The Music City may have earned its fame through country music, but eating here is every bit as much a “foot-stomping” good time. You can find virtually every type of food imaginable, from a spicy lunch at a Mexican cantina to a romantic dinner at a French bistro. The requisite tourist restaurants like Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Café are on Second Avenue, but they are certainly not the kings of the strip. Popular local establishments such as Mulligan’s Pub and Big River Grille & Brew Works offer relief for diners who can’t stomach another high-priced cheeseburger.

Local Cuisine
From fast food to upscale dining, all the options are within your reach. However, Nashville’s real strength is not in how its chefs prepare succulent lobster bisque or construct a perfect phyllo pastry, although they do those sorts of things quite well. It’s the Southern heritage, and the food that goes along with it, that sets Nashville apart.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a physician who would prescribe Nashville’s brand of cooking. Southern people love to eat and they love their fried food. And don’t look for petite cuts of steak in the city’s restaurants, more than of few of which brag about their 40-ounce Porterhouses. It’s not exactly “heart healthy” cuisine, but it is certainly delicious. Look under the category of “Local Traditional Cuisine” to find restaurants serving the following local favorites:

Tennessee Barbecue: This is practically a food group in Nashville. Lean pork, beef and chicken are hand pulled from the bone and smoked in a rich, tangy sauce. Every chef has his or her signature, prepared in secret so that no one can steal the recipe. A typical meal includes an enormous helping of barbecue, baked beans and a slice of cornbread.

Deep Fried Catfish: Virtually every kind of food in Tennessee gets dropped into a vat of hot grease at some point, but catfish is especially made for deep-frying. Indigenous to the rivers surrounding the Tennessee Valley, catfish have a very sweet taste. The light flaky texture inside is perfectly complemented by the crispy breading outside.

Fried Chicken: This is yet another food that falls victim to the hot oil treatment. You may think you have eaten fried chicken, but fast food restaurants don’t count. Real fried chicken starts with whole chickens, which get boned and breaded and then fried in a cast iron skillet. Served with buttermilk biscuits and creamy mashed potatoes, it is absolute heaven. Sunday afternoon dinner is not complete without a plate full of fried chicken, and nothing tastes better than leftover chicken legs served cold from the refrigerator.

Pralines: A classic Southern dessert that no one can resist. This wonderfully sweet confection has been known to make grown men cry—it’s just that good. Rich milk chocolate and brown sugar are poured over fresh pecans. The candy melts in your mouth and takes the lucky eater to euphoric dimensions.

Iced Tea: To many people, this is a strange idea. Tea is usually served hot, right? Not around these parts. Southerners take great pride in their iced tea, and they serve it with everything. Unlike wine, you do not have to puzzle over the issue of pairing food with the right white or red variety, because iced tea pairs well with everything. The only decision you have to make is whether it’s served sweetened—with lots of lemon and sugar—or unsweetened. No matter what restaurant you choose, if you order iced tea, you will be asked, “Sweetened or unsweetened?” a dozen times.

Southern Food, Southern Hospitality
As delicious as the food tastes, the real joy of dining in this city is the exceptional service you receive everywhere you go. Folks in the South do things differently. There is a slow and easy style to everything here, and that includes the restaurants. You will seldom find an establishment that does not greet you with a smile and a handshake. Reservations are a courtesy, not a requirement. Servers are actually interested in serving rather than just in achieving a large gratuity. From fast food to more upscale fare, you will quickly discover the intangible quality that makes dining in Nashville different from anywhere else.

It is impossible to list every café, eatery and restaurant that follows this philosophy, but here are a few standouts:

The Yellow Porch: Featuring the culinary creations of Martha Stamps, one of Nashville’s most sought after chefs, this restaurant has earned a reputation for offering upscale dining in a casually elegant atmosphere. Chef Stamps is known for her distinctive Southern versions of Mediterranean favorites.

Ireland’s: As the name implies, this is an authentic Irish Pub, but the Southern influence is still inescapable. The menu features the famed “stake and biskets,” among other Irish favorites, but the portions are American-sized. You will never leave this place hungry.

Arthur’s: This restaurant, located inside the Union Station hotel, represents the epitome of Southern hospitality. Skilled, tuxedo-clad waiters carry out the silver-domed service from start to finish. You will dine well here, with fine china and exquisite crystal accentuating dining experience. The chef prepares a different six-course meal daily.