Several longtime local restaurants have announced plans to close permanently, adding to a year of losses for the Nashville dining scene.
Franklin-based A. Marshall Hospitality announced Oct. 19 that its 10-year-old steakhouse Deacon's New South would close, citing ongoing economic pressures and efforts to strengthen its remaining restaurants.
"Downtown Nashville has changed tremendously over the past decade, and the current economic environment has created challenges that require us to make difficult decisions about the future of our business," said A. Marshall Hospitality CEO Claire Crowell.
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Two days later, 51 North Taproom, a well-loved pub in The Nations, announced plans to close in December. The owners did not give
a specific reason but described the last few years as "by far the most challenging of the 20 years being in this business," adding that continuing to operate was no longer sustainable.
Other owners who decided to shutter this year have cited a range of operational challenges, including rising operating costs, real estate costs, rising rents, national chain expansion, labor costs, food prices and intense competition as reasons for closure.
Punk Wok nearly joined that list. The izakaya and sushi restaurant at Sylvan Supply reversed plans to close Oct. 25 after a last-minute reprieve from its landlord, according to owner Clay Greenberg, who said it would also need more customer support to stay in business.
While the vast majority of 2026 restaurant closures in Nashville have involved local establishments, the same pressures appear to be affecting corporate chains. Earlier this year, the casual Mexican chain Chuy's closed its Midtown location, and nearly all O'Charley's locations across Tennessee also ended operations.
Here's a look at the Nashville restaurants that have closed so far this year.
Deacon's New South
Located in the historic L&C Tower, Deacon's New South opened nearly a decade ago in downtown Nashville as a Southern-inspired restaurant offering upscale takes on Southern cuisine.
Deacon's announced its closure in a social media post on Oct. 20, stating that its final day of service would be Oct. 24.
"We’re incredibly proud of the memories made, meals shared and community that has supported us throughout the years," the restaurant wrote. "To our dedicated team members and everyone who has joined us around the table, thank you for being part of Deacon’s story.
How Punk Wok avoided closure at the eleventh hour
Punk Wok announced on Instagram on Oct. 21 that its final day of service would be on Oct. 25, but but those closure plans were short-lived.
Two days later, owner Clay Greenberg revealed on Instagram that the restaurant had reached an agreement with its landlord, CBRE Management, to remain open.
"Huge thanks to a partner, CBRE Management & the Sylvan Supply Owner as well as the massive wave of support, we will be able to stay open," the caption of the post stated.
51 North Taproom
Located in The Nations neighborhood as a sister concept to the recently closed 12 South Taproom, 51 North Taproomannounced its closure on Oct. 22, saying that its final day of service would be on Dec. 13.
"Truth be told, the last few years have been by far the most challenging of the 20 years being in this business and it is no longer sustainable," the post stated.
A day after the announcement, the restaurant posted a video of its empty dining room, illustrating the challenges facing their business and the greater local food scene.
"Here is the reality for many restaurants. It is 11:40 am on 10/22/26. Ironically, the day after we announced our plans to not renew our lease. We have zero customers and have had one small to-go order," the restaurant wrote in its post.
The other local restaurants that have closed in 2026
Below are the local Nashville eateries that have closed so far in 2026:
- Pelican & Pig
- Supper Club on Belcourt
- The 404 Kitchen and Gertie's Whiskey Bar
- Pastaria
- E3 Chophouse
- Varallo's
- 12 South Taproom
- Burger Up
- Margot Café & Bar
- The Rutledge
- Audrey
- Dalt's
- Taco Mamacita
- Cock of the Walk
- Slow Hand Coffee + Bakeshop, East Nashville location
- Common Ground, Sylvan Park location
- SOUL, Charlotte Pike location
- Tutti da Gio, Hermitage location
- Pancho & Lefty's, Melrose and Sylvan Park locations
- Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Wedgewood-Houston
- Nashville Underground, Lower Broadway
- Joyland, East Nashville and Sylvan Park locations
- Brothers' Burger Joint, Berry Hill
- Puckett's, Hendersonville location
- Judge Bean's BBQ, Brentwood (closing Nov. 14)
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville restaurants keep closing in 2026. See the growing list
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