The food is EVERYTHING and more! Best Soul Food in Nashville. Came on a Sunday around 10:45 AM. They open at 11AM. We were 2nd in line before the doors opened. The line was out the door by 11:30. Took about 20 mins to order, get the order and pay. They cook the catfish to order. Well worth the wait & the price!! My husband ordered the Beef Tips meal. This was his go to meal back in college at this restaurant. He left NO crumbs. The catfish meal was good. Could've been fried harder with a little more seasoning. The Mac and cheese is GREAT! Cheesy, creamy and lot of the crust added. They give LARGE scoops for the sides!!! The spinach was also very good! Creamy. Seasoned. This was my favorite side. I saw an older lady ahead of us place 4 orders of the chitterlings. So I decided to try them too. So Good!!! I haven't had chitterlings in years. Best decision of the day was ordering the chitterlings!! I preferred the chitterlings over the catfish. I'll definitely be back...every time I'm in Nashville! read more

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Like he usually does, the hubs was flipping through random channels - anything to avoid cutting the grass. He heard "Nashville" and decided to stop flipping. The show was about soul food in the city. One of the featured restaurants was Silver Sands. He was immediately smitten by Miss Sophie. He put the address in his phone and was bound and determined to go there on our next trip north. We fly out of BNA and have the timing for the 100 mile trip pretty set. This morning however, he set the alarm early, threw our bags in the car and drove to Nashville with a sense of urgency. We were going to Silver Sands today, it didn't matter if we missed our flight - we were going to Silver Sands. We found parking right outside the building but I was told that was unusual. There were three people ahead of me in line and a few hungry souls waiting along the wall. I was told this was unusual too - the line is usually out the door. A menu is hung on the wall before the steam tables. There were standards like fried chicken and daily specials like today's meat loaf. You have about 10 sides to choose from. You order at a window before you can see what's there. I asked the guy in front of me what was good and he replied "everything". It was very difficult for me to order - a lot of stuff looked similar and I didn't have a clue what was what. I figured I'd just order something, knowing that I probably couldn't go wrong. I ordered the beef tips, pintos, mashed potatoes and okra. Then I waited. And waited. As I got to the end of the line I saw the okra. It was whole okra, the stuff that looks a little slimy, not the fried stuff I'm used to at other meat and 3's. I was going to ask them to change it but couldn't get anyone's attention. Thank goodness I didn't. I finally got to the register where the vibrant Miss Sophie took my money and wished me a great day. Then I went and stood in the line against the wall waiting to hear my name called. It took a good half an hour from walking in the door to having food in hand. This definitely is NOT the place to eat if you're in a rush. I was splitting my meal with my husband - the styrofoam tray that it came in was filled to the absolute top, the okra in a second styrofoam cup. The serving size of beef tips was epic as were the pintos. Unfortunately, the tips, though tender, were dry. The mashers weren't anything special either - a little runny. The pintos were delicious, absolutely delicious. But what made the meal was the okra! It was amazing! I probably could have gotten just a bowl full of okra. Seriously. The meal was rounded out by "hot water" - corn bread. It was good, different, but good. There was so much food that we couldn't finish. Next time we visit Nashville, we'll need to leave even earlier still, just to make sure we have enough time to go to Silver Sands for my new obsession, Miss Sophie's okra. read more

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The food is always fresh and tasty. I've been eating here since 2002. All fried foods are cooked to order. So many choices read more

I'm all for supporting black owned businesses. Small businesses at that. This day, I waited in line for over an hour to order. Unsure of what to order considering you have to get on top of the window where you order to even see what you could want. Due to the amount of people behind me, I felt a sense of urgency to make a decision on what to pick. Maybe had I not felt so rushed, I would've picked something more appetizing in my opinion. The chicken and dressing was salty. The Mac and cheese was good, I prob could have just ordered the sides and been content with a "main." The sweet potatoes were pretty good, seemed to have a little extra nutmeg than I like, but definitely edible. The hot water cornbread was prob the star of the show for me! Don't get just 1. I definitely want to go back and give this establishment another opportunity on a much slower day. You can tell that this establishment has history and the owner is well respected within the community. I do encourage you to support the business in hopes that you get something you enjoy to eat. The employees here are very friendly and hard at work to ensure prompt service. read more

