Entertainment & Experiences in Franklin That Serve Great Food
BAMFoods Dinner in the Creek
When people think about dining in Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee, they often picture Main Street restaurants, polished dining rooms, and chef-forward menus. What doesn’t always come to mind is how much good food exists in places built for entirely different purposes, like bowling alleys, farms, markets, theaters, and entertainment venues where food may not necessarily be the main draw.
That is exactly where some of the area’s most satisfying food experiences can be found. In these settings, food is not treated as an afterthought. It plays a supporting role that enhances the overall experience.
Below are some of the best places to find great food in spaces built around entertainment and experiences across Franklin and Williamson County.
The Southern Tea Room at Fork of the South
Located inside The Factory at Franklin, Fork of the South is best described as a Southern-inspired general store and gathering space. The experience blends retail, food, and places to linger, all set within the Factory’s historic industrial walls.
At the center of Fork of the South is The Southern Tea Room, an elegant space styled with vintage touches like mismatched china, classic teacups, and soft, Southern décor. The tea service follows a traditional three-tier format, beginning with baked items like scones or biscuits, served with seasonal jams, curds, or whipped butters. Savory bites come next, often in the form of tea sandwiches or small plates featuring familiar Southern fillings such as pimento cheese, chicken salad, or egg salad. The final tier focuses on petite desserts inspired by Southern classics.
Beyond the Tea Room, Fork of the South also includes a dessert counter known as The Sugar Factory, where guests can find milkshakes, ice cream, and sundaes. Together, the mix of tea service and desserts makes Fork of the South a food destination that is one of a kind.
• 230 Franklin Rd #8D, Franklin, TN 37064 •
The full story of this multi-layered space is shared in Fork of the South: Much More Than a General Store in Franklin, TN.
Joyland Food Truck at Southall Farm & Inn
Seeing a fast-food-style burger truck parked on a working farm outside Franklin immediately feels unexpected. At Southall Farm & Inn, that contrast is intentional.
Joyland, created by Nashville chef Sean Brock, focuses on burgers, fries, and milkshakes done well. At Southall, the truck sits near greenhouses and outdoor gathering areas, welcoming resort guests and visitors alike.
The appeal comes from the juxtaposition. Comfort food served in a refined rural setting offers a casual entry point into Southall’s broader food culture. It’s memorable precisely because it defies expectations.
• 2200 Osage Lp, Franklin, TN 37064 •
Learn more about the setting that makes this contrast work so well in Southall Farm & Inn: A Tranquil Escape in Franklin, Tennessee.
The Franklin Theatre
It’s no surprise that theater-goers can enjoy fresh popcorn, classic candy, and even pizza while attending a show at The Franklin Theatre. What’s less widely known, and quietly beloved by regulars, is the theatre’s own Showtime Premium Chocolate Bar.
Available exclusively at The Franklin Theatre, the Showtime Bar has been part of the experience since 2012. Made with dark chocolate, crushed almonds, caramel, and a touch of sea salt, it’s designed to be enjoyed during a performance, elevating the usual concessions lineup with something more distinctive.
The bar is produced locally in partnership with Schakolad Chocolate Factory, and the recipe went through multiple iterations before landing on the version sold today.
While it may not be the main reason people come to the Franklin Theatre, the Showtime Premium Chocolate Bar has become a small but memorable part of the evening, proving that even in a historic performance venue, food can play a supporting role worth noticing.
- 419 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 •
Dive into the history of this iconic venue and learn how you can help preserve its legacy in The Franklin Theater Honors the Past While Embracing the Future.
Arrington Vineyards
Set on rolling hills just outside Franklin, Arrington Vineyards is best known for its wine, scenic views, and live music that draws crowds throughout the warmer months. While the vineyard is not a traditional dining destination, food plays a meaningful role in the overall experience. In addition to a selection of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and snacks available for purchase on site, guests can enjoy freshly prepared food from Simply Living Life on weekends from April through November.
Visitors can pre-order picnic baskets in advance or purchase food on site near the Pavilion and Barn. Menus range from full picnic meals to lighter sampler options, along with freshly-made items like charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and grilled pimento cheese. The food offerings provide more substance than light snacking and pair well with a glass of wine and a spot on the lawn.
- 6211 Patton Rd, Arrington, TN 37014 •
Discover what else makes Arrington worth a visit in Arrington Vineyards in Franklin, Tennessee: A Must-Visit Destination
BAMFoods Dinner IN the Creek
A full-service catering company offering well-executed food isn’t unexpected. Serving that food at tables set directly in a creek is where the surprise begins. Dinner IN the Creek, hosted by BAMFoods, takes place just outside Leiper’s Fork and turns the natural landscape into the dining room.
