PHOTOS BY KATHY FOX
From locally inspired eateries to buzzworthy restaurants, there’s always another table ready to tempt your taste buds in Middle Tennessee these days. Whether you’re ready to try someplace new today or that local favorite, these are a few spots to put on your foodie radar. And if you have a favorite you want to share, send us an email!
Truce
1809 Mallory Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 538-6627 | eattruce.com
EDITOR’S PICK
If clean eating is what you’re craving, Truce is a must-try. The restaurant opened in May 2026, and each day, the kitchen prepares more than 180 items from scratch using real, sustainable ingredients with nothing artificial. The concept is chef-driven, scratch-made food prepared with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Executive chef Andrew Dashkovitz, aka Dash, uses ingredients that are 100 percent GMO-free and meals made without compromise.
For owners Beth and Matt Frauenshuh, Truce began with a simple dream: to love people well and serve God through the power of extraordinary food. Like many busy families, they often found it difficult to find a restaurant that could satisfy everyone around the table. They envisioned a place where chef-prepared, sustainably sourced food could be both delicious and convenient — and Truce was born.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Truce makes eating well something to look forward to. “Food is fuel! It should make you feel good when you eat it,” said Clyde Richardson, General Manager. “There’s not a microwave in here, and the food is from scratch. It’s really impressive to see and taste the quality.”
Start the morning with the Garden Goat Scramble, Avocado Toast, or indulgent Banana Bread French Toast. Jody Tanty, Experience Manager, said, “The Truce Toasts are one of the popular items people gravitate to. It can be an early morning item or a snack. It fits the bill for everything, and it’s delicious!”
Strawberry Balsamic Chicken
White Chocolate Raspberry 6-Layer Cake
For lunch or dinner, try the Strawberry Balsamic Chicken or Wagyu Beef Sliders, or choose from an array of fresh salads and flavorful bowls. And be sure to save room for something sweet — the bakery case tempts with freshly made cookies, muffins, and impressive six-layer cakes. The Chocolate Salted Caramel or White Chocolate Raspberry cakes are divine, and don’t forget to add a scoop of house-made vanilla ice cream.
Whether dining inside or enjoying a meal on the patio, guests will find that every detail at Truce is intentional. From the ingredients and preparation to the hospitality and atmosphere, it’s a place where eating clean doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, and where good food is served with purpose. Be sure to arrive early — you know the food is good when the line stretches out the door. Thankfully, it moves quickly, and the fresh, flavorful fare is well worth the wait, proving that clean eating at Truce is delicious!
Don Pepe’s Mexican Grill – Franklin & Columbia
1203 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-1934 | donpepesgrill.com
1202 S James Campbell Boulevard, Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 381-2221 | donpepesgrill.com
FAMILY FAVOURITE
If you have a craving for authentic Mexican food, then Don Pepe’s Mexican Grill is a local favorite, with locations in both Columbia and Franklin. The extensive menu offers everything from sizzling fajitas and tacos to freshly made table-side guacamole and margaritas, but don’t overlook the Tortilla Soup. Served steaming hot, it’s filled with tender chicken, crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and sliced avocado; it’s flavorful, hearty, and satisfying — a bowl worth ordering no matter the season.
FOR THE BEER LOVER
Twisted Copper Brewing Company Columbia
104 E. 5th Street, Columbia, TN 38401
Craft beer lovers have a new reason to raise a glass. Twisted Copper Brewing Company recently opened its second Maury County location, bringing its locally brewed craft beers and laid-back atmosphere to downtown Columbia. What began as a group of friends sharing a passion for homebrewing has grown into a local favorite where good beer, live entertainment, and community come together.
Opening Soon!
There’s always something new cooking, and a fresh lineup of restaurants is getting ready to open its doors. From exciting new concepts to new locations of familiar favorites, there’s plenty for food lovers to look forward to in the months ahead. Keep these soon-to-open spots on your radar — you may discover your next favorite place to dine.
Cauponor
1316 Adams Street
Nashville, TN 37208
neuhoffdistrict.com/cauponor
From the Peninsula team, coming soon to Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, Cauponor promises an intimate fine dining experience with a sophisticated European influence. The new concept will focus on thoughtfully prepared dishes, seasonal ingredients, and the kind of attention to detail that turns dinner into an experience.
Char
787 Crescent Centre Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
charrestaurant.com/franklin
The popular Southern steakhouse will anchor the new Canteen on Carothers development with USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, cocktails, and live jazz brunches.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
4020 Aspen Grove Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
eathawkers.com
Known for bold flavors inspired by Asian street markets, Hawkers is bringing its high-energy, shareable dining experience to the area.
Paris Baguette
4020 Aspen Grove Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
parisbaguette.com
Paris Baguette is your neighborhood bakery café, serving handcrafted cakes, freshly baked pastries and breads, delicious Lavazza coffee, and more.
PennePazze
800 Crescent Centre Drive
Franklin, TN 37064
pennepazze.net
PennePazze, a family-owned Italian kitchen, is bringing the brand’s first full-scale Gelato Pazzo experience, serving traditional Italian gelato made by Italian chefs. Guests can also enjoy fresh pasta, Roman-style pizza (pinsa), and shopping at the on-site Italian market.
