Dining at Monell's transcends the ordinary notion of a restaurant; it is, rather, an immersion into a most refined and characteristically Southern custom. Situated in the heart of Germantown, this modest yet distinguished establishment offers not only fare of exceptional quality, but also the singular pleasure of partaking in a communal table, where strangers are received as companions, an echo of a more gracious and convivial age. The fried chicken is, without exaggeration, among the most excellent in the city, and the portions are notably generous. Each accompanying dish is prepared with the utmost care and discernment, reflecting a commendable attention to detail. Having first dined here upon our arrival in Nashville, it has since secured a place of particular esteem among the establishments we hold in highest regard. It is, beyond question, an experience to which one ought to aspire at least once. I confess a certain satisfaction in knowing that such a venerable tradition continues to flourish in the South. read more

Came here one morning on my way out Nashville. I wanted a good breakfast, and all my research told me I had to come check this place out. I'm glad I did. This place was a wonderful little experience. We were greeted with the sign outside, "Enter as Strangers and Leave as Friends," which is one of my life philosophies. We got there right at opening, so we got seated first along with one of their years-long regulars. A friendly local lady who provided us with pleasant conversation until the next patrons arrived, who were seated right next to us at the same table, family style. Then the next people, then the next. Sitting, talking, passing the food around the table. It was a nice experience. And the ambiance was nice, too. Plain, wooden chairs, white tile flooring, vintage holiday decor, it was like being in a grandma's house. Very comforting. The food came out one or two dishes at a time. Everything was good enough, but it also was apparent that it was mass produced in a catering style. The basics like the bacon and ham were very good, but the fried chicken, I wouldn't take a big piece, save your stomach room for other things. Whatever other things you grab, make sure you grab a biscuit and get ahold of their homemade peach preserves. That stuff was 10/10 excellent. It's so good, they jar it and sell it at the front desk. I totally recommend. Overall, breakfast is one of the most important meal of the day, so if you find yourself in Nashville, I would implore you to come and check out this city staple of over 30 years now. read more

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I'm from NYC but coming to Monell's was like stepping into my grandma's house for thanksgiving. For only $20, all you can eat breakfast southern comfort food is amazing. Everything is served family style so you will be socializing with the guest sharing the table. The food was absolutely delicious and so filling. The service was great even though we rarely need anything. Monell's is a Must Go for anyone visiting Nashville read more

Pros: Ambiance was very nice here. Very homey. It was like you were in a big house with a bunch of dinner tables and knickknacks all along the walls. Very comforting. Service was such as homey. The sign says family style, and they sure do treat you like family. And when you have people sit next to you at your table, they treat you like family, too. The most striking thing you'll eat here are the homemade peach preserves. That stuff was delicious and goes well on the biscuits and pretty much everything else, too. Cons: Some of the food was a little under seasoned, or maybe lacking in texture, but when you make such food at such a large scale, I'm sure it's unavoidable. But it was a very enjoyable meal! Tips: Try everything. Don't load up on too much of one thing at once. Don't worry, you'll get more opportunities to get more of everything. read more

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We had our pre-wedding celebration dinner here and I'm so glad we did! The food was delicious!! Every single thing my husband and I tried was very good. My kiddo loved the rolls and catfish. Everyone else found at least one thing they really liked. They managed to seat 18 of us without issue and without reservations. Loved this place! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - There's something for everyone here! - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Some places feed you. Some places hug your soul and send you home different. Monell's does the second... and yeah, they'll also ruin every other fried chicken you ever thought was "good." Let's just get this out of the way. The food is ridiculous. Not trendy, not overthought, just flat out right. The fried chicken? Best in the South. I said it. Best in the East too while we're at it. Nashville included. It's the kind of chicken that makes you pause mid-bite and question your past life decisions. Then the corn pudding shows up and suddenly you're quiet. Like, actually quiet. It's that good. The cornbread and biscuits? I refuse to choose. That's not a decision any reasonable person should have to make. And the peach jam... if happiness had a flavor, that's it. I'm not saying it'll bring a tear to your eye, but I'm also not not saying that. The meatloaf hit me out of nowhere. First time I've liked meatloaf since I was a kid. That alone deserves recognition. And if you leave without the banana pudding, you've made a critical error. Best of the best. No debate. Now here's where it flips. You walk in and there's a sign that says enter as strangers, leave as friends. Usually that kind of thing feels like a nice idea. Here, it actually happens. You're seated family style. No phones. No distractions. Just people. Real conversation. Passing dishes. Laughing with folks you met five minutes ago. Fold this part in your mind for a second. In a world where everyone is staring at a screen, this place forces you to look up... and somehow it works. And inside those four walls, something clicks. People from everywhere, different backgrounds, different stories, all just sitting down and breaking bread together. It's simple. It's rare. It's magic. This is not just a meal. It's an experience. The kind you remember. The kind you make a point to come back to. I make it a stop every single time I'm in town. Never missed. Never disappointed. Five stars. And if Yelp had more, they'd get those too. read more

