Restaurants in Franklin, TN, Downtown Franklin and Brentwood, TN That You Don’t Want to Miss
55 South – Downtown Franklin
55 South refers to the interstate that connects Memphis and New Orleans. Jason McConnell has brought the cuisine you’ll find traveling down that road to downtown Franklin, TN. The dining room has rustic Southern charm with weathered wood and reclaimed materials. McConnell(who has a degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and also owns Red Pony Restaurant ) has created a menu with his take on down-home Southern comfort food. Fresh oysters are a feature of the menu, along with Southern-inspired bar snacks (smoked wings and green chile-bacon tater tots) and New Orleans cuisine (gumbo, po’ boys, jambalaya). There is now a 55 South in downtown Brentwood, too! Same great food and atmosphere!
55 South is open for Lunch Monday-Friday, Dinner Monday-Saturday and Brunch Saturday & Sunday.
55 South, 403 Main St, Franklin, TN – 615 538 6001
55 S0uth – 7031 Executive Center Dr #101, Brentwood, TN 37027
GRAY’s on Main – Downtown Franklin
GRAY’S on Main was a pharmacy for almost a century before it was renovated and turned into a world-class restaurant, using locally and regionally source ingredients. After restoration in 2013, the three-story GRAY’S on Main was unveiled, honoring Franklin Tennessee’s cultural heritage through fresh spirits, flavors and sounds. Gray’s on Main uses mostly local ingredients to create a menu that remains true to the roots of Southern food while still managing keep things interesting with a few surprises.
HOURS: Sun–Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Fri–Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
GRAY’S on Main, 332 Main St, Franklin, TN – 615 435 3603
Cork and Cow – Downtown Franklin
Cork & Cow, Chef Jason McConnell’s latest venue, an upscale steakhouse in Franklin, TN, emphasizes great steaks and great wine. They offer a menu with extensive cuts of steak and wood grilled specialties that feature dry-aged, grass-fed and locally sourced beef, from Prime to Wagyu grades. The menu also offers an excellent selection of other entrées, including chicken, pork and seafood dishes. Choose from 100 bottles of wine with 30 + offered by the glass, and signature martinis, carbonated cocktails and microbrews in an intimate, contemporary setting.
Monday thru Thursday 5-10pm – Friday & Saturday 5-11pm – Sunday 5-9pm and Bar Opens Daily at 4pm.
Cork & Cow, 408 Main Street; Franklin TN 37064 – 615-538-6021
Merridee’s Breadbasket – Downtown Franklin
Merridee’s Breadbasket is a modern cafe/bakery offering homemade soups, quiches, fresh sandwiches and salads and decadent desserts amid a country-chic vibe. From sweet breads to cookies to brownies, this classic Southern bakery also serves a full breakfast, lunch, dinner, and catering menu highlighting their specialty baked goods. Merridee McCray, the founder of Merridee’s Breadbasket, grew up baking breads, pies and sweets from scratch with her mother. It was a tradition passed on to her by her grandmother, Anna Maria Faust, who once served as head cook for the Pillsbury family. When Merridee passed away in 1993, Jim Kreider bought Merridee’s Breadbasket. Today, Jim and his exceptional team are still making everything from scratch, creating products that not only have a great taste, but are nutritional as well.
Monday – Wednesday 7:00 AM – 5:00PM and Thursday – Saturday 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Merridee’s Breadbasket, 110 Fourth Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 790-3755
Franklin Mercantile Deli – Downtown Franklin
The Franklin Mercantile Deli., just off the corner of Fourth Avenue North and Main Street is one of downtown Franklin’s most treasured restaurants. A local staple and tourist favorite, the Franklin Mercantile Deli has been owned and operated by Graeme and Corrie Asch since 1999.
Touting a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and a menu filled with Southern Breakfast favorites, specialty sandwiches, fresh salad bar, fruit tea, coffee, and homemade desserts, the “Merc” has earned a reputation for being a “go-to” destination for anyone with a hungry appetite.
Hours: Sunday – Saturday [7am-3pm]
Franklin Mercantile Deli, 100 4th Avenue North, Downtown Franklin, TN 37064 – 615-790-9730
Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant – Downtown Franklin
Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant is a southern bar & grill with an old-general-store feel & a large stage for live music acts. Puckett’s roots stretch back to the ‘50s and a little grocery store in the village of Leiper’s Fork, TN. Ever since then, they’ve been focused on providing friends new and old with great food and Southern hospitality. Puckett’s has built a name on hosting live, local musical acts and serving Southern staples. Puckett’s offers authentic comfort food classics like the meat-and-three and famous slow-smoked BBQ, in a laid-back and down-home atmosphere. Puckett’s has 5 locations in Tennessee and they’ve developed quite the reputation for BBQ!
Hours: Sun-Thurs 7AM to 9PM – Fri & Sat 7AM to 10PM
Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, 120 4th Ave S Franklin, TN – 615-794-5527
Puckett’s Boat House – Downtown Franklin
Puckett’s Boat House offers downhome dishes with a seafood spin. Puckett’s grill and oyster bar menus offer wide-ranging flavors of by-the-shore dishes that are reminiscent of the Gulf Coast and the Big Easy, plus Southern staples that draw from the Marshall family’s Nashville and Memphis roots.
