Lettuce Entertain You, Nashville: Aba and Sushi-san Are Here and They Mean Business

If you're landing in Nashville for work and trying to figure out where to eat, stop searching. Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants opened two spots here within months of each other — Aba in Wedgewood-Houston in September 2025, Sushi-san in 12 South that November. Different neighborhoods, completely different experiences, both worth building your evenings around.

Aba: Mediterranean Done Right in Wedgewood-Houston

The space stops you first with its two stories, a skylight pouring light onto Italian Murano chandeliers, greenery everywhere, mosaic tile floors, and vintage pieces that nod to the neighborhood's warehouse roots. You'll spend a few minutes just looking around before you even reach for the menu. Chef Partner CJ Jacobson — a Top Chef alum — brings a California influence to Mediterranean cooking, resulting in a menu that feels both familiar and surprising.

interior shot of Aba (from website)

The Green Chili Shrimp is the dish that will send you back. Order it. The Crispy Short Rib Hummus and Whipped Feta Spread are table anchors, and the Hot Honey Halloumi deserves more attention than it gets. The Muhammara is worth trying if you've never had it — roasted red pepper and walnut, deeply savory.

Then there's the banana dessert. I'm not going to describe it. You need to see it. Just make sure you order it.

The beverage program matches the food in seriousness. The wine list leans almost entirely on small, family-owned Mediterranean producers — many organic, many from regions you wouldn't think to look. The cocktail program layers in Middle Eastern spices and Mediterranean flavors in ways that feel genuinely considered. Sommelier John C. Slatter curated a list worth spending time on.

The multi-level wraparound patio connects seamlessly with the interior. When the weather cooperates, it's one of the better outdoor dining settings in the city. Either way, this is the kind of dinner that makes a work trip feel worth it.

Sushi-san: 12 South's New Neighborhood Obsession

Old-school hip-hop on the stereo. A walk-up soft serve window. Binchotan-roasted meats and daily fish deliveries direct from the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo through a partnership with the Yamasaki family. Sushi-san doesn't have the energy of a new restaurant. It already feels like it’s been in the neighborhood and welcoming locals and tourists alike.

Sit at the sushi bar if you can get a seat. Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan's team works quickly and precisely, and watching the nigiri come together up close is half the experience.

The Crispy Rice is non-negotiable. For a splurge, the King Crab on Crispy Rice — Alaskan king crab with a lime-soy glaze, torched over caramelized sushi rice — is worth every penny.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice at Sushi-san

That dish is comprised of chopped bluefin tuna dressed in tobanjan mayo with truffled-and-torched pearl onions, atop pressed, griddled sushi rice Sushi-san

The Bluefin Chili Ponzu is the other dish everyone mentions, for good reason. It’s delicious. Get the Bang Bang Cauliflower for the table. The Vietnamese Pork from the charcoal grill is something you'll think about for a while after. We didn’t get the Coal-Roasted Edamame but people around us were saying it was delicious. 

Ponzu Yellowtail at Sushi-san

The Japanese whisky program runs 65 expressions, including rare bottles from Mars and Chichibu. The sake list features over 20 options and includes Sake-san, the restaurant's private label brewed in Osaka — available outside Chicago for the first time. After a day of back-to-back meetings, this is exactly where you want to end up. Oh, and one of the best parts? They manage to keep a great vibe without blasting music - you can actually talk to your people! 

Lettuce Entertain You

Both restaurants are running at a high level. Lettuce Entertain You has been doing this since 1971, and the Nashville execution shows it. If you're here for a conference, a client trip, or just extending a work trip into a long weekend, these two are the answer to where you should be eating.

SARAH'S MUSTS:

Aba — If you’re lucky, you’ll get Abby - such a kind and attentive server! I took her recs, and they did not disappoint: Green Chili Shrimp, Hot Honey Halloumi, Crispy Short Rib Hummus, and the banana dessert (no spoilers — just order it). Grab a reservation and ask for patio seating. 435 Houston Street, Wedgewood-Houston.

Sushi-san — Find Abigail. She can be the Creative Director of your meal, and she delivers on it in every way. Hand her the reins and let her guide you through the menu. You won't regret it. But if you steer yourself, get Bang Bang Cauliflower for the table, Vietnamese Pork, King Crab on Crispy Rice if you're splurging, Bluefin Chili Ponzu. And for all you Instagram girlies- get the cocktail in the “to-go” box. Thank You Enjoy #6 - not only does it taste great, but it’s also a great shot for the gram. Sit at the sushi bar. 2212 12th Avenue South, 12 South.