I asked a few friends and locals of Murfreesboro where to go for dinner in the area. Four different people ALL menioned The Alley on Main, so I HAD to try it for my dinner date! They did NOT disappoint!! I am officially hooked! From the moment we walked in, I could see and feel the sheer energy coming from the crowd and the ambiance: it already felt like great food and great people. It was packed to the brim for Wine Wednesday! They had one table available for two! Our server, Sarah, was outstanding!! She was sweeter than pie and extremely attentive! She always made sure we had exactly what we wanted when we wanted it. She advised sharing a bottle of wine since we wanted the same one, and since it was half price most wines. The young manager on duty delivered and uncorked the bottle, and she was just as sweet as Sarah! Her name escapes me, but I will find out the next time I go. The Spanish Tempranillo we tried was divine! It was perfectly balanced without being too dry or too tannic or too sweet. It was so smooth and thoroughly enjoyable to drink! For food, we started with the goat cheese bruschetta. It was perfection - rich in flavor and well balanced in the distribution of each component! From there, we tried the special of Steak Tips Au Pauvre - with a peppercorn wine sauce. We chose brussels sprouts as our side, and it also came with a side salad. We weren't too hungry, so we split it. Sarah even had the kitchen split both the salad and the main dish in half for us! The salad was so fresh (with ripe grape tomatoes!!) and the ranch dressing was classic and delightful. The wine sauce was everything I wanted it to be: rich, complex, thick, and buttery. It reminded me of the beautiful sauces you find on a steak or chicken dish at a sidewalk cafe in Paris. The dessert menu looked amazing, but we didn't have any room left. All I can say is you MUST try this place!!! If you can find Sarah, even better! read more

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We were told 35 min wait but that turned into five minutes! Excellent! Eli was an incredible, knowledgeable server! Very personable! The ambience was cool! A little eclectic vibe. Comfortable w a low noise level. We started with noise salads which were very small. The dressings were very good. My wife and I both had the beef tips special (mine medium rare, hers medium well) - the meat was tough and chewy on both. She had the garlic mashed potatoes and they were excellent! I had the broccoli and it was perfectly cooked and served still hot! All in all a great first experience - made that way because of Eli our server! Thanks for a good meal and great service! read more

Awesome experience! We went and had a great time. The food was delicious, both of us ordered from the specials and loved it. The atmosphere was a great mix of rustic and modern, which made it really enjoyable to sit and hang out. Service was solid too, especially for a busy night. My drink never got empty, which I always appreciate! read more

The alley is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. Everytime I go all the servers are very welcoming. The food is always top notch. The food is upscale southern comfort food. An amazing representation of great southern hospitality and cuisine. read more

The Alley on Main - Chicken Fried Chicken with Brussel sprouts - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Great spot for lunch. It always has a nice crowd. I always get the pick 2 lunch special. The wedge salad with dressing on the side and added red onions is my favorite. I love the soup. My favorite is the she crab soup. I hate i keep missing it. Service is always great! read more

The Alley on Main - Wedge salad - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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The food was a little better than okay. Nothing to write home about. The service was good. I didnt like that there were seats uncomfortably close to the bathroom. The ambiance was good. read more

The Alley on Main - Chicken parmesean and broccoli. - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

I love being able to eat outside and there was a little covered patio to shade from the sun. Service was good. My drink refill was always the same as my order which is one indicator of a good server. The food was good but I was glad I looked at the big menu. I'm not sure the lunch combo is a good deal from some of the options. I ordered a house salad ($3.99) and a side of crispy Brussels sprouts. Salad was basic (but it was $3.99!) and the sprouts were yummy. I'll be back, especially to eat outside. read more

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Expensive and just not worth it. The server was nice but the food was pedestrian. I don't see the appeal.

Alley on Main in downtown Murfreesboro stands out as a locally owned gem in a sea of chains. We were excited to try it and really hoped this family-owned spot would deliver. They don't take reservations, so we arrived early and were warmly welcomed and seated by the window--a lovely touch. Our server was very friendly, though not particularly familiar with the menu. She did mention that the Chicken Parm is a crowd favorite. At my husband's request, she chose an appetizer for us--the shrimp wontons. They looked amazing but, unfortunately, the flavors didn't quite land. We also tried the crab cakes, trout, and the Chicken Parm. The crab cakes were undercooked and served with a sauce that tasted more like Dijon mustard sauce than a traditional remoulade. Oddly, the Brussels sprouts I ordered as a side also came with a mustard-based sauce. I like mustard, but this was overkill, and the flavors didn't quite come together. The house salads (lettuce blend, cherry tomatoes, and red onion) were fresh but unremarkable. On the bright side, those who ordered the Chicken Parm were very happy with it. The half portion is still generous and a great option if you're not super hungry. Despite some misses with the food, the atmosphere was lively, the service was kind, and the place was nearly full, clearly a local favorite. I give them 4 stars for effort and heart (and the Chicken Parm), and I'm open to giving it another try. read more

