The first half of the year has brought an impressive lineup of new restaurants to Franklin and Brentwood. From neighborhood coffee shops and bakeries to chef-driven eateries and lively dinner destinations, Williamson County’s dining scene continues to grow. Whether you’re planning breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks, there are plenty of new places to add to your list this summer.
Beat the heat by exploring the area’s latest culinary openings. New restaurants across Franklin and Brentwood are serving everything from handcrafted pizza and authentic Mexican food to Italian favorites, gourmet coffee and elevated pub fare. Don’t forget dessert, either. New bakeries, ice cream shops, and sweet cafés offer plenty of reasons to end your meal on a high note.
If you’re searching for the best new restaurants this year in Franklin and Brentwood, these recently opened dining spots deserve a visit. Each brings something different to Williamson County’s fast-growing food scene, making this summer the perfect time to dive in and discover a new favorite.
The Franklin Butchery
One of the newest food spots in Franklin, The Franklin Butchery opened in June as a chef-led butcher shop, neighborhood market, and all-day dining destination. Located across from The Harpeth Hotel in Downtown Franklin, the family-owned concept blends premium meats with an approachable restaurant experience. Guests can shop hand-cut steaks, dry-aged beef, house-made sausages, fresh seafood, and prepared meals, or stay for lunch, dinner, or patio dining. A glass-walled butcher room offers a behind-the-scenes look at expert butchery, reinforcing the shop’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and transparency.
Perfect for lunch, the made-to-order sandwich menu showcases the same premium meats found in the butcher case. Top choices include the KAZIU Burger with dry-aged Black Angus beef, the Meatball Livvy topped with whipped ricotta and hot honey, and the Zygulicious BBQ Pork featuring Bear Creek Heritage pork. Other favorites include the Cami Sami Club, Gigi Beef sandwich, and Bella Chicken Salad. Pair your meal with tallow fries, meat pierogi, rosemary red skin potatoes, or fresh salads, including Caesar, Niçoise, and the colorful Sian Salad. Craft beer, wine, patio seating, and a children’s menu make The Franklin Butchery a versatile stop for lunch, dinner, or any time while exploring Downtown Franklin.
129 2nd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
Truce
Another exciting addition to the Franklin dining scene, Truce brings a fresh approach to fast, chef-driven meals in Cool Springs. The new “fine food fast” concept serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a bright, modern space designed for both quick visits and relaxed meals. Every dish begins with high-quality ingredients, including organic produce whenever possible, sustainably sourced proteins, and products free from artificial additives and seed oils. The restaurant also partners with farms committed to regenerative agriculture, putting quality and thoughtful sourcing at the center of every meal.
The made-from-scratch menu offers something for every appetite, from fresh pastries and shareable plates to hearty sandwiches, salads, entrées, and desserts. Favorites include the signature Truce Toast with whipped goat cheese, cucumber beet pico, and house-made purple eggs. Guests can also enjoy Wild Berry Toast or Avocado Toast layered with basil pesto, fried egg, golden beets, and balsamic glaze. Popular lunch and dinner selections include the Orchard Superfood Salad, Salmon Smash Burger, and Steakhouse Sandwich. Pair your meal with specialty coffee, tea, smoothies, infused waters, craft beverages, or baked treats straight from their bakery. They just opened their doors this spring and have quickly gained a loyal following. If you haven’t tried them yet, this summer is the perfect time.
1809 Mallory Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027
Pelato
Since opening in March, Pelato has added a fresh take on Brooklyn-style Italian dining to the Franklin restaurant scene. Located at CoolSprings Galleria in the former Party Fowl space, the restaurant comes from Chef Anthony Scotto. Pelato blends treasured family recipes with bold flavors and modern presentation. The lively dining room encourages guests to share small plates, enjoy handcrafted cocktails, and linger over house-made pasta.
The menu celebrates classic Italian comfort food with creative touches. Begin with fresh mozzarella, garlic bread, burrata crostini, crispy potato croquettes, or fried calamari before moving to the main event. House-made pasta dishes include the popular Radiatori Vodka with Calabrian chili, Seafood Fra Diavolo, Campanelle Shrimp Limone, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, and Baked Ziti. Traditional favorites like Chicken Parmigiana, Meatballs al Forno, and Spring Branzino round out the menu. End your meal with Pelato’s signature cannoli chips served alongside house-made sweet ricotta cream. Whether you’re planning date night or a family dinner, Pelato has quickly become one of the must-try new restaurants in Franklin this summer.
