7 Of Nashville’s Best Soul Food Restaurants
Dining out in Music City means choosing from a variety of local specialties to truly experience this surprising foodie town. And soul food restaurants in Nashville are a great way to delight your taste buds while enjoying the flavors, history, soul of the south. We have rounded up 7 of the best soul food restaurants to try in Nashville cooking up some unique and mouthwatering ingredients you are sure to love!
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Monell’s (both locations)
1235 6th Ave N (Germantown) Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 248-4747
1400 Murfreesboro Pike (Monell’s at the Manor) Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 365-1414
For an authentic soul food experience in Nashville, Monell’s delivers in spades. Noshing on collard greens, grits and gravy pork chops in a family-style setting might be a typical meal at Monell’s, but the daily menu rotates regularly. A tasty and unique soul food experience awaits visitors at each of the two locations. The Germantown Monell’s is located in a quaint redbrick house, adding to the charm of eating brunch, lunch or dinner at Monell’s while the Manor location is housed in a grand 1898 Southern colonial mansion, rebuilt in 1929 after a fire. Both locations hit the mark as two of the soul food restaurants in Nashville everyone should experience. And the family-style dining is truly unique.
Swett’s Restaurant
2725 Clifton Avenue Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 329-4418
One gem that stands out in the heart of Music City is Swett’s. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving up delicious comfort food for over 60 years, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
Apart from the amazing food, what makes Swett’s truly special is the sense of community it fosters. The friendly staff adds to the charm, treating every customer like family. It’s not uncommon to strike up conversations with fellow diners, sharing stories and laughs over a plate of good food. If you’re visiting Nashville and craving some authentic Southern soul food, Swett’s is an absolute must-try.
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Wendell Smith’s Restaurant
407 53rd Ave N Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 383-7114
This diner is a Nashville icon that has cranked out outstanding soul food for over 65 years. Namesake Wendell passed on his restaurant to his family and now the 4th generation is poised to continue the tradition of serving up southern comfort foods like roast beef, ham and bbq every day while their specials swap out. Locals swamp Wendell’s when catfish, fried pork chops or liver and onions are on the menu because this place does soul food better than most.
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
5814 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 810-9338
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack has become a legendary establishment in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its fiery and flavor-packed hot chicken. This family-owned business has been serving up their signature dish for decades, attracting locals and tourists who seek a truly spicy culinary experience. Made with a secret blend of spices and fried to perfection, Prince’s Hot Chicken is not for the faint of heart. Whether you can handle the heat or not, a visit to this iconic restaurant promises an unforgettable and tongue-tingling adventure.
Photo Credit: silversandsnashville.com
Silver Sands Cafe
937 Locklayer St Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 780-9900
This 3rd generation, home cooking café makes soul food “like mama used to make.” And locals here have been lining up at the Silver Sands counter for years because of the undeniably delicious food served here. This cafe is easy to miss off the beaten path but the huge portions and classic soul food offerings like fried catfish and salmon croquettes that are on the daily menu will be hard to pass up once you’ve found Silver Sands. True soul food connoisseurs will love the pig’s feet and beef tips served here as well as the perfectly seasoned green beans.
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H & T’s Homecooking
2264 Murfreesboro Pike Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 367-0049
Home-style cooking and great hospitality are hallmarks of H & T’s, but the delightful food is why most Music City patrons return here over and over. Hattie and her husband Thomas’s spot-on cooking turn out dishes like shrimp and cheese grits, fried pork chops and country-fried steak daily along with perfectly seasoned soul food mainstays like turnip greens, fried okra and mashed potatoes. But don’t leave without grabbing a cobbler to eat on the way home (because it’s too good to risk sharing with anyone else).
Photo Credit: businessyab.com
Big Mama’s
3944 Clarksville Pike Nashville, TN 37218
(615) 299-0069
You know when you see the menu scribbled out on a chalkboard in cheerful colors and a line out the door waiting in line for counter service, you have found a gold mine. Big Mama’s is one of the small but mighty soul food restaurants in Nashville to try when you want a meat-and-three with authentic, rich flavors. The no-frills restaurant pumps out reliably delicious menu items that may include chitterlings, liver and onions or even neck bones. Big Mama’s even offers up fruit punch and Kool-aid to enjoy along with the traditional soul food on their menu every day.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Nashville, check out our Nashville city page.
“Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 31, 2022 and last updated on August 28, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.”
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