5 new restaurants in Nashville, TN

theoptimistnashville-185286668_763682937849881_8962846853159035579_n

Frozen cocktails from Jaqueline | Photo by @theoptimistnashville

After months of ordering takeout and cooking from home, hitting up our favorite Nashville haunts — from fine dining to dive bars — has never felt (or tasted) so good. Once you’ve made the rounds on old favorites, be sure to check out these 5 new Music City restaurants and eat your fill.

assemblyfoodhall-159148038_260962612366683_3205883738128097204_n

No Baked Cookie Dough | Photo by @assemblyfoodhall

Assembly Food Hall, 5055 Broadway Place

This downtown concept offers 20+ new dining options including outposts of longtime local favorites like Prince’s Hot Chicken and Pharmacy Burger. Expect regular live music + when the windows are open, catch one of the coolest views in town of the Ryman.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina, 530 Broadway

With tequila flights, frozen drinks, seafood fajitas, and innovative tacos, this new taqueria features all the vibes of the Mexican coastline. TryThis: grilled avocado tacos + weekend brunch items like the Ancho Spiced French Toast.

theoptimistnashville-185286668_763682937849881_8962846853159035579_n

Frozen cocktails from Jaqueline | Photo by @theoptimistnashville

The Gumbo Brothers, 505 12th Ave. South

This New Orleans-inspired spot offers three types of gumbo based on co-owner Adam Latham’s grandmother’s recipeschicken and sausage, seafood + gumbo z’herbs. Other menu offerings include po’boys, crawfish, and all manner of Cajun and Creole sides. Bonus: They have a second location in Brooklyn, NY if you’re ever up that way.

Jacqueline, The Optimist, 1400 Adams St.

Nothing screams spring in Nashville like al fresco cocktails on a patio — which makes the timing of The Optimist’s new outdoor snack bar particularly exciting. Colorful shaved ice cocktails, Aperol spirits, hurricanes, and mint juleps? Yes, please. Add in a few lawn games + fish-camp bites like lobster roll sliders and oysters on the half shell.

Shep’s Delicatessen, 1000 Main St.

Currently open for breakfast and lunch, this classic deli in the old Marche space is the result of restaurateur Howard Greenstone’s nostalgia for the Jewish-style delis he grew up with in New York. ProTip: Bagel happy houraka $1 bagels — is held daily, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Contributed by Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin.

More from NASHtoday