- Attraction: Butcher & Bee
- Location: 902 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.butcherandbee.com/nashville
Butcher & Bee is an East Nashville dining destination that has transformed the concept of Mediterranean cuisine by weaving in Southern hospitality and locally sourced ingredients.
Originally born in Charleston in 2011 as a humble sandwich shop, this Nashville location opened in late 2015 and quickly became a must-visit spot for both locals and visitors seeking inventive vegetable-forward dishes.
What sets this place apart is the genuine commitment to supporting Tennessee farmers—the restaurant is one of Nashville’s largest buyers of local produce. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that what lands on your table reflects the freshest ingredients available.
The Charleston flagship earned James Beard Award finalist recognition in 2022, and the Nashville location carries that same dedication to excellence while carving out its own identity in the vibrant East Nashville food scene.
Must-Try Menu Items
Whipped Feta with Fermented Honey: This dish has achieved legendary status among Nashville diners, and one taste will tell you why. The feta arrives impossibly fluffy and light, drizzled with sweet fermented honey and cracked black pepper, served alongside warm, blistered pita bread.
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Keep Exploring →The preparation strikes a perfect balance without being overly salty. The honey adds a subtle funk that elevates the dish beyond the ordinary. You could easily make an entire meal of this starter and pita alone.
Avocado Crispy Rice: This Thai-influenced signature dish deserves its reputation as a standout. You’ll find Carolina Gold crispy rice providing satisfying crunch, layered with creamy avocado, fresh collards, roasted peanuts, and serrano chilies that bring just the right amount of heat.
The combination of textures is genius—crispy rice against smooth avocado, punctuated by nutty crunch. You can add proteins like shawarma chicken or steak, though the vegetarian version stands perfectly on its own.
The flavors lean bold and spicy, with a marinade that was originally designed for octopus but found its true calling here.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates: These might sound like a tapas cliché, but the execution here will remind you why this dish became a classic.
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Discover MoreThe dates are stuffed just right, wrapped in bacon, and served with an exceptional sauce. Sweet meets savory in the best possible way, and the balance never tips too far in either direction.
Fire-Roasted Carrots: Don’t let the simplicity fool you—these carrots get roasted almost to the point of blackness over the wood fire, then dressed with coconut, peanuts, and sambal.
The charring adds a smoky depth, while the toppings create layers of flavor and texture that transform this humble vegetable into something spectacular. The carrots arrive al dente, maintaining a pleasant bite that contrasts beautifully with the soft coconut and crunchy peanuts.
Brisket Meatballs: These tender orbs arrive swimming in a curry-based sauce that brings impressive heat. The spice doesn’t play around, so keep your water glass handy.
The meatballs themselves are perfectly seasoned and incredibly tender, but that sauce steals the show with its bold, complex flavors.
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Keep Exploring →Tahini Caesar Salad: Forget everything you know about Caesar salad. This reimagined version swaps parmesan for halloumi cheese, replaces croutons with chickpea hazelnut dukkah, and incorporates tahini and bright lemon into the dressing.
The result tastes much more exciting than the traditional version, with Middle Eastern flavors breathing new life into the familiar format.
Green Garlic Ravioli: When it’s on the menu, this delicate pasta dish showcases what the kitchen can do with seasonal ingredients. The ravioli comes stuffed with feta and tossed in a lemony cream sauce that lets the fresh pasta shine through.
Smoked Tri Tip: The wood-fired grill produces exceptional results with this cut of beef. Expect smokey, crispy edges with a bright green harissa that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Cocktails & Beverages
Craft Cocktails: The bar program deserves just as much attention as the kitchen. Bartenders craft inventive seasonal cocktails and shrubs that complement the Mediterranean-leaning menu perfectly.
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Discover MoreThe espresso martini stands out as a reliable choice, while seasonal offerings bring creative twists to classic formulas.
Local Beer Selection: Nashville’s craft brewing scene shines through the tap list, with beers from local favorites like Monday Night Brewing Co., Yazoo, and Honky Tonk Brewing Co. The selection rotates to highlight the best of what Tennessee breweries are producing.
Wine Program: While the wine list stays intentionally concise, every selection has been chosen thoughtfully to pair well with the shareable plates. The bottles lean interesting rather than safe, giving wine enthusiasts something to discover.
Brunch Experience
Weekend Brunch Offerings: Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm bring a completely different energy to the space.
