One of the best parts of being a Vanderbilt student is the Taste of Nashville program, which gives students the opportunity to try over 40 local restaurants with their meal money. But with so many options, and a limited amount of meal money, how do you make the most of the program? Fear not, we tried every single location on the Commodore Card and ranked them, so you know what to try!

Charlie’s ranking of Elliston’s options 

1. Satay Thai Grill

Satay is a staple of Vanderbilt off-campus dining. Earning a spot on Satay’s coveted photo wall is an honor that many of us aspire to achieve. With a sprawling menu filled with all sorts of delicious options, dining at Satay for the first time can feel overwhelming — or even intimidating. My advice? Be open to exploring new items. Personally, I can’t recommend Satay enough. Plus, it’s just a short walk from Rothschild, Carmichael and Zeppos.

1. Roma

Open until 4 a.m., Roma is the ultimate midnight snack destination on Taste of Nashville. While best known for its pizzas, Roma also serves up excellent calzones, chicken wings and cakes. With quick and reliable service, fresh pizza is just a phone call away. A late-night pizza run to Roma is a quintessential Vanderbilt experience everyone should embrace at least once during their time here.

1. Yaki House

A relatively new addition to the Taste of Nashville list, Yaki House offers delicious ramen and teriyaki-based entrees and maintains excellent service. Across the street from the West End dorms, Yaki House is sure to become a staple Taste of Nashville restaurant along with its neighbors Satay and Roma. Beyond the food, Yaki House’s atmosphere is a pleasant place to study or grab a peaceful meal with friends.

1. Elliston Place Soda Shop

While the Soda Shop is a little further from campus than the other restaurants on this list, it is highly deserving of a visit. Elliston has been serving delicious pancakes, hamburgers, milkshakes and so much more since 1939. Be on the lookout for trivia nights, as these are a fun chance to try the restaurant and test your skills.

1. Oscar’s Taco Shop

Oscar’s Taco Shop offers some of the best breakfast options in the Taste of Nashville program. Their breakfast burrito is a standout, and they also serve excellent quesadillas and burritos for lunch and dinner. With generous portions and reasonable prices, Oscar’s provides great value for students.

1. Poke Bros.

Nestled in with Satay, Roma, Yaki House and Wild Berry, Poke Bros. offers a delicious and healthy option for Elliston-area diners. Customers can build their own bowl or select from a preset menu. Poke Bros. has shorter wait times than its neighbors, and it’s a great place to study or grab a quick meal with friends.

1. Michaelangelo’s Pizza

Another solid late-night pizza spot, Michaelangelo’s serves fresh and hot pies until 3 a.m. every day. While Roma is closer to campus, Michaelangelo’s has a wider menu and a larger interior. While I find myself making more midnight orders to Roma, Michaelangelo’s is still a great place for Vanderbilt students to grab a slice for its quality and variety. Decide for yourself which you prefer.

1. Sweet Dots

Across from the historic music venue Exit/In, Sweet Dots offers a stylish selection of teas and coffees. With great music and a vibrant interior, it’s the only drink-focused restaurant in the Elliston group.

1. I Love Sushi

Lots of people love I Love Sushi, so it is worth a visit even if it is not my personal favorite. The rolls are solid, the price is right and the vibes are amazing. I Love Sushi could be great for a date or larger, festive groups. They offer ramen and a wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and maki that keeps even the most loyal customers trying new dishes. For a casual atmosphere and delicious food, try I Love Sushi.

1. Wild Berry Acai

Wild Berry Acai, the newest location on the Commodore Card, is known for its signature açaí soft serve. Wild Berry also offers an assortment of açaí smoothies. It’s not the best place on the card for an açaí bowl, but it’s still a solid option for those who live near the Elliston area.

Note: Jet’s Pizza is also available to Vanderbilt students on the Commodore Card. Jet’s is a pizza restaurant chain with locations in 22 states, and they are famous for their Detroit-style pizza. It has been left out of the ranking in order to focus on local restaurants.

