Brown's Diner

More of a burgers-and-beer joint than a diner — many locals swear by the cheeseburger — circa-1927 Brown’s Diner isn’t much to look at despite its address adjoining trendy Hillsboro Village. Not that Brown’s faithful clientele minds. (Longtime Nashville resident and star singer-songwriter John Prine is among the faithful.) Some of the wait staff have been around long enough to have served multiple generations from the short but oh-so-sweet menu, which offers burgers, various simple sandwiches, chili, and a few sides, at bargain prices. Kid-friendly in the back room, definitely not so in the front room. There’s live music in the front room some nights.

Beer available. Serving lunch and dinner 11 am-11 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am-9 pm Sun.

MUST EATS: Cheeseburger (with grilled onions), extra crispy fries, chili dog, chili Frito pie 

“If there were a national registry of hamburgers — and by God, there oughta be — Nashville’s first entry onto it would be the cheeseburger from Brown’s Diner, where you’ve been able to get one since 1927.”

— Steve Cavendish, Nashville Scene, Dec. 1, 2016