The Middle Eastern family-style brunch feast takes all decision-making off your plate for $35 per person—you’ll receive a rotating selection that might include whipped feta, hummus, avocado crispy rice, pancakes with chocolate tahini maple syrup, or shakshuka.
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Keep Exploring →The pancakes consistently impress with their fluffy texture and that unexpected chocolate tahini drizzle. For those who prefer control over their meal, ordering a la carte remains an option, though the family-style approach offers excellent value and lets you experience more variety.
Shakshuka: This North African egg dish gets the Butcher & Bee treatment with rich, fresh flavors that wake up your palate. The tomato base tastes vibrant and perfectly spiced, with eggs cooked just right.
Atmosphere & Setting
Industrial-Chic Design: The moment you step through the doors, the renovated industrial space makes an impression. Soaring ceilings create an airy feeling, while striking emerald-green subway tiles add pops of color throughout.
The open kitchen dominates the main dining room, with the wood-fired grill as the centerpiece—watching cooks work the flames adds entertainment to your meal. Geometric design motifs appear throughout, creating visual interest without overwhelming the senses.
Multiple Dining Zones: The restaurant offers several distinct areas, each with its own vibe. The main dining room features wooden booths and tables arranged around the open kitchen, perfect for those who enjoy the energy and want to watch the culinary action.
A mezzanine level sits elevated above the main floor, offering prime views of the restaurant below while providing a bit more intimacy and quiet. The chef’s counter provides an interactive experience where you can watch every dish come together.
The long concrete bar with gleaming liquor bottles and silver beer taps creates an excellent spot for solo diners or small groups who want front-row seats to the bartenders’ craft.
Courtyard Patio: The covered outdoor patio transforms the dining experience entirely. Lush foliage surrounds the paved space, with twinkling lights creating a romantic ambiance once the sun sets.
The courtyard provides a comfortable, almost European feeling—perfect for long, leisurely meals with friends.
An overhang covers part of the space, allowing for year-round outdoor dining regardless of weather. Your dog is welcome to join you on the patio, making it a pet-friendly option.
Lighting & Mood: Dinner service brings dimly lit, romantic vibes to the main dining room—ideal for date nights or intimate gatherings.
During brunch and lunch, natural light floods through large windows, creating a brighter, more energetic atmosphere. The space easily shifts between cozy and convivial depending on where you sit and when you visit.
Other Considerations
Pricing & Value: The menu falls into moderate pricing territory, with small plates ranging from roughly $10-18 and larger plates reaching $20-30. The quality justifies the cost, especially given the farm-fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
The Chef’s Choice menu provides excellent value at $45-56 per person, allowing you to experience a wide variety of dishes without the stress of ordering. The family-style brunch at $35 per person offers considerable bang for your buck.
Overall, expect to spend $40-60 per person for dinner with drinks, placing it in the mid-to-upper range for Nashville dining.
Small Plates Philosophy: The menu centers on mezze and shareable plates meant for family-style dining. This approach works beautifully for groups of three or more who want to taste many different dishes.
Parties of two might find some plates harder to share, though ordering strategically helps. The dishes arrive as they’re ready rather than in courses, which keeps the meal flowing but means your whipped feta might appear after your main—somehow this loose timing fits the relaxed, convivial vibe.
Making Reservations: This spot stays busy, especially during prime dinner hours and weekend brunch. Booking a table several days to a couple weeks ahead ensures you won’t face a long wait.
Reservations can be made through their website or Resy. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar areas, which often have more availability.
Parking Situation: The restaurant offers a small shared parking lot, though spaces fill quickly during busy times. Street parking in the surrounding East Nashville neighborhood provides additional options and typically isn’t too difficult to find. Plan for a short walk if you arrive during peak hours.
Dietary Accommodations: Vegetarians and vegans will find paradise here—the vegetable-forward menu offers numerous plant-based options that feel like complete, satisfying meals rather than afterthoughts.
The kitchen accommodates gluten-free requests, and pescatarians have multiple seafood options. The Chef’s Choice menu can be modified for dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Best Times to Visit: Early weeknight dinners tend to be less crowded while still maintaining great energy. Weekend evenings bring the busiest atmosphere and longest waits.
The bar areas offer more spontaneous seating if you don’t have reservations. Brunch provides a completely different experience worth trying at least once.
Private Events: The Rose Room offers a fully private space that can accommodate up to 48 seated guests or 60 for a reception. The restaurant also has a mezzanine area and can host full buyouts for larger gatherings.
Butcher & Bee
📍 902 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