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Overall: Such a cool concept of eating family style Southern food and I've been wanting to come here forever. So glad I finally got to visit! It's all-you-can-eat, and literally every single dish that came out was DELICIOUS. Well priced too :) Service: We came in the morning, and waited about 20-25 minutes. Stopped by a nearby cafe during our wait. Once called in and seated, everything comes out timely (started out with the cinammon rolls). You just pass it to the next person at the table! Ambiance: Warm, Southern, lovely, homey! It looks so beautiful from the outside. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Monell's Dining and Catering was a delightful peek into southern comfort food. Our office got catering from here, and I loved trying a little bit of everything! My favorite dish was the egg bake, which had just the right amount of spice and a wealth of potatoes and peppers throughout. Other standouts were the biscuits and gravy, with the gravy being the perfect thick consistency, and the biscuits being soft and warm. The food is a bit heavier than the breakfast I'm used to having, so my only advice would be to prepare and pace yourself! read more

What a fun and delicious experience! It's a huge family style meal and it feels like you're just in someone's kitchen. They had all the staples and it seemed like endless plates of food were being passed around. Ribs, fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn pudding, biscuits - you name it. Dessert was phenomenal as well. Price was great for the amount of food we had. Attentive service as well. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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This restaurant is absolutely one of the best places!! A great experience!! You sit at a large table with other people the food comes out family style and everyone passes bowls and bowls of the most delicious southern homemade food around. Everyone was warm and so....friendly and the food keeps coming!! Met some lovely people at the table. We'll be back for sure just LOVED it!! read more

I don't know why I keep forgetting about this location bc i have always enjoyed Monells when they had the location by the airport. This was my first time here and it definitely won't be the last. It's really nice just walking in and being seated with strangers and sharing a whole meal. So much food!! Went on a Friday and they had ribs, lasagna, fried fish, fried chicken and all the sides. And it was cheap! Service and staff was super friendly and attentive. The place itself is nice and has a nice patio as well. I have to go and try the midnite menu! read more

Monell's is amazing!! This is one restaurant my husband and I were looking forward to dining at. It is good old southern food. The amount of food they gave us was extraordinary. Due to it being family style we were able to eat a little of everything. To start we had coleslaw and a cucumber salad, biscuits and cornbread. The biscuits were light and fluffy and the corn bread with the apple butter was absolutely delicious!! We had green beans, fried apples, corn, mashed potatoes, white gravy, macaroni and cheese, meat loaf, fried chicken, pulled pork and chicken and dumplings. I personally loved the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, green beans, biscuits and cornbread bread with the apple butter. It was also enjoyable dining with others from around the country. The service was excellent!!! Monell's is a must when in Nashville. We will definitely be back! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Unfortunately I have no pictures - but there are more than enough here. How I missed this review when I was in Nashville is beyond me! Here's the deal - being a single diner is highly in your favor. I came on a super busy Sunday morning and the wait for groups was around an hour. Little old me? Hopped into a single seat at a table with a lovely party of folks in town for a wedding in about 5 minutes. Eat. Drink the sweet tea. Make new friends. Eat some more. Laugh about your whole table being hungover except you. Eat the pie. Roll out. Good old southern food for a good price. Enjoy yourself. 10/10 will return read more

When you're craving a home cooked meal but far from home, go to Monell's for a meal that tastes like it was made with love! Right when you walk in to Monell's you are sat at a table of around 10 and told they'll be your family for the next hour. There's a set menu each day and plate after plate of delicious Southern style comfort food is then served to you family style. The crispy Southern fried chicken, juicy meatloaf, and sweet corn pudding were my absolute favorite. I would've easily paid double or triple for all the food I ate but the full experience is very reasonable priced.I would've easily paid definitely recommend trying Monell's if you're in the area but be sure to save an appetite. read more