Throughout the year, guests gather for this immersive outdoor experience, where tables are placed in the shallow creek, and meals unfold with water flowing around diners’ feet. The setting allows the surroundings to play as much of a role as the food itself.
Each Dinner IN the Creek event features a four-course menu crafted specifically for that evening. Menus change from dinner to dinner and are kept under wraps until guests arrive, adding an element of anticipation. Past menus have included dishes like deviled egg toast, charred tomatoes paired with stone fruit, hand-pulled mozzarella with basil, Carolina catfish, slow-roasted beef with tarragon white sauce, and cast-iron crepes to finish the meal.
What makes Dinner IN the Creek stand out isn’t just the food or the setting, but how the two work together. It’s a dining experience built around place, season, and surprise.
• 5830 Leipers Creek Rd, Columbia, TN 38401 •
Nearby attractions and experiences are highlighted in Visit Leiper’s Fork, TN: Top 10 Must-See Attractions and Activities.
FirstBank Amphitheater
Built inside a former limestone quarry, FirstBank Amphitheater already stands apart from typical music venues in both layout and setting. The open-air design and quarry walls create a dramatic backdrop for concerts, but what many guests don’t anticipate is how much attention is given to the food.
On-site offerings go well beyond standard concert fare. Guests will find house-smoked artisan barbecue, restaurant-quality pizza made from scratch with all-natural ingredients, smoked gouda burgers, parmesan truffle fries, and desserts like bourbon banana pudding. The menu also includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Food at FirstBank Amphitheater isn’t treated as a quick necessity between sets. Instead, it’s integrated into the overall experience, encouraging guests to arrive early, explore the grounds, and make a night of it. Paired with the quarry setting, the food contributes to an evening that feels special from start to finish.
• 4525 Graystone Quarry Ln, Franklin, TN 37064 •
Details on the venue, concert experience, and planning a visit are covered in FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee: Your Ultimate Concert Destination.
King’s Dining & Entertainment
At King’s Dining & Entertainment, nearly everyone walks into this family-friendly space thinking about bowling lanes, arcade games, or group outings. Very few arrive expecting to sit down and enjoy a full meal.
That’s what makes King’s one such a standout on this list. While the menu includes familiar crowd-pleasers like burgers, pizzas, and wings, it also stretches well beyond what most people associate with bowling alley food. Shareables lean global and creative, with items like buffalo chicken wontons, Southwestern chicken spring rolls, crispy pork dumplings with ginger soy dipping sauce, and Thai curry chicken bao filled with coconut, cilantro, and Thai chili. Even vegetables get thoughtful treatment, with fried Brussels sprouts finished with bacon, honey sriracha, and sea salt.
What really sets King’s apart is how seamlessly the food fits into an entertainment-first environment. Many guests come for the games and leave talking about the meal, which is the clearest indicator that the kitchen is doing something right.
• 1910 Galleria Blvd, Suite 120, Franklin, TN 37067 •
To explore more places where games and entertainment set the tone, see Retro Fun in Franklin & Williamson County, TN: Bowling, Roller Skating, Mini Golf, and Arcades.
Bonus: PopStroke Nashville
While not located in Franklin or Williamson County, PopStroke Nashville in Antioch earns a bonus mention for being new, nearby, and notably better than expected when it comes to food. Backed by Tiger Woods, PopStroke pairs indoor and outdoor putting courses with a full-service restaurant and bar, something many visitors don’t anticipate when they arrive for mini golf.
The menu goes well beyond typical activity-venue fare. Alongside burgers and wings, there are more unexpected offerings like ahi tuna nachos, Reuben eggrolls, and Korean steak tacos, as well as globally inspired options such as Mediterranean chicken sliders and blackened mahi tacos. Even the shareables show range, from hummus with pita to Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze and goat cheese.
For heartier meals, the kitchen turns out items like a double smash burger with bacon jam, miso-glazed salmon, and grilled citrus chicken, making it easy to linger well after the final putt. A full slate of sides, salads, and a kids’ menu round out the experience.
PopStroke is a strong example of how entertainment-driven venues across Middle Tennessee are taking their food programs more seriously, even outside traditional restaurant settings.
• 4221 Century Farms Ter, Antioch, TN 37013 •
More details on the opening and what to expect can be found in PopStroke Nashville Opens December 28 with Indoor & Outdoor Mini Golf Near Franklin, TN.
Why These Places Are Worth Seeking Out
What makes these spots memorable isn’t just the food; it’s the way the food fits into places people already visit for entertainment and experiences. A night of bowling turns into dinner, a show includes a locally made chocolate bar, or a vineyard visit includes a gourmet spread. In Franklin and Williamson County, these locations show that some of the most interesting food experiences happen outside the usual dining list and are shaped as much by the setting as what’s on the plate.
