The Resy Guide to Date Night in Nashville

The classic steakhouse vibe gets a dash of southern spice here. Located downtown, but away from the chaos of the Broadway strip, it’s a perfect stop-off before a night at the Ryman or the Bridgestone arena.  The menu of course includes southern staples like BBQ shrimp and chicken-fried chicken, but the stars of the show are (you guessed it) the steaks and oysters. A daily rotating selection of oysters would be a perfect start, followed by The Belle, an 8-ounce filet with fried onions, grilled asparagus, red wine glaze, and chive whipped potatoes.

Tired of the traditional date format of dinner and drinks? Game Terminal has the antidote: over 250 classic arcade games to choose from, multiple bars, plus a huge outdoor patio with ping pong and corn hole.  A rotating schedule of food trucks provides the grub, conveniently served by staff to avoid waiting in line. The fun extends to the cocktail list: Try the “Sparklepuss,” a citrusy effervescent vodka drink that comes in a light-up cup you can keep as a memento.

Mangia has date night covered on two fronts: by weeknight, it’s a cozy and casual spot for Neapolitan-style pizza, plus Italian classics like eggplant Parm and meatballs with Sunday sauce . On Saturday night, the lights turn down, the music turns up, and Mangia becomes the scene of an Italian feast. Described by chef and owner Nick Pellegrino as “like going to the best Italian wedding you’ve ever been to, but without any of the pain-in-the-neck relatives you never wanna see,” the Saturday night feast lasts 3 hours, with multiple courses, singing, and dancing.

The extensive beer list is heavy on local brews. Spend the evening sampling the plethora of Tennessee-brewed offerings or try the COW (cocktail of the week). The airy bar room is casual but not divey, with a menu of bar food classics with a twist, like smoked gouda queso and a ceviche tostada. For heavier fare, try the shrimp and chips or the Nations Melt, a kitchen-sink sandwich with spicy ground beef, poblano pesto, a fried egg, and more.

Early riser? Just not interested in the nightlife scene? Have a breakfast date at the Cafe at the Bobby. Try one of the specialty coffees, like the Flower child, an espresso and milk drink with lavender, rosewater, and honey, paired with bananas foster French toast. For those who aren’t morning people, the cafe also has a lunch menu (and wine and cocktail list) for a chill daytime date.

Stepping into Cafe Intermezzo is like time traveling into a 19th-century European coffeehouse: decadent pastries on display, opulent chandeliers, and lots of cafe seating. Serving a variety of dishes, including all-day breakfast, this is a spot to stop and slow down. Whether in the mood for cocktails or coffee, this is the perfect atmosphere for long conversations and old-world charm. 

After a year of takeout and home cooking, soak up some elegance at this newly opened restaurant by celebrated chef Sean Brock. Think exquisite service and updates on fine dining traditions, with a seasonal focus; dishes like the Pacific Red Crab parfait and pâté en croute harken back to more refined times, and The Continental Prime Rib tableside cart is sure to impress your date. 

It’s tiki time, all the time, at Pearl Diver. If island-hopping in the tropics isn’t on the table quite yet, the tropical atmosphere and strong cocktails is a very good substitute. They have all the classic tiki drinks, such as the Mai Tai and Singapore Sling, but also some tantalizing signature choices like the East Park Swizzle, with mezcal, cream sherry, falernum, mint and lime.  Come for after-dinner drinks, or start your night here, with offerings like the pupu platter for two, yakitori, and fish tacos. Walk-ins only.