Lin NormanDropping a big chunk of your paycheck on a fancy dinner, only to leave hungry and disappointed, is all too familiar.
With Nashville’s upscale culinary scene growing rapidly, it can be tough to know which restaurants actually deliver a memorable experience rather than just a pretentious, overpriced plate.
So, our team decided to do the expensive dining for you. Through delicious trial and error, we put the city’s ritziest establishments to the test to see which ones actually lived up to the hype.
After a few duds and a wince at the bill, we finally curated a list of fine-dining restaurants in Nashville that are actually worth the bill.
How much does fine dining cost in Nashville?
Fine dining in Nashville typically ranges from $95 to well over $200 per person before tip, depending on your choice of premium steaks or exclusive tasting menus.
| Dining Experience | Average Cost Per Person (Before Tip) |
| Standard High-End Dinner | $95 – $150+ |
| Steakhouses | $100 – $150+ |
| Exclusive Tasting Menus | $200+ |
1. City Winery Nashville
Website: https://citywinery.com/pages/locations/nashville
Address: 609 Lafayette Street
Contact: (615) 324-1033
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sat-Sun 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
At City Winery Nashville, oak barrels share space with a glowing concert stage. This gives you a full urban winery right alongside an intimate performance space.
Instead of rushing to eat before a show, you can just enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal that pairs well with their house-made wines.
I actually celebrated my last birthday here. My friends and I shared pours from their clever wine-on-tap system, totally relaxed while a local jazz band set the mood in the background.
Couples lean in over candlelit tables, and large groups toast over shared plates, bringing a lush wine-country vibe straight into the heart of downtown.
Their dining room does get a bit snug when the venue sells out, though. Plus, you might wait a little longer for your next glass during peak showtimes, so bring your patience.
Customer Reviews
They will take care of you
This place was amazing for a first visit! Hailey really took care of me and my party! The wines are nice and the flights are a good sample and experience to try something new. The entrees are tasty and the deserts are really nice. For date nights or a night out it really is great. Join their club its a really good value. Go eat, drink, see a show. They will take care of you.
- Justin | Google Review
Couldn’t have asked for a better experience
We want to thank City Winery for hosting our small, table-side wedding dinner. The Cellar Room was the perfect setting for our intimate celebration, spacious enough for our group of 13 and enhanced by the lovely option to play music. The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the evening. We made wonderful, lasting memories with our family and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We’ll definitely be recommending City Winery to others and look forward to returning for future events.
- Annalisa Viramontes | Google Review
2. The Chop House
Website: https://www.thechophouse.com/
Address: 200 North Anderson Lane, Hendersonville
Contact: (615) 264-6673
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Fri-Sat 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sun 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
At The Chop House, the menu centers on hand-selected, premium aged United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime and Choice steaks.
Their kitchen sears these cuts in 1,800°F ovens, locking in those rich, natural juices for a classic, laid-back steakhouse meal.
The steaks are the stars, but there’s more than beef to enjoy. Fresh seafood plates and thoughtfully crafted cocktails easily hold their own.
The place works for everyone too. Families can gather around large booths to celebrate birthdays, while couples can casually enjoy drinks at the bar.
Just a heads-up, the kitchen can sometimes miss the mark on steak temperatures during a heavy dinner rush.
Since plates occasionally come out over- or undercooked when the dining room is packed, just ask your friendly server to send it back for a quick fix.
Customer Reviews
Great experience
We had reservations for 6, was seated almost immediately upon arrival. Our server was excellent with great people skills. Got appetizers and food promptly, food was excellent. We were celebrating 2 birthdays, they surprised us with a free dessert. A great experience for entire group
- Karl Wagnon, Google Review
Five star review!
Oh my gosh…. We all just loved our experience yesterday at The Chop House…. Areej, our server, was such a delight, the food was delicious, all staff were wonderful and the ambiance was so sweet. The three of us enjoyed our meals very much and we left very content. Looking forward to returning when we return to Tennessee. Five star review!
- Arlene Aninion | Google Review
3. The Standard
Website: https://smithhousenashville.com/
Address: 167 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
Contact: (615) 254-1277
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Fri-Sat 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Stepping into The Standard is like walking straight into the 1840s. This historic Nashville townhouse, the city’s only surviving grand mansion, sets the scene for a premium steakhouse experience with prime cuts.
The architecture here often impresses just as much as what’s on the plate. This is one of the best restaurants in Nashville for a romantic evening or a corporate event that needs a bit of wow factor.
