Charleston To Nashville Restaurants
Over the past several years Nashville has been experiencing somewhat of a Charleston invasion. Charleston-based restaurants are opening locations in Nashville and Charlestonians are becoming Nashvillians. Some would even argue the tall and skinny homes popping up here take their inspiration from traditional Charleston homes, which are typically only one room wide on the home’s street-facing side.
Charleston is consistently named one of the nation’s top culinary destinations. As the Nashville culinary scene has boomed over the past decade or so it has drawn chefs and concepts from around the country, particularly those in Charleston who are eager to plant roots in our vibrant city. Here’s our guide to the Charleston restaurants that have opened locations in Nashville.
Husk
Sean Brock was among the first major Charleston names to venture into the Nashville food scene. In 2013, his restaurant Husk opened a Nashville location. Located in a historic mansion, Husk serves regional ingredients cooked on an ember-fired grill.
Though he severed ties with both Husk locations in 2019, his second act saw him returning to Nashville where he’d launched his career at the Hermitage Hotel in 2003. Sean Brock transformed Charleston into one America’s best food towns and through Joyland, The Continental, June and Audrey he has undoubtedly done the same for Nashville.
Butcher and Bee
What started as a late-night sandwich shop catering to those heading home from the bars, is now a Middle-Eastern leaning restaurant featuring an eclectic, rotating menu of seasonal dishes. And a finalist for a James Beard Award. Pro tip: don’t miss the whipped feta with fermented honey.
Hall’s
With its original location on King Street in Charleston and multiple other locations in South Carolina, the Nashville location is the first out-of-state venture for the Hall family. A fine-dining steakhouse serving prime steaks, regional and fresh seafood. The gospel brunch on Sunday is not to be missed.
O-Ku
From Charleston-based The Indigo Road group, O-Ku is a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine with a southern approach. The dim pendant lighting, suede banquettes, industrial-meets-rustic wood and brick have all the hallmarks of the perfect date-night spot.
The Co-Op
What’s better than a frosé and a sandwich on a summer day? We’ll wait. A frosé bar with gourmet sandwiches and breakfast options. Get a frosé flight to try every flavor.
Oak Steakhouse
Also from the Indigo Road group, Oak Steakhouse is a modern take on the classic American steakhouse. A contemporary menu with a variety of beef selections, small plates, seafood, wine and cocktails.flight to try every flavor.
Xao Bao
The husband and wife team behind the popular Charleston restaurant relocated to Nashville in December 2021. They began in a red trailer on Dickerson Pike and are now located in East Nashville on the same street that’s home to Audrey, Redheadded Stranger and Folk. Their menu consists of Asian comfort food with unique cocktails and mindfully paired wine selections.
Coming Soon: Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ
Rodney Scott has been cooking whole-hog barbecue over wood coals since he was 11 years old. He opened Rodney Scott’s BBQ in Charleston in 2017, which was named one of the 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine. He’s been featured on Netflix and Food Network, has written a cookbook and won a James Beard Award. With locations in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, the Nashville location is rumored to be coming sometime in 2023. They may be known for their BBQ but don’t sleep on their burger and banana pudding.
