20 best fried chicken restaurants in Nashville

Prince
Prince's Hot Chicken Restaurant Review (Image via Getty)
Prince's Hot Chicken Restaurant Review - Source: Getty
Prince's Hot Chicken Restaurant Review - Source: Getty

Fried Chicken is a very popular guilty pleasure food across the Globe, and Nashville is particularly known for its variation, known as Hot Chicken or Nashville Hot Chicken. Nashville Hot Chicken is prepared by dipping chicken in a batter of flour, spices, and water before frying, and later, the fried chicken is covered with spicy cayenne paste/sauce.

20. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint - Midtown

The outdoor view of Martin's (Image via Instagram/@martinsbbq)
The outdoor view of Martin's (Image via Instagram/@martinsbbq)

Though they are open in other locations, many Redditors believe that the Midtown one is the most consistent when it comes to serving quality foods and is also a go-to for many because of the seating arrangement on the patio. They are praised for their fast service. But there are mixed reviews regarding their BBQs.

19. Helen's Hot Chicken- Jefferson St

The flavorful and spicy chicken from Helen's (Image via Instagram/@helenshotchickennashville)
The flavorful and spicy chicken from Helen's (Image via Instagram/@helenshotchickennashville)

The restaurant intends to make you say, "It's Hella Hot and Hella Good" after you have their chicken. According to reviews, the food is made on order, and their chicken is flavorful and not just spicy. Other than chicken, they also offer seafood.

18. Moore's Spicy Fried Chicken - Hendersonville

Mac n Cheese is a common American dish. (Image via Pexels/@Barbara G )
Mac n Cheese is a common American dish. (Image via Pexels/@Barbara G )

They serve flaky, crispy, spicy chicken and popular side dishes like fried okra and MacnCheese. If the chicken is too spicy for your tongue, you can soothe it with a dessert. A reviewer advises to call ahead as they don't cook until they receive the order.

17. Waldo's Chicken and Beer - 4th Ave N

Waldo's Fried Chicken with homemade sauces (Image via Instagram/@ waldoschickennash)
Waldo's Fried Chicken with homemade sauces (Image via Instagram/@ waldoschickennash)

In Waldo's, one can have chicken in two ways: Southern Fried and Rotisserie. According to reviews, Waldo's is a good option for watching your game while munching on Fried Chicken and sipping beer. Their chicken is served with homemade sides like eight original sauces, biscuits, etc.

16. Pinewood Social - Peabody St

Fried Chicken served in Pinewood socials (Image via Instagram/@pinewoodnashville)
Fried Chicken served in Pinewood socials (Image via Instagram/@pinewoodnashville)

The restaurant's setting is what impressed most people; it is said to be trendy and gives off an "upscale vibe," and it is considered a perfect hangout spot with friends. Almost their entire menu has great reviews, from the cocktails to Biscuits to Fried Chicken, but their cocktails are the most sought-after.

15. Party Fowl - 8th Ave S

A sneak-peek of an order from Party Fowl (Image via Instagram/@partyfowlnash)
A sneak-peek of an order from Party Fowl (Image via Instagram/@partyfowlnash)

If you prefer an "upscale" and "cool-vibe" while munching on your fried chicken, then you can opt for Party Fowl. Reviewers describe it as a good place to have chicken and beer with friends, but some were dissatisfied with the size of the side dishes. They are also often praised for their good service.

14. Pepperfire- Centennial Blvd

Their chicken with pickle and fries. (Image via Instagram/@pepperfire)
Their chicken with pickle and fries. (Image via Instagram/@pepperfire)

The restaurant is said to have a cozy yet trendy decor that provides a casual and relaxing vibe. Their chicken is said to be juicy with good spice and flavors, and their side dishes like fried okara and crinkle fries are also quite popular among customers. Many reviewers warn us to be diligent while choosing the spice level.

13. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish- 624 Main St

A screenshot of Fried Chicken from a reel posted by Bolton's (Image via Instagram/@boltonsfamous)
A screenshot of Fried Chicken from a reel posted by Bolton's (Image via Instagram/@boltonsfamous)

The restaurant menu is curated with the help of a family recipe that has been passed down through generations. Their OG Hot Chicken is served as a leg quarter, wings, breast, and on a stick; customers can opt for the part they prefer. A reviewer recommends going twice lower than your normal spice level because the chicken was spicier than expected.

12. The Loveless Cafe - Nashville

What to expect from The Loveless Cafe (Image via Instagram/@lovelesscafe)
What to expect from The Loveless Cafe (Image via Instagram/@lovelesscafe)

They have been offering their homemade southern cuisine to the people of Nashville for about 70 years. And even after 70 years, the restaurant seems to be popular among the people. Though their Bicuit is the most sought-after dish, their fried chicken is also favored by many.

11. Outlanders Southern Chicken- Nolensville

Chicken and veggies from Outlanders (Image via Instagram/@outlanderschicken)
Chicken and veggies from Outlanders (Image via Instagram/@outlanderschicken)

As the name suggests, their specialty is southern-style chicken, which is what people seek at the restaurant, too. You can have your fried chicken with various dips and beer while enjoying music from all genres. One of their popular dishes is chicken tenders.