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The food was great but this place could use an update. It's only like 5 tables to sit at. I came in during lunch change so I waited for 30 minutes. By time I got to the front I waited for about 5 minutes for the owner to get up to register. She didn't speak or even look my way. She kept her head down looking at my container reading my food order. Never did she even make eye contact. I felt that was quite rude. Price is high as well. I paid $40 for an oxtail plate with 3 sides and a peach cobbler, no drink. But all in all, food was the bomb.com! read more

Food is always good! Sophia and staff provide stellar service...Of course it's eoup good...and it's hard to resist some things...but I will tell you the smothered pork chops, hog maws, and oxtails cannot be bested elsewhere! I try to go every Sundsy for convenience sske...and highly recommend to newbies and visitors to our city! read more

If you can survive the long line at Silver Sands, the food will make the wait worth your time. Because it is visible, you can easily make your choices. I ordered catfish which was cooked while I waited. It was cooked to perfection and well seasoned. I ordered turnip greens and mashed potatoes and both were very tasty. I will probably return. read more

Delicious home cooked food. This is one of the best lunch joints in Nashville, with a nice variety of offerings that change daily. On my most recent visit, I had the beef liver. Yes, I know most people don't like liver, but theirs is cooked in a delicious gravy that keeps it tender and delicious. It was some of the best liver I've ever had, and the portion size was large. I added white beans, mashed potatoes, and collard greens. All were super fresh and delicious. The restaurant itself is not very large, but the tables are not often completely full. The staff is super friendly and the restaurant is kept nice and clean. I highly recommend Silver Sands for lunch. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Delicious Beef Liver (Tuesday, Thursday Only), collard greens, white beans, mashed potatoes, and a hot water roll. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

it was straight garbage it some of the soulless soul food I ever ate. I even tried to get a substitute for the firs entree it was just as bad haven't tried them in the te years since. read more

I went to Silver Sands Cafe on Jan 9, 2026. It was close to quitting time but I was accommodated. I ordered whitening fish & it was freshly cooked. I had spaghetti which was very tasty & a piece of cornbread. I will be visiting again. My food was take out, but I enjoyed the music playing in the background. I will visit again but I will go early next time. read more

Hubby and I were passing through Nashville on a Sunday, and he wanted soul food. We Googled the restaurant, so we really didn't know what we were walking into. And this brings me to my mixed review. There were 2 lines. One line was for ordering, and you could see the food set up like buffet style. And a 2nd line to pay. Would you believe that I gave my order for smothered pork chops, greens and yams. But the 2nd line to pay was so long that they were out of smothered pork chops and greens by the time we got to the register. So I ended up with fried pork chops, green beans, and yams. And it was FANTASTIC! Perfectly Seasoned! But once you get your food, you can stay or go, but you are definitely on your own... lol. So I gave a 3 because it was chaotic, but the food was amazing. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I finally made it here for a meal!!! A few years ago I was able to snag a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit right before jumping on the highway heading north. Last year I was in town during 4th of July weekend and rushed here just as empty handed someone was walking out telling me that they ran out of food! Didn't even bother checking for myself, turned on my heels and jumped back in the car. I had chicken, apples, coleslaw and lemonade and made myself at home in one of the booths and watched tv as I ate. Good vibe read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Chicken, coleslaw, lemonade, apples (underneath the paper) - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've never heard of Silver Sands despite the popularity for decades but after mentioning that I'm a big-time lover of country cooking, my coworker said I should go with him. I finally gave in and told him I'd try it. My only regret is that I didn't try it sooner. Silver Sands isn't exactly where I would go for a meal. I guess you could say I'm never really in that part of town and even if I was, I would have overlooked it. It is a hole-in-the-wall and I'm ashamed because I know just as well as any foodie that hole-in-the-wall establishments have some of the best food. They were serving oxtails the day I went and I *LOVE* oxtails. Silver Sands has a wide variety of foods they serve plus daily specials. I came really close to wanting to try the pork chops or fried chicken but the fact that I haven't had oxtails since I went to a Jamaican restaurant in Lavergne made me choose what I came for. I got the mac & cheese (supposedly legendary) and the turnip greens. I was asked when ordering if I wanted a flat(?) or a hot water. I had no clue what she was talking about, so I just said a flat. What it ended up being is this round cornbread-type cake. I don't know why it's called what it's called and I'm quite curious what a "hot water" tastes like. Anyway, the oxtails were AMAZING. You get a small and large oxtail and a large spoonful of the gravy (I think it's more like a stew). I dipped my flat cornbread in it until it was gone and then I ate all of it with a spoon. The oxtail was meaty and rich, and the gravy was the perfect blend of savory and salty. The mac and cheese was creamy and had a nice tang to it (I read while waiting it had Velveeta cheese in it). Say what you will about American cheese, sometimes it's the best cheese in certain dishes. The turnip greens were fantastic, not at all bitter and I didn't even need pepper vinegar (a condiment I usually pair with it). Silver Sands is awesome and I'm sad I haven't been there sooner. It is a bit pricey (oxtails is one of the most expensive) but I want to go back and try their other stuff too. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Oxtails, Mac & Cheese, Turnip Greens - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