Puckett’s Boat House – 94 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 790-2309
Red Pony Restaurant – Downtown Franklin
Red Pony Restaurant offers a sophisticated menu of updated Southern classic dishes & low-lit ambiance amid dramatic decor in Franklin, TN. Red Pony has won countless awards since opening in 2006. Most recently, this eclectic restaurant was named ‘Best Food’, ‘Best Service’, ‘Best Overall’ and ‘Best Contemporary America’ by Open Table. Since it’s opening, Red Pony Restaurant has impressed guests by staying true to a mission focused on cuisine and service. Chef owned and operated, Red Pony changes its menu about six times a year with the intention of keeping ingredients the season’s freshest and the variety of dishes dynamic. While a great deal of the menu pays homage to the Sophisticated Southern foods Chef Jason McConnell grew up on, you will also see a reflection of his travels, that drive his creativity. The very friendly staff are also known for their ability to accommodate a wide range of food allergies.
Hours: Monday-Saturday. The bar opens at 4pm. Dinner is 5-10pm Monday-Thursday and 5-11pm Friday and Saturday.
Red Pony Restaurant, 408 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 595-7669
Mere Bulles – Downtown Brentwood
Specializing in “new-old” Southern dining, Mere Bulles is a beloved restaurant just outside Nashville in the charming Maryland Farms – Brentwood, Tennessee neighborhood. Legendary menu favorites like crab bisque and a fantastic wine and drink list keep locals and tourists alike coming back time and time again. With an elegant but comfortable atmosphere and generous space for outdoor dining and private events, Mere Bulles is a got-to for corporate dinners, special celebrations, and romantic evenings for two. Regarded for their spectacular service, Mere Bulles offers a memorable dining experience and a real taste of fine American Southern cuisine.
Mere Bulles – 5201 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027
JJ’s Wine Bar – Downtown Franklin
Connors Steak & Seafood – Franklin
Connors Steak & Seafood, a Brentwood restaurant, offers casual dining and we specialize in fresh seafood and premium aged steaks, as well as gourmet salads, pastas and more! Enjoy a memorable evening with friends and family in our well-appointed dining rooms, or stop by for the lunch you and your associates deserve. Connors also offer private dining for your corporate functions, presentations, group luncheons, and celebrations with family and friends.
Connors Steak & Seafood – 1916 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Wild Ginger Restaurant – Franklin
Wild Ginger, a family-owned and operated restaurant’, is a refreshingly distinct fine dining experience located in Franklin, TN, at the heart of Cool Springs-featuring an eclectic blend of Pan-Asian, South American, and Western cuisine in the Pacific Rim style-with succulent selections for all palates, including the popular miso sea bass, braised short rib, and a wide array of signature maki and tapas. Though restaurants categorized as “fusion” are mostly located in trendy metropolitan areas like Miami and Manhattan, Wild Ginger is the first and only of its kind in Middle Tennessee. Wild Ginger is the perfect destination for a business lunch, romantic evening, or relaxing dinner with family and friends. Guests of Wild Ginger receive more than just phenomenal cuisine-they receive a total dining experience. From the valet service to the vibrant presentation of each dish, no detail is left unnoticed. As soon as each guest walks into the door, Wild Ginger’s highly-praised staff pays careful attention to each his/her every need.
Regular Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 10pm, Sunday: CLOSED
Happy Hour Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 6pm, Sat: 11am – 4pm
Wild Ginger Restaurant, 101 Market Exchange Ct, Franklin, TN 37067 – (615) 778-0081
The Perch – Downtown Brentwood & Franklin
Creamy interior tones, exposed wooden beams and reclaimed wood tables lends to a rustic yet refined environment of The Perch, a trendy neighborhood creperie & coffee house/wine & tapas bar nestled in the heart of Brentwood, Green Hills, Downtown Nashville – and now has expanded to the Westhaven community in Franklin. TN. The local coffee bar serves sweet and savory crepes, waffles, omelettes and other delights! The Perch promises to make things affordable but exotic. Wine offerings will be boutique-like and will feature small, unknown wines that are not offered in many other restaurants. As Brentwood revitalizes downtown, The Perch is the first to ignite a steady flow of customers seeking international flavors as well as a perfect environment to have a private conversation or cut loose with friends or family enjoying tastings in a corner nook or at the Peruvian oak bar looking upon historic Franklin Road.
Brentwood, Green Hills, Westhaven: Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. start for Green Hills and Westhaven), Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Perch (Westhaven) – 150 Front St., Suite 110, Franklin, TN 37064 – 615-465-6999
The Perch (Brentwood) – 117 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 – (615) 661-9008
The Rutledge – Franklin
The Rutledge is a modern American grill in Franklin offering sushi, steaks, salads and chicken options in an upbeat, modern vibe. Craft cocktails made by hand with fresh ingredients and made to order, their house cocktails offer a twist on the classics. Their ‘wines by the glass’ list offer some of the best wines available in Franklin and Nashville.