Upstairs, members enjoy hand-rolled cigars and VIP perks in a private club that feels tucked away from the rest of the world. Downstairs, candlelit dining rooms host everything from intimate date nights to business dinners.
That said, the charm comes with a few caveats: a business-casual dress code and a 21-and-over policy.
The higher price point also means you should be prepared to splurge for this immersive experience.
Customer Reviews
Fabulous venue for a fine dining experience
Great service and a fabulous venue for a fine dining experience. We had the private Wine Locker room, big enough for a party of 10. The wine cellar room is larger. Our ribeye and filet steaks, seafood and sides were wonderful.
- Jim Coyle | Google Review
Wanted a “best steak in Nashville” vibe and I’d say it hit the spot!
Very upscale, great for a date night or small parties. My mother and I went here on a girls trip. I wanted a “best steak in Nashville” vibe and I’d say it hit the spot! Old historic building, make sure to read about the history!
- Macy VanDorn | Google Review
4. The Catbird Seat
Website: https://www.thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com/
Address: 700 8th Avenue South, 5th Floor
Contact: (615) 810-8200
Schedule: Weds-Sat 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Landing a reservation at The Catbird Seat feels like hitting the flavor jackpot. Grabbing a stool at The Catbird Seat drops you right into an immersive chef’s counter that curves around a wide-open kitchen
This puts you front and center for a 15-course tasting menu built entirely from seasonal, local ingredients.
What we love about this place is the chefs chat with you as they guide the room through each plate. When we dined here recently, the lively energy completely shattered the idea that high-end meals have to feel stuffy.
This Michelin-recognized spot has become a proving ground for some serious culinary talent, putting inventive plates right where you can see them come to life.
Since the room only holds a couple of dozen guests and carries a steep price tag, diners usually save this reservation for major milestones.
Customer Reviews
The gem of Nashville fine dining
Truly the gem of Nashville fine dining. This is fancy and then some. Multi course marvel for your taste buds, with each serving meticulously prepared in a sushi bar like open kitchen setting. By advance reservation only, and these sell out weeks in advance! Do yourself a favor and make the time to come experience this decadent deliciousness.
- Alec Talan | Google Review
Everything you would expect from a Michelin-star restaurant
My best friend, my sister from another mother, and I had the pleasure of dining in a beautiful establishment to celebrate a birthday, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! It felt like everything you would expect from a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was prepared to absolute perfection in my humble opinion, and the wine pairing complemented it beautifully—it was just as exquisite. The evening was elegant, the atmosphere enchanting, and every bite was delicious. It wasn’t just a meal, it was an experience that left us both grateful and excited to return.
- Gloria Medina | Google Review
5. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Website: https://www.jeffruby.com/nashville
Address: 300 4th Avenue North
Contact: (615) 434-4300
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Fri-Sat 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sun 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Sometimes a meal needs to be a full-on spectacle the second you step inside, and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse delivers just that. Live jazz music bounces off jaw-dropping Art Deco decor, giving the whole room an undeniable electric energy.
Waiters carry out massive raw bar platters and dry-aged USDA Prime steaks right to your table. That in itself is a sight, to be honest.
When we dropped by, it was clear people were here to celebrate. Groups popped champagne, couples were dressed to the nines, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their food and wine.
But all this glitz and glamour comes with a premium price tag that might make you double-take.
And when the dining room is completely packed, sides can occasionally arrive lukewarm. A quick heads-up to your server usually fixes this.
Customer Reviews
Thank you, Jeff Ruby’s!
Great experience!! My friend and I went to Jeff Ruby‘s for dinner and had an amazing experience. The entire staff was top-notch and very attentive. It is very evident that their standards are for excellence and nothing else. The food and drinks were amazing! Great food, excellent service and the gentleman playing the piano at the bar made for a good evening. Thank you, Jeff Ruby’s! I will definitely be back.
- Elvis Huff | Google Review
Everything was 1000/10
I’ve had my fair share of upscale steakhouses, and i want to say this is definitely top of the list. Everything was 1000/10. From the food, atmosphere and stellar service we received from Eli, Kenton , and Katie. They definitely worked as a spectacular team. I was even escorted to the restroom by the arm! I will always recommend Jeff rubys and i will always ask for the same amazing team to take care of me! Thank you’ll so much for the lovely experience. Way to make us feel at home!
- Alexis Patterson | Google Review
