GRAY’S on Main was a pharmacy for almost a century before it was renovated and turned into a world-class restaurant, using locally and regionally source ingredients. After restoration in 2013, the three-story GRAY’S on Main was unveiled, honoring Franklin Tennessee’s cultural heritage through fresh spirits, flavors and sounds. Gray’s on Main uses mostly local ingredients to create a menu that remains true to the roots of Southern food while still managing keep things interesting with a few surprises.

HOURS: Sun–Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Fri–Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

GRAY’S on Main, 332 Main St, Franklin, TN – 615 435 3603

Cork and Cow

Cork & Cow, Chef Jason McConnell’s latest venue, an upscale steakhouse in Franklin, TN, emphasizes great steaks and great wine. They offer a menu with extensive cuts of steak and wood grilled specialties that feature dry-aged, grass-fed and locally sourced beef, from Prime to Wagyu grades. The menu also offers an excellent selection of other entrées, including chicken, pork and seafood dishes. Choose from 100 bottles of wine with 30 + offered by the glass, and signature martinis, carbonated cocktails and microbrews in an intimate, contemporary setting.

Monday thru Thursday 5-10pm – Friday & Saturday 5-11pm – Sunday 5-9pm and Bar Opens Daily at 4pm.

Cork & Cow, 408 Main Street; Franklin TN 37064 – 615-538-6021

Merridee’s Breadbasket

Merridee’s Breadbasket is a modern cafe/bakery offering homemade soups, quiches, fresh sandwiches and salads and decadent desserts amid a country-chic vibe. From sweet breads to cookies to brownies, this classic Southern bakery also serves a full breakfast, lunch, dinner, and catering menu highlighting their specialty baked goods. Merridee McCray, the founder of Merridee’s Breadbasket, grew up baking breads, pies and sweets from scratch with her mother. It was a tradition passed on to her by her grandmother, Anna Maria Faust, who once served as head cook for the Pillsbury family. When Merridee passed away in 1993, Jim Kreider bought Merridee’s Breadbasket. Today, Jim and his exceptional team are still making everything from scratch, creating products that not only have a great taste, but are nutritional as well. 

Monday – Wednesday 7:00 AM – 5:00PM and Thursday – Saturday 7:00AM – 9:00PM

Merridee’s Breadbasket, 110 Fourth Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 790-3755

Mack and Kate’s

Mack and Kate’s is a locally owned restaurant in Franklin, TN. Sophisticated Southern and Gourmet Country are great ways to describe the cuisine at the charming Mack & Kate”s Cafe. Named after two sisters, MacKenzie and Kathleen, the family owned and operated establishment will make you feel right at home. Started in a small, sleepy town, Mack & Kate’s humbled beginnings took place in a small service station. This charming little destination dining spot grew over eight years, resulting in the Strawn Family relocating Mack & Kates to Franklin, TN. They use the freshest and finest when it comes to their ingredients and they always support local farmers and growers. Don’t miss the amazing fried green tomatoes and house meatloaf. Great service and ambiance in Franklin, TN.

Hours: Monday- Saturday: 11-2 & 5-9 & Sunday: 10-2  & 5-8

Mack and Kate’s, 3078 Maddux Way, Franklin, TN 37069 – (615) 591-4104

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant is a southern bar & grill with an old-general-store feel & a large stage for live music acts. Puckett’s roots stretch back to the ‘50s and a little grocery store in the village of Leiper’s Fork, TN. Ever since then, they’ve been focused on providing friends new and old with great food and Southern hospitality. Puckett’s has built a name on hosting live, local musical acts and serving Southern staples. Puckett’s offers authentic comfort food classics like the meat-and-three and famous slow-smoked BBQ, in a laid-back and down-home atmosphere. Puckett’s has 5 locations in Tennessee and they’ve developed quite the reputation for BBQ!