The Rutledge – 105 International Dr, Franklin, TN 37067
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill – Franklin
Stoney River is an upscale steakhouse, specializing in hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood selections, signature salads and house specialties. Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail, local draft beer or glass of wine from the boutique wine list. Whether relaxing at the bar or dining in the comfortable atmosphere, our mission is to provide the highest quality food in a polished environment, delivered by professional servers with a sense of genuine hospitality.
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill – 1726 Galleria Blvd #6210, Franklin, TN 37067
J. Alexander’s Restaurant – Franklin
J. Alexander’s is a casual dining restaurant with a contemporary American menu. We feature interesting salads, homemade dressings, soups, and fresh hand-partied burgers. We have a wide selection of hardwood-grilled steaks, fresh seafood and chicken. We also offer barbeque baby back ribs, and award-winning prime rib. We make our outstanding desserts from scratch. We feature a wide selection of wines by the glass and additional selections are available by the bottle.
J. Alexander’s Restaurant – 1721 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
The Honeysuckle – Franklin
The Honeysuckle is a chef driven, new southern restaurant in Cool Springs, TN. They specialize in dry aged meats, fresh seafood and custom mixology. Established in 2015, The Honeysuckle serves abundantly fresh ingredients, packed with flavor and nutrition. We aim to give personalized pairings that will awaken your taste buds and enrich your social experience. Our menu is a mix of chef-inspired favorites, southern comforts, the freshest seafood in Middle Tennessee, and in house dry aged meats. Join us every evening for dinner in our 6000 sq ft venue as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Honeysuckle – 1770 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Del Frisco’s Grille – Downtown Brentwood
Find Del Frisco’s Grille in the bustling suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee, located in the new Hill Center. This restaurant’s chic interior is accompanied by views of rolling hills and pristine parks, making it the perfect destination for a night to remember. It’s the best place to eat in Brentwood, serving chef-inspired American classics and hand-crafted cocktails. Whether you’re in our main dining room or on the patio overlooking Maryland Way Park, Del Frisco’s Grille is the best place to dine.*
Del Frisco’s Grille – 207 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
Uncle Julio’s – Downtown Brentwood
Uncle Julio’s is committed to providing made from scratch Mexican food. The restaurant offers a unique and authentic experience built around original recipes that demand the freshest, hand-picked ingredients. Established in 1986. The first Uncle Julio’s opened in Dallas, Texas, in November 1986. The popularity of Uncle Julio’s grew, and with it came an instant craze for a drink Uncle Julio’s named The Swirl, the original frozen collision of margarita layered with home-made sangria. Uncle Julio’s has grown to 21 restaurants in seven states: Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania, and continues to expand. The combination of Mexican cooking expertise with fresh, locally grown Texan ingredients created a new style of fare that is far from what you find elsewhere as “Tex-Mex.” Fresh ingredients are the foundation of the made from scratch food that is found every day at Uncle Julio’s. That unique taste paired with unparalleled customer service creates an experience that is remembered for its warm memories and fantastic taste.
Uncle Julio’s – 209 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
Ruby Sunshine – Downtown Franklin
Ruby Sunshine brings the unique flavors and hospitality of New Orleans to their all-day brunch and eye-opening cocktails. Brought to you by the owners of New Orleans’ beloved Ruby Slipper Cafe, Ruby Sunshine uses fresh and local ingredients whenever possible, prepares food to order in their scratch kitchen, and they give back to the communities they serve.
Ruby Sunshine, 231 Public Square, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 716-3711
BrickTops – Cool Springs, Franklin
BrickTops is a modern American eatery that offers upscale dining, plus a sushi menu, brunch & popular business lunch.
BrickTops, 1576 W McEwen Dr, Franklin, TN 37067 – (615) 771-8760
Biscuit Love Downtown Franklin
Biscuit Love is a family business born in the South serving breakfast, lunch and brunch. They want to offer you the best dining experience from the moment you wait in line until you’ve eaten every last crumb of your biscuit. Situated in the historic Corn House right off of Downtown Franklin’s Main Street, the third location of this Nashville-food-truck-turned-biscuit-phenomenon doles out their classic bonuts with lemon mascarpone, East Nasty biscuit sandwiches, and sweetly-spiced chronic bacon until 3 p.m. every day—minus the unwieldy wait of their Gulch outpost.
Biscuit Love Downtown Franklin, 132 3rd Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 905-0386
1892 Restaurant – Leipers Fork – Franklin
Visit 1892 Restaurant for an exceptional meal and a memorable experience. This dining destination in Leiper’s Fork (the adorable unincorporated rural village in Williamson County) is a BYOB establishment oozing with old school vibes, Southern charm, and a standout menu from chef Dylan Morrison. Named after the year the house it occupies was built, Morrison honors time old culinary traditions with highlight dishes like spicy whipped pimento cheese, Waldorf salad, a Bear Creek Farms burger, and fig ravioli with blue cheese fondue.
1892 Restaurant – 4150 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
