimp lo mein made with spicy sausage, beech mushrooms and peas for the main course, with cream corn brulee made with roasted jalapenos. |
| Lockeland Table | 1520 Woodland St. | Lockeland Table resembles the original 1930s H.G. Hills dry goods store, keeping its charming brick façade and replicating the store’s original pole sign. Try the Southern crab corn fritters to start, Benton’s bacon fat on grilled Tuscan bread topped with smoked peach preserve, or Nashville’s hot crispy pig ears accompanied by white bread, slaw, and pickles. Plates range from half-roasted chicken to spaghetti and meatballs…but wood-fired pizzas are a must. We love the Woodstock made with squash, leeks, Taleggio cheese, corn, jalapenos, and grated Pecorino Romano. There is no better way to end your meal than with an old-fashioned sour cream donut served with chocolate sauce, ice cream and popped caramel. It’s almost worthy of sharing with your loved one. Almost. |
| Virago | 1126 McGavock St. | Chef Andrew and sushi chef Himi creates contemporary and unique Asian fare at Virago. There are more than 40 sakés to choose from, or you can pick a bottle off of the extensive wine list as there are many options in red, white and champagne. The chef’s special ninja bacon made with crispy pork belly, red curry and coconut, or the Wagyu tataki, is perfectly seared and topped with soy tomatoes and micro celery. We suggest ordering Robatayaki for two: Diners can pick their protein and grill their own food by the Japanese grill that sits tableside. How about filet mignon, campfire sweet potatoes, and bacon-wrapped scallops? Wrap up your grilling skills with a Mochi trio of Hawaiian ice cream wrapped in sweet rice paper. |
| 5th & Taylor | 1411 5th Ave N | Front and center at 5th at Taylor is a large statue of General Francis Nash, Nashville’s namesake. Its menu boasts rich ingredients like duck liver mousse, farm cheese, and bacon-wrapped quail. Farm-to-table entrees include fresh-caught halibut, striped bass, beer-can chicken, and bison meatloaf. Make sure to leave some room for their house-made ice cream in flavors like bourbon vanilla, sweet corn, and orange cream cheese. And you can’t pass up a local favorite like fried peach and blackberry pie, topped with sweet corn ice cream and salted caramel. |
| Giovanni Ristorante | 909 20th Ave S | You’re in for some homestyle Italian at Giovanni Ristorante. Choose your favorite vintage from more than 100 bottles in their cellar or order some antipasti. Pasta is created in-house with organic free-range chicken eggs from nearby Willow Egg Farm in Summertown. Try the Pappardelle alla Norcia (homemade fettuccine with Italian sausage and black truffles in a light cream sauce), or a lighter plate of penne in a fresh tomato sauce topped with burrata and lemon zest. Entrees like veal scaloppine or whole Branzino steamed under a sea-salt crush are some of the chef’s most popular specialties. Toast to your sweetie with house-made limoncello and a traditional tiramisu for two. |
Cheat Sheet:
For more on the best date nights in Nashville TN, also see:
Meghan Parisi is an accomplished freelance writer and the managing editor for a luxury design publication that covers homes in New York City, the Hamptons, San Francisco and Connecticut. Meghan enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants and cities as often as possible. She is an avid cook and enjoys sharing her recipes on her blog: Whiskey + Aprons.
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leave a Reply