Fine Dining Guide Franklin, TN: Upscale Restaurants and Bars
Fine dining in Franklin is more than just a delicious night out. It’s defined by attentive service, carefully prepared dishes, and an atmosphere that elevates the experience. Here, menus often feature prime steaks, fresh seafood, and Southern-inspired plates, paired with curated wine lists and inventive cocktail programs.
From historic restaurants in downtown Franklin to modern steakhouses in Cool Springs, the city offers dining experiences that balance tradition with creativity. Some occupy restored brick buildings that reflect Franklin’s history, while others provide polished hotel dining rooms or contemporary spaces with open kitchens. Combined with thoughtful menus, these restaurants show how Franklin’s fine dining scene is all about quality ingredients, imaginative chefs, and experiences designed to make every evening memorable.
Cork & Cow
Located on Main Street, Cork & Cow has been part of the downtown Franklin dining scene since 2011. The dining room features exposed brick, elegant chandeliers, and walls adorned with stacked wood and vintage butcher cleavers. The bar, framed by glowing pendant lights and an impressive whiskey display, adds energy to the room.
The kitchen is best known for steaks, including filet, New York strip, and a 45-day dry-aged ribeye, all grilled over hickory and oak and served with house potatoes. Enhancements like garlic shrimp, Maine lobster tail, and black truffle butter allow guests to tailor their plates. Seafood and non-beef entrées round out the menu, with options such as grouper with poblano butter, rabbit pot pie, and scallop and shrimp gnocchi with black truffle and broccolini.
Desserts extend the fine dining experience with original updates to classics. Choices include vanilla bean crème brûlée topped with berries, key lime and strawberry paired with churro tuile and sabayon, and vanilla cheesecake with raspberries, blackberries, graham cracker, and honey.
The beverage program balances tradition and creativity, offering more than 100 wines curated to pair with steak and seafood alongside a cocktail list that blends refined classics with signature creations. • 403 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 538-6021 •
Red Pony Restaurant
Situated on Main Street in the heart of the downtown historic district, Red Pony has been a cornerstone of Franklin’s dining culture since 2006. The restaurant offers several defined spaces: a dining room with plum-painted brick and bold artwork, an industrial-inspired bar with high ceilings and polished wood counters, and upstairs rooms accented with chandeliers and dark wood finishes.
The menu showcases Southern flavors interpreted with a fresh approach. Starters include grilled lamb chops with mint chimichurri and pork belly biscuits with green tomato jam, both rich introductions to the meal. Entrées highlight dishes like shrimp and grits prepared with apple bacon and mushrooms, stuffed portobello layered with couscous, chickpeas, chermoula, fig, and zaloouk, or wild boar carnitas paired with jicama slaw.
Desserts emphasize imaginative pairings, with options such as maple crémeux with bourbon, apples, and caramelized white chocolate, or chocolate mousse cake with raspberry and malted Chantilly.
The bar complements the food with a wine list built to match the seasonal flavors and a cocktail program that reimagines familiar drinks with updated twists. This balance of well-crafted dishes and distinctive settings keeps Red Pony among Franklin’s most popular fine dining destinations. • 408 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 595-7669 •
1799 Kitchen & Bar Room
Inside The Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin, 1799 has been serving guests since the hotel opened in 2019, establishing itself as one of the city’s signature dining destinations. Curved booths sit behind wood-slat partitions beneath a sculptural wood ceiling, while tufted banquettes with floor-to-ceiling drapery create semi-private alcoves. A central bar anchors the space, and patio tables with heaters extend the experience outdoors.
The menu features starters like oysters, spring onion tart, and blue crab and shrimp crumpet. Mains range from steaks and bison to lamb and chicken, alongside seafood such as cedar-plank salmon, rainbow trout, and halibut with a hash-brown crust.
Desserts at 1799 include options such as a layered chocolate cake with raspberry, crème brûlée styled as a “mochaccino,” Franklin cheesecake with caramel, and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and coconut. Guests can also enjoy madeleines served with French press coffee, a trio of ice creams and sorbets, or a chocolate affogato.
