Swett's Restaurant is a local Nashville, Tennessee institution that represents three generations of ownership by the same African-American family for over 62 years. Owner David Swett, continues the tradition established by his parents and shares the commitment to its promising future. Nestled in the very heart of Nashville, it specializes in southern homestyle cooking served in a cafeteria style.
The restaurant attracts a real cross section of patrons that include from political officials to local celebrities. Students attending Fisk, Tennessee State, Mehary and Vanderbilt Universities accredit Swett's for making them feel right at home by providing Sunday dinner every day of the week.
The restaurant attracts a real cross section of patrons that include from political officials to local celebrities. Students attending Fisk, Tennessee State, Mehary and Vanderbilt Universities accredit Swett's for making them feel right at home by providing Sunday dinner every day of the week.
Reviews (24)
Bonnie G.
Jan 06, 2022
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Goodness gracious. I get why they've been open since 1954! What an institution. The creamed corn, the Mac and cheese, the fried pork chop, the sweet tea, the cornbread, the meatloaf...so good! All for $13 in such a no-frills, quiet, and friendly spot where everyone welcomes you like church.
5 stars!!!!!
5 stars!!!!!
Ba R.
Dec 14, 2021
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Kevin S.
Dec 11, 2021
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Tim K.
Nov 25, 2021
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I will say the food is pretty good. The issue I have is with the pricing. Meatloaf, 2 sides, small sweet tea and a side of cobbler was $22! On top of that, I placed an order for a Thanksgiving meal. I bring it home and the portions were way too small for the price. Spent over $150 and wasn't nearly enough.
Cic W.
Nov 18, 2021
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Symmbol Sanderlin
Nov 11, 2021
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Rg
Oct 17, 2021
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Rain Morehead
Sep 17, 2021
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I'm new to the area, and this is already becoming a favorite haunt, and my default haunt to take people to when I need to impress them.
So far, everything available on their cafeteria-style serving line is delicious, with special mention going to the meatloaf. I'm also a huge fan of their fried cornbread - it's very pleasantly nostalgic, bringing back memories of family secrets cooked into well-loved cast iron.
So far, everything available on their cafeteria-style serving line is delicious, with special mention going to the meatloaf. I'm also a huge fan of their fried cornbread - it's very pleasantly nostalgic, bringing back memories of family secrets cooked into well-loved cast iron.
Cecilia Phillips
Sep 02, 2021
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When you first walked in the smell was a turn off, but if you know about Soul Food you know that cooking greens isn't a pleasant smell, but the food was EXCELLENT and the workers were friendly, especially the man at the cash register who gave us some interesting history of the place alone with the celebrities that visit there. I loved viewing the wall with all their pictures. It was a bonus to our trip!!!
Stacey R.
Jul 28, 2021
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Ryan M.
Jul 24, 2021
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Julie T.
Jul 10, 2021
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The food is delicious! I mean all of it! It's a cafeteria style restaurant and the food is so amazing! Start by grabbing your homemade desert selection first. Then pick your meat. The choices are endless and ALL delicious! The sides are even better! All kinds of choices! Needless to say they are all scrumptious I can't tell you enough... don't drive past this classic that is still wonderful!
Constance H.
May 13, 2021
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Amazing!!!! Talk about grama's soul food!' I had the fried chicken Mac and cheese and cabbage. Delicious. My dad had smothered liver and rice and greens. He kept talking about how good and tender it was. Actually could stop talking about it. Highly recommend. Btw.. the peach cobbler put me in a food coma. It was worth every bite.
Tess G.
Apr 24, 2021
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TkSo Blessed
Apr 14, 2021
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Elizabeth Mazariegos
Mar 16, 2021
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Barry M.
Feb 28, 2021
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Stopped in on a Tuesday with my 92 year old Mom. She had just received her second Covid vaccination at St Thomas.
