23 Best Restaurants in Sylvan Park and The Nations, Nashville

This classic ice cream and burger stand feels like a blast from the past with retro decor, classic diner fare, ice cream, and milk shakes that can be enjoyed on their covered patio. This family-friendly staple embraces their throwback energy, even naming their delicious signature shake flavors after 1950s rockers.

Edley’s offers a delicious taste of Southern cooking in the classic meat-and-three tradition, and their sides are just as delicious as their melt-in-your-mouth meats. Make sure to try their brisket before it sells out for the day in either taco, sandwich, or platter form, and enjoy a craft beer or a signature spiked milk shake called a Bushwacker for refreshment.

Giant warehouse windows hearken back to The Nations’ industrial roots and shed bright light on the stylish wood-laden interior of this coffee shop and all-day café. The variety of seating options make Frothy Monkey a favorite for remote workers with laptops, and their health-focused menu features locally roasted coffee, fresh pastries, and farm-sourced ingredients for all meals.

Quality ingredients and uncommon preparation come together at Nicky’s Coal Fired for a unique pizza and Italian food experience. While their coal-fired pizza—made in the only coal-burning oven in Tennessee—is their speciality, Nicky’s also offers house-made pasta, upscale antipasti with local ingredients, and delectable Italian desserts.

With a menu nearly as broad as its beer selection, the entrées featuring lamb, seitan, and goat cheese alongside more traditional pub food favorites will surprise anyone who imagines 51 North Taproom to be a run-of-the-mill bar and grill. With ample options for vegans and vegetarians, there is something for everyone, plus beer to go with it.

This chef-driven restaurant, with its relaxed yet upscale feel and menu full of character, fits seamlessly into the Sylvan Park neighborhood that surrounds it. Their laid-back Sunday brunch has familiar favorites with thoughtful touches, and their dinner entrées tout flavors that can satisfy even refined palates.

This floating restaurant and bar is on a secluded marina, tucked away in a combination neighborhood and industrial area in true Nations fashion. The dockside dining options include many seafood options, large salads, and shareable appetizers.

A long-standing staple of Sylvan Park, Caffe Nonna serves Italian dinner in an inviting and intimate café setting. Pizzas are baked fresh in a brick oven, pasta is served with house-made sauces, and the wine list rounds out the experience.

A Southern answer to French cuisine, Chateau West serves French-inspired lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Their upscale yet relaxed setting matches the quality and accessibility of their entrées.

Part grocery market, part travel agency, part restaurant, Coco’s Italian Market is dedicated to and passionate about all things Italian. Their house specialities remain proudly authentic to original Italian recipes that won't break the bank.

A hot dog stand housed in a converted gas station, Daddy's Dogs offers creative topping combos on your choice of a beef or vegan hot dog. They also have a small selection of filling sides.

Blink and you could miss the narrow, 9-foot-wide storefront of Headquarters, which serves locally roasted coffee, seasonal lattes, and locally sourced snacks. Small in size but not personality, relax in the cozy interior or head outside to the inviting back patio and deck area.

Made-to-order diner classics, some with a Southern twist, are served in a retro-style space at Hugh-Baby’s. Burger patties ground fresh every day are joined by topping-laden hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches on the family-friendly menu.

Burgers, beer, and pub food done right are the focus of this classic Sylvan Park establishment. The brick-laden interior feels vaguely European while the plant-filled outdoor patio looks out onto Sylvan Park’s main business intersection.

While Miel has a French name, don’t expect classic French cuisine: this artful restaurant pulls from many global tastes for inspiration while following some French conventions, like a complimentary amuse-bouche. The menu is separated into small plates and large plates, with smaller portions intended for tasting and sharing.

Serving burgers nearly as big as their iconic neon sign, the Nations Bar & Grill keeps it real with substantial pub-style favorites and a full bar. Formerly an auto repair shop, this no-nonsense neighborhood spot won’t leave anyone hungry.

Park Cafe serves rich entrées, a selection of small plates, and a full wine program in Sylvan Park. In addition to their dinner service, they also feature an enticing happy hour.

More than just a coffee shop, Red Bicycle offers a wide selection of sweet and savory crepes, beer, wine, sandwiches, and tacos. A variety of seating options in the large space, including outdoor tables in the Astroturf yard, make this a popular meeting place and work space.

This deli specializing in bagel sandwiches serves breakfast all day. In addition to bagels, the café offers granola, baked goods, coffee, and fresh-pressed juices from their in-house partner, Nashville Roots.

This classic mom-and-pop taqueria serves Oaxacan-style favorites full of flavor at irresistible prices. Surrounded by traditional Mexican decor, diners can expect a menu in Spanish, and hefty portions of freshly cooked items served on disposable plates.

An eatery at nonprofit Thistle Farms, The Café employs women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction, and partners with local suppliers for fresh produce. The Café also touts Nashville’s only full afternoon tea service, available by reservation.

The Ridge serves a wide variety of barbecue, burgers, Tex-Mex-inspired appetizers, and more in their counter-serve location in a converted Sylvan Park house. The restaurant also has a food truck offshoot that is often seen around Nashville.

While Nashville has a range of Vietnamese food options, VN Pho & Deli is a standout for its baked goods selection and emphasis on traditional ingredients and preparation. Yet the pho in this plainly decorated, family-owned, cash-only joint is a must-try.