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Nothing creepy about hanging out at The Alley on Main. Actually, it is the perfect destination for the best dining at Murfreesboro. This was possibly our favorite place to eat while visiting Tennessee. Everyone here is so friendly. Great vibes, great food, great service. I can tell it is a local favorite. Shoutout to Emma Frost for being an amazing waitress! She recommended the kabob plate, which was AMAZING! She also let us know that everything was home grown, and fresh. Sure enough, our kabobs and meatball spaghetti tasted so clean, yet delicious. Best kabobs I've ever eaten. Save room for their desserts. You will not regret it. We got their pie, and it was amazing. It is like pecan pie, but with walnuts and bourbon. We ate that pie to the last pie crust crumbs. The Alley on Main is the best hangout spot ever. I will definitely be back if we ever visit Tennessee again. What a gem. Thank you for a great dining experience! read more

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One of the best restaurants in Murfreesboro. The owners do it right and are staples in the community. I've done lunches and dinners there and never been disappointed! read more

Got seated promptly, got our drinks and appetizer within minutes. Classic manhattan was good but kinda low volume and served in a martini glass instead of a rocks glass. Salads came quickly and were good. Meals followed without a long wait time. My Redfish was excellent and my wife's Chicken Fried Chicken was also good. The only thing she said was that there was too much garlic in the mashed potatoes. Service was excellent, everyone that walked by our table took empty plates and it was very clean. The only thing missing was some kind of bread served with the meal. Will be back again. read more

The Alley on Main - Chicken Fried Chicken - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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We were traveling and stopped in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for the night. We looked for a place to eat on yelp and this place received perfect stars so we went to check it out and were not disappointed. They don't take reservations and the wait was 35 minutes, but we found seats at the bar. My husband ordered trout and I ordered spaghetti and meatball. Everything was delicious, including the blueberry cobbler dessert and the prices were reasonable. The wait staff was very friendly and accommodating. It seems like there were a lot of young people working and their energy was enthusiastic. I put this town and this restaurant in my notes as a place to stop again. read more

The food was overcooked, I had a steak I had ordered medium. It was definitively well done! The service was just okay; definitively not opened to outsiders; I was visiting. That's was the feeling as a whole; not a pleasant experience - not sure how to properly word that. The ambiance felt sort of lacking; it needs more direction and vision. read more

We have eaten here many times. The food and service is usually impeccable. The Alley had an off night for me this time, unfortunately. I usually have the salmon and it usually is perfect. Tonight it tasted strong and fishy, like it was not fresh. My side of pasta with marinara sauce was swimming in water. I hope next time I have a better experience as I have in the past. read more

Went here for Father's Day as did many others. There was a whole lot of Oedipal Complex going on at a couple of the tables nearby, so it was entertaining to say the least. Honestly, why is this even a holiday? My loving daughter gave me underwear from Duluth Trading because she exchanged a shirt her mother gave her and couldn't find anything she wanted. For my part, I bought my father two blue shirts (the only color he will wear) from Peter Millar. They were not cheap. Presumably, I'll be getting these back at some point, so I think of it as more of an investment rather than gift. Reading that last sentence, I may have been a little harsh in the assessment of my daughter's gift. As to the food, I started with a Manhattan and received the usual judgmental eye rolls from wife and mother that made the second one all the sweeter. For my main dish I only ordered the shrimp wonton - meh. The desserts looked really good. The atmosphere is good. Parking a bit tricky. Will go back. read more

The Alley is one of our favorites. The service is always phenomenal and the food is great. I only wish they had a call ahead waiting list since we drive 35 mins to get there. read more

Okay....we missed lunch and were starving....so a bit before 4:00 we sat down! So worth it! Bakhita was a great server; recommended delicious choices! His Cajun pasta was spot on. My Chicken Parmesan had a dollop of ricotta cheese on the side that added just the right taste! But this pie was the reason we came here and it did not disappoint! Can't wait to return!! read more

