Discover affordable but delicious Nashville Restaurants in the downtown area.
Let’s be real, eating delicious food is a major part of any vacay, amiright? You want to sample regional specialties (hot chicken!) and check out trendy spots. But are there any affordable Nashville restaurants?
I’ve been to the capital of country music multiple times, experienced many of the best things to do in Nashville, and gone off the beaten path to do unexpected Nashville activities too.
As a professional travel writer with over 10 years of experience, I’ve explored incredible destinations across the United States. My mission is to help people plan unforgettable vacations, complete with detailed itineraries experiencing the best each location has to offer.
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I’m a firm believer that filling your belly with delicious eats can easily be done on a budget. There’s no need to get all fancy-schmancy, unless you want to!
Downtown Nashville Restaurants
These are some of my favorite spots in Nashville’s downtown neighborhoods. You’ll find classic eats (hello, hot chicken sandwich) and some not-so-traditional dishes (shrimp tacos!). But most importantly, these Nashville restaurants are affordable AND awesome:
#1: The Pharmacy
This cute outdoor biergarten in East Nashville is the perfect spot to sit if the weather is nice – it’s shaded by trees strung with white lights. At The Pharmacy, they make their own sodas, condiments and sausages. But they’re also known for killer burgers.
Ask for the off-menu BBQ burger with provolone, bacon, shoestring onion rings and BBQ sauce. The warm potato salad is pretty great too.
Not usually a fan of beer? No problem. Try a grapefruit beer or the Radler cocktail, which is like a grown-up lemonade.
#2: Sun Diner
A hearty breakfast at downtown Sun Diner is a must! If you’re not an early bird, don’t worry: They serve breakfast 24/7. Just saddle up to the bar counter and order the donut breakfast sandwich – a fried egg, homemade sausage patty and cheddar cheese between two glazed donuts – or the cinnamon-laced, sweet potato pancakes.
#3: Jack Cawthorn’s BBQ
Within walking distance from Marathon Village, Jack Cawthorn’s BBQ serves the food cafeteria-style. Popular picks are the ribs and collard greens.
#4: Bartaco
Located in the 12 South neighborhood, Bartaco is a modern Mexican eatery that fresh squeezes lime juice for margaritas and mezcal drinks (the smoky tequila I love but my husband says is like drinking a campfire).
Order tacos by checking off which ones you want on a sheet of paper – like how you order sushi – along with sides. Everything was tasty, but the rock shrimp taco and guacamole were off the hook. This place is popular with locals, too, so expect a wait on the weekends.
#5: Hattie B’s
If you’re in Nashville, you’ve got to try hot chicken – it’s the city’s special take on fried chicken. Basically, they add hot sauce to the breading.
Hattie B’s is one of the fast-food joints locals say makes the best. Don’t be scared off by the long line – it moves pretty quickly and food comes out fast once you order at the counter.
Skip the mushy mac and cheese but go for the chicken tenders (I ordered the medium-level heat and it was perfect) and the boozy Arnold Palmer slushie.
Get the Nashville Weekend Itinerary Guide
Want to skip all the travel planning and just go and have a good time? Good news! I put together a day-by-day Nashville Weekend Guide complete with the best things to do, see and eat.
Because why make things harder on yourself? You deserve a break!
Happy travels,
P.S. Check out my other southern adventures including a road trip through Kentucky or a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.
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