1914 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Black Dog Pub & Music Lounge
Black Dog Pub & Music Lounge also opened in March, bringing a fresh neighborhood gathering place to Downtown Franklin. Created by Marc and Peggy Driskill, the locally owned pub blends live music, great food, and Southern hospitality. The cozy venue occupies a restored home filled with antiques and vintage charm. Guests can enjoy indoor seating or relax on the dog-friendly patio perfect for summer. Live music fills the space several nights each week, with performances that celebrate Nashville’s talented songwriters.
They offer elevated pub favorites that pair well with craft drinks and live entertainment. Shareables include charcuterie boards, warm spinach dip, sweet whipped feta, and white truffle parmesan fries. Heartier choices include buffalo chicken cast-iron mac and cheese, Portuguese linguica sandwiches, chicken skewers, and tenderloin steak sliders with blackberry horseradish. Whether you’re catching a songwriter round or meeting friends for dinner, Black Dog Pub & Music Lounge adds another memorable stop to the growing list of Downtown Franklin restaurants.
1331 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
SOS Counter
SOS Counter offers a fast-casual bakery and café experience to the Cool Springs area in Franklin. Opening in March, this cafe was created by local bakers and chefs. The concept focuses on seasonal ingredients, scratch-made recipes, and artisan baked goods. Guests can enjoy sourdough breads, fresh pastries, soups, salads, and rotating sandwiches in a convenient location near offices and green space at Park West in Cool Springs. The café fits perfectly into the growing Franklin dining scene with a focus on quality and accessibility.
The menu features hearty, chef-driven sandwiches like the Italian Hoagie, Braised Short Rib Dip, Cuban-style Panini, and Katsu Chicken Sandwich. Lighter options include the Buddha Bowl, Caesar Salad, Cobb Salad, and Tex Mex Salad. Sides range from tallow-fried fries and kettle chips to sweet potatoes and potato giardiniera salad. Guests can also enjoy tomato bisque with grilled cheese, a full kids’ menu, and an extensive bakery selection with croissants, cinnamon knots, cookies, and seasonal cakes. Kombucha and Phocus energy drinks round out the beverage menu for a quick boost any time of day.
701 Cool Springs Blvd Ste 150, Franklin, TN 37067
The Taco Shop
Opening their doors in March, The Taco Shop brings a locally owned Mexican dining option to Cool Springs at Carothers Parkway in Franklin. As the brand’s second Middle Tennessee location, it offers a fresh alternative to chain-heavy dining in Williamson County. The casual concept focuses on approachable Mexican street food in a fast, made-to-order setting that fits the area’s growing restaurant scene.
Originally launched inside a Shell station on Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro, The Taco Shop quickly built a loyal following. Guests return for street tacos, burritos, tortas, tamales, quesadillas, and customizable plates. The menu also features creative pizza-style takes with birria, fajita, and alambre toppings. A husband-and-wife team runs the kitchen and prepares each order fresh. Their focus on quality ingredients and traditional flavors delivers an authentic Mexican restaurant experience in Franklin with consistent, flavorful results.
9040 Carothers Pkwy B105, Franklin, TN 37067
Dog Haus Biergarten
Dog Haus Biergarten opened their Franklin location in May. They bring a lively craft casual dining concept to Franklin’s restaurant scene. The national franchise operates inside Canteen on Carothers, serving gourmet hot dogs, burgers, wings, and craft beer. The Franklin location spans about 2,500 square feet and includes a 700-square-foot indoor-outdoor patio. A garage-style door opens the space for a relaxed, social atmosphere. Guests will also find fire pits, cornhole, shuffleboard, multiple TVs, and a Franklin-inspired mural that adds local character.
On the menu, elevated comfort food is built for sharing and customization. Signature offerings include all-beef Haus Dogs, proprietary sausages, and Black Angus beef sourced from Creekstone Farms. Menu items come served on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls or soft buns. Guests can enjoy smashburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken sandwiches, and Nashville-style heat-inspired flavors. Shareable favorites include loaded tater tots topped with cheese sauce, jalapeños, and avocado. Breakfast burritos add another bold option with eggs, bacon, and spicy toppings. With craft beer, cocktails, and a social setting, Dog Haus Biergarten adds a high-energy stop to new restaurants in Franklin.