Emily’s Ranking of Hillsboro’s Options

1. The Grilled Cheeserie

If you’re in the mood for classic comfort food, The Grilled Cheeserie has you covered. Their menu offers a variety of specialty melts, mac and cheese, soups and milkshakes, but you can also create a custom melt and mac and cheese. Plus, the service and atmosphere are just as amazing as the food.

1. Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Hopdoddy is a staple in the Vanderbilt off-campus dining experience. Just a short walk away from Commons and the Village at Vanderbilt, Hopdoddy is the place to go for the juiciest burgers and creamiest milkshakes. The prices can get a bit high, but the quality of the food and service, plus the Happy Hour deals on Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., makes it worth it.

1. Biscuit Love

Coming from New Jersey, I truly didn’t understand the hype around southern food until I tried Biscuit Love. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Biscuit Love is the perfect place for a weekend brunch with friends or family. While the lines can get long, they move fast and the food is definitely worth the wait.

1. Taco Mama

Serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and burrito bowls, Taco Mama’s got it all! While there are some set items on the menu, the best part about Taco Mama is customizing your entree with the 22 free toppings available. Even though the line goes out the door on weekend nights, it’s 100% worth it. The atmosphere is always vibrant, making it the perfect place for dinner with friends.

1. Grain & Berry

If you’re looking for the ultimate superfood spot, check out Grain & Berry! Their huge menu includes açaí bowls, fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, toasts, parfaits and more. It’s a great place to grab a quick meal with friends or study in a peaceful environment.

1. Sushi 88

Sushi 88 is my go-to whenever I’m in the mood for any type of Asian food. They serve everything from dumplings to noodle dishes to rice bowls and, of course, sushi. Price-wise, Sushi 88 is relatively cheap, especially when considering the high quality of the food.

1. Meet Noodles

Meet Noodles is a solid spot for delicious Chongqing noodles and other Szechuan dishes. I recommend Meet Noodles for anyone looking to try Chinese food from different regions. With the cold weather approaching, it’s the perfect place for a nice, hot bowl of noodle soup.

1. The Urban Juicer

The Urban Juicer is a great grab and go place in Hillsboro. They serve all the classic superfoods including açai bowls, fresh wraps, smoothies and avocado toast. While I prefer Grain & Berry over the Urban Juicer, it is still a solid pick.

1. Banh Mi & Roll +

Banh Mi & Roll + is a great spot for classic Vietnamese food like banh mi, spring rolls and vermicelli noodles. They also have an extensive boba menu with 18 different flavors. Service is extremely quick, making this a good place to grab a fast meal.

1.  Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Jeni’s is the perfect ice cream store for a consolation — or celebration — after a midterm. While it’s pricier than other ice cream options near campus, the unique flavors — like brambleberry crisp and seasonal miso butterscotch brownie — make it worth the splurge. The lines can get long, but trust me, it’s 100% worth the wait!

1.  Barista Parlor

Barista Parlor is the perfect spot to grab a fancy coffee and lock in. In addition to their extensive coffee and espresso menu, they also have a small food menu if you’re in the mood for a quick bite. While it’s the one of the further walks from Commons/The Village out of all the Hillsboro locations, it’s worth at least one visit during your time at Vanderbilt.

Charlie’s ranking of West End’s options 

1. Bombay Palace

One of my personal favorites on the Commodore Card, Bombay Palace serves a wonderful array of Indian dishes in a charming and welcoming atmosphere. Bombay runs an unlimited buffet daily for lunch and a traditional a la carte menu for dinner. The menu is large and offers something for everyone. My favorite order is the Bombay Special Chicken with garlic naan and a mango lassi. 

1. Sitar

Another excellent Indian option on the Taste of Nashville list, Sitar rivals Bombay Palace in many respects. Conveniently located near Kissam, it’s much closer to most of campus than Bombay Palace. Sitar offers a similar charm and could be a perfect spot for both casual and slightly more formal occasions. I find the quality of these two restaurants to be comparable, so it’s up to you to decide which you prefer.