Hours: Sun-Thurs 7AM to 9PM – Fri & Sat 7AM to 10PM

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, 120 4th Ave S Franklin, TN – 615-794-5527

Red Pony Restaurant

Red Pony Restaurant offers a sophisticated menu of updated Southern classic dishes & low-lit ambiance amid dramatic decor in Franklin, TN. Red Pony has won countless awards since opening in 2006. Most recently, this eclectic restaurant was named ‘Best Food’, ‘Best Service’, ‘Best Overall’ and ‘Best Contemporary America’ by Open Table. Since it’s opening, Red Pony Restaurant has impressed guests by staying true to a mission focused on cuisine and service. Chef owned and operated, Red Pony changes its menu about six times a year with the intention of keeping ingredients the season’s freshest and the variety of dishes dynamic. While a great deal of the menu pays homage to the Sophisticated Southern foods Chef Jason McConnell grew up on, you will also see a reflection of his travels, that drive his creativity. The very friendly staff are also known for their ability to accommodate a wide range of food allergies.

Hours: Monday-Saturday. The bar opens at 4pm. Dinner is 5-10pm Monday-Thursday and 5-11pm Friday and Saturday.

Red Pony Restaurant, 408 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 595-7669

Saffire Restaurant and Bar

Saffire Restaurant & Bar has been a staple at The Factory at Franklin in Franklin, TN for 16 years, and is a sought-after destination for both locals and visitors to Franklin. Saffire is an intimate restaurant nestled in a historic setting. The menu is an eclectic, modern take on Southern and American classics that combines locally-grown produce and meats, unique ingredients and indigenous flavors to deliver a truly culinary dining experience. The menu also includes an excellent selection of wines and cocktails. Tom Morales, a Tennessee native, is the founder of the TomKats Hospitality Group that originated over 30 years ago as a backstage music event catering company. His love for the city and dedication to its continued growth has led to a number of nationally-acclaimed restaurants, including Saffire Restaurant & Bar. He has won many accolades, most recently being named on Restaurant Business’s Power 20 List (2016), Nashville Business Journal’s “Power 100” list (2015 & 2016).

Hours: Tuesday — Thursday 11am – 9pm, Friday 11am – 10pm, Saturday 10am – 10pm, Sunday 10am – 9pm

Happy Hour Tuesday — Friday 3pm – 7pm

Saffire Restaurant and Bar is located in The Factory at Franklin, 11Y, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064 – (615) 599-4995

Wild Ginger Restaurant

Wild Ginger, a family-owned and operated restaurant’,  is a refreshingly distinct fine dining experience located in Franklin, TN, at the heart of Cool Springs-featuring an eclectic blend of Pan-Asian, South American, and Western cuisine in the Pacific Rim style-with succulent selections for all palates, including the popular miso sea bass, braised short rib, and a wide array of signature maki and tapas. Though restaurants categorized as “fusion” are mostly located in trendy metropolitan areas like Miami and Manhattan, Wild Ginger is the first and only of its kind in Middle Tennessee. Wild Ginger is the perfect destination for a business lunch, romantic evening, or relaxing dinner with family and friends. Guests of Wild Ginger receive more than just phenomenal cuisine-they receive a total dining experience. From the valet service to the vibrant presentation of each dish, no detail is left unnoticed. As soon as each guest walks into the door, Wild Ginger’s highly-praised staff pays careful attention to each his/her every need.

Regular Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 10pm, Sunday: CLOSED

Happy Hour Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 6pm, Sat: 11am – 4pm

Wild Ginger Restaurant, 101 Market Exchange Ct, Franklin, TN 37067 – (615) 778-0081

The Perch 

Creamy interior tones, exposed wooden beams and reclaimed wood tables lends to a rustic yet refined environment of The Perch, a trendy neighborhood creperie & coffee house/wine & tapas bar nestled in the heart of Brentwood, Green Hills, Downtown Nashville – and now has expanded to the Westhaven community in Franklin. TN. The local coffee bar serves sweet and savory crepes, waffles, omelettes and other delights! The Perch promises to make things affordable but exotic. Wine offerings will be boutique-like and will feature small, unknown wines that are not offered in many other restaurants. As Brentwood revitalizes downtown, The Perch is the first to ignite a steady flow of customers seeking international flavors as well as a perfect environment to have a private conversation or cut loose with friends or family enjoying tastings in a corner nook or at the Peruvian oak bar looking upon historic Franklin Road. 

Brentwood, Green Hills, Westhaven: Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. start for Green Hills and Westhaven), Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Perch (Westhaven) – 150 Front St., Suite 110, Franklin, TN 37064 – 615-465-6999

The Perch (Brentwood) – 117 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 – (615) 661-9008