If you’re landing at or departing from Nashville International Airport (BNA), prepare your appetite for a delightful culinary journey. BNA has transformed into a dining destination, thanks to recent expansions and renovations that have brought in a vibrant mix of local favorites and nationally recognized brands. From the first-ever Tennessee Titans-themed restaurant to a renowned Portland donut shop and Nashville’s iconic hot chicken, BNA’s food scene is now a reason to look forward to airport time. Layovers here? Suddenly a lot more appealing.
This guide will walk you through the best Bna Food options, organized by airport area, whether you’re seeking a relaxed sit-down meal or a quick bite on the go. For the most up-to-date list of all available dining options, you can always check the official BNA website.
Pre-Security Dining at BNA
Green Beans Coffee Co.: Located before security checkpoints, Green Beans Coffee is your pre-flight caffeine and pastry stop. This coffee chain offers a selection of pastries, including flaky croissants and chocolate-chip muffins, alongside specialty coffee drinks. Adding to the Nashville vibe, you can often enjoy live music here, providing a warm welcome or send-off.
Central Marketplace: A Hub of BNA Food
Acme Feed & Seed: Bringing a taste of Broadway to BNA, Acme Feed & Seed is an extension of the famous multi-level honky-tonk. Located in the Central Marketplace, this spot offers local beers on tap and menu favorites like the “Rule the Roost” – a must-try hot chicken sandwich featuring green peppercorn aioli, American cheese, and pickles on sourdough. True to its Broadway roots, Acme also features a stage for live music performances, making it a lively BNA food destination.
Titans Press Box: For a more upscale BNA food experience, the Titans Press Box is a standout. As the first-ever Tennessee Titans-licensed restaurant, it offers a refined menu in the Central Marketplace. Expect made-to-order dishes such as zesty buffalo cauliflower, classic cheeseburgers, and hearty steak chili. The drink menu includes frozen cocktails and an extensive wine list, perfect for unwinding before your flight.
Voodoo Doughnuts at Kitty Hawk Eat + Drink: Originating from Portland, Voodoo Doughnuts brings its quirky and creative doughnut flavors to BNA. Known for unconventional combinations, like the “Oh Captain, My Captain” topped with Cap’N Crunch cereal, Voodoo offers a sweet escape. They also cater to dietary needs with a variety of vegan doughnut options available.
Concourse A: Diverse BNA Food Choices
Arrington Wine Bar & Grill: Owned by country music star Kix Brooks, Arrington Vineyards brings a taste of Tennessee wine country to Concourse A. This wine bar offers locally produced wines by the glass, allowing travelers to sample regional flavors. Pair your wine with light bites like salads or prosciutto and mozzarella on toasted ciabatta for a relaxed BNA food experience.
Kijiji Coffee: Kijiji Coffee represents a significant piece of Nashville’s local coffee history. Edward C. Stevenson and his wife Linda are credited with revitalizing historic Jefferson Street by opening Nashville’s first Black-owned coffee shop in 1997. While primarily focused on wholesale now, you can find Kijiji’s quality coffee at two kiosks in BNA, including one in Concourse A, for a truly local BNA food and beverage experience.
Fugitives Public House: Named after a literary magazine from Vanderbilt University in the 1920s, Fugitives Public House offers a gastropub experience in Concourse A. The menu features classic pub fare such as burgers, truffle tots, and jalapeño poppers, alongside a selection of beers on tap. It’s a solid BNA food choice for those wanting familiar comfort food and drinks.
Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse: For authentic Nashville BBQ right in the airport, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse is the place to go. Claiming to be Nashville’s oldest original barbecue restaurant, this family-owned brand serves meats smoked on-site. Located in the A/B Rotunda, you can enjoy BBQ sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, along with classic Southern sides, local beers, and cocktails. This is a must-try BNA food spot for BBQ lovers.
