Nashville’s dinner tour scene boils down to three solid options worth your time and money. The Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour stands out for its well-curated mix of local spirits and thoughtfully prepared small plates at multiple stops. On the Cumberland River, the General Jackson Showboat delivers hearty Southern fare alongside country music performances during a relaxing 3-hour cruise – a Nashville classic. For something different, the Dinner Detective Murder Mystery (offered in both Franklin and Nashville) serves up an engaging whodunit with your meal.
We especially recommend the walking tour for serious foodies, as it provides the most authentic taste of Nashville‘s current culinary renaissance. The portions are generous, and the craft cocktails showcase the city’s best mixologists.
Ready to check out our favorite Nashville dinner tours? Let’s explore the specifics of each top pick.
Key Points
- The Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Tour offers a personalized experience with unique cocktails and food, though some customers noted the need for more food options and clearer communication.
- The General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise provides a 4-hour experience with a “Musical Road Trip” showcasing Tennessee’s musical heritage, and is wheelchair accessible with transportation.
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show in Franklin and Nashville offers a 4-course dinner event with a murder mystery theme, but has mixed feedback on the crime-solving aspect and food quality.
- Positive reviews across the dinner tours highlight the quality of food and entertainment, while some customers suggest the need for improved organization and communication.
- The overall popularity of dinner tours in Nashville remains high, with requests for more diverse food options and better photo opportunities mentioned in customer feedback.
Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour
The Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour offers visitors a delightful exploration of the city’s vibrant culinary scene. This highly-rated tour, with a 97% recommendation rate, takes participants on a journey through some of Nashville’s finest establishments.
Guests can expect to sample 4 unique craft cocktails and enjoy paired bites from the city’s top restaurants, all while learning about the area’s rich history from knowledgeable guides.
The tour’s maximum capacity of 12 travelers ensures an intimate, personalized experience. While gratuity for the guide isn’t included, the overall feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers praising the quality of the cocktails and food, as well as the professionalism of the tour staff.
However, some guests have suggested adding more food options to further enhance the experience. Plus, a few reviews mentioned organizational issues, indicating the need for clearer communication from the tour operators.
Read our full review: Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour Review
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Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise
Nashville’s General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise offers a captivating evening on the Cumberland River. Priced from $138 per person, this 4-hour experience takes guests on one of America’s largest paddlewheel riverboats for a 3-hour dinner cruise with live entertainment.
Departing daily at 6 PM, the cruise features a sumptuous dinner in the Victorian Dinner Theater as passengers enjoy a “Musical Road Trip” showcasing Tennessee’s musical heritage.
The cruise provides a panoramic view of the Nashville skyline illuminated at night. Transportation is included, with pickup available at Nashville hotels and meeting points. The experience is wheelchair accessible.
With an overall rating of 4.4/5 based on 173 reviews, highlights include the knowledgeable guide, efficient transportation, and excellent service and organization.
While some customers noted missed photo opportunities and timing issues, the General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise remains a popular way to experience Nashville’s music and cuisine on the river.
Read our full review: Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise Review
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The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show – Franklin, TN
Moving from the riverboat experience in Nashville, visitors to the area can explore a unique culinary and theatrical event at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show in nearby Franklin, Tennessee.
The 4-course dinner event combines a murder mystery where guests engage in solving the case by deciphering clues and interrogating fellow attendees. A cash bar is available, and a prize is awarded to the Top Sleuth.
The Franklin Marriott Cool Springs hosts the event, which is wheelchair accessible and near public transportation. Priced from $100.24 per person, the non-refundable event has a 15-person maximum.
Reviews highlight the quality of the food and entertainment, though some note concerns about customer service and audience participation.
Read our full review: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show – Franklin, TN Review
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The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Nashville, TN
Situated within the Margaritaville Hotel Nashville, The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show offers visitors an immersive theatrical dining experience.
With a total of 5 reviews and an overall rating of 4.0, the event promises a multi-course plated dinner, including a salad, choice of entree, and dessert, along with iced tea and coffee.
The experience takes place at 6:00 PM, with pickup available at the Margaritaville Hotel Nashville. The event is wheelchair accessible, allows service animals, and is located near public transportation, making it accessible to most travelers.
However, one reviewer found the crime-solving aspect to be “silly” and the food and acting disappointing.
Despite this single negative review, the host has acknowledged the feedback and noted the differences from traditional murder mystery events.
Read our full review: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Nashville, TN Review
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Recap
Nashville offers an array of immersive dining experiences. From riverboat cruises with live entertainment to interactive murder mystery shows, visitors can enjoy creative cocktails, delectable cuisine, and unique adventures. These dinner tours provide a memorable way to explore the city’s vibrant food and entertainment scene. Whether seeking a romantic evening or a lively group activity, Nashville delivers a diverse selection of distinctive dining experiences.