The Alley on Main - Thoroughbred Pie!! Chocolate and Bourbon and Walnut in a pecan pie!! - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Great for date night! The spinach dip was amazing, I had the fish and chips. Their seasoning a hair on the salty side however the service was top tier. Went around 6pm and it was good busy. Small sized local restaurant absolutely worth eating there. Would go again! Also the dessert prices are very cheap! Tried the blackberry cobbler with ice cream and it was perfect. read more

The Alley on Main - Fish and chips - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Service was great, very quick service. Tried the Mushroom Goat Cheese Coquettes and they were amazing, wish it came with more peach jam though because that was a fantastic pairing. Also got the grilled rainbow trout with Brussels sprouts. Nothing special about them but cooked extremely well. Parking was easy enough to find but beware because street parking is usually only 2 hours and my friend ended up getting a ticket even though we weren't there for 2 hours. Inside was clean and windows were so clean it was hard to tell there was a window between us and the street, loved being able to look out onto the street. read more

The Alley on Main - Mushroom and Goat Cheese Croquettes - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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The patio seating was amazing with the beginning of sunny season. It was super busy since it was lunch time but we were able to get food out in a decent time frame. The hot chicken sliders were super oily unfortunately, and almost too spicy to enjoy. But the Crab soup was delicious! read more

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I enjoy The Alley on Main as a standard and reliably good restaurant. They have half off wines on Wednesdays! The service is always attentive. The ambiance is crowded and busy, so not my favorite, but that's personal preference. The bar is well stocked for excellent cocktails. read more

Good food, good service...Nice local spot to grab a bite or a beverage. Never had any issues here

One of our new favorite restaurants in the area. Love that it's locally owned. Great ambiance on the inside and can get pretty crowded around dinner time. We got there around 5:30 right before the rush and were seated immediately. The spinach dip appetizer was delicious and there wasn't an empty plate at our table by the end of dinner! read more

Finally got over to alley on main to join in on the hype of this place. We have always heard about it and it seems to have a great reputation in the boro. We heard about them originally because of the catering side of their business which was very good. Had their penne vodka which I wished was on the menu because it was very good. Chicken parm as well. We tried the chicken parm in restaurant and thought it was better for the catering meal we had. Still good! It was such a long wait on a weekend for dinner so be prepared to wait. Overall solid restaurant and you'll have a great time. read more

The Alley on Main Street was fantastic. The staff were extremely nice & helpful with the menu. The restaurants layout is nice & open with the bar in the middle. Nice big windows to enjoy the view of the busy city streets. We enjoyed our visit. read more

The Alley on Main - Glass of Lola Pinot Noir - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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Sometimes restaurants make life difficult, especially when they post pictures of dishes I've never had or heard of. The Alley on Main is guilty, and I was there early to be sure I was able to try the new offerings. Sat at the bar and Kailee got me set up with a water and an Einstok Icelandic White Ale...this is an exceptional beer and goes well with most any dish. I went for the new appetizer...Crab Coquille - Lump Crab. If you are a fan of crab cakes, this will BLOW YOU AWAY!!! This dish is loaded with tender crab meat, a creamy bechamel sauce, and topped with Panko bread crumbs. Just take your fork and dig in...you don't need anything else. The Shrimp Bucco Pasta arrived and the initial smell was incredible. The components of this dish...perfectly al dente pasta, sweet red bell peppers, small asparagus sprouts, and a light wine/butter/lemon sauce merged a lot of different flavors together but adding the breaded shrimp was the crown jewel to this dish. The seasoning/coating on the shrimp really pulled together the combination of pasta, sauce, and shrimp causing one of those "OMG" moments on my palate. This pasta dish would rank in the top three pasta dishes I have enjoyed...ever. They say it took them awhile to get these dishes ready for the menu, all I can say is "well done Chef"! The service here is always exceptional and Kailee took marvelous care of me. Bottom line...this is the BEST meal I have enjoyed here at The Alley!!! read more

The Alley on Main - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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Service was a definite 5! I really, really wanted to love this place. Great family story! Unfortunately, the food was just ok; nothing I would go back for. Maybe it was because we went after the lunch rush but then let me know before I spend $60 that your food is just ok after 1PM. The fries were old and cold; the pasta tasted old and the sauce for the chicken parmigiana was nothing special; the chicken was as flat as you can get chicken. The dessert was the best part of the meal but again, nothing I would go back especially for and it was pretty pricey for the portion. Again, the service was great! read more

