From rolling hills and quiet neighborhoods to families gathering at the local park on Saturday mornings, Mount Juliet is a world of its own. And while this charming town is known for its friendly community and scenic beauty, it’s also packed with some great restaurants. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best spots that prove the area offers a whole lot more than chain restaurants and fast food.
Red Lobster
$$ | (615) 758-9910 | WEBSITE
Few restaurants set the gold standard of seafood like Red Lobster in Mount Juliet. The warm and welcoming spot has good music playing and delicious, buttery biscuits on the table alongside highlights like the signature baked potato. But it’s the Ultimate Feast—with more of a generous, satisfying platter than the standard single entrée—that’s the main event here.
You can enjoy the phenomenal steak cooked perfectly, or get classics like shrimp fettuccine alfredo, fish and chips, and the popular Crab Queso. Whichever you pick, you’ll leave with a full belly and a smile that has drawn us to this clean, well-maintained restaurant like a magnet.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (615) 773-7999 | WEBSITE
Walk into Little Caesars Pizza and let the aroma of baking dough and melted cheese pull you toward the counter for a quick bite. The deep dish pizza is a standout in Mount Juliet, and the Cheesy Bread with its gooey center makes for a satisfying snack. It works for a last-minute dinner after a long day, or when you want to treat the whole family without breaking the bank—even though a large pizza can easily feed a hungry group.
Stop by, grab a couple of wings or a specialty pie with extra toppings, and appreciate the convenience of knowing you can swing by again whenever the craving hits.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (615) 773-7747 | WEBSITE
With McDonald’s and Wendy’s nearby, you’ll usually find a line at the drive-thru that looks like the one at the DMV on a Monday morning. But it’s Chick-fil-A—with their lineup of chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and meals dripping in honey barbecue sauce and spicy seasoning—that offers the best option in the busy plaza. Everything they put on their fresh bun here is excellent, including the Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe, grilled nuggets, and Frosted Coffee.
And since they have plenty of family-friendly options like catering orders and speedy service, it’s a fast and reliable place where you can bring any of your friends when you want a laid-back spot that’s not near one of the chaotic fast-food joints on the street.
Just Love Coffee Cafe – Mt. Juliet
$ | (615) 754-1211 | WEBSITE
Breakfast and coffee have a lot in common: they’re comforting, can get a little sweet depending on what you add, and nobody’s sure if they’re a morning ritual or an all-day affair. So it’s no surprise that this spot (with a few locations around the area) decided to make them both the main event. On any morning, the scent of crispy bacon right out of the kitchen and warm cinnamon rolls can waft through the bright corner cafe.
With the industrial ceilings painted white and those large waffle-shaped light fixtures above, an order of the warm, crispy waffle stuffed with bacon, sausage, and egg, a fluffy Nana’s cinnamon roll, and a quick coffee might be our favorite way to start the day. The friendly and efficient staff add to the welcoming atmosphere, making it a hidden gem that keeps locals coming back for the wholesome food and good cause.
Big Bad Wolf Smokehouse Grill
$ | (615) 773-2258 | WEBSITE
Big Bad Wolf Smokehouse Grill is one of those places to check out when you want to avoid the chain-restaurant scene in Mount Juliet. And when it comes to barbecue cravings, you’ll get a better smoke-and-savor experience here than hitting up the generic spots around town. With a menu full of smoked favorites like tender brisket, pulled pork perfection, and that standout turkey sandwich, you’ll get to choose from a lot of hearty dishes that are perfect for any night of the week.
And if the meal goes well and you want something extra, they have that unique, tangy BBQ sauce to take home with you.
Marco’s Pizza
$ | (615) 754-3200 | WEBSITE
Marco’s Pizza is your no-questions-asked introduction to family-friendly dining in Mount Juliet. The atmosphere, front to back, is filled with years of happy customers, cheerful greetings, and satisfied smiles, and it would take an exhaustive dining tour to find all the different regulars who keep coming back for more. Outside of the welcome, it’s the pizza and service that make it one of our favorite spots in town.
When it comes to the menu, you can expect generous pizzas praised for excellent taste and toppings, or tasty cheesy sticks and other satisfying sides. It’s the kind of place you’ll only find with this level of friendly care—with staff going above and beyond in the dining room—and one that’ll satisfy your family just for knowing it delivers.
BawarcHi Indian Cuisine Mt. Juliet
$ | (615) 635-6427 | WEBSITE
The combination of fragrant basmati rice, tender chicken, and aromatic spices in their Chicken Chettinadu Biryani is the perfect thing after a long day exploring Mount Juliet. One of the few spots in town that offers both veg and non-veg buffet options, BawarcHi’s dishes can either be enjoyed with fluffy Garlic Naan or paired with their rich, steaming Masala Chai.
Whenever you visit, you’re guaranteed to get food that’s freshly made and served piping hot, with that perfect balance of flavors from all of the carefully blended spices.
Burger King
$ | (615) 754-8390 | WEBSITE
This Mount Juliet fast-food spot serves—you guessed it—burgers and fries. But thinking that’s all they do is like thinking Tom Hanks just does a little acting. They also have surprisingly good specialty sandwiches, along with consistently hot and tasty food that keeps customers coming back. The Mushroom Swiss is perfectly savory, the Whopper is reliably satisfying, and the chicken sandwiches are a solid choice.
Stop by the clean, bright space anytime you’re craving something quick—the service is always friendly—but expect a short wait if you’re going during peak hours (it tends to get busy around lunchtime).
Cajun Seafood
$ | (615) 887-9991 | WEBSITE
When people mention Cajun food in this town, we don’t know if they’re talking about the Louisiana-style cooking or getting a taste of the South from Cajun Seafood. One of the best seafood spots in Mount Juliet, they offer frozen meals through DoorDash and UberEats, which means it’s a great place to order in and ditch the kitchen for a long cozy dinner.
The store is clean and inviting, so it’s easy to relax and enjoy as gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, crab cakes, and shrimp all get prepared for the handful of families and regulars inside. Come here for a bowl of gumbo full of rich spices and chunks of sausage, a plate of red beans and rice, and the popular Royal red shrimp for a main course.
USA Sports Grill
$ | (615) 754-1999 | WEBSITE
USA Sports Grill has been a Mount Juliet classic since it opened, offering a smoky bar and sports restaurant vibe that’s perfect for casual nights out. The lively spot serves popular mozzarella sticks, a variety of deep-fried favorites like fried okra and mushrooms, and a standout ribeye steak that’s always a highlight. If you come on weekends, they have entertaining karaoke nights with a no-stage rule and live music on Saturdays to keep the energy high.
If you come for game day, or really anytime you want to watch football with friends, it’s all about the amazing staff who provide excellent service and keep everyone happy. It’s also known for decent drink prices, so if you’re like us and think a cold beer should accompany every play, you’ll feel right at home.