Bad Idea
Bad Idea

Bad Idea

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Our Take
The Spot
Bad Idea occupies a converted church at 1021 Russell Street in East Nashville, treating food and wine as equal partners rather than one serving the other. The kitchen works from a seasonal menu described as ingredient-driven and technique-forward, built to move alongside what's being poured.

That pour is the other half of the identity: more than 150 artisan wine selections from around the world, poured nightly alongside the kitchen's rotating dishes.

The restaurant appeared on The New York Times' Restaurant List in 2024, was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2025, and was selected for the Michelin Guide the same year. Nashville Lifestyles also named it a city magazine favorite in 2025.
THE FACTS
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AWARDMichelin Guide Selected2025
AWARDThe New York Times The Restaurant List2024
AWARDJames Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant, semifinalist2025
CRITICCovered by Nashville Lifestyles
CRITICCovered by The Infatuation
RATINGS4.5 stars across 403 reviews2 sources
The Regulars1 WEIGHED IN
The regulars say Nope — two tiers below our call.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
@foodgal · ●○○○○
“Visited twice. Wildly different each visit and the last time was a nail in the coffin to not go back. It stunk and the food wasn’t edible.”
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Your Rating
City

Nashville

Neighborhood

East Nashville

Price

$$

Cuisine

Southern

Chef

Owner

Michelin Selected 2025
Recognition
James Beard Semifinalist 2025
Recognition