Firefly Grille

This place is awesome. I stumbled onto it while in Nashville and I’ll definitely come back. Good quality food, interesting flavors, and funky décor. I was there with family, including a picky eater (6 years old) and we all found things we enjoyed.

Came in for Lunch today. Loved it! Scott was our server and he does a great job – good recommendations, attentive, happy. Food was great. I had the house salad with herb dressing and salmon, my boyfriend had the reuben. We will be back!

We were looking for a place for lunch prior to a business meeting; something not too pricey, not to spicy, not too hip and worth a quip. (Okay, I know… enough with the rhymes.)
If you come, be prepared to squeeze into a tight spot alongside or behind the restaurant… free parking is at a premium, non sequitur notwithstanding.
Walk into a maze of small dining nooks, the crannies decorated with Electric Eclectic meets Antique Archaeology reject posters and «Goober, Granny, and Giselle were here» photos and posters. (You have to see it to truly understand this hit and miss décor.)
But, while appreciating the tacky-​tack ceiling and wall adornments we came for the food and we were not disappointed. (Why do people include negative-​positives when their trying to be positively positive? … writer’s prerogative I assume.)
I chose the «Maryland-​style Crab Cakes,» (two) which, when served, looked relatively run-​of-​the-​mill. But … much to my pleasure, it turned out to be a delicious, more modern take on the traditional-​standard «Maryland style.» While the well-​known traditional cake is filled with unadulterated bits and chunks of flaky crab and only enough binding to keep its shape, the Firefly’s version had plenty of delicate sweet crab blended with savory seasonings and a sweet assortment of finely diced pepper, celery, and onion, then encrusted with a coating of perfectly browned crumbs. Sweet and savory are key descriptors here. The cakes were served on a lightly toasted Brioche bun that had a beautiful thin layer of Housemade Remoulade and a crisp piece of Bibb lettuce.
True to form, my wife ordered Grilled Salmon (her fave) served on a warm barley salad that was dotted with deep orange chunks of roasted pumpkin, lightly grilled brussels sprouts and toasted pecans, julienne strips of Granny Smith and a maple dressing. Her opinion … it … was … good!
Reviews about Firefly Grille posted prior to mine might provide a better overall summary. So please read them in their entirety to fill out the picture. Better yet, try it for yourself and add your name to the multitudes of platitudes about this not-​quite-​quaint eatery.

Now this was a pleasant and interesting little place that I stumbled across with some of the most interesting décor and atmosphere I’ve seen in a restaurant. Descriptions alone without pictures would not do it justice so I suggest pulling up other pics people have posted.
I’ve had a number of items from their menu and it is by far some of the most unique in Nashville w/​some very well thought out flavor combinations that you won’t find anywhere but definitely can’t be topped.
I would highly recommend this place for occasions ranging from a first date, lunch w/​clients or even an anniversary.
Also of important note, is that it is very amazingly priced for the quality and uniqueness of food that you get.
I really wish I could articulate how phenomenal this place is w/​tangible details, but am just lost for words. You will just have to check it out and experience it to understand.

The ambiance is great for a special date night or to enjoy with a friend or guest. Firefly uses chic curtains to create an intimate setting. The wall art and hangings bring a lot of energy while not being distracting. There isn’t loud background noise; my friend and I were able to carry an easy conversation. Actually, it felt as though we slipped into a nice escape.
I ordered, and would quickly recommend, the gnocchi with brown butter, chestnuts, country ham, and shaved parmesan. The portion was perfect and the taste on point. My friend ordered the smoked pork ribs with cabbage and a roasted apple. The roasted apple itself would make for a great dessert.
Our server was attentive yet not over the top (again, it felt as though we escaped to a new place). Food came out with reasonable timing.
We had a great time and will return.

Visiting Nashville, and hotel concierge recommended this restaurant. Can’t think her enough! The ambience is unique, and the service was exceptional. I had the scallops with grits, and would have to say it was the best meal I have had in a restaurant in quite some time. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the seasoning was spot on.

Got the blackened sliders. First they were not blacked and secondly they were tough. Seemed like they were left in the microwave too long

Came upon this place through recommendations on Unilocal.Traveling on business and stayed at the Courtyard about a mile away.
Ambiance and décor is really unique. I found it fun and something nice to break up a travel day. 5 stars there. Parking is tough until later though. I ate at the bar. Service was good. Drink menu is adequate but not outstanding.
Grilled peaches lacked flavor unfortunately. Was looking forward to them. Could be a neat appetizer but needs something. Only 2 stars.
Shrimp and grits were very good. Creamy grits with nice shrimp and bacon. Flavor was great and quantity of food was good. 4 stars.
Overall 4 stars. Would recommend going with a friend or date to talk about the décor.