To much salt in the food over spice pinto beans over seasoned fish was also as well as the dressing had to much sage,we trash all of it.

Visiting Nashville for my birthday and stop at Silver Sand to eat on my way home and that was the worse food and place ever eaten at. i don't know how that food is in the top 10 soul food to eat who rated it a bunch of hogs. I will give a 10 to the owner because she is real nice. read more

This little meat and three restaurant is tucked on a side street near the farmers market. They have a small free parking lot but there's additional space in the gravel area across the street. They serve some amazing soul food. I got breakfast for the first time as I normally come for lunch. Service was excellent as usual. I got catfish, grits, and fried apples. The fish was cooked to order but was ready quickly. The catfish was just ok. The grits and apples were amazing! I saw fresh pancakes being made and they looked large and fluffy. They hand crack real eggs to order also. I will definitely be back because I will be dreaming of those grits! read more

Ok, I found this place from a tik tok review. The food is more like a buffet style already made. However, the chicken and catfish were made on the spot and cooked to perfection. If it wasn't for the chicken n catfish being too salty, and the sweet potatoes being too sweet to the point I needed I large glass of water to flush it down, things would have been OK. Pro: Mac n cheese, and greens were on point!! If I e v ery patronize this business again next time in TN, I would probably get sides only. Price was right as well. I purchased 3 plates, and it was 40 something bucks. read more

Since I moved to Nashville back in 2022 from the DMV, I have been looking for a good soul food spot and I think I've found it. The food is really good and the people who work there are friendly enough but the service is extremely slow. I work downtown and would recommend it to my coworkers as a good place for lunch but it routinely takes me 45+ minutes to order and receive my food. All in all, good food but only go if your schedule is clear for an hour or two because there will be a wait. read more

Pros: Collard greens were nice but uncut. Desserts were good. Cons: worst tasteless hot water cornbread and fried chicken I've had just about anywhere. Fried chicken had nearly zero breading or seasoning. Med/low quality meat. Will give it another chance sometime. read more

I'm from Mississippi, I love a decent soul food spot for Sundays when I don't feel like cooking! This place was good. The people had good energy and were very helpful for it being my first time! The food was good as well , I think it could have been seasoned a little more , which is the reason for my 3 star. Chicken Fried good , Macaroni was good , I didn't like the fact that the only thing they had was hot water cornbread but I guess that's a Nashville thing. Koolaid was bussing! I got 2 plates spaghetti & chicken & chicken & macaroni the price was good! I definitely would return if I had a taste for some soul food. read more

Another visit on Sunday. Had oxtails and meat loaf. Better than my Momma's! This is one of those great little home-style restaurants that I love to find. Try it! read more

Soul food that feeds your soul! Everything we ate was amazing! I particularly loved the cabbage, green beans and the Mac n cheese was out of this world. The service was welcoming and I could feel the love from the owner. True Southern Hospitality! I can't wait to come back! read more

Great lunch spot! Love the atmosphere and the staff. Got the Friday special (yes at a soul food spot) and it was good. Along with that I got cabbage, turnip greens, and Lima beans. For dessert I got a lice of strawberry cake. All of it was good. My only gripe - it wasn't open on Saturday cause I wanted more. Coming if I roll through here. read more

