Franklin’s culinary map: The best bites beyond Main Street

Franklin’s Main Street may be famous for its food, but the city’s best bites go beyond its downtown area. Across its neighborhoods and commercial districts, chef-driven restaurants and local favorites alike have transformed Franklin into one of Middle Tennessee’s most exciting dining destinations.

This guide features the cafés, eateries, and hidden gems that showcase the city’s diverse tastes, from creative modern menus to comforting international dishes. Here’s where to eat in Franklin, TN.

FINE DINING RESTAURANTS

When the occasion calls for something special, Franklin, TN’s fine dining scene delivers. These upscale restaurants combine impeccable service, sophisticated atmospheres, and expertly prepared cuisine that rivals anything you’ll find in Nashville.

• Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

  5028 Aspen Grove Drive

  Located in the McEwen Northside development, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille brings Texas-sized hospitality to Franklin’s Cool Springs area. The 11,000-square-foot space is Tennessee’s first Perry’s location and it didn’t take long for locals to embrace its upscale dining and Southern warmth.

  The Perry family’s culinary legacy began in 1979 with a humble butcher shop in Houston. Decades later, that same commitment to freshness and craft lives on in every USDA Prime aged steak, tableside carving, and flamed dessert.

  For the signature experience, order Perry’s iconic slow-smoked pork chop. It’s cured for six hours over pecan wood, caramelized to perfection, and finished with a drizzle of herb-garlic butter.

• Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill

1726 Galleria Boulevard

Known for their hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and signature salads, Stoney River’s menu is one of the best places to eat in Franklin, TN for contemporary American cuisine. Highlights include the Coffee-Cured Filet, New York Strip, and Bone-in Ribeye, each paired with sides like three-cheese mac or cinnamon sweet potatoes.

Sunday Brunch is an event in itself, featuring Lobster Rolls, Shrimp & Grits, and Chicken Biscuits. Private dining is also available for up to 100 guests, with curated menus and a team dedicated to making every event memorable.

• Serrato’s Steakhouse

  3046 Columbia Avenue, Suite 102

  Founded by Chef José Serrato after 25 years in fine dining, Serrato’s Steakhouse opened in 2021 with one clear goal: to provide an elevated dining experience in Franklin, TN that rivals national steakhouses.

  Serrato’s menu celebrates craftsmanship, from its hand-cut prime steaks cooked to precise perfection to the wild-caught seafood that rotates seasonally. Don’t miss the Filet Mignon stuffed with crab and shrimp, the kale salad that locals rave about, or the flourless chocolate torte for a decadent finish.

  At the bar, guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, local beers, and an impressive wine selection.

FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANTS AND DINERS

In Franklin, TN, “farm-to-table” dining restaurants bring the everyday magic of a kitchen that still believes in scratch-made recipes, shared meals, and local pride to the forefront. And here are some of our favorites:

• Southall Farm & Inn

  2200 Osage Loop

  Set across 425 acres of rolling Tennessee countryside, Southall Farm & Inn redefines what it means to eat farm-to-table. Founded by Paul Mishkin, Southall is built on the belief that the land’s health fuels everything it produces, from its harvests to its hospitality.

  Southall’s signature restaurant, January, transforms farm-fresh ingredients into multi-course masterpieces inspired by the changing seasons. Diners savor dishes made from freshly-picked vegetables, orchard fruits, and golden honey, all harvested steps from the kitchen.

  Other experiences include Sojourner, a cozy all-day café; Tea by Southall, an afternoon tea featuring garden-grown herbs; and the Tiffin Dinner, a global tasting journey reimagined through local ingredients.

• The Fork Inn

  5528 Big East Fork Road

  Nestled amid 3,000 acres of protected forest and farmland in nearby Leiper’s Fork, The Fork Inn offers a dining experience that’s as organic as it gets. It’s a hideaway is a haven for nature lovers and is complete with horses, pigs, chickens, and a famously friendly donkey named Rosie.