I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH!
I lived in Nashville for a year and this was one of my favorite haunts. After reading all the reviews about the incredible truffle mac and cheese, my roommate and I had to go. Our only mistake the first time going was that we split the mac and cheese as an appetizer when we should’ve each ordered our own.
There is nothing like this mac and cheese under the sun. It is decadent, creamy, cheesy, truffle-​ey with the most perfectly browned crunchy topping. We’ve even taken vacations back to Nash and gotten this dish to go, driving it all the way back to Florida with us! (It reheats very well, by the way)
The ambiance of this place is very cozy and eccentric. So much to look at! You can get away with pretty much any kind of dress here– I’ve gone in heels and a dress, as well as jeans and a t-​shirt. It’s an intimate setting.
I’ve ordered various things off the menu including the mac– their burger, which I believe they only have seasonally/​at lunch, is really good. The cheese plate appetizer is decent, but a little fancy if you’re looking for something simpler. Anything you order is going to be incredibly high quality and full of flavor.
There are a handful of very helpful, wonderful servers here who add to the experience. I’ve never had a bad time here!
Before we moved from Nashville, my roommate and I got matching tattoos of a jar of fireflies in honor of this place and its life-​changing mac and cheese. That’s how good it is.
Seriously. Did I mention order the mac and cheese? Order it all for yourself, don’t you dare share or you’ll regret it.

A quirky little place with lots of Christmas lights and odd things hanging on the walls. I had the salmon and it was delicious. Our server was very hot, just looking at him made our lunch seem even better! For a relaxing, take your time lunch experience I recommend this cute and fun place.

Hier ist 12 Monate im Jahr Weihnachten! Wirklich crazy der Laden. Aber das Essen hat überzeugt! Sehr leckere selbstgemachte Gnoccis gegessen. Dazu gab es tollen Weißwein. Hier sind häufig viele Stars.

The seasonal menu is outstanding! The stuffed squash blossoms were amazing! The salmon special was perfect! The ambience is unique and cozy with very nice wait staff. To end the meal, the coconut cake and caramel icing cake was delicious!!!
I will be back when in town again!

I was expecting more based upon the reviews and perhaps that was the wrong way to approach a meal at Firefly. We had great service and I dug the atmosphere but the food wasn’t good. I wanted to order the mac and cheese based upon the reviews but our server cautioned that they changed the recipe as they have a new chef. Perhaps the new chef is still getting settled in? Our server actually said that those who have had the mac and cheese in the past have been disappointed with the new recipe and that he didn’t recommend it.
I ended up ordering a shrimp salad and my mom got a sandwich. My salad tasted like oil, no citrus or any flavor beyond the sparse dried apricots. The shrimp was fine. Just fine. There just wasn’t anything exciting or any flavor. It all tasted like a meal I could make at home and I’m not even that great of a cook! My mother also said her dish was just okay, nothing exciting. With so many awesome places in town I guess I just don’t get the love affair.

This is a very unique eatery with a lot of attitude! I loved the menu & decided to go with the Vegetarian Plate, Chef’s choice ! It had 5 or 6 delicious tastings on it! I liked it very much! I only wish our server would have explained what each item was!
The b’friend had Duck… He loved it!!!
Our started was lump crab meat with a bit of salad… Very generous & perfect for sharing!

This is our «go-​to» place. Have eaten here at least a hundred times at various times of the day and NEVER had a bad meal! The menu changes seasonally and you will find yourself just as at home in a dress and heels as you are in a pair of jeans. Kurt, the owner, and his staff are the perfect hosts, laid back but always have a keen sense of when you need them.
For newbies, you cannot possibly have the Firefly experience without the White Truffle Mac & Cheese. I gave up dairy two years ago, but every once in awhile, this still breaks my will power! Honestly, I do not trust anyone who can eat this and say they do not like it!
These days the word is out, so a quick call for a reservation will save you a wait. But hey, a wait is the prime excuse for the perfect gin martini.

We chose firefly as the place to fête my 30 years on this earth. We’d heard the rumors. A chopped champion cooking in our neighborhood? We knew that we couldn’t leave Nashville without checking it out.
Undeterred by a snow storm, we made our way there, and ordered everything that caught our fancy. Artisan Bread, Lobster salad, Crab Risotto, Chicken Wings, & Mushroom soup.
The results were a mixed bag. The Lobster salad was incredible! Brussel sprout leaves, crispy fried prosciutto, large chunks of lobster, hints of citrus. I wish I could have replaced my entire dinner with a supersize version of that salad. The chicken wings were also good– flavorful and complimented by a deliciously complex sauce. The Crab Risotto pleased my husband, but just didn’t impress me. The lump crab meat flavors were overwhelmed by the starchy rice. It just didn’t work for me. We both agreed that the mushroom soup was a bland mess. Points deducted.
I have to subtract a few more points for our clueless waiter. Under the guise of going to the bathroom, my husband flagged him down and explained it was my birthday. He ordered a cheesecake and requested that they put a candle in it for me. The next time the waiter came by the table, he said to my husband (right in front of me), «what was it that you wanted for dessert? the cheesecake?» At the end of the meal, he came with the cheesecake, candle and all, but the surprise was obviously ruined. Come on! Use some sense. If someone is ordering a dessert in the hallway and asking for a candle, treat it like the secret it obviously is.
Still, that salad. That salad is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s not like you can go order it, since Firefly changes their menu seasonally, but it is evidence that they can soar to great heights. Give ‘em a shot.