Tennessee Brew Works: Another Nashville brewery with a BNA location, Tennessee Brew Works in the A/B Rotunda is a great spot for craft beer enthusiasts. They offer top-notch beers brewed locally and pair them perfectly with juicy burgers. This BNA food and drink option highlights Nashville’s thriving craft beer scene.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor: An outpost of East Nashville’s popular beer garden, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor in the A/B Rotunda offers a fun and casual BNA food experience. Indulge in wursts, gourmet burgers, ice cream sodas, and creamy milkshakes. It’s a perfect spot for families or anyone craving classic American comfort food.
Concourse B: More BNA Food Adventures
Kijiji Coffee: Concourse B also hosts a Kijiji Coffee kiosk, ensuring that travelers in this area can easily access this local Nashville coffee roaster.
Little Harpeth Brewing: Standing out in the craft beer scene, Little Harpeth Brewing focuses on German-style lagers, a departure from the IPA trend. This local brewery’s large taproom in Concourse B offers a wide selection of beers and an extensive food menu, including sandwiches and gluten-free options. For beer aficionados looking for something different, Little Harpeth is a noteworthy BNA food and drink destination.
Pig Star by Peg Leg Porker: Bringing award-winning Memphis-style BBQ to BNA, Pig Star is an offshoot of pitmaster Carey Bringle’s acclaimed Peg Leg Porker. Located in Concourse B, Pig Star serves up some of Nashville’s best barbecue. Enjoy smoked meats and cocktails in a sit-down setting, experiencing flavors that have earned Peg Leg Porker national recognition. Don’t miss the wings and pulled pork – popular choices that make this BNA food option a standout.
Half Moon Empanadas: For a taste of Miami in Nashville, Half Moon Empanadas in Concourse B offers a variety of flavorful empanadas. This mini-chain serves popular flavors like guava and cheese, spicy beef, and dulce de leche. Vegetarian options, such as the cheesy spinach empanada, are also available, making it a versatile BNA food choice for a quick and tasty meal.
Concourse C: Hot Chicken and Honky-Tonk BNA Food
Bongo Java: A Nashville coffee institution, Bongo Java has a location in Concourse C, offering its signature coffee and a compelling all-day breakfast menu. Enjoy “egg drip” sandwiches, eggy tater tots, and rotating vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Bongo Java is a reliable BNA food option for quality coffee and breakfast or brunch-style meals.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: No guide to BNA food would be complete without Nashville hot chicken, and Hattie B’s is a leading name in the city’s hot chicken scene. Located in Concourse C, Hattie B’s offers chicken strips at various spice levels, from “southern” to “shut the cluck up.” Don’t forget to try their famous sides, especially the banana pudding, to complete your authentic Nashville culinary experience.
Ole Red: Owned by country music superstar Blake Shelton, Ole Red brings the honky-tonk spirit of Broadway to BNA in Concourse C. This lively spot offers live music, solid food, and a vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy biscuits and tater tot poutine for breakfast, and redneck nachos, burgers, and chicken-fried steak later in the day. Ole Red also features a range of over-the-top cocktails and shots, making it a fun and energetic BNA food and entertainment destination.
400 Degrees Hot Chicken: Aqui Hines’ 400 Degrees Hot Chicken brings another renowned version of Nashville hot chicken to BNA in Concourse C. Known for its intensely flavorful and fiery fried chicken, with heat levels ranging from 0 to 400 degrees, 400 Degrees offers a true taste of Nashville’s signature dish. Pair your hot chicken with homestyle sides, local craft beers, and cocktails for a complete BNA food experience.
Pyramids Cafe: For a vegetarian-friendly option in Concourse C, Pyramids Cafe has been serving Mediterranean cuisine since 1993. This long-standing BNA food option provides a refreshing alternative to the heavier Southern fare, with a variety of vegetarian dishes.
Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria: Offering a unique take on pizza, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria in Concourse C is owned by Tennessee State University alumni. Their pizzas march to the beat of their own drum, earning them a James Beard Award nomination. For pizza lovers seeking something different and delicious, Slim & Husky’s is a must-try BNA food destination.
