DEK of Hearts' Favorite Tennessee Stops

Fun fact: Kollin got to meet and have dinner with the legendary Ricky Skaggs at Opry Backstage Grill. You never know who you may see dining at the southern restaurant known for its food that celebrates Tennessee, plus live music. Enjoy favorites like Trace Adkins’ Just Fishin’ fried catfish, smothered pork chops, barbecue and meatloaf. Local brews and cocktails featuring Tennessee spirits are so good, you’ll want to stay awhile.

The bold, delicious and authentic flavors of the street food served at Hawkers Asian Street Food makes this restaurant a favorite date night spot for Emily and her husband. You’ll fall in love, too, with the pork belly baos, chicken dumplings, spiced lamb street skewers, chili garlic edamame and the spicy kimchi. Noodle dishes, Bibimbap and curry dishes will have you craving for more after your first bite.

Sink your teeth into the craft burgers, handspun shakes and handmade phosphates at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden. This burger hotspot is where Emily loved to frequent when she first came to Nashville and still loves to frequent when she’s in town. Go wild with the White Oak BBQ Burger featuring house-made Coca-Cola BBQ sauce, provolone, local bacon from Gifford’s, crispy onion straws and pickles. Or, enjoy the Black Bean Burger made with a black bean patty, Pico de Gallo, guacamole, vegan mayo and lettuce. Whatever you order, Emily recommends the sweet potato fries and one of the homemade phosphates to round out your meal.

Dylan’s favorite bar is Pinewood Social. He used to work there and served famous musicians in downtown Nashville all the time. Pinewood Social is a great local hangout for exceptional food, bowling, yard games on the patio and more. Get breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, plus brunch Friday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy craft cocktails, dishes like the Chipotle Avocado salad, grain bowls, green chili brisket, or the fried chicken plate.

DEK of Hearts’ favorite way to start the day is with a cup of local coffee from Dose. Grab and go a latte, matcha or hot tea before starting your Nashville adventures for the day, or cozy up in the light-filled café that is also a full-service restaurant. When you’re hungry, dig in to the street corn quinoa salad, breakfast burrito, breakfast poutine, rosemary biscuit sandwich or the veggie bagel stacked with cucumber, avocado, arugula, tomato, sprouts and tzatziki or hummus.

From internationally acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, enjoy an elevated night of dining at Drusie & Darr in Nashville’s iconic Hermitage Hotel. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring you’ll get a unique experience every time. Kollin has tried some great dishes there including grilled cheese with egg yolk and the “best lava cake” he’s ever had. Drusie and Darr is a “once-in-a-lifetime culinary opportunity” you need to experience when in the city.

When the craving of a fourth meal hits, DEK of Hearts frequents the hidden gem Tacos Lopez that serves authentic Mexican cuisine including mouthwatering tacos. Satisfy your cravings with pollo asada al carbon, tostada, fajitas and tacos stuffed with meats from spicy pork, chicken and Mexican sausage. Bonus, you don’t even have to leave your car, thanks to the hospitable, fast service the staff provides by taking orders directly at your car.

House of Cards is a unique dining experience that blends enchanting dishes with live magic performed by some of the nation’s leading magicians. The restaurant would get DEK of Hearts’ nomination as an official state culinary experience, one you don’t want to miss. “It was seriously some of the coolest things we’ve seen at House of Cards,” said Emily. “It was one of those things where we said ‘We have to do this once a year.’ Some of the best food we’ve ever eaten in our whole lives and the shows are so cool like up-close magic. The drinks are great and the big magic show you can see at the end. The people are just so kind there and treat you so well.” One of her favorite dishes is the elk tenderloin, marinated in coconut milk, expertly seared and served over purple potato puree and garnished with chimichurri and crisp fried leeks.

DEK of Hearts’ new, soon-to-be-released single, “Something in the Well” brings to Kollin’s mind’s eye Monell’s in Nashville. “The song talks about homemade biscuits, bacon on the table and you praise the Lord. I see the setting at Monell’s where you’re sitting around the table, you got good Southern food and people are just passing the plate. It’s some of the best food. It’s Southern. It’s country.” Pile your plate high with food that’ll fill you up and warm your soul. Fried chicken, smothered pork chops, cheese grits and biscuits and gravy are waiting for you.

DEK of Hearts raves about Café Rakka, the family-owned, Mediterranean restaurant that is frequented by songwriters, famous music artists and was featured in Guy Fieri’s hit TV show, “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” Everything is made fresh daily. The hummus, yogurt and cheeses are prepared from scratch, using recipes that date back to the ‘Fertile Crescent,’ known as the cradle of civilization. Savor baba ghanoush, shish tawook (chicken kabobs), mediterranean salads, tikka masala, lamb korma and the beef shawarma on the sajj Rice Bowl featuring turmeric rice, pickled turnips and onions, fresh herbs and pita bread on top.

DEK of Hearts performed as 2025 Tennessee Songwriters Week finalists at The Bluebird Cafe. The iconic music venue with its intimate, living room-style stage is beloved by the trio. They love how classic and authentically Nashville it is. “They haven’t changed a thing since they opened!” raved Kollin, Emily and Dylan. Catch a songwriters in-the-round session or an open mic night at the 90-seat venue for a perfect Nashville night.