10. Husk- 37 Rutledge St

The chicken served here is inspired by many styles of Southern fried chicken (Image via Instagram/@husknashville)
The chicken served here is inspired by many styles of Southern fried chicken (Image via Instagram/@husknashville)

The restaurant intends to provide its customers with "regional ingredients cooked on an ember-fired grill." The chicken served at the restaurant is said to have been created by the chef after being inspired by Southern-style fried chicken. The indoor and outdoor seating gives a unique vibe, too.

9. Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant - Downtown

Puckett's chicken spice level ranges from mild to ultra hot (Image via Instagram/@puckettsrestaurant)
Puckett's chicken spice level ranges from mild to ultra hot (Image via Instagram/@puckettsrestaurant)

Puckett's offers a variety of dishes, from Southern-style pimento to smoked BBQ, but you can also visit them for their fried chicken. Since they provide a lot of seating, you might find it easy to grab a seat most of the time. Their fried chicken starts from mild spice to ultra hot, though some reviewers believe it was not spicy as expected.

8. Monell's dining and catering - Nashville

A look at Monell's Outdoor setting (Image via Instagram/@monellstn)
A look at Monell's Outdoor setting (Image via Instagram/@monellstn)

Monell's is one of the best-rated restaurants in Nashville, and one look at Reddit will have you see multiple people recommend the Fried Chicken from Monell's. It also has a nice seating area that allows you to eat your chicken while relaxing alone, out on a date, or even have a family day out. Besides their fried chicken, their biscuits and mashed potatoes also have good reviews.

7. SS Gai - Eastwood

The eating experience at SS Gai is unique compared to others (Image via Instagram/@ssgainash)
The eating experience at SS Gai is unique compared to others (Image via Instagram/@ssgainash)

It's a Thai restaurant that is famous for its Fried Chicken. Their dipping sauces are also very popular among customers alongside the Mango sticky rice, papaya Salad, charcoal grilled chicken (gai yang), and more. If you want to indulge in a unique Fried Chicken eating experience, you can choose SS Gai.

6. Arnold's Country Kitchen - The Gulch

A sneak peek of what you can expect at Arnold's (Image via Instagram/@arnoldscountrykitchen)
A sneak peek of what you can expect at Arnold's (Image via Instagram/@arnoldscountrykitchen)

Arnold's has been a long-standing restaurant that opened in the 1980s. They serve food in a Meat & 3 style, where you choose a meat and three sides. The only setback is that the restaurant's popularity makes it difficult to find parking during peak hours.

5. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack - Nolensville Pk

An image of Chicken from Prince's (Image via Instagram/@princeshotchicken_nashville)
An image of Chicken from Prince's (Image via Instagram/@princeshotchicken_nashville)

The name of the restaurant and its iconic chicken recipe are said to have an interesting story of tasty revenge behind them. You can order various portions of chicken that will reach your table with a secret mixture rubbed into it. The chicken in the spice level of your choice is served with pickle dill and bread.

4. Red’s Hot Chicken - Midtown

A serving of Chicken from Red's Hot Chicken (Image via Instagram/@reds_hotchicken)
A serving of Chicken from Red's Hot Chicken (Image via Instagram/@reds_hotchicken)

At Red's Hot Chicken, you can get Nashville Chicken and other southern cuisines. The restaurant promises its customers, "Our Hot Chicken spice levels are a complex mixture of flavors that are sure to make your taste buds sing and scream."

3. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken - Nashville

What to expect at Gus Fried Chicken Nashville (Image via Instagram/@gusfriedchicken)
What to expect at Gus Fried Chicken Nashville (Image via Instagram/@gusfriedchicken)

You can start relishing food at Gus's by starting with maybe a Fried Pickle served with Ranch, and then you can choose to have their Southern fried chicken, which is well-loved in East Nashville. Many reviewers rate this place as budget-friendly, with tasty food and homely vibes to its decor.

2. The Stillery - Downtown

Fried Chicken from The Stillery (Image via Instagram/@stillerynashville)
Fried Chicken from The Stillery (Image via Instagram/@stillerynashville)

The Stillery is a restaurant and bar known to serve its customers spicy chicken and great music. If you are a spice lover, you can also opt for their "Nashville Hot" Chicken sandwich that, according to a reviewer, melted their face because of the spice. You can also end your night with a cocktail of your choice, like Bloody Mary or Smoked Old Fashioned.

1 Hattie B's Chicken - Midtown

Fried Chicken served at Hattie's (Image via Instagram/@hattiebs)
Fried Chicken served at Hattie's (Image via Instagram/@hattiebs)

Hattie's is the go-to chicken place for Hot Chicken lovers; they offer juicy and crispy fried chicken with seven different spice levels, from Southern-style (lowest spice level) to Shut the Cluck Up (extreme spice level). Hattie's is a family-owned restaurant open in two locations, but the Midtown one is most preferred by many. Hattoe's is also credited by many for making Nashville Chicken famous nationwide.

Edited by Anshika Jain
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