New On Resy: Nashville’s Newest Restaurant Openings

It’s a taste of Tokyo right here in Nashville, whether you opt for a meal at the sushi counter or go for à la carte in the dining room. Both seats lend themselves to listening to their ever-rotating selection of vinyl, so you can’t go wrong.

You’d never know you’re in a landlocked state while you’re dining at The Optimist, where seafood comes glistening atop trays of ice, and the wine list leans light and crisp.

When the Hyatt Centric built on the site of the former beloved Yazoo Brewing Co. taproom, they intentionally chose a gastropub theme for the flagship restaurant as a nod to the popular brewery and gathering spot. Serving all three daily meals plus weekend brunch, the all-day menu features shareables, sandwiches, and pizzas courtesy of a partnership with Five Points Pizza. The bar program revolves around local and regional craft beers including eight draft options from the former residents at Yazoo. 

It almost feels like you should need a visa to step inside Once Upon a Time in France. The cozy neighborhood bistro serves a list of European beers and creative cocktails and a tight menu of absolutely classic French cuisine, from escargots and steak tartare to boeuf bourguignon and steak frites. The tin ceiling tiles and period French decor from between the World Wars complete the Francophiles’ fantasy. 

Tulum comes to Music City courtesy of the new rooftop bar atop the Hyatt Centric. With more than 8,000 square feet of space and three heated outdoor terraces, COA offers sweeping views of the Nashville skyline along with cozy seating and firepits. In addition to modernist takes on Yucatecan cuisine, COA features one of the most extensive selections of agave products in town with more than 300 types of Tequila, mezcal, and sotol, plus craft cocktails made using those spirits. 

When the news dropped that renowned chef Philippe Chow had plans to bring his brand of upscale Chinese cuisine to Music City, visions of crispy Peking duck and the chef’s famous chicken satay began dancing in Nashville diners’ heads. Now that the restaurant has opened on the ground floor of Cummins Station in a sleek, gilded space that feels like the dining car on the Orient Express, those visions have become a delicious reality.

Culaccino’s owner moved from Naples to Franklin, Tenn., in 2020 to open the Italian fine dining restaurant of his dreams, so you know it has to be legit, right? Admittedly, it was Naples, Fla., but the housemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas taste like they’re straight from the mother country. Now that the second location of Culaccino is serving up Italian classics and an impressive list of global wines in the hottest new neighborhood in Nashville, they’re certain to attract a whole new legion of loyal fans. 

There are plenty of al fresco seating options on the expansive patio at this popular spot, and the whimsical Treehouse vibe extends to the decor and the fun menu that offers small plates for sharing or fully-composed dishes to keep for yourself. Fantastic happy hour deals make The Treehouse an industry and neighborhood favorite. Pro tip: There is an actual treehouse that you can dine in with private parties.

This Southern brasserie has been a long-time favorite of hotel guests and locals alike for its thoughtful updates of down-home classics. Laser-focused on brunch service, Mason’s offers familiar fare like avocado toast and eggs, but they also turn up the creativity with dishes such as pork belly huevos rancheros and their take on Nashville hot chicken. Sister restaurant Mason Bar across the lobby corridor provides the drink options and upscale pub food.

Part of the fun of visiting Fishmonger’s first outpost outside of their hometown of Atlanta is checking out the newly renovated Neuhoff complex. Formerly a massive abattoir and meat processing plant, the concrete and steel building exudes a fascinating modernist industrial vibe, almost like a set from “Blade Runner.” Fishmonger is a cozy contrast to the rest of the building, offering an inviting bar area and dining space filled with greenery and fun nautical accents to accompany their fresh Gulf seafood dishes and raw bar options.