If you’re planning a spontaneous trip or an impromptu date night in Nashville, securing a reservation can be a challenge. While there aren’t many walk-in-only restaurants, we’ve compiled a list of the best options for your next spontaneous dining experience. Here is Nashville Guru’s guide to the top first-come, first-served restaurants that have servers, but don’t take reservations. Additionally, we’ve included a list of restaurants with fantastic bar areas that don’t require any advance booking.
If you’re in a time pinch, we recommend calling ahead to inquire about wait times. Some restaurants provide a “save your spot” waitlist option, either online or by phone.
First-Come, First-Served Restaurants (Walk-Ins Only)
bartaco
- Neighborhood: 12 South | East Nashville
- Cuisine: Tacos and tequila
Black Tap Nashville
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Cuisine: American
Burger Up
- Neighborhood: 12 South
- Cuisine: American fare
Cafe Intermezzo
- Neighborhood: SoBro
- Cuisine: European-inspired coffeehouse and cafe
Dicey’s Tavern
- Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
- Cuisine: Tavern-style pizza
L.A. Jackson
- Neighborhood: Gulch
- Cuisine: American rooftop bar and restaurant
Le Loup
- Neighborhood: Germantown
- Cuisine: Seafood and cocktails
Once Upon A Time in France
- Neighborhood: East Nashville
- Cuisine: French
Otaku Ramen
- Neighborhood: Gulch | Sylvan Park
- Cuisine: Ramen
Superica
- Neighborhood: Gulch
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Pancho & Lefty’s
- Neighborhood: Melrose | Sylvan Park
- Cuisine: Mexican
Thai Esane
- Neighborhood: Demonbreun Hill
- Cuisine: Thai
The Pharmacy
- Neighborhood: East Nashville
- Cuisine: Burgers
The Stillery
The Smiling Elephant
- Neighborhood: 8th Avenue South
- Cuisine: Thai
Von Elrod’s
- Neighborhood: Germantown
- Cuisine: German-inspired food and beer
Xiao Bao
- Neighborhood: East Nashville
- Cuisine: Asian food and wine
Restaurants with Bar Seating that are First-Come, First-Served
While the restaurants listed below take reservations for their main dining rooms, bar seating is first-come, first-served. These spots either offer their full menu or a specialized limited menu for the designated bar area. To gauge how the crowds are, calling ahead is always recommended.
1 Kitchen
- Neighborhood: SoBro
- Cuisine: Fresh, local, and sustainably sourced farm-to-table fare
Adele’s
- Neighborhood: Gulch
- Cuisine: American
Barcelona Wine Bar
- Neighborhood: Edgehill
- Cuisine: Spanish tapas and wine bar
Drusie and Darr
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Cuisine: Contemporary restaurant and bar
Folk
- Neighborhood: East Nashville
- Cuisine: New American and pizza
L27
- Neighborhood: SoBro
- Cuisine: Southern-inspired fare
Marsh House
- Neighborhood: Gulch
- Cuisine: Southern and seafood-centric
O-Ku
- Neighborhood: Germantown
- Cuisine: Japanese and sushi
Saint Anejo
- Neighborhood: Gulch
- Cuisine: Mexican
Sixty Vines
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Cuisine: New American and wine bar
Stateside Kitchen
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Cuisine: New American
The Optimist
- Neighborhood: Germantown
- Cuisine: New American and seafood
Urban Grub
- Neighborhood: 12 South
- Cuisine: Steak and seafood
Also See:
Glaring omission that “Xiao Bao” isn’t on this list.
Eric, thank you for the feedback! Added!