Where to Eat in Brown County Indiana | Leah’s Local Guide
Every guest I’ve ever hosted eventually asks me the same question. Usually it comes in a text the afternoon they arrive, when they’ve dropped their bags and suddenly realized they’re hungry: Where should we eat tonight? After eight years of hosting in Brown County, I have a lot of thoughts about that.
Nashville, Indiana has a dining scene that surprises people. Visitors expect a cute small town with maybe a diner and a pizza place. What they find is wood-fired artisan pizza, acclaimed farm-to-table menus, authentic Thai, genuine craft spirits, and one of the finest dining rooms in the state — hidden at the end of a county road in Story.
This is my personal guide — not every restaurant in Brown County, but the ones I actually send my guests to. The ones I’d point a close friend toward.
The best dining in Brown County spans downtown Nashville and beyond. Locals love Brozinni Pizzeria for New York-style pizza, Hoosier Thai for a flavorful change of pace, and Bird’s Nest Café for brunch. For coffee, start at the Olde Bartley House. Worth the drive: Story Inn for a special occasion and Hard Truth Distilling for craft spirits on a wooded terrace.
Downtown Nashville
Everything here is walkable. Park once, eat well, and wander between — these are the downtown tables I send guests to.
“Visitors expect a cute small town with maybe a diner and a pizza place.
What they find surprises them every time.”
Coffee & Bakeries
I’m a coffee person. Here’s where I go — and where I’d send you — to start a Brown County morning slow.
Bird’s Nest Café
36 W. Franklin St. · BirdsNest.cafe
My go-to brunch recommendation, full stop. Creative waffles, homemade quiche, and apothecary cocktails from the Hen House Bar. My usual is a cappuccino and the Bad Hombre — just enough to start the day right. Vegan options throughout. Book ahead on weekends.
Photo: Catie Vioxx
Hard Truth Distilling Co.
418 Old State Road 46 · HardTruthDistilling.com
325 wooded acres just outside Nashville — rum, gin, whiskey, and vodka made on site. Big burgers, hearty chili, and pulled-pork nachos on the terrace. One of the best places in the county to sit with a drink and watch the light change over the hills.
Photo: Catie Vioxx
Story Inn Restaurant
6404 State Road 135 South · StoryInn.com ·
A seasonal menu, an extensive wine list, craft cocktails, and an underground Still Tavern unlike anything else in the county. My friend, Chase Malan, swears the burgers are the best around. Make a reservation. Take the backroad drive to the tiny village of Story. You won’t regret it.
Photo: Catie Vioxx
Two Perfect Day Trips
Brown County sits perfectly between Bloomington and Columbus — two cities worth a meal, each with a reason to go beyond just the food.
Where you stay shapes how you eat. From Helmsburg Homestead, you’re a mile from downtown — Brozinni, Hoosier Thai, and the Nashville House are all a quick hop for easy weeknight dinners. From the 1891 Schoolhouse Inn, you’re about fifteen minutes out on a pretty country road — plan the evening around one destination, and Story Inn’s backroad drive becomes part of the night rather than a detour.
Two boutique properties — your perfect base for
eating your way through Brown County and beyond.
Walk out the door and let Brown County feed you well.
| Schoolhouse Inn | Helmsburg Homestead |
Questions Guests Always Ask
Where should I eat in Nashville, Indiana?
In downtown Nashville, my most-recommended spots are Brozinni Pizzeria for New York-style slices, the historic Nashville House for fried biscuits and apple butter, Hoosier Thai for a flavorful change of pace, and Bird’s Nest Café for brunch. For a special dinner, drive out to Story Inn in the village of Story — many consider it one of Indiana’s finest.
What’s the best fine dining in Brown County?
Story Inn Restaurant & Still Tavern, about twenty minutes south of downtown Nashville, is widely considered one of the finest restaurants in Indiana. Expect a seasonal menu, an extensive wine list, craft cocktails, and an atmospheric underground tavern. Make a reservation — it’s worth the backroad drive for any special occasion.
Where do locals eat in Brown County?
Locals fill up on brunch at Bird’s Nest Café, weekend evenings at The Ferguson House Bistro & Beer Garden, and morning coffee at the Olde Bartley House. For comfort food, Green Hill Diner in nearby Morgantown is a from-scratch local favorite worth the short drive.
Is there good coffee in Nashville, Indiana?
Yes. The Olde Bartley House is my personal favorite — specialty espresso and their signature Cochon Volánt donut in an 1886 building, with outdoor seating right downtown. Offbeet Bakery (Friday–Monday) adds from-scratch pastries and locally roasted espresso. Common Grounds and the Daily Grind are both reliable for a relaxed morning cup.
How far is Bloomington or Columbus for dinner?
Bloomington is about 25 minutes west of Nashville, and Columbus is about 30 minutes east — both easy dinner drives. Uptown Café on Kirkwood Avenue and Luciana’s in Columbus are both family favorites. Brown County sits right between them, which makes it an ideal home base for exploring both.
Stay cozy. Stay local. Stay with us.
| Book Direct & Save | Meet Your Host |
Leah Lamm
Owner & Host · My Brown County Vacation
I'm a Brown County local, Airbnb Superhost, and Vrbo Premier Host with eight years of experience personally welcoming guests to Nashville, Indiana. I host two boutique vacation rentals — the 1891 Schoolhouse Inn and Helmsburg Homestead — and I'm involved in every detail of every stay. When I'm not welcoming guests, I'm tending the garden, loving on my chickens and border collies, or enjoying a quiet morning on the porch with coffee.
Featured photo courtesy of TriFlix.