One of the best things about staying in Mt. Juliet is that you're close to some genuinely good food — not just chain restaurants, but the kind of local spots that regulars drive out of their way for. Here's a mix of places we point guests toward, from Mt. Juliet itself to the wider Nashville area.
Right Here in Mt. Juliet
Mt. Juliet has grown into a real dining destination over the past few years. For a relaxed dinner out, check out the options along the Providence Marketplace area — you'll find everything from casual American fare to solid Mexican and Italian. It's walkable, family-friendly, and easy to find parking.
For something more local and down-home, explore the older parts of town and ask around. The best spots are often the ones the locals don't want everyone to know about — the hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints, the family-owned meat-and-three diners, the farm-fresh breakfast spots that've been around for decades.
A Short Drive to Lebanon
Lebanon, just 20 minutes east, has a strong food scene for a small Tennessee town. You'll find historic downtown square restaurants with a real small-town feel — the kind of places where the owner knows your name by the second visit. Great Southern comfort food, good burgers, and local bakeries are the name of the game here.
Nashville Proper — Worth the Drive
Nashville's dining scene is legitimately world-class at this point. Here are a few categories worth exploring when you make the trip downtown:
For hot chicken — the dish Nashville invented — Prince's Hot Chicken is the original and still one of the best. Bolton's is another longtime favorite. Be prepared for heat that's real, not just marketed.
For a nicer evening out, Nashville has James Beard-recognized chefs and restaurants that would hold their own in any major city. The Gulch neighborhood and East Nashville both have strong concentrations of excellent dining.
For something casual and local, hit the Farmers Market near downtown, especially on weekend mornings. It's a great way to grab breakfast and pick up local Tennessee products to take home.
Honky-Tonk Food on Broadway
If you're spending time on Lower Broadway, the food inside the honky-tonks is better than you'd expect. Tootsies, Robert's Western World, and Legends Corner all serve food alongside the live music. It's not gourmet, but it's cold beer and hot food with some of the best free live music in the country — hard to beat that combination.
Don't Forget the Grocery Runs
One underrated perk of staying at a private vacation rental like Private Escape or Private Oasis at Duggin Homes: you have a kitchen. Grab groceries from the Publix or Kroger nearby and start a few mornings with a home-cooked breakfast on your own schedule. It's cheaper, it's relaxing, and it's the kind of trip detail that makes a stay feel like an actual vacation rather than a hotel run.
Ready to book your stay near Nashville? Visit DugginHomes.com to check availability for Private Escape and Private Oasis — both located in Mt. Juliet with easy access to all the dining this region has to offer.