Grab a big bowl of chowder, soup, or gumbo in Nashville at any of these restaurants when you need something that tastes as cozy as Music City feels.
Boston Commons
4.5 ★
Next time you’re wanting a taste of Nashville, Boston Commons on Woodland St has a menu that features their well known clam chowder, not to mention their lobster roll that seems to keep people talking. This New England style menu keeps plenty of long time favorites like fish & chips, crab cakes and of course the Boston clam chowder that is bound to warm your bones regardless of the bitter winter weather. When you head over to Woodland St for a bowl of that flavorful chowder, keep an eye out for the “Nashville Strong” mural painted on the side of their establishment. Along with the menu, great service, and top tier food quality, Boston Commons also serves as another excuse to take more photos of Nashville’s art. Ask your server about the story behind the mural if you’re in a curious kind of mood, they take a lot of pride in overcoming the tornado wreckage that eventually led to the painting. During the week, they are happy to have you for dinner from 4:30-9 pm or from 11 am – 9 pm on the weekends. Whether you’re having an early or late meal, the Boston clam chowder is worth the stop.
Red Perch
4.7 ★
Another home for clam chowder that will fill you up and have you asking for seconds is Red Perch on Charlotte Ave. Fresh ingredients are the essential element to any meal you order at Red Perch, and you can taste that fact with every bite. Order some clam chowder to start, but don’t hesitate to take a chance on menu items such as calamari or the shrimp banh mi. Taking a seat at Red Perch means you are sitting down to a meal that was inspired by travels all over the world. The owners of Red Perch met in Hawaii, but have spent many years traveling around the world, all leading up to the plate of food you have ordered. Tuesday through Saturday every week, Red Perch is open from 11 am – 8 pm during their open days so plan your trip to Charlotte Ave now.
The Optimist
4.6 ★
No need to be pessimistic about the experience you will have at a restaurant like The Optimist when you’re on the hunt for some hearty soup to fill you up. Ask about their smoked fish chowder, complete with an order of “pot luck” bread that is perfect for dipping. This appetizer serving size is a solid start to exploring their main menu choices like the lobster roll or swordfish plates, not to mention what they have going on in the oyster bar. Top it all off with something from their extensive wine list and The Optimist will have you seeing the glass half full before you know it. Find your inner optimist at The Optimist on Adams St and visit them for dinner from 5-10 pm any day that feels good. Like most optimists, this restaurant is bringing the positive vibes every single day from their menu to the service and every aspect in between.
The Hampton Social
4.8 ★
Coastal cuisine served on the roof is what The Hampton Social likes to boast to those who want to literally take their meal to a higher level while eating in Nashville. Located on 1st Ave, The Hampton Social is right in the middle of all the happenings in the city with a rooftop seating area that gives you a top tier view of Nashville to enjoy as a backdrop to your night that can’t be beat. Order a bowl of New England clam chowder as an appetizer before trying out a selection of plates like honey glazed salmon or short ribs. Taking favorites from the soul food menus we all love and adding some elevation to the meals and your seating is what makes The Hampton Social a stand out place among Nashville’s restaurant scene. Finish off your meal with doughnut drops or cranberry bread pudding, these desserts aren’t just some menu filling options. Full of flavor with every bite or sip you take, having a meal at this establishment will keep everyone wanting to take another trip to The Hampton Social from 11am – 11 pm every day or night.
City Tap House
4.5 ★
While we are all thrilled about the idea of French onion soup, clam chowder, and the vast amount of tomato soup that is available here in Nashville, City Tap House needs an extra special mention for their chipotle chicken tortilla soup. Along with a creamy tomato soup and a menu stocked with seafood and soul food, City Tap House keeps the flavors coming strong with the chipotle chicken soup. While enjoying the food menu items at City Tap House, look into the reason that they are called City “Tap” House. The wide selection of craft beers always available on tap leaves room for everyone’s particular brew preferences, keeping the rotation fresh and interesting throughout the year. Head over to City Tap House on 3rd Ave from 8 am – 9 pm (11 pm on the weekends) and find out how tasty a bowl of chipotle chicken tortilla soup can be, especially when the weather is a little chilly.