Ugly Bagel
In April, Ugly Bagel opened its first Williamson County location at Meridian Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. The shop sits at 2000 Meridian Boulevard, Suite 100, following its Downtown Nashville debut and continued Middle Tennessee expansion. The Franklin opening adds another stop for guests seeking fresh, fast-casual bagels in a community-focused setting. The brand continues to grow its footprint across the region while keeping a consistent neighborhood feel.
The menu centers on handcrafted bagels, house-made cream cheeses, and simple, high-quality breakfast and lunch options. Guests can order classic favorites alongside rotating monthly flavors that keep the lineup fresh and seasonal. Signature bagels like jalapeño cheddar anchor the menu, while limited-time bagels and spreads add variety for returning customers. This balance of staples and new offerings defines Ugly Bagel’s approach to everyday dining in Franklin.
2000 Meridian Blvd #100, Franklin, TN 37067
Tous les Jours Bakery Café
Opening in late May, TOUS les JOURS Bakery Café brings an internationally inspired bakery experience to the Cool Springs area in Franklin. The artisan café specializes in French-Asian baked goods, handcrafted beverages, and daily fresh pastries. Guests can stop in for breakfast, coffee, or a quick treat, or pick up cakes and desserts for special occasions. The bakery focuses on fresh ingredients, daily baking, and a wide variety of sweet and savory options. Its welcoming café setting adds a new destination to Franklin’s growing bakery scene.
The menu highlights signature breads, pastries, cakes, and café drinks made fresh each day. Guests can enjoy baguettes, buttercream bread, milk loaves, red bean bread, and taro cream bread. Popular pastries include almond croissants, guava Danish, fruit tarts, and pain au chocolat, along with savory options like spinach feta Danish and garlic cheese croissant. Breakfast and lunch sandwiches feature egg and cheese croissants, turkey club, chicken sandwiches, and tuna salad on fresh-baked bread. The beverage program includes lavender lattes, caramel macchiatos, matcha drinks, smoothies, and cold brew creations. With its French-Asian fusion style, TOUS les JOURS has quickly become a standout new bakery in Franklin.
600B Frazier Dr #140, Franklin, TN 37067
New Dining Options to Try in Brentwood
Nearby Brentwood also adds several new dining options worth exploring this summer. The area now features everything from bookstore bites and coffee shops to pizza, ice cream, and even dinner paired with pickleball. These new openings reflect Brentwood’s growing mix of casual hangouts and experience-driven dining. Whether you want a quick coffee stop, a relaxed meal, or a fun night out, Brentwood offers plenty of fresh spots to try alongside the expanding Franklin restaurant scene.
Silver Fox Coffee Lounge
Silver Fox Coffee Lounge brings a refined yet welcoming coffee experience to Brentwood, built on craftsmanship, quality, and consistency. The café focuses on expertly prepared drinks in a thoughtfully designed space that encourages guests to slow down and stay awhile. After opening its first location in April 2025 on Nashville’s Music Row, Silver Fox expanded into Williamson County with its Brentwood café at CityPark, 7010 Executive Center Drive, which opened in March.
Since opening, Silver Fox has quickly become a favorite Brentwood coffee destination with a menu that reflects global inspiration and local café culture. Guests enjoy signature drinks like the Cuban latte, Blind Tiger espresso tonic, Cherish honey-lavender latte, and Dizzy G rosemary-black cardamom blend, alongside classic espresso options, matcha, chai, and loose-leaf teas. The café also serves a full food menu featuring tartines, bowls, and house-made pastries. Their big menu hits include avocado toast on sourdough, whipped ricotta with fruit, peanut butter banana tartine, seasonal harvest bowls, Greek yogurt parfaits, and freshly baked pastries made daily. With so many options, Silvery Fox Coffee is the perfect choice for breakfast on the go or a quick lunch.
7010 Executive Center Dr Ste 106, Brentwood, TN 37027
The Raven Book Lounge
Opening in April, The Raven Book Lounge brings a unique bookstore bar concept to Brentwood Place in Brentwood, Tennessee. This literary lounge blends the feel of a cozy reading room with the energy of a neighborhood bar. Guests browse curated book selections while enjoying craft cocktails, mocktails, and small plates in a relaxed, vintage-inspired setting designed for conversation and connection.
