These 14 Tennessee Restaurants Are So Good, No One Minds The Wait

Tennessee might be known for its rolling hills and country music, but locals will tell you the real treasure is the food. From Nashville’s hot chicken to Memphis’s legendary barbecue, the state is packed with restaurants that draw hungry crowds willing to wait as long as it takes.

I’ve spent years exploring these spots, and I can promise you that every minute standing in line is worth it once that first bite hits your tongue.

1. The Loveless Cafe

Biscuits here aren’t just good—they’re legendary, fluffy clouds of buttery perfection that people drive hours to taste. Since 1951, this roadside treasure has been serving up Southern comfort food that makes you forget you’ve been waiting outside for forty-five minutes.

The smell of bacon and fresh-baked biscuits wafts through the air, making your stomach growl even louder.

You’ll find this iconic spot at 8400 State Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221, tucked away on a scenic stretch that feels like stepping back in time. Their famous preserves—especially the blackberry and peach varieties—are so addictive that people buy jars by the dozen to take home.

The country ham is salty, crispy, and pairs perfectly with those famous biscuits.

Weekends bring the longest waits, sometimes stretching past an hour, but regulars say it’s part of the experience. The rustic atmosphere, complete with rocking chairs on the porch, makes the time fly by surprisingly fast.

2. Monell’s

Family-style dining takes on a whole new meaning when strangers become friends over heaping platters of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. At Monell’s, you’re seated at long communal tables where bowls of homemade Southern cooking get passed around like you’re at grandma’s Sunday dinner.

It’s noisy, chaotic, and absolutely wonderful in every way imaginable.

Located at 1235 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, this place has been bringing people together since 1995 with its all-you-can-eat approach. The menu changes daily, but you can always count on classics like cornbread, green beans cooked with bacon, and desserts that’ll make you loosen your belt.

Everything arrives on the table simultaneously, creating a feast that feels both overwhelming and exciting.

Lines form early, especially on weekend mornings when locals crave their famous breakfast spread. But once you’re seated and the food starts flowing, you’ll understand why people happily wait outside rain or shine.

3. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Prepare your taste buds for a fiery adventure that starts with a tingle and ends with tears of joy—or just regular tears if you order the “Shut the Cluck Up” heat level. Hattie B’s transformed Nashville’s hot chicken scene when it opened, creating a cult following that stretches across state lines.

The crispy, spice-coated chicken delivers an addictive burn that keeps you reaching for more despite the sweat dripping down your face.

Their original location sits at 112 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, in the heart of Midtown where lines snake around the building most days. Smart visitors arrive before lunch rush or prepare to wait up to ninety minutes during peak times.

The sides—especially the creamy mac and cheese and tangy coleslaw—provide essential relief between bites of that intensely seasoned bird.

Start with mild or medium if you’re new to Nashville hot chicken; you can always level up on your next visit.

4. Prince’s Hot Chicken

Long before hot chicken became trendy, Prince’s was serving up the original recipe that started it all back in the 1930s. Legend says it was created by a scorned woman trying to punish her cheating boyfriend, but the joke was on her when he loved the spicy creation.

Today, this unassuming shack remains the gold standard that all other hot chicken joints try to match but never quite achieve.

You’ll find the main location at 123 Ewing Drive, Nashville, TN 37207, in a no-frills building that looks like it might blow over in a strong wind. Don’t let appearances fool you—what comes out of that kitchen is pure magic wrapped in wax paper.

The chicken arrives glistening with cayenne-laced oil, sitting on white bread that soaks up all that spicy goodness.

Wait times vary wildly, but patience is rewarded with chicken that’s worth every single minute spent standing outside.

5. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Memphis knows fried chicken, and Gus’s has been proving it since 1953 with a recipe that’s remained a closely guarded secret for generations. Unlike the tongue-scorching Nashville style, this chicken focuses on perfectly balanced seasoning that lets you taste the quality of the meat beneath the crispy coating.

Each piece emerges from the fryer golden brown, crackling with flavor that’s both subtle and incredibly satisfying.

The Memphis location at 310 South Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103, sits in the historic downtown area where tourists and locals alike queue up for their chicken fix. What started as a tiny operation in Mason, Tennessee, has grown into a regional phenomenon with multiple locations, but this spot captures the original spirit.

