Are you ready for some new tasty and fun places to dine and drink this year? From upscale dining to “beercading” to fast-casual, we’ve narrowed down the list to 10 spots that should be on your radar. These are the 10 most anticipated restaurants and bars opening in Nashville in 2016 (so far).
10 MOST ANTICIPATED RESTAURANTS & BARS OPENING IN 2016
01. The Hook
The Hook will serve fast-casual food with a focus on chicken, seafood, classic sandwiches and salads. This neighborhood joint will have a nice selection of local craft beers, cocktails and frozen drinks, too. The Hook is expected to open very soon in the Melrose neighborhood.
02. Old Glory
Old Glory is a craft cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. It’s tucked away in the main Edgehill Village building. This project has been fairly quiet, but they began hiring in early December so expect to be sippin’ cocktails in early 2016.
03. Vui’s Kitchen
The founders of Juice Bar, John and Vui Hunt, are opening this “fresh Vietnamese” restaurant in Berry Hill in the former location of Curious Heart Emporium. Vui’s Kitchen is just steps from their Juice Bar Berry Hill location. Construction is underway with hopes to open in the first couple months of 2016.
04. Clyde’s on Church
This may be one of the top new places in Nashville for playing games while drinking and eating. Clyde’s on Church will have games like ping pong and cornhole to keep you entertained before and after you enjoy sandwiches and frozen cocktails. This restaurant and game destination will be open in February 2016 in Midtown.
05. Little Donkey
Little Donkey has two other locations in Alabama and West Virginia, and we’re glad they chose Nashville as their third destination. They’ll be serving Mexican cuisine made from scratch. They even grind the corn that ends up in the tortilla. Little Donkey is under construction in Germantown next to the new Juice Bar, and should be open by mid-2016.
06. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
If you’ve been to Cincinnati or Louisville, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Their award-winning steaks and fine-dining experience will soon be available in Downtown Nashville. Jeff Ruby’s will open on April 19, 2016.
07. Headquarters Beercade
Chicago-based Headquarters Beercade is bringing a vintage concept to SoBro in early 2016. Get your game face on. They’ll have dozens of arcades and pinball to keep the fun alive while you booze.
08. Etc
Chef Deb Paquette of Etch will open her next project called Etc in Green Hills. If you like Etch’s cuisine, you’ll feel right at home at Etc. Etc is expected to open by late spring or early summer 2016.
09. Mangia
Mangia is an authentic New York family-style Italian restaurant known for tasty five-course dinners. They’ve been in business for five years in Franklin, but only at a temporary space. Their permanent Nashville location in the Melrose neighborhood is expected to open February 2016.
10. Geist
Restauranteur Miranda Whitcomb Pontes is bringing new life to the old Geist building in Germantown. The Geist restaurant is expected to have an upscale atmosphere with a thoughtful outdoor dining area. Geist is slated to open by spring or early summer 2016. To top things off, she’s opening a new restaurant called Lulu next door, which should also be on your list of of places to try in 2016.
The future location of Geist
Did we leave off your most anticipated restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!