The Late-Night Issue: Nashville’s Best Late-Night Bites

We all know that, at the end of a late-night tear, Cook Out, Taco Bell and, when absolutely necessary, Krystal have our backs. No judgment here. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

But being out past midnight doesn’t mean you’re stuck with only chain options. For this week’s issue, our writers put together a list of the city’s best spots for after-hours eats, with a focus on locally owned establishments. From Bad Idea, Dino’s and Wilburn Street Tavern on the East Side to Midnight Oil on the West Side and El Tapatio in South Nashville, here are our recommended outposts for late-night sustenance. For tomorrow’s hangover remedies, you’re on your own.

Dino’s

411 Gallatin Ave.

Open daily until 3 a.m.

In a city with a lot of great burgers, Dino’s stands toe to toe with all comers, and many a night has been saved because you can get one until 3 a.m. Visiting celebs don’t swing by after their shows just for the ’Gram. But when last call looms and you’ve had a few, you may just need another kind of late-night staple instead of a burger — or in addition to, no judgment — and that’s where Dino’s has your back. They have absolutely nailed the cheese fries. Fancier cheeses are delicious on fries, but the Velveeta in Dino’s recipe stays soft much longer, making for a much less fiddly experience. Plus, you can dress them up Joe’s Style or Animal Style for a snack that’s even closer to a meal. STEPHEN TRAGESER

Monell’s Midnight Country Breakfast 

1235 Sixth Ave. N. 

11 p.m.-3 a.m. on Saturdays

Monell’s is a Southern-food staple, and that’s true at all hours of the day. I’d argue that the quality of the food is even more appreciated during the Germantown restaurant’s Midnight Country Breakfast. It has everything the daily breakfast does: pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and of course, fried chicken. Plus there’s the added bonus of sharing a table with strangers. It’s like when you spill your guts to some random person at the bar, but the lighting is better. Is that not what we all go out on the town for? Pure human connection. HANNAH HERNER 

Duke’s

1000 Main St.

Open daily until 3 a.m.

Five Points bar and deli Duke’s offers late-night snacks with a soundtrack. DJs spin vinyl nightly from 10 p.m., and smart patrons order the toasted 2:17 Special — a turkey sandwich with cheddar, avocado, tomato, mustard, mayo, chips and the only raw onion I’ll ever allow on a sandwich. The Italian with hot giardiniera pairs perfectly with that last beer, as does the BE-Hive, a veganized 2:17 Special with seitan for non-meat-eating night owls. All come on crusty bread by Bobby John Henry, “the Baker of Music Row,” and pair perfectly with a “tricked out!” basket of Zapp’s. ASHLEY BRANTLEY

The Villager Tavern

1719 21st Ave. S.

Open until 3 a.m. daily, food served until 2 a.m. 

There are more reasons to visit Hillsboro Village’s Villager Tavern than playing darts (though that’s a good one). The late-night haunt has a solid beer selection and a small but delicious array of New Orleans-inspired food that’s available until 2 a.m. Po’boy sandwich options include hickory smoked turkey, roast beef with gravy or vegetarian — all served on a deliciously toasted loaf of French bread and adorned with the usual toppings. You can also get chicken-and-andouille-sausage gumbo. While I can’t personally vouch for the gumbo, I hear great things. But I can vouch for the tasty, hearty sandwiches — a great way to end a night of drinking with some sustenance. KELSEY BEYELER 

Sweeza Super Quesadilla

1101 McKennie Ave.

Open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and midnight Thursday-Saturday

If I’m headed north on Gallatin Avenue after a show at the Ryman, I’m pretty happy to see the lights at Sweeza Super Quesadilla at The Wash twinkling until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (11 p.m. the rest of the week). Their oversized, grilled Mission-style quesadillas fill an I-forgot-to-eat-earlier craving. But more importantly, the chill vibe and neighborhoody outdoor seating are a good transition from going out to going home. It’s a place where I want to sit when I want to extend that post-concert bliss for a few more hours. Plus, I usually have leftovers for the morning. MARGARET LITTMAN