My husband and I came here before our evening at The Bluebird Café (within walking distance by the way). The ambiance is eclectic, intimate and cozy. We were seated at a hightop by the bar and handed a few menus. We couldn’t make up our minds so we ended up getting a potpourri of 5 starters to share as our meal. In order of deliciousness: truffle mac & cheese, Thai lemongrass soup, ciabatta bread with garlic oil, lobster and brussels sprout salad and the wings. Definitely will come back next time we are in town.

So many disconnects and still a great food experience.
Hello Christmas lights and tinsel! Wow. This little place is floor to ceiling decorations, and sprinkles Tibetan prayer flags, funky signs, framed photos, and posters all around with the lights that are strung everywhere. It’s quite the statement, but it doesn’t seem to carry over to the food, which was delicious and somewhat sophisticated.
Another disconnect? The wait staff the night we were there was all men in their 50s in flannel shirts. They were a little gruff but knowledgeable about the menu and provided good service. I don’t know how they pulled off looking bewildered and beleaguered while also being damn good waiters. It was like some truckers decided to wait tables for a night and their lives counted on doing it well.
Total connect? Great food! Lots of good choices on their seasonal menu. Fresh, delicious food. I really enjoyed my pasta and everyone else loved their dishes, including the vegetarian platter (chef’s choice), the Manchego Stuffed Pork Loin, The Beef Bourguigon, and the Seared Diver Scallops. All were perfectly cooked and very tasty. One of our best meals while in town.
Apparently their executive chef is working to make a name for herself on reality cooking shows like Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen. Our friends who dined with us and are local mentioned this when they suggested the place. It didn’t carry much weight in our decision, but was an interesting fact.
I highly recommend this place for the food. The dining experience itself was distracting, but the quality of the cooking and the excellence of the recipes let me shut it all out.

A hidden gem that I was pleasantly surprised by. On a whim, the beau and I went to the Firefly Grille. I ordered a roasted chicken dish that was perfectly cooks and the accompanying veggies perfectly balanced the dish. I also ordered a blood orange martini — a little on the strong side, but super tasty. The beau ordered a pasta dish that was so-​so as it was a bit underseasoned. We ordered an appetizer of the truffle mac ‘n’ cheese — hands down the star of the meal. Perfect texture and tasty — I’m having flashbacks as I type.
We will definitely be back due to the great service and the potential of the menu.

We had dinner at Firefly Grille last evening and were very disappointed given the number of positive reviews on Unilocal.
As suggested, we started with the Mac and Cheese which was unfortunately the highlight of our dining experience. The special soup for the evening, although sounding spicy and flavorful, was bland. My partner had the risotto which he commented was forgettable and I had the pork loin which despite the calvalcade of ingredients was flavorless. We both had Lo Guapo, a tequila based drink, that was also nearly tasteless despite the additional ingredients — at least it was alcoholic! Given these factors we chose to skip dessert (instead we went home and I made a cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter filled tartlette. M-​m-​m-​m good!)
Service was excellent. Atmosphere was tacky — place needs paint and more attention to its arrangement and inclusion/​exclusion of «oddities» plus a sign so that one doesn’t land up in the kitchen.
Suffice it to say, we cannot recommend this restaurant for the price paid.

We’ve visited Firefly multiple times. I’ve made reservations, we’ve stopped in and eaten, we’ve sat at the bar, etc. Frankly, I adore this place.
Allow me to set the stage. My girl is an experimental foodie, who appreciates good food and not afraid to try new things. I, on the other hand am picky. I’m plain. I don’t particularly like to experiment. I’ll try her food, but will order my tried and true foods.
The Firefly menu could be daunting to a vanilla eater like me, but the servers and chef are always accommodating. If I want the Halibut, but substitute sides, or hold the sauce, they’re on it. If I want the chicken or steak without some of the chef’s touches, they happily oblige. Meanwhile, the food is always top notch, no matter if I’m eating my plain cuisine, or tasting my girl’s Chef Special.
The atmosphere is fun. Personally, I look at it as a fun dive, with the kitschy lights, but with first class food and service.
Lastly, a visit isn’t complete without the coconut cake or the chocolate fudge/​caramel icing cake. They have other options, but as mentioned earlier, if I find something in my wheelhouse, I stick with it. The first time I visited Firefly, I ordered both. Now, during subsequent visits, I order at least one… even when sitting at the bar to just have a drink.