1799 houses the largest Whiskey Keep in Franklin, with an extensive Whiskey Book featuring Tennessee, Kentucky, and beyond. Cocktails range from The Amendmint with gin, elderflower, and prosecco to the Franklin Fizz with Aperol and orgeat, with zero-proof options as well. Wines by the glass and bottle are available, as well as local beers on draft. • 130 2nd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 786-0840 •
etch Franklin
Located at The Factory at Franklin, etch’s Franklin outpost pairs a light-filled dining room with an open kitchen and chef’s counter. Black table linens, pendant lighting, and greenery against white walls create a crisp look, while a row of seats facing the cooks brings a little theater to dinner. There’s also a lively bar area and more private spaces for groups.
The menu mirrors chef Deb Paquette’s globe-spanning style. Starters include duck tart on puff pastry with orange curd and red-licorice mole and roasted cauliflower over truffled pea purée. The entrée selection features dishes like pan-seared scallops in Thai lemongrass curry with a crispy rice cake, a grilled filet mignon with horseradish whipped potatoes and red-wine gastrique, and the vegetarian “trio de setas” layered with porcini brûlée and confit shiitakes.
Desserts keep the creativity going, with options like a blueberry-pistachio pavlova with lavender cream, or a chocolate mousse bar over a buckwheat brownie.
The bar offers cocktails like a smoked old-fashioned or the “etchspresso” martini, plus an extensive by-the-glass wine list spanning bubbles to bold reds. • 230 Franklin Rd, Suite 1300, Franklin, TN 37064, (629) 966-0012 •
Sperry’s Restaurant
Sperry’s has been a Middle Tennessee institution since 1974, and the Cool Springs location brings that legacy to Franklin with an old-world steakhouse feel. The interior is richly appointed with dark wood paneling, leather chairs, and antique accents that lend the dining rooms a club-like character. Stained glass details and warm lighting add to the sense of tradition, while the carpeted floors and crisp table settings give the space a timeless formality.
The menu focuses on steakhouse classics like ribeye, filet, and New York strip, all served with Sperry’s Famous Salad Bar or a choice of traditional salads. Surf-and-turf pairings and specialties such as rack of lamb, scallops Benedict, and trout amandine round out the offerings, with starters like escargot, shrimp cocktail, and seafood towers setting the tone.
Desserts continue the indulgence with house favorites like sticky toffee pudding with warm toffee sauce, bananas foster flambéed tableside for two, and Sperry’s signature “snowball” sundae. Guests can also enjoy specialty drinks like the Brandy Alexander, Grasshopper, or Café Sperry’s, recipes that have been part of the restaurant’s identity for decades.
The wine list offers a mix of California and Old World producers, complemented by cocktails and after-dinner drinks that pair well with steak and seafood. • 650 Frazier Dr, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 778-9950 •
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille at McEwen Northside in Cool Springs offers a taste of Texas elegance, with high ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and glass-front wine walls that set the stage for an upscale dining experience. The space balances the lively atmosphere of its in-house Bar 79 with the refinement of white-tablecloth dining, making it just as suited for a night out with friends as it is for celebrating milestones.
The menu showcases Perry’s roots as a butcher shop, with hand-carved, USDA Prime steaks and their famous seven-finger-high pork chop, slow-roasted and carved tableside. Starters range from indulgent seafood options such as ahi tuna tartare, pan-seared scallops, and chargrilled Blue Point oysters to Perry’s signature fried asparagus topped with lump crabmeat.
Desserts are just as memorable, from the dramatic flaming bananas foster to the over-the-top chocolate jubilee cake, a towering ten-layer blackout cake served for two. Other favorites include a crème brûlée with fresh berries, rocky road bread pudding with a toasted marshmallow, and Perry’s signature chocolate crunch tower layered with ganache and brittle.
The wine program is a centerpiece here, with a list that includes Perry’s own Reserve labels, alongside selections from vineyards across the globe. Private wine lockers allow regular guests to keep bottles on hand, while the cocktail program offers classics and seasonal specialties. • 5028 Aspen Grove Dr, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 721-7781 •
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Stoney River in Cool Springs combines the feel of a classic lodge with an upscale steakhouse. The interior is rich with wood, stone, and leather accents warmed by soft lighting, creating an inviting spot for both relaxed dinners and special occasions.
Starters include favorites like deviled eggs, steak egg rolls, and whiskey shrimp, along with soups and salads. From there, the menu highlights premium steaks such as the coffee-cured filet, cowboy ribeye, and slow-roasted prime rib, plus entrées like cedar plank salmon, Hong Kong sea bass, and shrimp and grits.