  The star of The Fork Inn experience is the seasonal five-course farm dinner, hosted periodically under the stars or in the glow of McKinney’s Solarium. Guests enjoy a menu that might include still-living salad greens with edible flowers, saffron rice, Persian-style chicken kababs, and mildly spiced lentils, paired with local wines, beer, and whiskey.

• Herban Market

  3078 Maddux Way Suite 300

  For those who prefer their farm-to-table experience, Herban Market is Franklin’s homegrown haven. Founded in 2015 by Matt and Ashlea Hogancamp, this bright, welcoming eatery grew from a neighborhood market into one of Middle Tennessee’s most trusted names in clean and conscious dining.

  Everything here is organic, seed-oil-free, and locally sourced whenever possible. The all-day menu features grass-fed burgers, wild-caught seafood, stone-fired pizzas, and vibrant salads, plus an array of gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and dairy-free options.

• Bishops Meat & 3

  3065 Mallory Lane #115

  For more than seven decades, the Bishop family has been feeding Tennessee families with made-from-scratch meals rooted in love, tradition, and hospitality. Each day, the menu changes, but the formula never does: one meat, three sides, and a warm smile.

  Guests line up for fried chicken, catfish, and pork chops alongside pinto beans, fried okra, squash casserole, and the beloved carrot soufflé—a sweet, buttery twist that locals swear by. And don’t even think about skipping the jalapeño cornbread or the banana pudding. They’re rich, homemade, and unapologetically Southern.

• Saffire Restaurant

  230 Franklin Road Suite 11M

  After more than two decades of serving wood-fired flavor and Southern charm, Saffire Restaurant remains one of Franklin’s most beloved culinary landmarks. Nestled inside The Factory, Saffire first opened in 2001 under visionary restaurateur Tom Morales, the Nashville native behind TomKats Hospitality Group.

  Now reopened under the Factory’s Water Tower, complete with its iconic 300-year-old bar, Saffire continues to deliver what diners have missed most: Inventive, wood-fired cuisine served with soulful Southern warmth.

  Under Executive Chef Matt Farley, the kitchen turns locally-sourced ingredients into unforgettable dishes, such as steak biscuits that melt in your mouth, beet and calamari salads, and Southern staples like chicken-fried chicken with collard greens and mac and cheese.

• Puckett’s Restaurant

  120 4th Avenue S

  If Franklin, TN had a soundtrack, it would play nightly at Puckett’s Restaurant, the town’s go-to spot for barbecue, biscuits, and bluegrass. Originally a small country store, Puckett’s evolved into a Tennessee icon built on farm-fresh recipes, family atmosphere, and live music that turns dinner into an experience.

  Here, slow-cooked barbecue steals the show—smoky pulled pork, cherry-glazed wings, and ribs that fall off the bone. The fried catfish is perfectly seasoned, the chili mac comforting, and the pimento cheese bites downright addictive. Everything tastes like it came straight from a family recipe, because in many ways, it did.

COFFEE + CAFÉ CULTURE

Great coffee is non-negotiable in Franklin and these cafés deliver on both the brew and the experience. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner for your morning routine, a productive workspace with excellent espresso, or a laid-back spot to meet friends, Franklin’s coffee shops have carved out their own identities beyond the downtown bustle.

• Frothy Monkey

  125 5th Avenue S

  Tucked inside the former manse of the Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, Frothy Monkey is as much a part of downtown Franklin’s fabric as its brick-lined streets. This cozy, wraparound-porch café was the first Frothy outside Nashville and continues to be a beloved hub for locals and travelers alike.

  Here, the energy hums from 7 a.m. until close. Guests gather for everything from Havana Lattes and Rosemary Honey Lattes to hearty dishes like the Royale Sandwich or the crowd-favorite Shrimp and Grits. The food and drink are all made from scratch, featuring regionally sourced ingredients and creative recipes that turn everyday comfort food into an artful experience.

• McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions

  130 2nd Avenue N

  Named after one of the area’s founding families, McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions is located inside The Harpeth Hotel and offers locally roasted coffee from Honest Coffee Roasters.

  Start the morning with lemon blueberry pancakes, avocado toast, or a flaky pastry fresh from the oven. At lunch, indulge in artisanal sandwiches, lobster rolls, or crisp, colorful salads. For those looking to unwind, McGavock’s also features premium wines, craft cocktails, and local beers.

• The Coffee House at Second & Bridge

  144 2nd Avenue N

  Housed in a restored historic home on Second Avenue, The Coffee House at Second & Bridge is known for its craft coffee, house-made pastries, and all-day brunch favorites.

  Popular menu items include Nutella crepes, savory sandwiches, and protein bites, all made fresh in-house. Regulars swear by the lavender honey latte and the hazelnut drip coffee, while first-timers can’t resist the charm of grabbing a seat by the window or outside on the iconic red porch swing.

• Elroy Coffee Co.

  400 Downs Boulevard #150

  Born from a mother-daughter dream, Elroy Coffee Co. combines Australian coffee culture with Tennessee hospitality. The story began when Jodie Fairclough, once a coffee shop owner in Perth, brought her Australian roasting traditions to Franklin. Working with local partners, she crafted a blend that mirrors the bold, dark roasts of Aussie espresso, resulting in some of the richest, smoothest lattes in town.

  Elroy’s menu is as thoughtful as its mission: Anzac cookies, hand pies, sausage rolls, and even jars of Vegemite for homesick Australians.

GLOBAL FLAVORS

You don’t need a passport to take your palate on a global journey. Franklin’s international dining scene features family-run favorites serving generations-old recipes to modern concepts reimagining traditional cuisines.

• Mi Kitchen

  9050 Carothers Parkway #104

  Located in Cool Springs, Mi Kitchen has quickly become one of Franklin’s most talked-about culinary gems. Founded in 2023 by Chefs Brendan Yun and Nick Rho, both originally from South Korea, this Asian tapas bar reflects a decade-long friendship and a shared vision to reimagine traditional flavors through a contemporary lens.

  The menu is a masterclass in fusion done right. Highlights include Korean fried chicken glazed in sweet-spicy sauce, edamame truffle dumplings, and tsi-ran lamb chops coated in aromatic dry rub. Dishes like Kimchi Risotto and Bulgogi Tacos capture Mi Kitchen’s East-meets-West spirit, while their playful “Capri Moon” drinks—soju cocktails served in nostalgic Capri Sun-style pouches—add a dose of whimsy.

• Chrysalis

  9040 Carothers Parkway Suite A201

  Also located in Cool Springs, Chrysalis is a locally owned modern Italian concept that combines the elegance of fine dining with the warmth of a neighborhood trattoria. Every dish here is made from scratch, from the house-made spaghetti and shrimp Alfredo to lemon salmon and vodka shrimp diavolo.

• Wild Ginger

  101 Market Exchange Ct

  A true pioneer of global fusion, Wild Ginger is the first restaurant in Middle Tennessee to bring the Pacific Rim experience to local diners.

  Family-owned and operated, this fine dining destination masterfully combines Asian technique, South American flair, and Western creativity, resulting in a menu that feels both innovative and timeless. Signature dishes include the miso seabass, braised short rib, and an impressive array of signature maki rolls and tapas.

• CAVA

  3058 Mallory Lane #160

  Fast-casual doesn’t mean fast food at CAVA. It means fresh, flavorful, and full of heart. Founded in 2010 by childhood friends Ike Grigoropoulos, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ted Xenohristos, CAVA grew from their Greek family tables into a nationwide celebration of the Mediterranean way of life.

  The menu is customizable and crave-worthy, centered around greens and grains bowls, pitas, and salads that highlight bright, wholesome ingredients. Guests can build their meal from the ground up, starting with a base then adding proteins like spicy lamb meatballs, grilled chicken, or falafel then finished with tzatziki, hummus, and crisp veggies.