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This restaurant was recommended to me and it definitely made my experience here in Nashville. We were here on Labors Day weekend and waited for about 1.5-2 hours. We walked around the neighborhood during our wait. It was worth the wait. We sat with an another group of family with two kids. The moment we sat down, side dishes started to come out non-stop then the entrées. My favorite dishes were the cat fish, fried chicken, this smashed corn thing and ribs! It was such a fun experience. read more

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We absolutely loved our experience at Monell's. Every morsel was delicious and it was so abundant! The fried chicken was completely cooked inside and golden brown on the outside. The biscuits and cinnamon rolls were hot a fresh as we arrived and were seating family style with others. This place lived up to its advertising and it felt like my granny's house inside. We also had to buy the peach preserves and my hope is to find/make a biscuit that is worthy of it!! No reservations so go at opening or prepare to wait and enjoy your table mates ahead of time! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Our Famous Skillet fried chicken, pancakes, fried apples, scrambled eggs - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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This was hands down one of the most delicious and enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Nashville. I originally came for the fried chicken, and it did not disappoint--it was absolutely amazing. Perfectly crispy, not greasy or oily at all, just done right. But what really blew me away was the fish. It was honestly one of the best I've ever had--crispy on the outside, light, fresh, and not soggy in the slightest. You can tell everything is made with care. I also tried the corn pudding, and wow... I've been trying to find something like it ever since and haven't had any luck. It was that good. I came here while on vacation, and I'm honestly so sad I didn't get the chance to go back again before leaving. I would've ordered everything all over again without hesitation. Definitely a must-visit if you're in the area. read more

This is a MUST DO when in Nashville. It's busy. You may wait a bit but it's worth it. Family style seating. Enjoyed the new friends we made. Food and service was fantastic. Just doesn't het any better. read more

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This is a unique restaurant. There is no menu. You simply get whatever they are dishing up that day and it is all you can eat for one price (I think around $20 or so per person during our visit). I believe fried chicken is on the menu no matter if you come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or the midnight buffet (seriously). You get seated at a communal table with strangers and then an onslaught of food begins. Dishes of veggies, breads, and proteins are delivered to the table, everything is passed to the left, and you take whatever you want and however much you want. It is an absolute feeding frenzy. I felt like I was training to be a competitive eater. Overall, the food was fine. The best item was the pulled pork which was absolutely delicious. The fried chicken was pretty dry. The biscuits and cornbread were good (the peach preserves were particularly good). There was also green beans, fried okra, mashed potatoes, barbecue beans, coleslaw (very good), corn pudding mac and cheese, and fried catfish (dry as a bone). I am probably missing one or more foods. The banana pudding for dessert was wonderful. It's not fantastic food but you get a ton of it so you will get value. The companionship at the table, like the food, can be hit or miss but that is part of the experience. Our service was wonderful. You want more chicken? Bang, it's on the table in 30 seconds. More lemonade, sweet tea, ice cubes, coleslaw, cornbread, whatever? Bang, no problem, you get it within seconds. There were plenty of staff and they were ever present, slinging new dishes of food left and right. The place looks like an old house and I assume it was a residence at one time. The outside garden area is lovely. I am glad I went once and, if I had not eaten for two days before, I might come back and gorge myself. I just wish the food quality was a touch better. read more

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They catered my daughter's wedding and did a fantastic job! Suzanne went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect! The food was delicious and our guests have raved about it! Highly recommend! read more

I LOVE Monell's! The food is unbelievably good. This is hands down my favorite spot for classic Southern comfort food. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and seated right away. The staff was so kind and welcoming! You sit at a big family-style table with other guests and pass dishes around. It's more than just a meal--it's an experience. The fried chicken was incredible, and the banana pudding was the perfect finish. It's all-you-can-eat, so make sure you come with an empty stomach! read more

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Everything was amazing! Food and ambience were a nice surprise; family style!! Come as strangers, leave as friends!! Yummmmmmy too!! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Omg this place was an EXPERIENCE! I didn't do any research beforehand as my friend suggested we go and we were tired and hungry so I just went with the flow. I did not expect this at all but this place is a vibe! Even at 2am it was bustling and people were lively and having fun, all with the lights on. The food came out so fast as soon as I had finished realizing we were sitting with strangers and sharing a meal together. And wow, the food was so good. Maybe it was after a couple drinks and it being so late at night but this hit the spot and it was truly unlimited although we couldn't finish a single thing out of a 6 person table. Definitely a spot to hit up if you're in town! read more

