Every region of the United States has its own unique vibe — and local flavor. What food is Nashville best known for? The answer might surprise you.
Tennessee marries the best of down-home southern cooking with northern and cross-cultural influences. There’s something to tempt every tastebud at one of the many restaurants nestled within the Nashville city limits. The next time you exit the Grand Ole Opry with a hankering for some good eats, dig into one of these delicious regional dishes.
Drum roll, please: The food Nashville is best known for is its barbecue. What makes it stand out is its rich variety of influences. You’ll get a hint of flavors from Memphis, Texas and North Carolina, all blended in a marriage of extraordinary taste. It’s smoky. It’s sweet. It’s hot enough to make you get out the old kerchief and wipe at your nose and brow.
Nashville barbecue begins with delicious smoked meats. While pork is the most popular ingredient, you’ll also find beef and chicken thrown into the mix. However, please don’t fret if you’re a member of the cruelty-free crowd. Southerners are known for their hospitality, and you’ll find vegan barbecue joints to delight your taste buds without sacrificing your moral values. Well, you might indulge in the sin of gluttony, but going plant-based makes up for it in virtue.
Of course, the sauce is what truly makes a barbecue stand out. You can imitate the flavor in your kitchen with this authentic recipe, adding extra chili powder if you want to turn up the heat. Otherwise, the savory sweetness enhances the taste of nearly any meat or meat substitute.
What else deserves a spin on your plate when you head to Music City? Nashville is also known for the following seven foods. While you may find some of them elsewhere, it’s hard to replicate the down-home goodness of the Volunteer State.
If you were surprised by the food Nashville is most known for, you might have thought hot chicken would take the number one spot. It’s a close match, perhaps even a tie. What makes it unique from other fried chicken is the spicy mixture of oil and cayenne peppers used in the flavorful breading.
Hot chicken is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it hot or cold — it will safely keep in the fridge for up to three days. It’s also the perfect ingredient for sliders if you prefer to keep your hands cleaner or stir into a casserole for a spicy protein kick. Those who wish to avoid all the oils in fried food can bake it instead, using plenty of cayenne to keep the kick without all the fat.
Let the English keep their scones with their tea. There’s nothing quite like the heartiness of an authentic Nashville biscuit paired with its flakiness. It’s the perfect blend of carb-loading and light texture that pairs perfectly with hot chicken, cooling your tongue without a gallon of water.
Biscuits go with just about any meal in the South — breakfast, lunch or dinner. Biscuits and gravy is a morning favorite that tastes just as good after work as it does before. Hot honey biscuits make the perfect sandwich bread for hot chicken sliders, marrying sweet and spicy for a one-of-a-kind taste.
Nashville lies in the heart of Americana, so it only makes sense that they would rule the nation’s favorite dessert. You can’t beat the combination of flavor and texture.
This diner favorite, especially when served dripping with vanilla ice cream, is the perfect finish to one of Guy Fieri’s favorite Nashville meals. The meat and three features one main dish, like barbecue, and three yummy sides — enjoy all the regional flavor before crossing the sweet apple pie finish line.
Tennessee lies pretty far from the nearest ocean, but folks there still need their omega-3 fatty acids for good health. One way they can get their twice-weekly serving of fish for good health has resulted in another regional favorite dish — catfish.
Chefs around these parts prepare their catfish in multiple delicious ways, from fried to blackened to crusted to barbecued. The meat is equally succulent as a main dish or as a filling for a po’ boy or fish tacos. Catfish fingers are an alternative to chicken tenders for moms trying to get their wee ones to eat their share of fish.
Okra is the quintessential Southern vegetable, and Nashville cooks it up right. Although they aren’t known for their gumbo as much as Louisiana, you can still find a steaming hot bowl at multiple establishments.
This veggie is easy to bake or roast as a side. A little olive oil, black pepper and time in the oven is all you need for authentic flavor.
You won’t find a street fair in Nashville without at least one fried pickle vendor. These delicious crispy treats are a must if you like things a little salty. Dip them in your favorite dressing or pop them in your mouth like a potato chip. Hey, they were once cucumbers, so it counts as a serving of veggies, right?
While it’s a bit of a stretch to make whiskey healthy, there’s nothing wrong with sipping a little liquid gold relaxation now and then. With the famous Jack Daniels brewery in nearby Lynchburg, it’s no wonder this drink is a local favorite. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks or mixed with Coke or diet Coke while sitting on your front porch and chatting with passersby.
Every region in the U.S. has a unique flavor. Now that you know the foods Nashville is best known for, it’s time to eat. Set your sights on one of the city’s many restaurants or try a copycat recipe at home to bring a little Music City into your kitchen.
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