Best Southern American Restaurants in Donelson

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Regions

Nashville

Neighbourhoods

Belmont / HillsboroBerry HillDonelsonDowntownEast NashvilleEdgehill

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

125 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Aquarium Restaurant - Opry Mills restaurant

1. Aquarium Restaurant - Opry Mills

4.2

Awesome(2411)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Donelson

Booked 151 times today

Aquarium Restaurant - Opry Mills offers an unforgettable American dining experience right in the heart of Donelson, Nashville. Known for its "fabulous food with fabulous service," this unique eatery blends traditional American flavors with a stunning underwater ambiance. Diners rave about the "delicious food" and the "fantastic service," often noting the attentive and friendly staff that make every visit special. The culinary offerings, from juicy steaks to fresh seafood, are crafted to perfection, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic American cuisine. With a mesmerizing 200,000-gallon aquarium as your backdrop, each meal becomes an enchanting adventure.

A photo of Saltgrass Steak House - Nashville restaurant

2. Saltgrass Steak House - Nashville

4.2

Awesome(293)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Donelson

Booked 14 times today

Saltgrass Steak House in Nashville is a beacon of authentic American cuisine, offering a "phenomenal" dining experience that showcases the best of what American dining has to offer. Situated in the vibrant Opry Mills, this award-winning scratch kitchen prides itself on serving hearty Angus Beef steaks and mouthwatering favorites like the Silver Star Porterhouse and BBQ Pork Ribs. Diners rave about the "outstanding" food and "excellent service," emphasizing the superior quality of each meal. The complimentary Shiner Bock beer bread adds a unique touch to this quintessential American experience, making Saltgrass a must-visit for both locals and visitors alike.

A photo of Rainforest Cafe - Opry Mills restaurant

3. Rainforest Cafe - Opry Mills

4.3

Awesome(1033)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Donelson

Booked 61 times today

Rainforest Cafe - Opry Mills in Donelson, Nashville offers an exceptional seafood dining experience that transports you to a vibrant tropical rainforest. Known for its quality and authenticity, the seafood here is "hot and delicious," leaving diners eager to return for more. Guests have praised the "great food and atmosphere," making it a favorite spot for special occasions. The unique setting, complete with cascading waterfalls and animatronic animals, adds to the allure, turning a meal into an adventure. Perfect for families, this restaurant promises not just a meal, but an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you wanting to "go WILD" for more.

A photo of Dave & Buster's - Nashville restaurant

4. Dave & Buster's - Nashville

4.2

Awesome(122)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Donelson

Booked 13 times today

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

5. Pelican & Pig

4.8

Exceptional(69)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern american • East Nashville

Booked 22 times today

Pelican & Pig in East Nashville is a shining beacon of Farm-to-table cuisine. With a focus on quality and authenticity, this restaurant delights diners with a menu that is both fresh and creatively inspired. Guests rave about the "wonderful aromas" that greet them upon entry, thanks to the open kitchen and wood-burning hearth, which ensures every dish is infused with rich, smoky flavors. The carefully crafted dishes, from the "succulent salmon" to the "spectacular corn ribs," highlight the freshness of locally sourced ingredients. The atmosphere is described as "sophisticated yet cozy," making it a perfect spot for an unforgettable dining experience.

6. The Treehouse

4.8

Exceptional(799)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern american • East Nashville

Booked 20 times today

The Treehouse is an East Nashville original restaurant and bar. We strive to source our food locally from within our community and offer inside and outdoor dining options. Come by and enjoy our ever-changing food menu or simply unwind with a craft cocktail, local draft, or glass of wine. We offer full service dinner Monday through Saturday from 5pm - 10pm as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 3pm. In addition, we offer a late night menu from 10pm-12am Friday - Saturday. Open at 4pm on the back patio Monday-Friday for Happy Hour!

