The December Hit List: Black Rabbit, Game Terminal, Roze Pony, and More

Welcome to Game Terminal, a massive, 10,000-square-foot emporium of new and vintage arcade games: Pinball machines. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Tron, and more are on hand to entertain indoors (check out the full list here), while an 8,000-square-foot outdoor area includes games, socially distanced tables, covered patios, and multiple bars. Food is provided by a rotating schedule of popular local food trucks like Steaming Goat and Pie Town Tacos; servers will take food orders and deliver to your table, too. The patio is pup-friendly, and the whole place is kid-friendly untill 9 p.m. when it turns 21 and up.

Dining Status: Dining areas are open, food trucks change daily.

Nashville’s premier drag shows are back on at Suzy Wong’s, now open for weekend “Drag’n brunch” and “Drag’n dinner” on Saturday night. Chef Arnold Myint’s signature Asian fusion dishes, like katsu chicken and waffles and wonton nachos, are available as part of a set menu, which includes price of admission to the show. The restaurant has reconfigured its seating for social distancing, but that’s not stopping the show. Don’t forget to tip your entertainers!

Dining Status: Dining room is open for set seating times; be sure to make a reservation.

West Nashville has scored big with the opening of Roze Pony, an all-day cafe and market from chef-owner Julia Jaksic. It’s her second restaurant, a follow-up to East Nashville brunch mainstay Cafe Roze, offering a similarly curated menu of gorgeous sandwiches and bowls at breakfast and lunch, and heartier nighttime offerings like a bone-in N.Y. strip with onion rings. Pro tip: Don’t miss the fluffy, jiggly souffle pancakes with blueberry syrup, which will be the envy of every table (and Instagram account) in the restaurant. Coffee, tea, and cocktails are available throughout the day, as well as take-home offerings like Ornette sourdough, tinned fish, and more.

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout is available. Call 615-942-5057 for reservations.

In Nashville’s burgeoning landscape of hotel restaurants, Zeppelin stands out as one that’s both trendy and pedigreed: Executive chef Aaron Thebault comes from Chicago’s Girl and the Goat, while owner and creative director Scott Baird brings his skills as an owner of San Francisco’s award-winning bar Trick Dog. Diners can snack on polished bar snacks from hamachi crudo and raw oysters to a patty melt on rye with mustard and grilled onions. Cocktails, beer, and wine are equally as thoughtful, and available for dining indoors or on a massive patio with four cozy firepits.

Dining Status: Dining room and patios are open. Call 629-236-0035 for reservations.

Slip into a different era at this 1900s speakeasy-inspired spot in Printer’s Alley. Chef Trey Cioccia is in charge of the menu, which features a large selection of shareable plates like smoked salmon dip with Duke’s mayonnaise, smoked mushroom croquettes, and chili-lime wings. The large plates are similarly Southern-inspired, with wood-fire chicken and cheddar biscuits and a smoked ribeye with pole beans and baby sweet potatoes. In true speakeasy fashion, cocktails are co-stars of the menu, with a variety of old fashioneds and seasonal classics.

Dining Status: Dining room is now open; reservations suggested.

Prolific Nashville chef Deb Paquette has upped the ante with a playful new midtown restaurant and market. Named after her sassy Jack Russell, Jasper, the menu follows suit with dishes like “caulipoppers” and “neatchos,” lamb barbacoa-topped tortilla chips. A casual menu of sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and more follow, all topped with Paquette’s signature melange of sauces. The market is filled with housemade pastries, snacks, and sauces, plus other fun gifts and goodies to take home.

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout and delivery are available. Call 615-327-4410 for reservations.

The Loews’ flagship restaurant has gotten a refresh with the addition of head chef Patrick Gossett, whose menu of Southern dishes spans breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. It’s an excellent jumping-off point, whether dining as a hotel guest or before heading downtown to wander Broadway (mask on, please). Fuel up with a burger topped with pulled pork and bacon and bourbon jam, a flatbread topped with Benton’s country ham, or fresh Bucksnort trout. Or, just grab a cocktail and a snack in the swanky bar.

Dining Status: Dining room is open; reservations suggested.

For over thirty years, Darfons has operated as one of Donelson’s classiest restaurants. Its location near the Nashville airport has ensured it is one of the best après-plane destinations, with an extensive wine list, cocktails, and a deep menu of American and Mediterranean dishes to please any palate. Prime-rib sandwiches, baby back ribs, seared scallops, seafood linguine, and steaks topped with crab meat are just a few of the offerings at Darfons, in addition to a refreshingly well-appointed kids’ menu.

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout and delivery are available.

East Nashville now possesses (another) hip, new all-day cafe with cocktails, inspired by its Australian owners’ love of Aussie cafe culture. The menu runs the gamut from light breakfast fare like cold smoked salmon toast to hearty eggs benedict with thick-sliced ham and hashbrowns, plus sandwiches, salads, and vegetable-heavy bowls. Coffee, tea, and fresh juices area available all day, alongside pitchers of seasonal spritzes, hot toddies, beer, and wine. A shorter after hours menu starts at 5 p.m., which includes the Aussie beef burger, fries, and cold oysters. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout and delivery are available

A self-described “eclectic diner” is now open in Woodbine, complete with an enclosed, heated patio. The menu lives up to that description with dishes ranging from smoked duck barbecue in crepes to a lamb sandwich topped with provolone and creamed spinach and mint au jus for dipping, plus burgers and salads. TVs are on hand for sports events, which pair well with Peachtree’s selection of fried appetizers, beers, and hard seltzers. 

Dining Status: Dining room and patios are open; takeout and delivery available.