Savor These Great Places to Eat in Williamson County, TN

Victoria Quirk

Many Williamson County restaurants are well-respected, but that doesn’t mean the dining scene is boring; on the contrary, it’s as innovative as they come. There are plenty of great choices when it comes to places to eat in Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station and the other great communities of Williamson County.

Local favorites include restaurants that have been doing business for nearly eight decades as well as up-and-comers with just a year or two of experience. Here is a sample of some of the region’s highlights, from the classics residents and visitors know and love to the newbies they can’t get enough of. 

Uncle Lenny’s 

Uncle Lenny’s Country Café, an already-popular dining destination, opened in Fairview in 2024. Uncle Lenny’s features breakfast and lunch six days a week and dinner on weekends. The café has a traditional Southern Americana breakfast menu including pancakes, and biscuits and gravy as well as lunch/dinner items like salads, sandwiches and meat-and-three specials. Uncle Lenny’s motto is “Gather, Eat and Be Happy.” 

Circa Grill 

Thompson’s Station (no relation to the owners of The Thompsons Kitchen) is home to Circa Grill, which has been turning out Southern fare alongside an expansive wine and cocktail list for over a decade. Start with Smokey & the Bandit (whiskey, habanero syrup and Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry Soda) before moving on to roasted chicken with creamed corn, and don’t forget the decadent dark chocolate custard. 

Fox & Locke 

Fox & Locke has been operating in Leiper’s Fork for 77 years – first as Fox & Locke General Merchandise Store in 1947, then as Puckett’s restaurant, grocery and eventually music venue since 1960. In 2022, the venue was renamed in honor of its roots. Now, it serves up Southern food like fried bologna sandwiches, meat-and-three, and Mississippi mud pie, and hosts live music. 

Southall Farm & Inn 

Southall Farm & Inn has been attracting guests since 2022. The resort boasts two restaurants: the all-day Sojourner and the elegant, high-end January, which serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday. 

“Both restaurants source their ingredients directly from the farm, including fresh eggs from on-site chickens, honey from the apiaries and a variety of produce, such as lettuce from hydroponic greenhouses,” says chef Andrew Klamar. 

Bishop’s Meat & 3 

Bishop’s opened in Franklin in 2007. Its owners had already been in the hospitality business for decades, so they knew there was a demand for a casual joint serving Southern comfort food. With a daily rotating menu that includes favorites like catfish and hush puppies, turnip greens and chess pie, the spot and its sister restaurant, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, are going strong. 

Yuno Sushi & Asian Cuisine 

Nolensville’s Yuno Sushi & Asian Cuisine, which has occupied a strip mall corner spot for over a decade, focuses on sushi rolls: Witness the Crazy Cow (crab, pineapple and cream cheese topped with seared beef and spicy mayo) and the Playboy (spicy tuna and avocado topped with more spicy tuna and roe). It also boasts Asian-ish apps as well as teriyaki, tempura, bulgogi and ramen entrees. 

Puffy Muffin 

Puffy Muffin has been satisfying the lust for baked goods in Brentwood since 1986. It started in Lynda Stone’s kitchen, where she made bread and rolls to sell to restaurants before expanding to a brick-and-mortar. The kitchen now whips up lemon crinkle cookies, quiche, lofty cinnamon rolls and a variety of muffins. The bakery has added savory breakfast and lunch entrees. 

The Brunch Collective 

The new kid on the block, The Brunch Collective opened in Spring Hill in 2023, and its airy dining room decorated in bright whites and calming blues is the perfect spot to linger over a delicious meal. Be sure to try the hefty breakfast burrito. 

Saffire 

Saffire had a 17-year run at The Factory at Franklin before closing in 2017, but the spot is making a comeback in 2024. “Saffire was our family’s first restaurant,” says Lauren Morales, COO of ownership group TomKats Hospitality and daughter of chef and restaurateur Tom Morales. “It’s returning with enough previous menu items to make Saffire 2.0 familiar to its old friends and customers.”