12 BEST RESTAURANTS IN FRANKLIN, TN.
Reliant Realty ERA Powered Team – Tuesday April 10, 2018
A restaurant is one of my keenest pleasures. Meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilised life. — Adam Gopnik
If you were to describe Franklin, TN, in one word, it would be picturesque. Although the city is growing by leaps and bounds, it succeeds in preserving a small-town appeal.
The presence of so many unique restaurants serving so many niches is just one example of that growth. Yet the personal, welcoming approach they maintain reflects that down-home feel.
In fact, you'll notice wherever you visit businesses in Franklin put customer support and service as top-level priorities. In fact, Money Magazine calls Franklin the fourth-best town to retire in.
But whether you live here, plan on moving in, or may just be traveling to see the sights this summer, you need to find some places to eat in Franklin. Here are the eateries that the locals swear by. To help decide where to start, we've grouped the restaurants by location or cuisine: Downtown Franklin, Vegetarian/Vegan, BBQ, and Upscale dining.
Restaurants in Downtown Franklin, TN
1. Franklin Mercantile Deli
100 4th Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
Located at 100 4th Avenue North, Franklin Mercantile Deli is basically at the corner of Fourth and Main.
Owners Graeme and Corrie Asch bring some Louisiana zing to their meals.
This eatery is the quintessential soup, sandwich, and salad place. However, the real insider tip is the breakfast menu.
You cannot go wrong with Graeme’s Specialty Omelettes, which let you choose a customized taste.
Options include red onion, feta cheese, and turkey as well as other yummy ingredients.
Image source: Mathew Mayer
2. 55 South
403 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064, USA
The cuisine at 55 South's Franklin location revolves around the skill set of Chef Jason McConnell and his tasty interpretation of comfort food with a strong Southern twist.
This eatery doesn’t take reservations, so come hungry and willing to cool your heels at the bar area for a while.
You might come for the chicken and sausage jambalaya, but when you see the shrimp and grits on the menu, you might change your mind.
Image source: forkthenspoon.com
3. McCreary's Irish Pub
2761 414 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064
Thirsty guests visit McCreary's Iris Pub for late night happy hour. Between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, you get a steep discount on the beer of the month.
You also save on appetizers. These are exactly what you would expect. Choose from bangers and mash or the wings of Donegal.
But where this Franklin restaurant truly shines is its late-night fare. Irish cheese chips, the County Cork shrimp basket, and the famous Guinness chocolate cake make it worthwhile to push back dinner a few hours.
Image Source: Deborah Sheridan
Vegetarian and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Franklin, TN
It is usually difficult to find genuinely vegan eateries. In Franklin, you have some options among several vegetarian and vegan-friendly locales.
4. House of India
9100 Carothers Pkwy #105, Franklin, TN 37067
Situated at 9100 A Carothers Parkway, this restaurant does not serve dinner. It is a brunch or lunch spot.
It's also a must-visit for the buffet. But be sure to stay for the menu meals.
Vegetable Pakora, Aloo Tikki, and Baingan Bhartha are some options.
This restaurant does serve meat, too. Therefore, the carnivores in your group will love this place as much as you do.
Image Source: Jeanette Porazzo
5. Wild Ginger
101 Market Exchange Ct, Franklin, TN 37067
Come here to enjoy lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
Located at 101 Market Exchange Court, you are welcome to make reservations.
For the classic Japanese, sushi, and Chinese dining experience, this is one of the restaurants in Franklin that you have to visit at least once.
Scallops and yellowfin tuna are the major grill attractions. But do not forget to sample the Bombay Calamari, Kimchi-Bulgogi lettuce wrap, and wild ginger salad.
The pescatarian among your friends will thank you for suggesting the place.
Image Source: Mark Holifield
6. Tupelo Honey Cafe
2000 Meridian Blvd #110, Franklin, TN 37067
In 2016, Franklin Lifestyle Magazine voted the café the best new restaurant in Franklin.
Located at 2000 Meridian Boulevard, vegetarian and other Southern fare rub elbows on the menu.
There are the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese grits, salt-roasted beet salad, the Grateful 'Veg' Burger, and Huevos Rancheros. Lacto-ovo vegetarians adore this menu.
Meat lovers appreciate the Southern charcuterie board and Tupelo sorghum apple sausage.
Image Source: Tupelo Honey
Franklin BBQ Restaurants in Franklin, TN
You cannot spend time anywhere in Tennessee and not sample the local barbecue cuisine. In fact, these restaurants are major attractions anywhere, and Franklin is no exception.
7. Moe’s Original BBQ
901 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064
Come toMoe's Original BBQ between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.
It's a family-friendly place that does catering, dine-in, and pick-up. Finger foods are king. The cornbread has people swooning.
Southern fried catfish sandwich meals fly off the shelves. The same is true for the smoked hot links.
Image Source: Moe's Original BBQ
8. Stroud's Barbeque
1010 Fulton Greer Ln, Franklin, TN 37064
Visit Stroud's to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, this is the home of the large plate.
There is the pork plate, barbeque burrito, or the classic BLT.
Play your cards right on Fridays and Saturdays, and you also get to enjoy the ribs that draw crowds from around the area.
Image Source: Chandler Ross
9. Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse
1203 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
Granted, this is a franchise with a variety of locations.
However, for the real deal, you want to come to Franklin at 1203 Murfreesboro Road.
It impresses with a generous sampler platter, smoked turkey, and racks of baby back ribs.
Image Source: Zomato.com
Upscale Places to Eat in Franklin
Where do you go when it is time to celebrate a special occasion? Fortunately, fine dining in Franklin is easy to locate.
10. Sperry’s Cool Springs Restaurant
650 Frazier Dr, Franklin, TN 37067
The ambiance is king at Sperry’s Cool Springs. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Start with escargots or seared filet mignon tips. Enjoy the Kobe beef cheeseburger, which is a house specialty.
Other options include roast prime rib and rainbow trout almandine.
Finish your meal with sticky toffee pudding, another house specialty.
Image Source: Sperry's Cool Springs
11. Red Pony Restaurant
408 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Red Pony bills itself as Fine Southern dining. The atmosphere is relaxed but does have a distinctly upscale vibe.
Begin your meal with wood fire oysters or Leche De Tigre.
From there, you might move on to Chicken Tagine, a hickory grilled cowboy rib eye, or pork chop with candied almond pesto.
Finish the experience with a classic crème Brulee.
Image Source: Red Pony
12. Cork & Cow
403 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Another Main Street favorite – you'll find Cork & Cow at 403 Main Street – with a penchant for the finer things in life.
Hickory wood smoked foods are at the heart of the menu. The grill is busy, too. Cases in point are the grilled lamb chops that serve as starters.
Select a filet mignon or dry-aged NY strip steak for your entrée.
Image Source: Cork & Cow
CHECK OUT SOME OTHER POPULAR LINKS
Check out these other popular links
Additional Resources if You're Moving to Tennessee
Searching for a house can be both exciting and stressful. Here are online resources to help you plan your move.
- The Nashville Chamber of Commerce "Getting Established" page is a great resource for information on a variety of topics and is a great place to start.
- Department of Motor Vehicles instructions to re-register your out of state driver's license and vehicle.
- Check out the neighborhood! Read up on Nashville's eclectic neighborhoods and find your ideal vibe.
- Have kids? Learn about schools and their ratings before you move.
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