The Stillery sits on 2nd Avenue in Downtown Nashville serving hot chicken mac & cheese that has people dreaming about saucy, flavorful cavatappi with a good crust on top and Nashville hot chicken piled high.
The hot chicken leads orders here with tender pieces served on their own or topping mac & cheese, pizza, salads, and sandwiches in ways that prove this staple deserves versatility.
Brick-fired pizzas and pretzel burgers share a menu celebrating New American comfort food, where live music every night and signature mason jar cocktails create the lively atmosphere Broadway tourists and locals both crave.
Why Brick-Fired Pizza Crust Changes Everything
The kitchen fires pizzas in brick ovens instead of standard conveyor belt setups, creating perfectly crunchy crust on the outside while staying soft and chewy inside.
Hot honey drizzled on pizzas like the Aloha adds sweet heat that balances savory toppings, while the Brussels sprout pizza proves vegetables belong on pies when roasted properly and tossed with hot honey, feta, chive, and lemon.
The multiple Nashville locations including Midtown at 1921 Broadway keep the same quality consistent, with live music setting the tone for delicious food and refreshing beverages in a laid-back atmosphere.
How a 2nd Avenue Spot Became Nashville’s Go-To for Hot Chicken Beyond Sandwiches
The Stillery launched bringing hot chicken beyond just standard sandwich format, where mac & cheese, pizza, and salads all benefit from adding Nashville’s signature spicy fried chicken.
The Downtown location near the Riverfront and John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge built its reputation on brick-fired pizzas and burgers that compete with the hot chicken for menu dominance.
The Instagram presence shows golden hot chicken, bubbling mac & cheese, and live music performances creating energy that separates this from quiet restaurants hiding from Broadway chaos.
Food Highlights
- Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese: Cavatappi pasta in house cheese sauce baked with buttery breadcrumbs topped with Nashville hot chicken creating comfort food with spicy Southern kick. 🧀
- Brick-Fired Pizza: Crust fired perfectly crunchy outside while staying soft and chewy inside with toppings like pepperoni, hot chicken, or Brussels sprouts. 🍕
- Pretzel Burger: Burger on pretzel bun proving bread choice matters as much as patty quality when building memorable sandwiches. 🍔
- Jalapeño Bacon Rangoons: Cream cheese filling with jalapeño and bacon in crispy wonton wrappers creating appetizer people call a must-try. 🥟
- Hot Chicken Sandwich: Nashville hot chicken between bread with heat levels ranging from mild to fire-breathing depending on tolerance. 🌶️
- Pickle Chips: Fried pickles arriving salty, crunchy without a soggy bite making these some of the best in Nashville. 🥒
Atmosphere
The restaurant sits at 113 2nd Avenue North on historic 2nd Avenue where live music every night meets casual trendy vibes perfect for brunch, parties, or dinners with friends.
Outdoor seating welcomes dogs during nice weather, while the warehouse ceiling and wooden floors inside create comfortable dining with moderate noise levels from live performances.
The upstairs bar provides additional seating with views of the stage, while the downtown location near Broadway and Riverfront makes this accessible for tourists exploring Nashville’s entertainment district.
Bottom Line
The Stillery works because they fire pizzas in brick ovens and pile Nashville hot chicken on mac & cheese, creating comfort food with proper technique instead of just slapping spicy chicken on everything.
The hot chicken mac & cheese and brick-fired pizzas with perfectly crunchy-yet-soft crust prove Nashville needed options beyond honky-tonks serving mediocre bar food to drunk tourists.
The live music every night, mason jar cocktails made with Southern whiskeys, and locations in Downtown and Midtown Nashville make this 2nd Avenue spot worth seeking out for food that respects both tradition and innovation. 🌟
Address: The Stillery
113 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
📞 (615) 942-8080
🕐 Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sun: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Also at 1921 Broadway (Midtown) + locations in AZ and CO
Brick-fired pizza | Hot chicken | Live music nightly | Mason jar cocktails | Dogs allowed | Outdoor seating
Website | Instagram | Yelp