Finding the best restaurant in Nashville means discovering The Stillery, where brick-fired pizzas meet live music just steps from Broadway’s chaos.
This downtown location at 113 2nd Avenue North earned a 4.4-star rating on Yelp with over 3,800 reviews, serving New American cuisine with Southern flair.
The Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese became legendary with 1,280 reviews, combining cavatappi pasta in house cheese sauce topped with Nashville’s signature spicy chicken.
The Stillery operates six locations across Tennessee, Arizona, and Colorado, proving live music, craft cocktails, and comfort food resonate nationwide.
What Makes The Stillery the Best Restaurant in Nashville
The secret to earning the title of best restaurant in Nashville lies in combining brick-fired pizzas with live music in a relaxed space that avoids tourist trap vibes.
The location around the corner from Broadway provides perfect proximity without chaos, making it ideal for pre-show dining before Ryman Auditorium events.
At reasonable prices with $13 hot chicken plates and pizzas perfect for two, The Stillery delivers quality without premium downtown markup.
Large windows filling the building with sunlight create airy atmosphere contrasting with dark Broadway bars.
Mason jar cocktails made with top Southern whiskeys and shines provide Instagram-worthy drinks that taste as good as they photograph.
The upstairs area features live music nightly, allowing groups to hang out after eating until event doors open nearby.
Signature Dishes That Stand Out
The Hot Chicken with 1,280 Yelp reviews represents Nashville’s signature dish executed at spice levels from mild to face-melting hot.
The Mac N’ Cheese Topped with Hot Chicken combines comfort food with Nashville tradition, earning 402 reviews for creamy richness.
The Jalapeño Bacon Rangoons showcase creative appetizers that one Florence reviewer always orders for the table.
The pizza crust earns praise as some of the best reviewers have tasted, perfectly crunchy outside while soft and chewy inside.
The Aloha pizza arrives with incredible hot honey sauce transforming Hawaiian pizza into something special.
These creative combinations prove The Stillery innovates within comfort food traditions rather than serving generic bar fare.
The Best Restaurant in Nashville Story
The Stillery launched with a vision to combine fresh food, signature cocktails, and live music into one cohesive experience.
The name plays on “distillery” with actual stills displayed, emphasizing Southern whiskey and shine focus for mason jar cocktails.
The founders recognized opportunities to create gathering spaces where good vibes, delicious food, and entertainment converge naturally.
Building Multi-State Presence
The downtown Nashville location at 113 2nd Avenue North became the flagship, establishing reputation for quality food just off Broadway.
The Midtown Nashville location at 1921 Broadway expanded reach across the city, serving different neighborhoods with the same concept.
Success in Nashville led to Arizona expansion with Happy Valley, Goodyear, and Chandler locations bringing the concept west.
The Westminster, Colorado location proves The Stillery’s appeal transcends Nashville tourism, working in markets without Music City’s built-in infrastructure.
Each location maintains commitment to brick-fired pizzas, handcrafted burgers, regional craft beers, and live music.
The Instagram showcases colorful mason jar cocktails, golden pizzas, and lively atmosphere.
Why Regulars Keep Returning
One Florence reviewer declared The Stillery their #1 choice anytime eating downtown after discovering it pressed for time before a Ryman show.
The consistency means customers know what to expect: high-quality food, friendly service, and fun atmosphere.
The ability to sit and be served while Broadway becomes increasingly chaotic makes The Stillery an oasis.
Tables close to large front windows provide entertainment through tourist-watching without participating in the madness outside.
The lack of live music during lunch weekdays allows business conversations and work catch-up before hitting bars later.
Corporate event space and customizable menus make The Stillery suitable for celebrations beyond casual dining.
