Top 5 Restaurants in Williamson County

There’s a lot to discover about the dining scene just south of Nashville. Here are our top picks. (Apr 2016)

April 24, 2016

5:00 AM

Cork & Cow

The luxuriously beefy options available at Cork & Cow are fantastic, to be sure. But like any decent steakhouse chef, Jason McConnell understands that the sides bring people back to the table. Accompaniments like foie gras butter and brandy green peppercorn sauce grace the meat but one could make a meal of crusted baked potatoes, salt-roasted beets, crispy shrimp sandwiches and a mac and cheese laced with apple bacon and jalapeño bits. 403 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064; 615-538-6021; corkandcow.com

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

This breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot is a beloved Franklin landmark. Home to delightful, down-home Southern cuisine, Puckett’s is often filled with live music to match. Many a Nashville star has been discovered during the Rising Stars open mic night and songwriting competition. Their fried chicken, meanwhile, wins high marks for its crisp and satisfying crust. 120 4th Ave S, Franklin, 615-794-5527; puckettsgrocery.com

Red Pony

We’ve loved Red Pony for its eclectic menu and innovative drinks since it opened in 2006. Chef Jason McConnell makes menu changes regularly to incorporate each season’s freshest ingredients like the signature Red Pony BLT: bacon, lobster and fresh tomato over house-made ravioli stuffed with mashed Yukon potatoes and topped with a truffled corn cream sauce. 408 Main St Franklin, TN 37064; 615-595-7669; redponyrestaurant.com

Saffire

Tucked into a corner of the Factory at Franklin, Saffire provides both a lively bar scene as well as a solid selection of inventive dishes. Their chicken-fried chicken is a must-order, as is the brow-wiping Gumbo Ya Ya. 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064; 615-599-4995; saffirerestaurant.com

Wild Iris

Wild Iris is a haven of fresh ingredients and inventive flavor combinations and its on the top of many Brentwood favorite lists. Pistachio-crusted salmon served with a bacon-fig buerre blanc is enough to get us salivating. 127 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027; 615-370-0871; wildirisrestaurant.com