El Tapatio 

4801 Nolensville Pike

Open until 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday

El Tapatio is a bustling Mexican spot on Nolensville Pike, and the perfect place for South Nashvillians to hit on our way home from further north. The kitchen is run out of a food truck, but the restaurant’s interior is spacious and comfortable. Stuff your face with $1.25 tacos, or go big with the Cubana torta. (It has a hot dog on it!) Important note: There’s another El Tapatio location at 3611 Nolensville Pike (El Tapatio No. 2), but it’s not open quite as late. ELIZABETH JONES

Wilburn Street Tavern

302 Wilburn St.

Open daily until 1 a.m.

While local restaurateur Teresa Mason is best known for her beloved longtime outpost Mas Tacos Por Favor, East Side night owls are also fans of her Wilburn Street Tavern. Not far from Mas Tacos at the border where the McFerrin Park and Cleveland Park neighborhoods meet, Wilburn Street offers drink specials, laid-back patio vibes out back and out front, and a well-loved and frequently used pool table inside. While the neighborhood offers some fancy eats with Xiao Bao and the award-winning Folk nearby, Mason and company offer delicious loaded nachos and dressed-up hot dog specials after most other spots in the area have closed their kitchens. Shoot some pool, grab a paloma, and finish off your night by downing a filling late-night dog. D. PATRICK RODGERS

Velvet Taco

301 Gallatin Ave. (East Nashville); 1911 Broadway (Midtown)

Open until 11 p.m. or midnight Sunday-Wednesday, 2 a.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday

I’ll be honest: Before a couple of weeks ago, I had not set foot in Velvet Taco. Not for any real reason — it’s just that there are a lot of taco shops in East Nashville, and I already had my regulars. Then I learned that Velvet Taco’s East Nashville and Midtown locations are open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (and 2 a.m. on Thursday). I might have a lot of taco shops in rotation, but I didn’t have any 4 a.m. tacos. Until now. Velvet Taco’s ample menu includes a spicy queso, tacos with varying spice levels and vegetarian-friendliness, plus a wrap-in-lettuce option if you are feeling healthy at 3:49 a.m. (Note that VT’s Fifth + Broad location does not stay open as late.) MARGARET LITTMAN

Tacos y Mariscos Lindo Mexico

917B Gallatin Pike S., Madison

Open until midnight Sunday-Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday

If you’re feeling peckish in Madison late at night, there’s only one place worth visiting — Tacos y Mariscos Lindo Mexico. Not only is Lindo open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (and midnight for the rest of the week), but you can always count on its consistently great-tasting food that stays fresh even as the night goes on. The pollo asado al carbon never misses, especially when dipped or doused in Lindo’s salsa verde. Whether you want to feast on the pollo asado, indulge in cheesy quesadillas or grab a few quick tacos, Lindo is as reliable as it is delicious. KELSEY BEYELER

Joyland

901 Woodland St.

Open until midnight on Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday

There’s no simpler, more satisfying late-night bite than a burger. Krystal built an empire on that fact, and Joyland has done the same locally, with lots of supporting snacks to round out your sackful. My go-to is the crustburger: Bear Creek Farms beef, melted American cheese, zingy secret sauce, and a sublimely smashed bun, griddled crisp. Throw in fried chicken on a stick (a “Joystick”), curly fries (always the move) and a rich chocolate-malt shake, and there’s really no way to eat late better — unless you order Joyland delivery from your Uber so it’s waiting for you when you get home. ASHLEY BRANTLEY

Skull’s Rainbow Room

222 Printers Alley

Open until 2 a.m. daily, food served until 11 p.m.