The chicken stays juicy inside while maintaining that signature crunch that makes your first bite sound like breaking through autumn leaves.

Sides are simple but well-executed: beans, slaw, and perfect fried pickles that deserve their own fan club.

6. Puckett’s Restaurant

Walking into Puckett’s feels like discovering your favorite neighborhood hangout that happens to serve incredible barbecue and live music every night. This Tennessee mini-chain started as a small-town grocery store and evolved into a beloved restaurant where locals bring out-of-town guests to experience authentic Southern hospitality.

The pulled pork melts in your mouth, the ribs fall off the bone, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay for hours.

Their downtown Nashville location at 500 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219, captures the energy of Music City with nightly performances from up-and-coming songwriters. The menu goes beyond barbecue with Southern staples like fried catfish, meatloaf, and vegetables cooked low and slow until they’re practically butter.

Breakfast is also exceptional, featuring biscuits and gravy that could convert even the staunchest breakfast skeptic.

Weekend waits can stretch to an hour or more, but the live music and friendly staff make the time pass quickly while you’re dreaming about that first bite.

7. Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Cafeteria-style service might sound ordinary until you see the spread at Arnold’s, where vegetables are treated with the same respect as the meats and everything tastes like someone’s beloved grandmother made it. This James Beard Award-recognized institution has been feeding Nashville since 1982 with meat-and-three plates that define Southern comfort food.

You grab a tray, slide it along the counter, and point at whatever looks good—which is absolutely everything.

Find this treasure at 605 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, in a modest building that doesn’t advertise because it doesn’t need to. Regulars know to arrive early because Arnold’s closes when the food runs out, usually by mid-afternoon.

The fried chicken is outstanding, but don’t overlook the vegetables: turnip greens, mac and cheese, fried okra, and squash casserole all deserve equal attention.

Lines form before the doors open at 10:30 AM, with downtown workers and tourists mixing together in pursuit of the perfect lunch.

8. Biscuit Love

Brunch culture reached new heights when Biscuit Love burst onto Nashville’s food scene with creative twists on Southern breakfast classics. Their “Bonuts”—biscuit doughnuts topped with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote—became Instagram famous before the restaurant even had permanent walls.

What started as a food truck has grown into multiple locations, but the quality and creativity never wavered.

The original brick-and-mortar sits at 316 11th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, in the trendy Gulch neighborhood where brunch enthusiasts line up before doors open. Their signature dish, the East Nasty, features fried chicken on a buttermilk biscuit with sausage gravy and cheddar—it’s messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth the napkin count.

The biscuits themselves are flaky masterpieces that could stand alone but get elevated with creative toppings and fillings.

Weekend waits regularly exceed an hour, but the covered patio makes waiting bearable even when Tennessee weather gets temperamental. Coffee is strong and refills are generous, which helps when you’re dreaming about those Bonuts.

9. The Butter Milk Ranch

Sometimes you stumble upon a place so good that you become immediately suspicious it’s too good to be true. The Butter Milk Ranch serves elevated comfort food in a casual atmosphere where fried chicken gets paired with unexpected sides and creative cocktails flow freely.

Their approach to Southern cooking respects tradition while adding contemporary touches that make each dish feel special without being pretentious.

Located at 2805 Bransford Avenue, Nashville, TN 37204, in the Berry Hill neighborhood, this spot attracts food-savvy locals who appreciate quality ingredients prepared with skill. The chicken—whether fried, roasted, or grilled—is always perfectly cooked with crispy skin and juicy meat.

Their sides rotate seasonally but might include things like charred broccolini, creamy grits, or inventive salads that actually taste exciting.

The space fills quickly during dinner service, and while you can’t make reservations, the wait at the bar with one of their excellent cocktails makes time disappear. Sunday brunch brings its own challenges with lines forming early and lasting through mid-afternoon.

10. The Finch

Hidden in a converted house in East Nashville, The Finch offers a dining experience that feels like attending a sophisticated dinner party at your coolest friend’s place. The menu changes constantly based on what’s fresh and seasonal, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients prepared with technique and creativity.

Chef Nick Pellegrino creates dishes that surprise and delight without relying on gimmicks or trends.

