Burger Up

Run by Miranda Whitcomb Pontes, the Nashville restaurateur building an empire, Burger Up is a unique little farm-to-table spot in the hip 12 South neighborhood. Wildly successful (they don’t accept reservations and the wait is often an hour), Burger Up emphasizes community and thoughtful consumption, using only locally sourced products.

The rustic dining room features long wooden tables and white-cloth dishtowel napkins and the menu offers something for everyone; vegetarians enjoy the Marathon Burger, a delicious quinoa and black bean patty, while traditionalists indulge in the Woodstock, a juicy burger with Benton's bacon, white cheddar and Jack Daniels maple ketchup. All burgers can be served bunless or on a gluten-free bun, and the salads can be topped with a patty for an extra dose of protein.