We visited this family owned and run restaurant for a weekday lunch today and we loved it. The food was exellent and the service was very good. The staff were friendly and the food came out quickly. This is a scratch kitchen restaurant, so they make all of their salad dressings, sauces and desserts in house daily. They offer handcut Steaks, Seafood and Pastas along with some Apps and desserts. They offer weekly Fish Specials and a Sandwich of the week. It's located very close to the Town Square so there is street parking all around the square. They have a full bar with some outdoor tables. One thing I really like is they have fresh fish flown in several times a week, so you are getting fresh wild caught fish and not farmed fish. That being said, we both ordered Fish dishes today and they Did Not Disappoint. They open at 3:00 on Saturday, Closed on Sunday and 11:00 Monday through Friday just an FYI. I highly recommend. read more

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I can't believe it took me so long to finally try The Alley on Main. I took my wife here for her birthday dinner. The place was packed and it only took about 15 minutes wait. This place was fantastic! Our server, Hannah, was an absolute joy. She was personable, sweet, and very friendly. The food was delicious. We had the spinach dip to start out, a couple of Old fashioned drinks. My wife had the New Orleans pasta which I got to try a small bite of. Very well seasoned and flavorful. I had the Rainbow Trout and it was perfect. Then we each got a dessert. She got the blackberry cobbler w/ ice cream and I got the carrot cake. This is a must do for a good delicious dinner in the 'boro. Prices are extremely reasonable and portion sizes are good. read more

Small restaurant, dim lightening, full bar, with spacious seating and pretty good food. This dah you could tell they were short staffed. If patience isn't something you possess this probably wouldn't be a place to visit if you're on a strict time schedule. We came during lunch hour on a Thursday and was told they had cut several servers and then they got busy... understandable. Carson was apologetic and ensured we were taken care of throughout the remainder of our visit. Carson was outstanding. I mean he seems like he was covering every guest within this establishment. I definitely had grace considering the workload he took on. First time here, but won't be the last. Fried pork chop with mashed potatoes 5/5 Grilled chicken with Brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes 5/5 read more

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Always good! Get the grilled Brussels sprouts and the mashed potatoes. I've never had a bad experience here

Great place!!! Could cut filet with a fork! Fried pork chop was delicious. Service was amazing. Definitely would give 10/10! Nice to go to a place that's not over priced for the service and delicious food. Definitely come agian. read more

Excellent Food! Great service! Location was really cool in downtown. Easy parking! I had the Queso Burger! The best I've had in a looooong time! read more

Awesome restaurant with great steaks. We went on a Friday night and though busy we were able to be seated right away. Great atmosphere, service and wonderful experience. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Alley on Main. I found them on Yelp! searching for a good "happy hour" place. Well, they don't have happy hour specials but the place was bustling at 5pm and we stayed. Glad we did. Andrea was our server and took great care of us. Drinks hit the spot on a toasty day. I had the alcoholic version of an Arnold Palmer, my hubby had a Manhattan. I ordered the grilled chicken salad with the avocado ranch dressing - I'm not normally "just a salad" gal but it was hot and I wanted something light. This salad was filling and delicious; chicken was grilled to perfection, flavorful and moist. We also tried the birthday cake to cap off the experience (pro tip: be sure to order with scoop of vanilla ice cream) . Not disappointed! All was great, but the topper was how discreetly and respectfully a manager approached me about my service dog. She simply asked the two legal questions and moved on. So refreshing not to have the burden put on me to explain to a restaurant staff what the law is on ADA service animals. We will be back! read more

The Alley on Main - Bar area - Steakhouses Near Me - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

This place is a MUST! The food is excellent. The tastes of the food is a treat to the tastebuds. I could order blindly from the menu and know that I will enjoy. The experience is like being at that cousins house that is the "hostess with most "always has the best food, drinks, music and atmosphere that you don't want to leave. One of my FAVORITE restaurants ! read more

I loved my time here! The other patrons were so polite and this wait staff was impeccable. The cocktails are affordable and great and this home cooked style food is just what this KY gal needed. I will become a regular. Just go and see for yourself yall! read more

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This place is delish! Have had multiple dishes here and they are always incredible! Will come back I. The future.

Great food and service. We had the southwest egg-rolls, almost allies sandwich, and a grilled pork chop. Very delicious!