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First time coming to Monell's and wow I was not expecting this. I'm from the Midwest so I already knew southern hospitality was a thing and was so excited. You walk in and they sit you at a huge table with total strangers and everyone just shares food like it's Thanksgiving! They're from all across the world or just neighbors. At first it felt kind of weird but then you get used to it fast and it felt homey. They give you so much food like I'm multiple courses and will give you more if you ask. Appetizers, main dishes, sides, dessert cake at the end. It's all you can eat and super affordable. I think it was around 15 to 20 per person which is wild for how much you get. There's something for everyone. I'm not vegetarian but I noticed there were plenty of options! The vibe was really welcoming. All ages, all races, everyone!! The workers are so so friendly too! Insanely nice and I understand southern hospitality now :) read more

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Feels like home! Atmosphere is like a big Sunday dinner with family. Down home cooking including corn pudding, fried chicken, meat loaf. Chicken was fabulous. I really enjoyed the cucumber salad and green beans. Tables are communal and seat about 12 people, so prepare to get to know your neighbor. Food is served family style and you just pass it to the left. Take what you like and skip what you done. Cell phones are prohibited at the table so you get the chance to chat with those around you. I highly recommend. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - House Rules - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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What a unique experience! Food served family style where their saying is "enter as strangers and leave as friends" and that's exactly what we did. Monell's is in a beautiful house, with big tables to accommodate about 10 people more or less per table. Reservations are not accepted, just put your name on the list and wait outside in the cute garden. Once called and seated inside you get a little rundown of the foods to come and that all dishes once served are passed to your left. Shortly after food starts to come out and at a pretty quick pace, easy to see you're in for a feast! A different main dish is offered daily while still serving all the popular items. On this day it was meatloaf and bbq pulled pork along with fried chicken, collard greens, biscuit, banana pudding, just to name a few of the items we got. Food was so good, had seconds on just about everything because it was that delicious. Everyone was so nice, checking up on us to see if we needed more of anything. Our table mates were also all very sweet even giving us a little bit of Nashville history. I highly recommend checking Monell's out, either for breakfast, lunch, dinner and now even serving midnight breakfast on Saturdays, how cool is that! Eating at Monell's is like eating at a friend's house! read more

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Good food and new friends! Family style sharing a table with strangers who quickly felt like friends. The food was very good. You don't order individual dishes, you get to try everything and can get as much as you want. The biscuits were amazing! Pro tip for first timers: don't eat too many biscuits or you won't have room for all the good food! The fried chicken and catfish were crispy and delicious. We had dinner but were hoping to make it back for the breakfast menu sometime soon. read more

Monell's is a Nashville classic, and a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. (Also a very deserving spot for my 600th Yelp review!) I can't believe it took me two years to stop in ... I won't make that mistake again! The food is hearty and comforting, but it's the family-style experience that makes Monell's so memorable. I arrived with a friend around 5 PM on a Thursday, and was surprised to see the dining room wasn't busy at all! If you're not in the mood for a crowded meal, I definitely recommend stopping in on a weeknight. Food is brought out every few minutes or so, and it's all you can eat! Take your share, pass your plate to the left, and let your server know if you need another serving of anything. You definitely want to come hungry! I was most excited for the fried chicken, and it definitely delivered with a crispy crust and a juicy interior. The banana pudding for dessert was also a highlight, along with the biscuits. I'd love to come back again soon for their Midnight Breakfast on Saturdays - what a great way to fuel up after a night on the town! read more

Delicious southern cooking family style at a reasonable price. Everything was good, but the standouts to me were the fried chicken, ribs, corn pudding, and greens. Didn't get a chance to take pictures, as the food came fast and was passed around quickly. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - House rules - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This was one of my favorite dining experience of all time, and I really mean experience. The concept is really one of a kind, they seat large tables of strangers all at once and they serve just whatever's on the menu that day in an all you can eat, take it and pass it down fashion. If you want something specific, you're going to have to ask the strangers who have your dish to pass it up to you, and after a couple bites, people just naturally get chatty. When we went, we were seated with a really diverse group - all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds in Nashville for all kinds of reasons. And yet at the end of that meal and sharing jokes and stories, we realized we had so much more in common than looks might suggest. A really amazing and eye opening experience for sure, I'd highly recommend anyone in Nashville to try it. Oh and the food was amazing too, the mac and cheese, fried fish, ribs, green beans, etc etc, all of it was amazing. read more

Had dinner tonight with 7 work colleagues and then two couples joined our table. We had fried chicken, baked chicken, smothered pork chops, roast beef, green beans, cabbage, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cucumber and onion salad, cornbread, biscuits, and peach preserves. Dessert: banana pudding. Drinks: Tea and Lemonade. Our group enjoyed ourselves and the meal. read more

Hope they are still open! Wonderful home cooked unlimited food. Friendly staff. Wish my stomach could have held more!

