Assembly Food Hall celebrated its grand opening at Fifth + Broadway earlier this year, and now it’s time for the second wave of restaurants to shine. Thirteen new eateries open today at Assembly’s South Hall, and just like the first wave, most of the restaurants already call Nashville home.

Curious about what you'll find? We've put together a roundup of new dining options + must-try items to help you navigate your food choices.

The Pharmacy Burger + The Pharmacy Wurst

What to know: The East Nashville burger staple offers 2 concepts at Assembly Food Hall: one devoted to hand-smashed patties, the other grilling up German-inspired bratwurst.

What we’re ordering: The burger route: The Pharmacy burger paired with a cream soda. The brat route: Currywurst (simmered with pils beer + topped with curried paprika and tomato sauce) or the Pachanga (vegan wurst made with Impossible meat).

Coco’s Fresh Italian + Coco's Dulce & Cafe

What to know: Coco’s owner Chuck Cinelli has operated Italian restaurants in Nashville since 1995 + will have 2 new spots in Assembly Food Hall devoted to savory and sweet classics like pasta, grilled paninis, and tiramisu.

What we’re ordering: Start off with homemade burrata, followed by Tortellini Elliston – cheese-filled tortellini tossed in a creamy blush sauce. If you’re feeling dessert, try the build-your-own cannoli (feat. a custom assortment of fillings and toppings).

The Liege Waffle Co.

What to know: Known to pop up at Middle Tennessee breweries, there's now a dedicated space to enjoy waffles made with brioche-style dough + imported pearl sugar.

What we’re ordering: Feeling savory? Whip Di Parma — whipped feta, arugula, prosciutto, and hot honey. Feeling sweet? Violet Beauregarde — blueberries, granola, local honey, and sugar.

Steamboys

What to know: Steamboy specializes in Chinese comfort foods like bao, hand-crafted dumplings, and noodle soups made with beef bone broth. The restaurant has locations in Germantown, Hermitage, and Nolensville.

What we’re ordering: Pork, beef, or veggie steamed bao + soup dumplings (dine-in only).

Velvet Taco

What to know: The Texas-based taco chain known for globally-inspired taco creations offers chicken, beef, pork, and fish tacos as well as plant-based and gluten-free options.

What we’re ordering: We’re intrigued by Nashville hot tofu, green chile pork, and fried paneer tacos, all served on corn tortillas, but check out the restaurant's WTF (weekly taco feature).

Hattie Jane’s Creamery

What to know: With scoop shops in Columbia, Franklin, and Murfreesboro, the small-batch creamery’s downtown location marks the company’s first in Nashville.

What we’re ordering: Scoop shops are known to offer Southern flavors like banana pudding and peach cobbler, but watch for collaborations with local favorites like Goo Goo Clusters.

Prince’s Hot Chicken

What to know: The legendary hot chicken restaurant operates locations in South Nashville + at 6th & Peabody, but now you can enjoy Prince’s even closer to the action on Broadway.

What we’re ordering: You know the drill. Choose from 8 heat levels — plain, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, X hot, XX hot, and XXX hot.

Istanbul Shawarma

What to know: Operated by the team behind Edessa Restaurant on Nolensville Pike, the restaurant offers Turkish and Kurdish dishes like shawarma, gozleme, and baklava.

What we’re ordering: Chicken shawarma or falafel for lunch + homemade baklava for dessert.

Saffron Kitchen

What to know: After launching in Franklin a few years ago, Saffron Kitchen is bringing biryani, kebabs, and tandoori specialities to downtown.

What we’re ordering: Go vegetarian with spiced potato samosas or try the Tandoori chicken. Top it all off with sitafal, a custard apple shake.

The Philly Special

What to know: Named after the Philadelphia Eagles' trick play in the 2018 Super Bowl, the restaurant specializes in — you guessed it — philly cheesesteaks and desserts you might find at a state fair. The restaurant got its start at Legacy Food Hall in Plano, Texas.

What we’re ordering: This is a carnivore’s dream with a choice of ribeye or chicken philly sandwiches. Just feeling dessert? Try fried oreos or funnel cake.

Hōru Sushi Kitchen

What to know: Another Legacy Food Hall transplant, Hōru Sushi Kitchen serves sashimi, made-to-order rolls, and 10+ appetizers.

What we’re ordering: Ahi Tuna Tower + a Nashville Hot roll.

Question

/**/