7. Folk

4.7

Exceptional(21)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Talbot's Corner

Booked 52 times today

Welcome to Folk! We are a casual neighborhood restaurant nestled in the heart of East Nashville. Guided by acclaimed chef and Rolf & Daughters' visionary Philip Krajeck, our menu is seasonal with an emphasis on produce from our farmer friends and local purveyors. You'll find vegetable-forward dishes, large format selections, and our naturally leavened pizzas. Our bar program aims to provide food-friendly beverages with an ever-evolving natural wine list, craft beer, and specialty cocktails. We're honored to be recognized as a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Best New Restaurant award as well as being named one of Bon Appétit's 50 Best New Restaurants.

8. Jane’s Hideaway

4.8

Exceptional(674)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • East Nashville

Booked 11 times today

Our kitchen is open 5-10pm, 7 days a week. 21 + after 8pm.We always recommend booking a reservation for your party, however we do have limited walk-in availability! For parties greater than 4 people, call ahead, our seating for large parties is very limited. We have a 15 minute grace period for late parties. Please note that your party may receive a time limit if we are busy!At Jane's, we are serving up re-invented Southern classics with local ingredients, paired with very listenable live music from the next generation of bluegrass and Americana virtuosos. Hide out tonight in East Nashville with a Tennessee-spirit based cocktail and you'll quickly become a friend of Jane's.Live music starts every night at 8pm.Cancellation policy: Parties of 8+ will be required to submit a credit card to secure their reservation. In the event of a short notice cancellation (24 hours or less), or a no-show, there will be a charge of 20 dollars per person on said reservation.21+ after 8pm

A photo of Fleetwood Patio & Bar restaurant

9. Fleetwood Patio & Bar

(0)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Donelson

FLEETWOOD PATIO BARWe're new on the Nashville food truck scene, but our flavors are familiar and All-American favorites.Parked poolside at Nashville's unexpected hideaway, the DoubleTree Suites Nashville, Fleetwood Patio Bar offers guests and locals alike good times in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere.Featuring a menu of classic fare from juicy burgers, Nashville's own Hot Chicken, finger foods, to salads that satisfy. With libations from beer and wine to boozy slushies, we've got your appetite covered from sip-n-nibble to devour-n-destroy.

A photo of The Cafe at Waymore's restaurant

10. The Cafe at Waymore's

4.5

Awesome(10)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern american • East Nashville

Booked 4 times today

Located on the ground floor of Waymore’s Guest House, the hotel's café, bar and lounge are open 7 days a week for long hangs & tall tales. Helmed by executive chef Daniel Gorman, the menu features Southern diner-inspired dishes with East Nash vibes, bar snacks, barista counter service and daily happy hour, with a list of classic cocktails, wine and local beers. Guests can enjoy a relaxed hang in the café, at the bar, in the hotel's comfortable lounge area or outside on the seasonally-open terrace.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Nashville •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Allison our server was amazing! Thank you for that
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Urban GrubPrice: Expensive• Regional American (Southern)• Waverly / Melrose / Breeze Hill
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4.8
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Nashville •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Waiter was a 10. Very responsive and quick witted
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Brugada Kitchen + BarPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
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4.3
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EarlVIP
Nashville •145 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
The pre show dinner is a great deal overall especially when parking is included. The negative is with cocktails and wine it is still very expensive.
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Mimo at Four Seasons Hotel NashvillePrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
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4.7
E
EdwardVIP
Chicago / Illinois •185 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent service from Mike and others Food great Thank you We will return
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Commons Club Kitchen and BarPrice: Moderate• Regional American (Southern)• Midtown
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4.3
OT
OpenTable Diner
Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
We had a group of 10 and we had great service. Lovely atmosphere. The farm to table food was good but some of the choices were combined with pickled cabbage or pimento cheese which didn’t appeal to everyone. The Caesar salad was amazing as were many of the appetizers. Overall good experience.
More info
404 KitchenPrice: Expensive• American• The Gulch
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4.2

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