In Tennessee, food and music are more than just attractions; they are vital elements of the state’s cultural identity. Though they appeal to different senses – taste and hearing – their connection is profound and multifaceted. Both culinary and musical creations often reach their peak in an atmosphere of creative collaboration, whether it be chefs who are harmonizing in a bustling kitchen or songwriters working together to craft lyrics and melodies. The collective memories and experiences of these creators are essential ingredients in both menus and music,often leading to direct and delightful crossovers between the two.
Indeed, one could curate an entire Tennessee road trip playlist from songs across various genres that pay homage to the state’s iconic foods and drinks. Country legends George Jones and Chris Stapleton both famously crooned about “Tennessee Whiskey,” while Zac Brown declared his love for “Chicken Fried.” The Stanley Brothers, in their ode to “good old Mountain Dew,” shared some of the secrets of Appalachian moonshine. Even without a single lyric, Memphis soul pioneers Booker T. & the M.G.’s made America swoon with the funky instrumental “Green Onions” in 1962. Guy Clark perfectly captured the quintessential Tennessee summer pleasure in “Homegrown Tomatoes,” and Kacey Musgraves offered timeless wisdom: “Mind your own biscuits, and life will be gravy.” There’s an old adage, only half in jest, that “all chefs want to be rock stars, and all rock stars want to be chefs.” While her tunes usually lean more country than rock ’n’ roll, Trisha Yearwood embodied this crossover with her decade-long cooking show on Food Network. Just as food can spark something special in a songwriter’s imagination, music is an indispensable part of the creative process in many kitchens.
Forward-Thinking Restaurants
Bastion - Nashville
Consider Nashville’s One MICHELIN Star restaurant, Bastion. Here, it’s a common sight to see a chef momentarily step away from their station to flip through a stack of vinyl, selecting the next record for the turntable. This ritual serves two key purposes. Firstly, in Bastion’s open kitchen, the soundtrack shapes the atmosphere for both the culinary team and the diners, fostering a shared and memorable experience. Secondly, and perhaps more surprisingly, scientific studies suggest that sound can genuinely impact our perception of taste. Sometimes dubbed “sonic seasoning,” this phenomenon indicates that higher-pitched sounds might enhance the sweetness of a dish, while lower tones can often accentuate bitter or savory notes.
Forward-thinking restaurants now meticulously consider their musical selections as a crucial element of the overall ambiance, giving it the same level of attention as lighting and decor. Chefs plate their dishes with the maxim “you eat with your eyes first” in mind, crafting elegant presentations. But whether it’s a smooth soul ensemble setting the tone in a fine-dining establishment or a Memphis blues-inspired trio energizing your favorite barbecue joint, it’s clear that in Tennessee, you eat with your ears, too.
Music and food are natural dance partners, and an evening of delicious entertainment awaits you at these venues across the state:
- Shelbyville’s Nearest Green Distillery holds the distinction of being “The World’s Longest Bar,” so plenty of folks can enjoy the food, drinks, music and even special events like their Gospel Brunch.
- For soulful music and food in Lexington, Main & Monroe is the place to be on weekend nights.
- Known for barbecue and burgers, Jim Oliver’s Smoke House in Monteagle brings in talent from Nashville and surrounding areas on certain days to perform on its patio.
- Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis serves up pizzas from a woodfired oven and an eclectic lineup of musical acts on its large stage.
- Drifters in East Nashville offers excellent smoked meats and live music almost every night.
Travel like a Sommelier
Wineries
Tennessee is full of wineries that suit every palate. While you’re here, be sure to check out:
- Arrington Vineyards (Arrington)
- Natchez Hills Vineyard and Winery (Hampshire)
- Beachaven Vineyards and Winery (Clarksville)
- Tsali Notch Vineyard (Madisonville)
- Century Farm Winery (Jackson)
- Highland Manor Winery (Jamestown)
- White Squirrel Winery (Kenton)
- The Winery at Seven Springs Farm (Maynardville)
Or, experience a little bit of it all with a trek along the Tennessee Wine Trail.
Budget-Friendly Restaurants
Low-Cost Meals in Tennessee
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Photo Credit: Hagy's Catfish Hotel Restaurant / Antony Boshier
Finding tasty, budget-friendly food in Tennessee is easy. Robert’s Western World in Nashville, a top lower Broadway honky-tonk, offers the “Recession Special” – a fried bologna sandwich, chips, a MoonPie and a beer for just $6. Since 1948, Dixie Freeze in South Pittsburg has served classic American fare like burgers, hot dogs and soft serve at throwback prices. Similarly, Hagy’s Catfish Hotel in Shiloh provides a whole fried fish with sides for under $20. Pat’s Cafe in Selmer is famous for its Slugburger, which was created during the Great Depression to make food go further.
Rural Restaurants in Tennessee
Back Road Local Restaurants
For a change of pace, get off the interstate and take the back roads to experience these small-town foodie adventures. You (and your taste buds) won’t regret it.
- Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Que – Mason: Serving legendary barbecue (and homemade pies) for more than a century, plus it’s just down the road from the original Gus’s Fried Chicken.
- Judith Tavern – Sewanee: Features seasonal fare from a James Beard-nominated chef on the edge of the little college town that’s home to The University of the South.
- Peaceful Side Social – Townsend: Offers craft beers, elevated pub grub and delicious ice cream in the heart of what’s known as “the peaceful side of the Smokies.”
Restaurants with Social Media Buzz
Tennessee Restaurants Gone Viral
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Plenty of the state’s restaurants have become social media sensations, and rightfully so. The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge was named “The Most Viral Restaurant in Tennessee,” but the huge pancakes at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp nearby in Gatlinburg generate plenty of TikTok buzz of their own. Over on YouTube, a video of two British visitors (@JOLLY) joyously experiencing Memphis barbecue ribs for the first time at The Bar-B-Que Shop racked up millions of views.
Tennessee Food Festivals
Iconic Food Festivals
The Volunteer State brims with food festivals to enjoy year-round.
- April: National Cornbread Festival (South Pittsburg), World’s Biggest Fish Fry (Paris)
- May: Strawberry festivals (Dayton, Humboldt and Portland)
- July and August: Tomato festivals (Ripley, Rutledge and Nashville)
- October: National Banana Pudding Festival (Centerville)
Historic Restaurants in Tennessee
Restaurants with History
Sometimes, a restaurant’s history is as compelling as its menu. In Memphis, Catherine & Mary’s sits in the former WHBQ radio station, the first to broadcast Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right.” High Point Restaurant in Monteagle is rumored to have been an Al Capone hideout, strategically located on the Dixie Highway between the mobster’s homes in Miami and Chicago, with its jutting stonework designed for quick escapes. Swaney Swift’s On The Square in Gallatin was once a 1950s soda shop and pharmacy, but you can still enjoy the old-school vibes, plus burgers, malts and shakes.
Photo-Worthy Tennessee Food
Instagrammable Restaurants
Photo Credit: Anakeesta
As social media foodie influencers say, “the camera eats first,” and Tennessee is full of photo-worthy eateries, from the food to the surrounding scenery. For stunning views, dine at Cliff Top Restaurant at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg or Top of the Rock Restaurant and Brewery in Jasper. The milkshakes at The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar in Martin are a true treat, decked out with fudge, cookie crumbs and icing. In Clarksville, tea time at The Tea House, serving tea, coffee, and homemade meals with fresh and local ingredients.