Desserts offer comforting classics such as carrot cake and chocolate ganache cake, and the restaurant also features a weekend brunch, adding another layer to its appeal.
The wine list is broad, covering California cabernets, Oregon pinot noirs, French Bordeaux, and Champagne, alongside by-the-glass selections. Cocktails and a thoughtful list of accompaniments for steaks, like Oscar style with lump crab and asparagus, complete the experience. • 1726 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 778-0230 •
January at Southall Farm and Inn
Located inside Southall Farm & Inn, January offers a stylish dining room with clean lines, soft lighting, and expansive windows that open the space to views of the surrounding farm. The setting is elegant and comfortable, designed for meals that unfold at a leisurely pace.
The menu changes with the harvest, showcasing seasonal ingredients grown on-site. Dishes may include wood-grilled oysters “chowder style,” Kaluga hybrid caviar with Johnny cake, Joyce Farms duck with mole and blue corn grits, or dry-aged steak with au poivre and Béarnaise. Parker House rolls served with Southall honey butter are a staple, and guests can expect unexpected pairings such as short rib with green curry and lime or gnocchi parisienne with spring peas and parmesan.
Desserts at January highlight the farm’s orchards, hives, and gardens, often fruit-forward, honey-sweetened, and seasonal.
Wines are selected to complement the evolving menu, with offerings available by the glass and by the bottle. The list spans both familiar and distinctive labels, chosen to pair well with the restaurant’s seasonal dishes. Cocktails showcase herbs, botanicals, and preserves from the farm, resulting in an experience that changes with the season. • 2200 Osage Lp, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 282-2000 •
Culamar Seafood Restaurant and Rooftop Bar
Culamar brings a modern Italian sensibility to downtown Franklin with a menu that emphasizes seafood and housemade artisan pastas. The restaurant’s interiors balance sleek lines and warmth, with high ceilings, wood floors, and globe lighting. A rooftop space extends the experience with a raw bar and seasonal small plates.
Dinner here begins with antipasti such as steamed mussels in San Marzano tomato and chili, beef carpaccio layered with porcini crema and truffle oil, or stracciatella paired with apple and prosciutto. The raw bar offers East and West Coast oysters, hamachi crudo, octopus carpaccio, and chilled platters of lobster, crab claws, and shrimp. Pastas are made in-house, and entrées highlight both sea and land.
Desserts carry an Italian influence, from pan di Spagna layered with espresso buttercream and raspberry compote to crema catalana with citrus and biscotti. A shareable s’mores board adds a playful finish. After-dinner drink options include Lavazza coffee, housemade limoncello, and dessert wines.
The bar program reimagines classics with cocktails such as the Amalfi Old Fashioned with Tennessee whiskey and pear cognac, the rye-based Rye-Tai with pineapple, and the White Lotus built on gin and citrus. The wine list leans heavily on Italian selections but also highlights bottles from global producers. • 99 E Main St # 190, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 905-4966 •
The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Franklin, TN
Franklin’s fine dining scene offers something for every occasion, from classic steakhouses to chef-driven kitchens and modern hotel dining rooms. Each blends quality ingredients, attentive service, and distinctive settings. Whether you’re planning a celebration, a business dinner, or simply a special night out, these restaurants invite you to experience the best of dining in Franklin.
Where to Eat Next in Franklin and Nashville
If you’re exploring more of the local dining scene, there are a range of options beyond fine dining. For a casual day out, check our guide to Outdoor Dining at The Factory at Franklin: Where to Eat Al Fresco, which highlights spots perfect for fresh-air meals. If convenience is your priority, Ready-Made Meals in Franklin: Where to Find Meal Prep and Prepared Dinners offers ideas for busy weeknights. Professionals can look to 25 Great Restaurants for a Business Lunch in Franklin and Brentwood, TN, while neighborhood flavor is the focus of Franklin’s Foodie Neighborhoods: Where to Eat by Area. For weekend plans, don’t miss Brunch in Franklin and Brentwood, TN: Best Spots for Every Occasion, or dive into Dining Out: Where To Enjoy the Best Sushi in Franklin, Tennessee.
Heading into Nashville? We’ve got you covered there, too. Explore morning staples with Brunch in Nashville, Tennessee: Neighborhood Favorites or discover smoky classics in Best Barbecue in Nashville: A Guide to the Top Neighborhood Spots.