1. Hyderabad House

The newest West End restaurant on Taste of Nashville, Hyderabad House boasts an extensive and diverse menu of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Customers can order online for delivery and pick-up until the restaurant closes at 9:30 p.m., however, this does not work for the Commodore Card. However, orders on GrubHub can be paid for with Commodore Cash. Like Bombay Palace, Hyderabad House offers a buffet for lunch.

1. Inchin’s Bamboo Garden 

While Inchin’s Bamboo Garden is a bit further away than some other restaurants on this list, it’s a hidden gem on the Taste of Nashville roster. With a wide variety of Chinese and Indian food, Inchin’s provides an affordable and delicious pan-Asian experience that will leave you wanting more. 

1. Sun & Fork

A popular spot among Branscomb and Zeppos residents, Sun & Fork is West End’s answer to the Hillsboro breakfast institutions of the Pancake Pantry and Fido. It offers a menu of breakfast bowls, eggs, various breakfast baked goods and sandwiches, all of which have seasonal twists. While many students rave about Sun & Fork, it is not my personal favorite. However, I can not deny that I have enjoyed many easy Sunday morning breakfasts there with friends. Be sure to try Sun & Fork and form your own opinions. 

Note: West End’s Taste of Nashville options also include Wendy’s and Papa John’s. As with our Elliston section, we are looking to cover local spots, so while these chain restaurants won’t receive rankings here, they are available to Vandy students.

Midtown – Arabella Chen

1. The Poki

Located right between Peabody and Main campus, The Poki offers the perfect midweek pick-me-up. The flavors are light and refreshing but leave you feeling satisfied. The build-your-own model gives you some power over your meal, so you can create your favorite flavor combinations and get the most out of your visit. Alternatively, it also offers signature bowls, which do the deciding for you! 10/10 recommend. 

1. The Slider House 

The Slider House is a great spot for comfort food, offering a huge variety of mouthwatering sliders that let you mix and match to your liking. With TVs on every wall, the sports bar atmosphere lets you enjoy delicious sides while watching your favorite teams. Like other Taste of Nashville restaurants, The Slider House offers a nice break from the dining hall burger and fries. 

1. Sarabhas Creamery 

Unlike other dessert spots on this list, Sarabhas stands out with its unique flavor profile, blending ice cream with classic Indian flavors. As someone who loves a good chai latte, their chai ice cream really hits the spot. While it’s a bit different from a typical ice cream shop, Sarabhas has a great selection of flavors and is a must-visit for any Vanderbilt student. 

1. Two Boots Pizza

Two Boots is a pizza place that does thin crust right! As someone who prefers thicker-crust pizza, I was pleasantly surprised with my experience at Two Boots. It serves quality across the board, offering delicious pizzas with both classic and innovative topping combinations, as well as all the complementary sides and fixings to go with. 

1. Helen’s Hot Chicken 

Helen’s Hot Chicken adds a touch of Nashville charm to this list as a classic hot chicken spot. While I’m not a big fan of spicy foods — the mild was spicier than I’d prefer — I still enjoyed my meal. With a full menu that goes beyond chicken, I’m looking forward to going back to try other favorites, including the catfish!

1. Chuy’s Tex Mex 

Don’t be deceived by its low ranking on this list; Chuy’s can hold its own as a stand-out option on the meal plan. The atmosphere is unmatched, featuring an eclectic mix of decor that leaves you wondering how someone dreamed up such seemingly random but brilliant design choices. The menu offers a wide variety of classic Mexican favorites with a little twist… hence the “Tex” in “Tex Mex.” 

Note: Ben & Jerry’s is also available to Vanderbilt students through the Taste of Nashville program. Located on 21st Avenue, it offers all your favorite flavors by the scoop with pints for sale if you want to take the party home. Ben & Jerry’s has not been included in this ranking as it is not a local spot. 

Overall, you can’t go wrong with any of the Taste of Nashville restaurants. Each spot offers something unique, and they all deserve at least one visit during your time at Vanderbilt!