Bag Lady’s Fry Joint 

Get hand-cut fries, chips or cauliflower-loaded protein, vegetables, cheese and sauce at Bag Lady’s. The unique menu includes pizza fries, hot chicken fries, Philly cheesesteak fries and gyro fries, plus burgers, gyros, lamb and more. 

Bill’s Sandwich Palace

At Bill’s Sandwich Palace, you’ll find unique, messy and, most importantly, well-portioned sandwiches of all stripes. To complete the meal, add a side of Bill’s homemade Cheddy Ranch Puffs. 

Burger Up

This elevated burger restaurant — that’s what the “Up” in its name implies — has been around for more than 15 years, and remains as popular as ever. 

DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana

Neapolitan-style pizza — made with fresh, hand-tossed dough and baked in a wood-fired oven — is the raison d’etre of DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana, a Scene favorite since 2012. DeSano says it follows the rules of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, “preserving the centuries-old craft of making authentic Neapolitan pizza.” * 

Degthai

Degthai specializes in Thai street food, but it consistently wins our Best of Nashville readers’ poll for Best Thai Food, full-stop. 

Emmy Squared

Emmy Squared offers up fantastic Detroit-style pizzas and sandwiches and is a contender for the best burger in town. 

Epice 

Among Nashville’s many great Mediterranean restaurants, Epice stands out by making its Lebanese cuisine elegant as well as delicious. 

Gordo’s Taqueria

Specializing in tacos and Mission-style burritos, Gordo’s has been a part of the Bay Area’s culinary scene since 1977, and just launched its first sister location in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood with a menu designed for customers to build their own burritos and tacos just the way they want them. *

Greko Greek Street Food

One of Nashville’s best and most authentic Mediterranean spots, Greko Greek Street Food lives up to its name with classic Greek street dishes like souvlaki and Monastiraki-style beef. 

The Grilled Cheeserie

This is a great place to grab a cheesy, melty, satisfying sandwich, with a side of house-made soup and a milkshake. 

Hawkers Asian Street Food

If you’re looking for a restaurant where you can mix and match a selection of pan-Asian favorites, Hawkers Asian Street Food is the pick. You can get high-quality bao buns, pad Thai, dim sum and udon all at the same spot. 

Limo Peruvian Eatery / The Inka Trailer LLC

On the East Side, chef Marcio Florez’s Peruvian eatery Limo has delicious tapas and a great lineup of ceviches. It won Best New Restaurant in the Scene’s 2024 Best of Nashville readers’ poll, and continues to impress us with a wide array of options, from traditional to vegetarian and vegan options, and even a sampler platter that showcases many of Peru’s iconic flavors.*

Maiz de la Vida

Making tortillas is an art form at Maiz de la Vida. At both its East Side food-truck location and its Eighth Avenue brick-and-mortar, Maiz de la Vida serves a variety of delicious offerings — tacos, quesabirria, elote and more — that split the difference between traditional and innovative. 

Mas Tacos Por Favor 

From pulled-pork tacos to vegetarian quinoa tacos, fried plantains and its regionally famous chicken tortilla soup, Mas Tacos Por Favor never fails to satisfy. 

Mesero

This elevated Tex-Mex spot has some of the best queso in town, not to mention eight different kinds of enchiladas — each of them outstanding. Other menu highlights include an unmissable shrimp ceviche, guacamole-covered flautitas, ahi tuna nachos and more.* 

Miss Saigon

There’s a whole complex of Vietnamese dining in this former big-box storefront on Charlotte Avenue, but Miss Saigon is the hub. Try the Bún Miss Saigon, the signature vermicelli dish that’s served with an egg roll, barbecue pork, chicken, shrimp and fresh herbs.

S.S. Gai

Based out of East Nashville’s The Wash, S.S. Gai offers Thai chicken in two styles: gai tod (crispy and fried) and gai yang (smoky and grilled). Both are served with sticky rice, fried garlic and shallots, tamarind chili fish sauce, aromatic chili vinegar and local veggies and herbs.

Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria

It’s been open for less than 10 years, but Slim & Husky’s is already a Nashville institution. The hip-hop-themed artisanal pizza joint offers some of the best pies around, from the vegan Nothin but a “V” Thang to the classic Got 5 on It. 

Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse

Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse brings NOLA to Nashville, with a fun atmosphere matched by a unique menu that includes Southern hits like the collard melt and the fried bologna sandwich. 

Two Ten Jack

Some of the best ramen in Nashville can be found at the Japanese-inspired izakaya restaurant Two Ten Jack. Order the tebasaki gyoza as your appetizer for a delicious dumpling-chicken-wing mashup. 

Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen 

Given Von Elrod’s menu of artisan sausages and sandwiches plus a darn fine cheeseburger, the idea of enjoying the midday meal at this spot — accompanied by a selection from its vast array of craft beers in the convivial atmosphere of a breezy biergarten and expansive patio — is a no-brainer. 

Waffle Taco

The welcoming, bustling, multicultural atmosphere is just as big a draw at Antioch’s Waffle Taco as the food, which includes just about anything you might think would go well on a waffle you can fold and eat like a taco. 

Xiao Bao

Xiao Bao is home to some of the most-discussed noodles in Nashville. And make sure to make room for the okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese cabbage pancake.

Yellow Table Café & Crêperie

This French-inspired cafe has just 12 seats inside and 12 outside (weather permitting) and serves breakfast and lunch five days a week. Our favorite dishes include the sweet crepes with salted caramel, jam or Nutella fillings, all topped with powdered sugar. 

Best of Nashville Winner

Best New Fast-Casual Joint: Little Rey

Acclaimed Atlanta chef and restaurateur Ford Fry’s West End spot is ideal for happy hour or a family dinner. Contributor Ashley Brantley suggests you try the green salsas: One is mild and citrusy, the other spicy and creamy.