*All are relatively close, not a big chain, and all are staff-tested
Meat-and-Threes – Nashville’s gift to the culinary world. Most cater to working folks, and are open lunchtime hours, weekdays only.
City Café – Nothing fancy, just good food. 1455 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210 (psst! It’s really on Spence Lane, near the corner of Lebanon Pike).
Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Two-time James Beard Award winner. Always busy, but the line moves fast. 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203. 10:30am-2:45pm M-F Call to confirm open – schedule varies.
Bar-B-Que – Nashville’s “style” is Carolina + Memphis + Kansas City + Texas, sometimes all on one menu!
Peg Leg Porker – Right around the corner from Arnold’s Country Kitchen. Award winner. 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203. Closed Sundays.
Martin’s – Another award winner, with an in-town location at 3108 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212; open 11am-9pm. Also at 410 4th Ave. S, 37201, open 11am-10pm daily.
Burgers and Dogs
Cledis Burgers and Beer Garden- Homemade burgers with a variety of local brews in a laid-back setting. Located at 1011 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. Closed on weekends.
Gabby’s Burgers – Another small place, but worth the short drive. Burgers on a flat-top, sweet-potato fries. 493 Humphreys St, Nashville, TN 37203. Open for lunch 10:30-2:30 M-Th plus 11-2:30 Saturday, open 10:30-7:30 Fridays; closed Sunday.
The Lost Paddy – Irish pub with an award-winning burger. 11am-3pm M-F; 7am-3am Sat & Sun. 715 Spence Lane, 37217
Mexican
Tacos y Mariscos Lopez serves up auténtico Mexican dishes. A mixed plate of tacos or the half-roasted chicken is hard to beat. 890 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. Closed Sunday.
Mas Amigos is a new autentico restaurant on Nolensville Pike’s International Row. 2615 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211, open 7 days 11am-9pm, with weekend specials.
Pizza
Desano Pizza has been called one of the best in the country – all Neapolitan ingredients and ovens. 115 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203. Open daily, 11:30 until the dough runs out.
TennFold Pizza – Interesting pizza, sandwiches, and more, plus housemade beers. 2408 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. 11am-9pm, Tuesday-Sunday; closed Mondays.
Asian & Other
Vinh Long offers Vietnamese as well as Japanese dishes. 1061 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. Closed Monday and cash only.
Dragon Phoenix Chinese Buffet – Traditional American-Chinese buffet. 2828 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. Closed Saturdays.
BJ Hot Chicken – Fast-casual hot chicken and other offerings. 818 Murfreesboro Pike, 37217
McNamara’s Irish Pub and Restaurant – Classic Gaelic tavern food with a variety of whiskeys & beers. 2740 Old Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. Closed Sunday and Monday. Live music nightly starting at 6pm.
Sandwiches and Salads
Phat Bites has many inventive offerings. 2730 B Lebanon Pike, Donelson, TN 37214. Closed Sunday.
Peachtree Grill combines Middle Eastern staples with Southern Comfort food, sandwiches, and inventive burgers. 329 Peachtree St.,, Nashville, TN 37210. 11am-8pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.