- Attraction: Husk Nashville
- Location: 37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://husknashville.com/
A wood-burning oven crackles in the corner while you settle into a seat overlooking an on-site vegetable garden that supplies tonight’s dinner.
This is Husk Nashville—a restaurant that has redefined Southern dining since opening in 2013 as the second location of the acclaimed Charleston original.
Housed in an 1880s Victorian mansion that once belonged to Nashville’s 50th mayor, Richard Houston Dudley, the restaurant blends historic charm with cutting-edge culinary innovation.
The menu changes twice daily based on what local farms deliver and what’s ready to harvest from the garden just outside the windows, ensuring every visit offers something new to discover.
From the moment you approach the grand pillars and wraparound porch, you’ll sense something special awaits inside. The restaurant operates under one strict rule: if an ingredient doesn’t come from the South, it doesn’t make it through the door.
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Keep Exploring →This commitment extends to every detail, including sourcing olive oil from Georgia rather than importing it from overseas. The result feels like stepping into a celebration of everything the region has to offer, from heirloom vegetables rescued from near extinction to rare whiskey selections you won’t find anywhere else.
The Dishes That Keep Visitors Coming Back
The Legendary Cheeseburger: This isn’t your typical burger—it’s crafted with Bear Creek Farm beef, featuring two juicy patties stacked high with American cheese on a sesame bun spread with house-made special sauce.
The thick-cut potato wedges served alongside are perfectly crisped on the outside while maintaining a fluffy interior that delivers serious potato flavor. You’ll find this burger on the menu whether you visit for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, and it has earned a devoted following for good reason.
Pimento Cheese Perfection: The house-made pimento cheese arrives with sturdy benne seed wafers that can actually support a generous scoop without cracking. Unlike bland versions you might encounter elsewhere, this one has a pleasant spicy kick that keeps things interesting bite after bite.
The combination of buttermilk cheddar and smoked white cheddar creates a creamy, tangy spread that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.
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Discover MoreFried Chicken With A Twist: The Nashville hot fried chicken showcases the kitchen’s ability to balance heat with flavor. The coating stays incredibly crispy even as the tender meat inside practically falls off the bone.
Be warned—the dry rub packs serious heat, so if you’re not a spice enthusiast, you might want to explore other options. The chicken arrives with your choice of two sides, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
Innovative Vegetable Presentations: The Southern vegetable plate changes with the seasons and consistently impresses even dedicated carnivores. You might encounter pickled Swiss chard, charred cabbage with spicy buttermilk dressing, or hush puppies made from Sea Island peas.
Each vegetable receives individual attention and creative preparation that makes you reconsider what vegetables can be. The presentations transform humble ingredients into revelations that deserve center-stage attention.
Shrimp and Grits Reimagined: This Low Country classic gets updated with Tennessee flair. The creamy grits provide a perfect base for tender shrimp, while seasonal additions might include butternut squash or pumpkin depending on what’s available.
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Keep Exploring →The broth ties everything together with layers of flavor that develop as you eat. While portion sizes lean toward the modest side, the quality and depth of flavor make every spoonful count.
The Crispy Pig Ear Lettuce Wraps: This menu staple has been delighting adventurous eaters since opening day. Sweet, crispy pig ear nuggets get wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves that provide a light counterpoint to the rich, fried texture.
The contrast between the delicate greens and the indulgent ears creates a balanced bite that works surprisingly well.
Country Ham Done Right: Thin-sliced, 24-month aged country ham from Bob Woods arrives with buttermilk biscuits, house-made mustard, and pickles. The saltiness of the cured ham balances perfectly against the rich, tender biscuits that practically melt in your mouth.
This appetizer showcases the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing from Southern producers who maintain traditional methods.
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Discover MoreWhiskey Heaven and Creative Cocktails
The Downstairs Bar Experience: The lower level houses an impressive bar featuring over 200 spirits, with an especially noteworthy whiskey collection.
You’ll discover rare bourbon selections including exclusive single-barrel picks not available anywhere else, with 2-ounce pours ranging from affordable to splurge-worthy. The bar area overlooks the garden and offers a more intimate atmosphere perfect for enjoying a nightcap or waiting for your table.
House-Made Cocktail Program: The bartenders create innovative drinks using herbs, shrubs, and bitters made from ingredients grown in the on-site garden.
Cocktails blend traditional Southern flavors with modern mixology techniques, featuring creations like bourbon with madeira and brown sugar or mezcal mixed with passion fruit and holy basil. The cocktail apothecary program ensures every drink showcases fresh, seasonal flavors.
Happy Hour Value: You can find happy hour pricing throughout the entire restaurant, not just at the bar. This makes trying multiple cocktails or exploring the whiskey selection more accessible without breaking the bank.
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Keep Exploring →The Victorian Mansion Setting
Historic Architecture: The dining areas spread throughout multiple rooms of the mansion, with each space maintaining its own character.
The building was constructed between 1879 and 1882 by Dr. John Bunyan Stephens on Rutledge Hill, a neighborhood settled by descendants of South Carolina’s Declaration of Independence signers.
The restoration preserved the building’s Victorian details while adding modern touches that feel natural rather than forced.
Garden Views: The main downstairs dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the working vegetable garden. Watching the sun filter through the herbs and vegetables that might appear on your plate adds another dimension to the dining experience.
The garden supplies fresh ingredients throughout the growing season, from delicate herbs to small batches of vegetables.
The Covered Patio: On beautiful Nashville days, the outdoor seating area becomes the most coveted spot in the house.
Surrounded by greenery in a quiet space along the side of the building, the patio offers an escape from the downtown bustle just blocks away. The intimate setting works equally well for romantic dinners or casual weekend brunches.
Multiple Room Layouts: The dining areas break into smaller sections with three or four tables each, creating more intimate spaces despite the restaurant’s popularity.
This layout keeps noise levels more manageable than you might expect in a busy restaurant, though conversations in some rooms can still reach energetic volumes during peak times.
What Else You Should Know
Pricing Structure: Appetizers typically range from $9 to $17, while entrees run between $25 and $36. The lunch burger with sides comes in around $14-15, making the midday meal more accessible than dinner.
You’re looking at upscale pricing that reflects the quality ingredients and skilled preparation, with most diners spending $60-90 per person before drinks and tip. The investment feels justified when you consider the sourcing practices and culinary innovation on display.
Reservations Are Essential: The restaurant books up quickly, especially for weekend dinner slots. You can make reservations through Resy, but planning several weeks ahead increases your chances of securing your preferred time.
Walk-ins have better luck at the downstairs bar or during off-peak hours on weekdays.
The Twice-Daily Menu Changes: The kitchen updates the menu before lunch service and again before dinner, building each day’s offerings around what’s freshest and most readily available.
This means you can’t plan your exact meal ahead of time, but it also ensures you’re getting ingredients at their peak. The restaurant posts the current menu on their website, so you can check what’s available before heading over.
Valet and Parking: Valet service is available and highly recommended, as street parking in Rutledge Hill can be challenging. The free valet takes away the stress of finding a spot on the hilly streets surrounding the restaurant.
The Stables Event Space: A historic carriage house on the property serves as a private dining venue for special events, from intimate brunches to larger celebrations. This addition, built by Mayor Dudley in 1890, offers a more exclusive Husk experience for groups.
Brunch Worth Waking Up For: Weekend brunch runs from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
The biscuits receive particular praise during these meals, and many of the dinner favorites like the cheeseburger and vegetable plate also appear on the brunch menu. The patio becomes especially appealing during sunny morning hours.
Husk Nashville
📍 37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
