Every now and then, it is important to treat yourself to a nice meal for lunch. Sometimes, you just don’t have the energy or desire to pack your own lunch for the day. Luckily, there is no shortage of vibrant and exciting restaurants in Nashville. Whether you are craving sushi or you are in the mood for something hearty like a dish of pasta, there are numerous lunch destinations to choose from in Nashville. Check out these top 7 lunch destinations in Music City now.
On the hunt for a fun and practical gift? Consider purchasing a virtual GiftYa card. GiftYa cards can be applied to a number of restaurants in Nashville, making them the perfect gift for the avid foodie in your life. Because they are completely virtual, you don’t have to worry about your friend losing them. Whether they take their cell phone, they will also have their GiftYa card on them.
Bakersfield Nashville
201 3rd Ave, Sobro, Downtown
Vibrant Nashville restaurant that is known for its delicious tacos
For authentic Mexican street fare and inventive margaritas, you need to head to Bakersfield. This popular Nashville restaurant serves a wide selection of tacos featuring savory ingredients and tortillas that have been made in-house. Not sure what to get? Try the Al Pastor taco, which is filled with chile marinated pork, pineapple, and pickled white onion. You can pair this with the short rib taco, which featured braised short rib, queso fresco, and white onion.
If you’re coming with friends, don’t forget to order some chips and salsa to share! The Selecciones de la Casa is another great option for groups as a multi-course experience designed for parties of 6 or more people. Inventive margaritas and craft cocktails are also a staple here. From the Bakersfield Sour to the Pineapple Margarita, these drinks are sure to refresh and delight you.
“The guacamole and chips are a must. For the main course, there's a good variety of tacos to choose from - 2 or 3 tacos seems to be the norm for most people. I'm a big fan of the carnitas. I did not care for the marinade on the bistec taco but that's purely personal preference. Everyone in the group enjoyed the food and drinks. Bakersfield is certainly a great addition to downtown Nashville!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Bakersfield.
O-Ku Sushi
81 Van Buren St, East Germantown
Popular sushi restaurant offering unique dishes in East Germantown
O-Ku Sushi offers a unique take on traditional Asian cuisine by blending their dishes with a Southern approach. Head Chef Eric Hill procures fresh fish from areas around the world including Scotland and New Zealand as well as local markets.
To start your lunch on the right foot, you can select a small dish from the starter section, such as the miso soup or the seaweed salad. For the main course, you have a number of fine selections to choose from. The O-Ku Donburi Bowls such as the Tokyo Chicken and the Braised Short Rib are sure to fill you up, as they are served alongside house made kimchi, pickled cabbage, avocado, and white rice. Chef specialties like the Tuna TatakiTatki and the Toro Toast are also sure to leave you feeling full and satisfied. Along with their eclectic meal selections, O-Ku also offers an extensive list of wine, beer, and cocktails.
“They offer some of the most intriguing sushi rolls around with some of the freshest ingredients available. Their regular sushi happy hour is quite an awesome deal too.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for O-Ku Sushi.
Etch Restaurant
303 Demonbreun, Sobro, Downtown
Vibrant and creative lunch spot located in Downtown Nashville
Lead by award-winning chef Deb Paquette, Etch offers innovative dishes inspired by different regions around the world. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Deb has garnered a stellar reputation in Nashville for her signature flavors and layered menu items.
For lunch, guests can select a unique dish from the restaurant’s extensive selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and entrees. Coming with some friends? The Three Cheese plate is perfect for sharing with a friend or two. If you are looking for something on the lighter side, you can’t go wrong with the Mediterranean Salad or the Asian Caesar Salad. The Lamb Flatbread, which is topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, and smoked chickpea puree, is also a fine lunch selection. If you are in the mood for seafood, the Jerk Shrimp and the Fried Cornmeal Catfish are also appetizing choices.
“Absolute top notch delicious. Highly recommend the potato salad side and chocolate pretzel mousse. Also, in the era of COVID things can be difficult and different but the staff do a wonderful job of social distancing (masks, sanitizer, spaced tables) while still making you feel welcome. Will be back for certain!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Etch Restaurant.
Acme Feed & Seed
101 Broadway, Downtown
Classic comfort food served in bustling downtown restaurant
Located in Lower Broadway, Acme Feed & Seed offers 22,000 square feet of delicious food and cocktails. On the first floor, you will find a “funkytonk” themed bar offering fast-casual cuisine. With 28 beers on tap and a menu full of comfort food, this floor is perfect for anyone looking for some traditional American food. On the second floor, you will find a lounge, cocktail bar, and sushi bar featuring fresh, hand-rolled pieces. The third floor is typically used for music series and concerts.
The first floor menu features hearty and savory options including Beer Belly Tacos, Heaven-Lee Ribs, and Farmer’s Fresh Catfish. If you are in the mood for some filling comfort food, this floor is for you. On the second floor, you will find a slightly different menu. Instead of traditional comfort food, this floor offers sushi, calamari, and other Asian-fusion foods. An eclectic assortment of drink specials are also found on the second floor of this unique establishment.
“I've been here twice now and their fried chicken n' waffles and smoked mac n' cheese are still my go-to menu items. The waffle is both soft and crispy and the chicken tenders are crunchy, salty and super juicy... a pure match made in Heaven!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Acme Feed & Seed.
Sedona Taphouse
1120 3rd Ave, Germantown
Popular lunch destination in Nashville known for its savory meals
Located in Germantown, the Sedona Taphouse offers a wide assortment of fine cocktails and delicious menu items. Whether you choose the Crab Cake Slider or the Surf and Turf pasta, you are sure to leave feeling full and satisfied. Along with their delightful assortment of meals, the Sedona Taphouse also offers an extensive drink menu. Dozens of your favorite drafts, from the Nashville Original Lager to the Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA, are sure to go perfectly with your meal. Throughout the week, the taphouse also offers specials including brunch, Happy Hour, and more.
“We ordered the goat cheese flatbread to start - it was wonderful, and it was gluten-free which was a plus! I ordered the crab cake sliders which came with a side. For 3 sliders, and mashed potatoes it was very reasonably priced.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Sedona Taphouse.
Barcelona Wine Bar
1200 Villa Pl, Edgehill
Upscale restaurant serving savory Spanish food
For an upscale lunch, head to the Barcelona Wine Bar. You can start your meal off right with an elegant charcuterie and cheese board. You can choose an individual board or a larger board built for three people. Dry-cured Spanish ham, pork sausage, cow’s milk cheese, and more are offered on these exciting plates. If you’re with a group you can order a number of tapas to share with your friends and family. But if you would rather have a meal to yourself, you can order a large plate such as the Grilled NY Strip or the Parrillada Barcelona. Don’t forget to order a glass of rose or sangria to go along with your meal!
“Everything I tasted was delicious, well-cooked, and well-prepared. The service was outstanding -- from our waiter to management, I felt very welcome. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable on the menu, which was helpful for somebody like myself who doesn't know much about much when it comes to tapas or Spanish food.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Barcelona Wine Bar.
Nashville has an exciting variety of lunch spots to choose from. What’s your favorite meal for lunch? Let us know in the comments!
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
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