Hidden Gems

Butterlamp

This self-described bread house and wine bar is located on a property that used to house a Methodist church, and landed on The New York Times’ “25 Best Nashville Restaurants Right Now” list three months after it opened. We love the deviled eggs in a skirt, marinated olives and pork-fat fries.

Kisser

This lunch-only spot specializes in Japanese comfort food and is insanely popular among in-the-know locals. Try the onigiri — the seasoned, filled rice balls never disappoint. 

Osh

Nashville’s first Uzbek restaurant is a staff favorite, both for its service and its delicious specialties — from savory starters like somsa and suzma to the crispy, cheesy, subtly sweet dessert called kunefe. 

Pupuseria Reina la Bendición

At this Salvadorian spot, the pupusas are monsters, big masa cakes filled with cheese and other goodness (pork, chicken, beans, etc.), then griddled into submission until there’s a char on both sides. 

Rice Vice by Proper Sake Co.

This cozy sake brewery and bar is tucked away in a hidden East Nashville space — a fun, charming, vibey spot for drinks and delicious pop-up food offerings. 

St. Vito Focacceria

In addition to the always-superb sfincione (don’t sleep on the potato sfincione, or the Classic Vito), chef Michael Hanna has been riffing on stracciatella, pastas, salads and a whole lot more — with great success. 

Shotgun Willie’s BBQ

Every Wednesday through Sunday, Shotgun Willie’s provides Madison with some of the tastiest live-fire barbecue in town. Order a plate and get a half-pound of meat with two scratch-made sides (dill pickle potato salad and honey poppy seed slaw are two favorites) and all the fixin’s. Save room for bourbon banana pudding for dessert.* 

Tutti Da Gio

The unassuming Tutti Da Gio in Hendersonville offers some of the best Italian food you’ll find in the Nashville area, and possibly anywhere. The menu includes handmade gnocchi and pasta, paper-thin prosciutto and thin-crust pizzas baked in a brick oven that we like so much we gave their now-closed Hermitage location Best New Italian writer’s choice in the Scene’s 2022 Best of Nashville issue.*