Take friends, family, neighbors. Loved this family style local favorite. Asked 3 separate people where to go for dinner... all three said Monell's. Reasonably priced for all meals, one price, enjoy everything! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Went here for lunch today. Family dining with everyone passing plates and dishes around the table. It was a very friendly atmosphere and there were some regular diners at the table that the waitstaff knew by name. There was plenty of food and multiple food choices, chicken, pork, stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, biscuits, jams, gravy. Reasonably priced and a good value for an all-you-can-eat restaurant. The decor is inviting and interesting with different items and paintings on display. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a break between 3 and 5 to reset from lunch to dinner. Go and enjoy a good meal and be sure to go there hungry. read more

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What a way to cap a special graduation weekend. We did not have reservations so we ended up waiting a little over an hour. No worries, the courtyard was lovely and we struck up a few conversations with other folks. It's a family style restaurant so as soon as you are seated, the food starts coming out! Ooohhh weee! It was almost overwhelming- never had so much food come at me at once BUT I'm not complaining. There were three meats, three veggie dishes, delicious sides and lovely desserts. Ah-mazing! The fried chicken was my favorite but honestly, I loved it all! Best of all is sitting with complete strangers. In the beginning and by the end of the meal feeling as though you had dinner with your own family. It was a beautiful experience! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Entrance to great southern cooking! - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I genuinely thought this place would be packed on a Friday morning. It wasn't - we sat at a half empty table with a few other people. I think the magic here would happen with more people around you. It ended up being a bit awkward cause the other people ignored us entirely and the whole idea here is family style communal eating. Anyway - the food was really good. It's home cooking. They will just keep bringing it to you if you want. The bacon and ham was delicious. The corn bread stuff was sooo good. The servers are really nice and they definitely make you feel welcome. I can see why this is one of those "must try" places. I'm happy we tried it out read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Pretty garden area - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Monell's is pure Southern comfort at its finest! The homemade cooking is absolutely delicious, and the fried chicken is hands-down the best I've ever had -- perfectly crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. Every dish tasted just like it came straight from grandma's kitchen -- from the sides to the biscuits to the desserts. The family-style atmosphere makes it such a special experience. Sitting around the table and passing dishes with others gives it that warm, welcoming, old-fashioned charm that you just don't find many places anymore. We loved everything about Monell's -- the food, the people, and the cozy, homey feel. A true Nashville gem and a must-visit every time! read more

My dad and I recently visited Monell's while on a Spring Break daddy-daughter trip. When I asked for food recommendations in Nashville, this was at the top of everyone's list...and after dining there, it was easy to see why. The aesthetics alone made me feel like I was down-South, dining at Big Mama's house. Everything is served family-style, so expect to sit with folks who are not in your party. When we were seated, we were told to move all the way to the end of the table, and additional guests were added on as they arrived. Dad and I ended up eating with 3 other people originally from the area. We talked about everything from the best food cities in the country to what it would be like to live in a "Hallmark movie town." Breakfast included skillet fried chicken, bacon, sausage, country ham, pancakes, fried apples, cheese grits, seasoned potatoes, corn pudding, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, and cinnamon rolls. Breakfast is also all-you-can-eat, so they kept plates/bowls of each dish coming. I cannot say enough good things about how tasty and flavorful the food was. Everything was well-seasoned, and no additional salt & pepper was needed. We honestly could have sat there and ate all day - that's how great the food was. If you visit, be sure to go with an empty stomach! I hope to return. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad read more

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What a great dining experience. We had lunch on Saturday and it took about an hour to get seated. We enjoyed the family style options and meeting folks from the area. Food was amazing and plenty of portions. We would love to have a restaurant like this near us in California. What a gem for Nashville! read more

Growing up in Nashville, Monell's was a staple for my family. Went back with kids and friends for the first time in probably 10 years. So glad the quality hasn't gone down. Monell's is still the same, so delicious. The biscuits and preserves were better than I remembered, and the fried chicken is still some of the best in Nashville. Great friendly service, and the food just keeps coming. One of a kind experience, glad it is still around and thriving. read more