8th & Roast Coffee Co: A Nashville-born coffee shop, 8th & Roast Coffee Co. in Concourse C is a traveler’s best bet for high-quality coffee. Established in 2009, it was the first local alternative to Starbucks, offering a reprieve and a taste of local coffee culture. This is an excellent BNA food and beverage option for coffee aficionados.
Swett’s BBQ: For authentic Southern comfort food with a legacy, Swett’s BBQ in Concourse C brings seven decades of family expertise to BNA. Serving meat-and-three specialties like country-fried steak, meatloaf, candied yams, fried cornbread, and peach cobbler, Swett’s offers a taste of home-style Southern cooking. This BNA food choice is perfect for those seeking hearty and traditional meals.
Tailgate Brewery: Award-winning craft brewery Tailgate Brewery has a taproom in Concourse C, specializing in small-batch brews and pizza. The BNA location features 12 craft beers on draft, whole pies, and pizza by the slice, including cauliflower pizza, and breakfast sandwiches. It’s a great BNA food and drink spot for craft beer and pizza lovers.
Three Casks: In partnership with the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Three Casks in Concourse C focuses on locally made spirits, with 99% of their bar offerings being Tennessee-produced. Complementing the spirits, they offer burgers, sandwiches, and in-house barbecue. The taps exclusively pour Tennessee beers, and they even have a window for to-go cocktails or bottles. For a truly Tennessee-centric BNA food and drink experience, Three Casks is an excellent choice.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge: Experience a taste of Nashville’s iconic Broadway honky-tonk scene at Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Concourse C. This steady sit-down spot offers bar fare, drinks, and, of course, live music. Get a dose of Nashville’s music culture and enjoy classic honky-tonk vibes at this BNA food and entertainment venue.
Yazoo Brewing Company: Another local brewery presence at BNA, Yazoo Brewing Company in Concourse C offers a range of locally brewed beers. Enjoy a beer at the bar, grab one to go, or pick up a six-pack. For fans of local craft beer, Yazoo is another great BNA food and beverage option.
Concourse D: Final BNA Food Finds
8th & Roast Coffee Co: Concourse D also features an 8th & Roast Coffee Co., providing another convenient location for travelers to enjoy this local Nashville coffee shop.
Prince’s Hot Chicken: The originator of Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has an outpost in the C/D connector of BNA. For those who missed visiting one of their Nashville locations, this is a must-stop for authentic hot chicken. Be cautious with the spice levels – the XXX Hot is seriously fiery! Prince’s menu includes cuts of their famous chicken and sides like greens stewed with turkey meat, coleslaw, and baked beans. Experiencing Prince’s is essential for any BNA food tour.
Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant: With roots dating back to a 1950s grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, Puckett’s has evolved into a beloved Southern restaurant. Their large BNA location in Concourse D serves Southern classics, notably their fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. For comforting Southern fare, Puckett’s is a reliable BNA food choice.
The Southern Steak & Oyster: Bringing a taste of downtown Nashville to BNA, The Southern Steak & Oyster in Concourse D is a local favorite. Enjoy deviled eggs with Louisiana hot sauce, barbecued shrimp, chicken with collard greens and country ham gravy, and of course, steak and oysters. For a more refined BNA food experience featuring Southern and steakhouse classics, The Southern is an excellent option.
Party Fowl: Rounding out the BNA food scene in Concourse D is Party Fowl, a lively local sports bar chain. Known for its unusual hot chicken dishes like a Nashville hot deconstructed Cobb salad and hot chicken Cuban sandwich, Party Fowl pairs its creative menu with local brews and boozy slushies from a full bar. It’s a fun and energetic spot to grab a bite and a drink before your flight.
With such a diverse and delicious array of BNA food options, Nashville International Airport has truly become a destination for dining. Whether you’re craving authentic Nashville hot chicken, classic Southern BBQ, international flavors, or just a great cup of coffee, BNA has something to satisfy every palate. So next time you travel through Nashville, be sure to explore the fantastic food scene the airport has to offer!
