This Upscale Restaurant In A Former Tennessee Blacksmith Shop Offers An Unforgettable Dining Experience
A historic eatery in a historic city is one of the best experiences a vacation offers, but the meal is especially sweet if the city is your own. In Nashville, Tennessee, Geist Bar + Restaurant is a brick-ensconced restaurant with a deep local history, and if the beauty of the building doesn’t sweep you away then the menu will. From champagne drenched celebratory meals to a simple night out, Geist is the perfect place to enjoy some time out of your own kitchen and in an unforgettable space. Noted as one of the “The 13 Most Beautiful Restaurants In America” by Robb Report, this is one local hot spot you don’t want to skip.
Geist Bar + Restaurant is a beautifully restored blacksmith shop located in Nashville, Tennessee. The structure was once home to the oldest family-owned business in the city, and it has become a historic landmark to locals for its resident industry. The blacksmith shop was owned by John Geist Horseshoeing who began his work with horseshoes and shifted to decorative ironwork.
Nowadays you can visit the building’s second, perhaps even third life at Geist Bar + Restaurant. The building was initially revamped to house the upscale eatery, but after the Nashville tornado of 2020, it was necessary, once again, to rebuild. Thanks to a team of dedicated restauranteurs the eatery has once again become a shining star in Music City.
The restaurant is independently owned and operated, and the stunningly designed brick building manages to marry the past and present with terrific aplomb. The menu focuses on American cuisine, but the champagne garden and craft cocktails serve to elevate the experience.
Just look at the subtle arches in the windows and the richness of the hardwood. Low lighting and a flush of natural sun make for a stunning atmosphere.
Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are preferred, especially if you’re looking to enjoy a long, luxurious dinner or brunch on the weekends. Expect entrees of roasted mushroom tagliatelle or pan-roasted halibut, and the local cheese board is perfect as an appetizer. Sides of fried brussels sprouts and blistered shishitos round out a dinnertime meal alongside an impressive wine list.
Brunch is popular among those with a sweet tooth and savory-leaning folks as well, with buttermilk fried chicken on the menu alongside fried beignets served with chocolate sauce. If you’re feeling more traditional, try the biscuits and gravy or a classic cinnamon roll.
Geist Bar + Restaurant is open for dinner and brunch every day of the week except Mondays, but you will want to make a reservation. This is one restaurant that deserves a spot on your dining bucket list.
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