The menu features literary-themed drinks alongside shareable dishes created by a local chef. Guests can enjoy weekly flatbread and sliders specials, and charcuterie-style boards designed for a social, lounge-style dining experience. The Raven also plans to host book clubs, poetry readings, trivia nights, and author events, building a strong community space for readers, creatives and those looking for a drink and snack. Located near Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and the new Crush Yard, it adds a cultural and social destination to Brentwood’s growing entertainment mix.
330 Franklin Rd #250b, Brentwood, TN 37027
Crush Yard
Next door to The Raven, Crush Yard Nashville brings a high-energy social dining and entertainment concept to Brentwood Place Shopping Center at 300 Franklin Road. Spanning 33,400 square feet, the venue combines indoor pickleball courts, a full-service restaurant, and a lively bar that just opened in May. Guests also enjoy an arcade, sports viewing, and private event space. Crush Yard sits close to Total Wine, REI, Del Frisco’s Grille, and Chick-fil-A, making it a convenient destination for dining and entertainment in Brentwood.
Feeling hungry after a game of pickleball? The menu focuses on elevated comfort food built for sharing with your teammates. Popular starters include crabby fries with beer cheese, smoked wings, bang bang shrimp, chicken tenders, and pretzel bites. Guests also enjoy mozzarella sticks, loaded nachos, and cheese sliders, along with crispy Brussels sprouts and roasted artichoke dip. The pizza lineup features options like Margherita, spicy soppressata with hot honey, roasted mushroom, and prosciutto with arugula. Hearty choices include prosciutto mac and cheese and a grilled chicken Caesar pizza. Salads, wraps, and bowls round out the menu, creating a full Brentwood dining and entertainment experience under one roof.
330 Franklin Rd Suite 150, Brentwood, TN 37027
Station Pizzeria
Also opening its Brentwood location in May, Station Pizzeria brings its popular neighborhood pizza concept to Williamson County. The restaurant pairs scratch-made pizzas, pasta, appetizers, salads, and desserts with a welcoming atmosphere built for families and friends. Every dish starts with fresh ingredients and time-tested recipes, without unnecessary shortcuts. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for dinner, Station Pizzeria delivers a casual dining experience that keeps guests coming back.
Pizza remains the centerpiece of the menu, with both classic and specialty creations available. Standout pies include the Diesel with pepperoni, fresh jalapeños, and arbol chile sauce, the Trifecta with pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms, and the GTO topped with goat cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, and balsamic reduction. Other favorites include the Smokey with house-smoked pork and barbecue sauce, the Minnesotan with smoked chicken and rosemary cream sauce, and the classic Margherita. Beyond pizza, guests can enjoy smoked wings, Wisconsin cheese curds, garlic cheese bread, homemade meatballs, fresh salads, and comforting pasta dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pasta Bolognese, and Linguine with Pesto. Station Pizzeria adds another must-visit stop to the growing list of new restaurants in Brentwood.
7007 Moores Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027
Sweethaven in Brentwood
Opening its Brentwood location in June, Sweethaven brings one of Franklin’s favorite locally owned ice cream shops to CityPark. While familiar to Franklin residents, this marks the brand’s first Brentwood location. It is also the family’s third storefront in Middle Tennessee. Located next to Taziki’s, the shop arrives just in time for summer.
Since opening in 2020, Sweethaven has built a loyal following for its award-winning ice cream and frozen treats. The menu features farm-fresh frozen yogurt, gourmet pops, and locally baked desserts. Owner Katie Britt chose CityPark for its central location and strong community feel. Whether you need an afternoon treat or an after-dinner dessert, Sweethaven is a sweet new addition to Brentwood’s list of restaurants and dessert shops.
7011 Executive Center Dr B105, Brentwood, TN 37027
Start Exploring Franklin & Brentwood’s Newest Restaurants This Summer
Whether you’re craving artisan coffee, handcrafted pizza, authentic international cuisine, or a scoop of locally made ice cream, Franklin and Brentwood have plenty of new flavors to discover this summer. These recent openings showcase the continued growth of Williamson County’s dining scene, with options for every taste and occasion. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and make your way through this list. You just might find your next favorite restaurant along the way.
You can also read What’s Coming to Franklin & Williamson County in 2026: Restaurants, Shops & Places to Know to discover all the new things coming to Franklin this year.