You’ll find this gem at 1414 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206, in a residential neighborhood where parking can be challenging but the food makes it worthwhile. The space is intimate with limited seating, which means reservations are essential and walk-ins face significant waits.

Dishes might include things like duck with seasonal vegetables, fresh pasta with inventive sauces, or perfectly seared fish that tastes like it came straight from the ocean.

The wine list is carefully curated, and the staff genuinely knows their stuff without being snobbish about it. This is where Nashville locals go for special occasions or when they want to impress visitors with the city’s culinary sophistication.

11. Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Barbecue debates in Tennessee can get heated, but Edley’s manages to satisfy both Memphis and Nashville camps with their approach to smoked meats. Their brisket rivals anything you’d find in Texas, while the pulled pork represents Tennessee tradition at its finest.

Everything gets smoked low and slow until it achieves that perfect balance of tender meat and smoky bark that barbecue lovers crave.

The original East Nashville location at 908 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37206, captures the neighborhood’s hip vibe while keeping the food unpretentious and delicious. Their sides deserve special mention: the tater tot casserole is ridiculously good, the baked beans are sweet and smoky, and the banana pudding provides the perfect sweet ending.

They also offer a solid selection of Tennessee whiskeys and local beers to wash everything down.

Lunch and dinner rushes bring crowds that spill onto the patio, but the line moves efficiently and the counter-service style keeps things casual. Multiple locations around Nashville mean you’re never too far from quality barbecue when the craving hits.

12. Husk

Chef Sean Brock brought his celebrated Charleston concept to Nashville, creating a temple of Southern ingredients where the menu literally changes daily based on what’s available from local farms. Husk represents Southern cooking at its most refined, where heirloom vegetables get treated with reverence and every ingredient has a story.

The commitment to regional sourcing means you’re tasting Tennessee and the surrounding South in its purest form.

Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian mansion at 37 Rutledge Street, Nashville, TN 37210, the restaurant feels both elegant and approachable. Dishes might include cornbread with sorghum butter that’ll ruin you for all other cornbread, shrimp and grits that redefine the classic, or pork prepared multiple ways showcasing different heritage breeds.

The cocktail program is equally impressive, featuring spirits and ingredients with Southern roots.

Reservations are absolutely necessary, and even then you might face a wait at the bar. But watching the kitchen work while sipping a bourbon cocktail is hardly a punishment when you know what’s coming.

13. Champy’s Fried Chicken

Chattanooga might not get the same food press as Nashville or Memphis, but locals know Champy’s serves some of the best fried chicken in the entire state. Their recipe produces chicken with incredible crunch and flavor that stays consistent from your first visit to your hundredth.

The breading is perfectly seasoned without being overwhelming, letting the quality of the chicken shine through each crispy bite.

Located at 1108 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, in the heart of downtown, this spot fills up with everyone from families to college students to business folks on lunch breaks. The wings are particularly addictive, especially when tossed in their signature sauces that range from mild to mouth-scorching.

Sides are classic Southern fare done right: creamy coleslaw, crispy fries, and mac and cheese that’s worth the extra calories.

The casual atmosphere means you can come as you are, but the lines during peak times prove that good chicken transcends dress codes. Multiple Chattanooga locations ensure you’re never too far from a Champy’s fix when the craving strikes.

14. Central BBQ

Memphis takes its barbecue seriously, and Central BBQ has earned its place among the city’s most beloved smoke temples through consistent quality and generous portions. Their ribs showcase the Memphis style perfectly: dry-rubbed, slow-smoked, and tender enough to pull cleanly from the bone without falling apart into mush.

The pulled pork gets similar treatment, resulting in meat that’s flavorful enough to eat naked but even better with their tangy sauce.

The original location at 2249 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, started in 2002 and quickly became a Memphis institution through word-of-mouth and consistently excellent food. Their barbecue nachos have achieved legendary status, piling smoked meat, cheese, and toppings onto crispy chips in a way that’s both ridiculous and genius.

The wings, often overlooked at barbecue joints, are worth ordering here—smoked first, then fried for incredible texture.

Peak times bring waits that test your patience, but the smell of hickory smoke and the sight of other diners’ plates make it bearable. Once you taste that first rib, you’ll be planning your return visit.