This is hands down the best soul food I have ever had. If I lived in Nashville, this hole in the wall would be my regular spot. This place had such good vibes, I felt like I was family. Hidden away off a side road a few minutes away from downtown you will not be disappointed to get your Tennessee soul food. They really put all the soul in the food goodness gracious. The Mac and cheese was so cheese and baked perfectly. The greens beans, woah, perfectly seasoned like they have been soaked in meat juices their entire growth period. The chicken so crispy and juicy. I just can't say enough good about this place. Please come visit if you are in the area you will not regret finding this place!!!! I will be craving it until I visit Nashville again. read more

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I used to go here a lot years ago and I'm disappointed. My green beans had something curly and coiled like in them. The dressing has too much poultry. Mac and cheese taste like boxed. I don't know what happened, but this restaurant used to be the bomb. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - a piece of bread and a cup of coffee - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Great food but the line to get it was very slow they could use a better system and make it much faster and sell more food!

This is an old school classic southern or soul food cafeteria style restaurant! I had the ox tail. Super savory. She had the turkey and dressing. Just like your grandma made! Tremendous amount of sides to choose from. We picked banana pudding and a cobbler for dessert. We couldn't finish the sides but we certainly finished dessert. The bulk of their business seems to be take out. So don't expect table service. If there's a line out the door, don't be dissuaded, it moves quickly. read more

The food was really good. The location was not much to look at, but I did not go there for the location I went for the food because I heard it was great. I got mine to go and I enjoyed it. Great food. The service was ok nothing to write home about but the food more than made up for it. read more

The best soul food in Nashville. They have the best gravy ever!!! Do yourself a favor and get anything that includes gravy. The only downfall are the long lines and slow service. Just be sure to bring your patience. The location has horrible parking as well. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Easy parking in the lot or across the street. Fast counter service. Easy to order. Super friendly staff. Really reasonable prices and the portions are big and delicious! They were pretty busy for the breakfast rush, when we went, but they move the line quickly. No indoor seating during COVID. So happy we came across this place. Can't wait to go back. read more

We were greeted with such genuine hospitality. Food was amazing. The service was orderly and streamlined. Each of the staff were gracious and caring about the food that was bring ordered and served. To the owner: the banana pudding will surely make me want to consider moving to Nashville!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!! read more

The real deal for food with soul! Nice folks who care about the experience. Worth a trip for real authentic baked chicken, sweet potatoes and a true community center. read more

Silver Sands has the best food hands down, but the organization and how the line is ran is not well thought out. Every time I go there I have a 35-45 min wait with only about 5-7 people in front of me. I also tried to call my orders in, but they don't answer their phone during rush hour. This is really sad because I know they could double their business if they improved the way they manage the line. If you are only open for B-fast & lunch then you have to be properly staffed to maximize that time. read more

My customer service was horrible, she over prices her food. Speaking of which the food is salty if you have hypertension don't eat here and my corn bread wasn't cooked all the way I bit into it and I felt like I was eating sand. read more

You can't AND will not go wrong with this joint! Silver Sands is a staple of Nashville! Passed down from generation to generation... Straight SOUL FOOD!!! I have eaten almost everything on the menu (with the exception of beef and pork) and I have never been disappointed! The only beef I have is I just wished they stayed open after 3pm and on Saturdays! If you want authentic soul food then hit up this joint! The breakfast is Killer!!! The owner is super sweet! read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Salmon patties, mac n cheese, Lima beans and green beans!! - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Best soul food in Nashville! Service is candidly quick and the environment is pure local culture-scene. Definitely will be back!

Amazing soul food. Lines are long after church on Sunday's but the wait is worth it. Ambiance meh. But good food

Best damn soul food in town! Authentic! Stick to your bones. Best greens I've eaten. Down home feel and flavor. World famous as seen on SEC Network. read more

Definitely the best place and food. Would totally go back and plan to. Service was good also.

This is the best soul food! Our hotel staff recommended this place and the food was everything they said it would be and more. It is a small place so if you are a large party you may want to purchase your plates to go. We got a meat & three vegetables for a very reasonable price. We went on a Sunday and there was a line as it is cafeteria style but it moved quickly. Also we got there around 2 pm and they closed at 3 pm so check their open & close times before going. read more

Silver Sands Cafe - Chicken & dressing, greens, Mac & cheese, and pinto beans with hot water corn bread. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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