Go Retro at These Nashville Diners

By Dana Damato

June 18, 2015

Comfort food, service with a smile, early opening hours, and late closing hours are all attractive qualities of the diner. Affordable prices and a casual atmosphere also draw customers in. Families, couples, and late nighters all frequent diners. Below are some of Nashville’s best diner options. 

Athen’s Family Restaurant is a family owned Greek diner. This restaurant is a favorite of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. Be sure to try the Avgolemono Soup, Bacon and Lamb Burgers, and Kotopita. 

Arnold’s Country Kitchen serves up delicious Southern food in a cafeteria like setting. Menu items include Southern specialties such as Fried Grouper, Candied Yams, Corm Muffins, Pecan Pie, Mac n’ Cheese, and Banana Pudding. Visited by both locals and tourists, this restaurant and its warm food and communal seating tend to bring people together. 

Back Alley Diner does not have the classic diner vibe. A hip, eclectic atmosphere gives this diner the feel of a tavern with the comforts of a restaurant. American and Southern eats are on the menu. Many enjoy the freshly made French fries and catfish. Others prefer to focus on the beer and cocktail selection. All find time to kick back, relax, and enjoy their meal at Back Alley. 

Brown’s Diner offers the classic American diner cuisine. The food consists of simple burgers and fries but is done extremely well. Another thing that sets this diner apart from the rest is that it hosts live music during the week. You will find everyone at this diner; from lawyers to musicians, they all come here for a cold beer and a great burger. 

Hermitage Café is one restaurant that likes to pull all nighters. Closed in the afternoon, Hermitage is open from 10pm-1:30pm. Locals come here to dine on burgers, breakfast goodies, and country fried steak after a late night out on the town or before getting an early start to their day.