There was no line when we arrived. Mom got meatloaf, yams, and green beans along with a roll, chow chow, and water. I got meatloaf, mashed potatoes, squash, a roll, and lemonade.
The place was clean and bright. The cashier carried mom's tray for her
It was all delicious and we had no room for dessert. Another great dining experience for Mom. The $30 was fair as the food was homemade, fresh, and authentic.
There was no line when we arrived. Mom got meatloaf, yams, and green beans along with a roll, chow chow, and water. I got meatloaf, mashed potatoes, squash, a roll, and lemonade.
The place was clean and bright. The cashier carried mom's tray for her
It was all delicious and we had no room for dessert. Another great dining experience for Mom. The $30 was fair as the food was homemade, fresh, and authentic.
Dave L.
Aug 16, 2020
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We had an excellent lunch here today. Out of our group of 12 we had fried chicken, chicken fried steaks, meatloafs, and a whole slew of sides. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, with just the right amount of spice. The dining room was clean and the tables were distanced well. Everyone left full and happy. I didn't try the desserts, but that will be next on my list...
Claude R.
Jul 18, 2020
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Shannon S.
Jan 17, 2020
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Swett's is one of the best meat and three joints in Nashville and they put out some fantastic food. They have a great old Nashville vibe and their building has decades of history on the walls. Service is cafeteria line style like many of the other local meat and three joints along with the expected rotation of daily specials. The flavor of all the meats and vegetables I have had here have all been extremely pleasing to my senses. They are so proud of their food here they even put their name on their china. They also are open for dinner and they have a decent amount of parking around the
TeAirra P.
Dec 21, 2019
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Everything was delicious. Nothing more to say. The baked chicken was juicy and flavorful, the macaroni was perfectly cheesey. I've never had squash casserole but I'll have it again.
The customer service was wonderful and the ladies were able to make some great suggestions for me.
Seat yourself. We went around 3pm on a Saturday and it wasn't packed at all. I'm sure around lunch time or when folks get off work it could be packed so choose wisely.
The customer service was wonderful and the ladies were able to make some great suggestions for me.
Seat yourself. We went around 3pm on a Saturday and it wasn't packed at all. I'm sure around lunch time or when folks get off work it could be packed so choose wisely.
Aaron Gruenthal
Dec 07, 2019
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YO. Straight up delicious soul food. Has those vintage vibes, but the branding is just as fresh as any millennial-oriented, overpriced restaurant in some contrived downtown part of a major city. Loved the fried chicken and the loaded potato casserole. The sweet potatoes were a little too sweet for my taste and the cornbread was pretty bland.
Kandy S.
Sep 07, 2019
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I stopped here after worship Sunday. First, I went to the to go side thinking it was the cafeteria side. There was only two people in front of me. I was thinking this can't be good for there to only be two people in line after worship. Then, I noticed there were only a few dishes on the line. While waiting, I noticed a lady use some shears to cut up the chicken. That turned me off no one else had a problem with it. I finally asked if there was another section and they informed me I was in the to go section.
I made my way to the cafeteria section and the line was long. I thought this
I made my way to the cafeteria section and the line was long. I thought this
Steven L.
Apr 07, 2019
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Swett's is an upscale cafeteria that is very good. Listed as a soul food restaurant, I find that the food is not really soul food, but it is very good. There were no soul food delicacies like fish, chitterlings, pigs feet or brain.
After getting your tray, you go down the line to pick out your food which is served with a very friendly person. Offerings the day I was there included three types of chicken (rotisserie, baked and fried), beef tips in gravy, ribs, meatloaf and a bunch others I don't recall. About 12-15 offerings of side dishes followed. Included were mashed potatoes, cream
After getting your tray, you go down the line to pick out your food which is served with a very friendly person. Offerings the day I was there included three types of chicken (rotisserie, baked and fried), beef tips in gravy, ribs, meatloaf and a bunch others I don't recall. About 12-15 offerings of side dishes followed. Included were mashed potatoes, cream