The Lost Paddy
4.5 ★
Contributing to Nashville’s melting pot of a restaurant scene is The Lost Paddy, an Irish pub and restaurant that takes classic meals and puts their own respectful culinary twist on a number of dishes including the stout beer cheese soup. Served with fries, this particular soup is the kind of order that anyone sitting with you will want to take a taste of. To get the most out of this cheese soup, we suggest placing more than one order if your party has more than two people, nobody can resist jumping in to this treat. Sharing is caring and filling up on soup by yourself doesn’t leave much room to try the rest of their menu. They seem to keep a little bit of everything you’d expect on an Irish menu, with enough of a twist to keep it interesting. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, The Lost Paddy is a restaurant that you will want to find for upscale flavors of traditional Irish meals, maybe even some live entertainment if you show up on the right day. Family friendly and comfortable to all who enter, The Lost Paddy is the kind of place you can bring any group to knowing that everyone is bound to have a fun time and find something on the menu.
Marsh House
4.5 ★
Offering one of Nashville’s “happiest” happy hours every day from 5-6 pm during the week along with the option of patio seating just adds to all the reasons why we love Marsh House on 11th Ave. In particular, we are excited to tell you about their soup selection that strays away from the norm with a butternut squash bisque made with bacon fat chili oil and gumbo with a heavy andouille influence. Elevated seafood is the theme of Marsh House and their selection of oysters (especially the discounted ones during happy hour) is one force to be reckoned with throughout Nashville. Check out their hours before you make the trip, they open for breakfast every day and then close for a few hours to prepare for dinner. You know they pull out all the stops when they take the time to get ready for meals in between shifts, the cooks are about to show off every time.
The Gumbo Bros
4.6 ★
If we are going to have any type of serious discussion about soups and chowders in Nashville, the list would be nowhere near complete without a mention of The Gumbo Bros on 12th Ave. Try a bowl of Nanny’s seafood gumbo, or the top selling chicken and sausage gumbo with a number of Cajun style plates and know that your flavor pallet is about to be rocked. Po’ Boys, Louisiana alligator bites, and Cajun potato salad are only a small set of menu options that all have two things in common. The portions are large and they all taste like pure heaven. Since moving to Nashville and opening The Gumbo Bros in 2016, the owners of this place have remained dedicated to feeding the city with the foods they couldn’t get enough of while attending college. From a small cart in New York City to the art covered walls of The Gumbo Bros, this restaurant has taken quite the journey to get to what we know today. The Gumbo Bros are happy to have you come in every day from 11 am – 9 pm for Cajun food, good vibes, and great times.
Skull’s Rainbow Room
4.6 ★
Mentioned often here on The Nashville Insider is Skull’s Rainbow Room, a staple here in Music City for anyone who is interested in the history of this area. Known for being a relatively haunted area (by the most friendly ghost imaginable) Skull’s Rainbow Room has been part of the city since 1948 with no intention of stopping anytime soon. People come in for the live entertainment, like cabaret shows and live music, but they stick around for the food menu that is served late into every evening. At the top of their menu, you can find the smooth and creamy lobster bisque that features flavors of Maine Lobster and Cognac. Find this staple of Nashville’s history on Printer’s Alley and visit them from 5 pm – 2 am every day for some food or live shows. Skull’s Rainbow Room is also known as one of the hottest spots to jam out with live jazz acts every single day. Famous names like Etta James, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis have been a part of the Rainbow Room’s sets in the time they’ve spent open so don’t miss out on a chance to see your favorite artists grace this stage.
The Grilled Cheeserie
4.5 ★
Pulling inspiration from everyone’s favorite childhood lunch combo, The Grilled Cheeserie on Belcourt Ave also offers two soups that are made to be dipped into. When one considers a simple grilled cheese sandwich, the idea of fine dining does not usually sit in the same realm but that is not the case with this particular restaurant. From the make-your-own option to menu favorites like the Buffalo South or Meatball Melt and even a selection of man-n-cheese. Have you ever heard of “French Onion” mac before? One or any of the menu items available at The Grilled Cheeserie is only made more enticing with the addition of either the roasted red pepper or tomato soup. This tomato soup is made the old fashioned way, thick and creamy with the addition of ham to amp the dish up. Take a chance on grilled cheese any day of the week from 11 am – 9 pm and find out just how elevated this meal can get. Real cheese lovers won’t want to miss out on the pimento grilled cheese. Who knew there was a way to make such an easy plate feel like a five course meal?
Conclusion
Now we know you are getting ready to put on a nice jacket and brave the chilly weather for a chance to try any of the gumbos and soups that have been mentioned, but don’t forget to check out the rest of the menu too. Nashville has so much to offer in the way of culinary beauty that you would be missing out by sticking to only one concept. Keep exploring our favorite city and using The Nashville Insider as a guide when you need to know where to eat, drink, party, listen to music, and more while here in Music City. There’s no topic we won’t cover when considering how to best spend your time in Nashville, Tennessee.