Sometimes a late-night bite also means one last cocktail in an environment that is “a whole vibe,” as the kids say. Skull’s delivers that and more. (See: burlesque shows Thursday through Saturday.) Belly up to the bar all the way until 2 a.m., but be sure to order food by 11. Enjoy decadent escargot, served in broiled mushroom caps brimming with sherry herb butter and Parmesan. Tuck into succulent prime rib and sip the leftover au jus — no one’s watching at this hour. And don’t sleep on soup, even as a late-night bite; their luscious, salty lobster bisque is even better after a few martinis. ASHLEY BRANTLEY

Bad Idea

1021 Russell St., Suite 101

Open until 1 a.m. daily, late-night menu 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. 

Late-night fine dining is rare, but Bad Idea fills the void until 12:30 a.m. seven nights a week for night owls or food-and-bev-industry workers looking to blow off a little steam after a shift. The airy dining room and bar area are welcoming, with natural materials and bold pops of color, and the former church sanctuary still feels like a place of refuge from the travails of the day. Chef Colby Rasavong’s abbreviated evening menu usually includes a couple of smaller plates from the regular evening offerings plus elevated bar snacks like a transcendent fried-bologna sandwich on milk bread. Guest chefs occasionally pop up in the kitchen for late nights to join in the fun. CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN

Lucky’s 3 Star

1401 Fourth Ave. S.

Open daily until 3 a.m.

Beer. Booze. Food. Lucky’s social media says who they are in three words. What they don’t say is that their food is far better than any bar food has to be. The frito pie; the nachos with slow-roasted beef and horseradish cream; the full hot dog menu that will take you around the world, whether that’s to Greece (whipped feta, hot honey, roasted peppers) or Vietnam (cucumber, jalapeños, pickled carrot, Sriracha mayo). If a dog doesn’t tickle your fancy, try a sub or pizzas. Better yet, don’t choose at all: The Glizzy pizza features giardiniera, hot honey and sliced hot dogs, so you get the best of all worlds. Your sleepy, sloppy self will thank you.  ASHLEY BRANTLEY

Best City Gyro

1101 Woodland St. (Marathon gas station parking lot)

Open daily until 2 a.m.

Few carnivores are above the post-midnight call of street meat. While I’m honestly unclear on the name of this establishment (we’re pretty sure they go by Best City Gyro), I am clear on the fact that the hot dogs there are the best. The secret is the way the cook butterflies the hot dog and cooks it until crispy. I say, “One hot dog please,” pay like $7 and am rewarded with a killer hot dog, toasty bun and a surprise order of seasoned crinkle fries. (I like the unspoken fries thing — feels like a reward.) If I’m going to eat street meat, it’s worthwhile at Best City Gyro. HANNAH HERNER 

Midnight Oil Pizza 

1310 51st Ave. N.

Open until 11 p.m. Sunday and Monday, midnight Tuesday-Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Sometimes a person simply needs to have a late-night slice. While other pizza places slumber, Midnight Oil is one you can count on — they’re the last one awake at the sleepover. At this New York-style establishment, the breadsticks are special, as is the buffalo chicken pizza. And they have churros — what a gift. It’s a place to hang out and watch a game (think hometown pizza-party vibes), or you can arrange to have food delivered via delivery services by the time you get home. West Side folks need a place to have a late-night bite too! HANNAH HERNER 

Lakeside Lounge

921 Woodland St.

Open daily until 3 a.m., food served until 2 a.m.

Open until 3 a.m. seven days a week (yes, EVERY night), Lakeside Lounge provides classic late-night fare for any East Side dwellers out past midnight. Although it’s no longer the smoke-filled dive it was when operating under the name Edgefield Sports Bar, Lakeside makes up for any loss of nocturnal seediness with a killer after-hours menu. The kitchen, which is open until 2 a.m., offers classic snacks (wings, fried pickle spears, mozzarella sticks) and sandwiches (smash burger, patty melt, chicken Parm). But the true Lake-heads know to get the chicken tenders basket with waffle fries. And plenty of dipping sauce. LOGAN BUTTS 

The Late-Night Issue

Rounding up the city’s best after-hours eats and karaoke spots, talking to the night mayor and more