Nashville’s Favorite Best Restaurant in Nashville Menu Items
Food Highlights
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- Hot Chicken: Nashville’s signature dish arrives at spice levels from mild buffalo to face-melting Nashville hot. With 1,280 Yelp reviews, this represents the most popular item. One Chesterfield Elite reviewer thought they could handle spicy food until trying Nashville hot chicken fingers, barely finishing because of heat. The mild buffalo provides flavor without overwhelming. At $13, the price remains reasonable for quality hot chicken on Broadway. 🔥
- Mac N’ Cheese Topped with Hot Chicken: Cavatappi pasta gets smothered in house cheese sauce, baked with buttery breadcrumbs, then crowned with hot chicken. With 402 reviews, this fusion creates a signature dish. The very creamy, very rich preparation works best as shared side according to reviewers. At $13, this substantial portion satisfies hearty appetites. World famous status comes from perfect marriage of two Southern classics. 🧀
- Jalapeño Bacon Rangoons: Creative appetizers with 80 reviews earn consistent praise as must-orders. One Florence reviewer always gets these for the table before events. The combination of jalapeño heat, bacon smokiness, and creamy filling creates addictive bites. One Lakewood Elite reviewer called these “off the chain” and a MUST try. At $8, these provide shareable starter that disappears quickly. 🌶️
- Brick-Fired Pizza: The crust earns recognition as some of the best reviewers have tasted, perfectly crunchy outside while soft and chewy inside. One Omaha Elite reviewer declared this a top five pizza place of all time. The Aloha pizza arrives with incredible hot honey sauce transforming Hawaiian pizza. Pizzas size perfectly for two people. The brick-fired preparation creates char and texture impossible with standard ovens. 🍕
- MC Burger: Oversized English muffin replaces standard bun for stellar touch according to one Nashville Elite reviewer. At $13, this creative burger variation stands out from typical Broadway offerings. The English muffin provides different texture and flavor profile. With 64 reviews, enough customers order this regularly. Food arrives super fast despite made-to-order preparation. 🍔
- Pretzel Burger: At $13 with 97 reviews, this burger uses pretzel bun for salty-savory combination. The pretzel provides sturdy foundation holding up to juicy patties. Good for those wanting something different from standard burger buns. 🥨
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Sides and Drinks
- Crispy Brussels: Brussels sprouts tossed in hot honey, topped with feta, chive, and lemon create tangy, sweet-savory finish. One Florence reviewer always orders these alongside jalapeño rangoons. The hot honey provides sweetness balancing earthy brussels. 🥬
- Pretzel Bites: Semi-soft pretzel bites served warm with creamy house queso create perfect pairing. At $8, these offer shareable option for groups. The house-made queso elevates beyond standard cheese sauce. 🥨
- Mason Jar Cocktails: Signature drinks made with top Southern whiskeys arrive in photogenic mason jars. The Southern Peach and Blueberry Smash earn recognition as favorites. The Blueberry Crush features chunks of blueberry creating refreshing sweetness. 🍹
Atmosphere
The restaurant occupies downtown at 113 2nd Avenue North, just around the corner from Broadway’s chaos.
Inside, large windows fill the space with natural sunlight, creating airy atmosphere unlike dark Broadway bars.
The upstairs area features live music nightly, providing entertainment without overwhelming downstairs diners.
Tables near front windows provide endless entertainment watching tourists without participating in the madness.
The laid-back atmosphere welcomes everyone from business travelers eating solo to bachelorette parties celebrating.
Service receives consistent praise for friendliness despite high volume.
Bottom Line
Visit The Stillery for the best restaurant in Nashville featuring brick-fired pizzas with perfectly crunchy-yet-chewy crust, world-famous hot chicken mac and cheese, mason jar cocktails made with top Southern whiskeys, and live music creating perfect pre-show atmosphere just steps from Broadway.
Six locations across three states prove consistent quality keeps customers making this their #1 downtown choice. 🌟
Address: The Stillery Nashville
Downtown: 113 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 📞 (615) 942-8080
Midtown: 1921 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 📞 (615) 760-5158
🕔 Mon-Thu & Sun: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM