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Credit: Daniel Brown - Bad Idea, Nashville, TN

Bad Idea

4.8
4.8
17 Reviews
$50 and over
Wine Bar

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Innovative
  • Great for fine wines
  • Good for groups
From the New York Times: Bad Idea may well be what many seasoned diners thought when they heard there was a wine bar specializing in envelope-pushing Lao food opening inside an East Nashville church. But given the level of cooking here, the name turned out to be a self-aware joke, rather than a self-own. The concept coheres in the hands of the owner, Alex Burch, a seasoned sommelier and first-time restaurateur. He had the good sense to bring on Colby Rasavong as executive chef. He invests the weight of his life experience in food that stretches the boundaries of Southeast Asian cooking to the edge of Appalachia. And the wine list is wise beyond this restaurant’s years, mixing tantalizing obscurities, affordable crowd pleasers and connoisseur selections you’ll rarely find poured by the glass. BRETT ANDERSON

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, Laotian, Farm-to-table
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 5:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Phone number
    (629) 729-4332
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Enjoy a semi-private experience in our mezzanine.Overlooking our beautiful dining room, our mezzanine can be the perfect gathering place for up to 30 people!Email Events@badideanashville.com
  • Neighborhood
    East Nashville
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Curry Boys BBQ x Bad Idea Collab

    $10.00 per person

    Jan 14, 2025 only
    Coming to Riverside Village, Curry Boys BBQ is an Asian BBQ restaurant specializing in the unique combination of Southeast Asian Curry and Classic Texas BBQ.
  • Iggys x Bad Idea Collab

    $100.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Feb 26, 2025 only
    Bad Idea in collaboration with iggy's. Chef Colby Rasavong and Chef Ryan Poli will prepare multi-course shareable menu to celebrate Dine Nashville. Advanced sommelier Alex Burch certified sommelier Matt Poli will suggest wines to pair with this experience.

What 17 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Nashville

    Best Service

  • Nashville

    Best Ambiance

  • Nashville

    Innovative

  • Nashville

    Great for fine wines

  • Nashville

    Best Service

  • Nashville

    Best Ambiance

  • Nashville

    Innovative

  • Nashville

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bad Idea delights with "phenomenal" food and "next level" service in a "gorgeous space." Guests praise the "creative" cuisine and "best wine selection around," highlighting the knowledgeable sommelier. The "sophisticated and welcoming" atmosphere is a hit, making it a "fantastic experience" that diners eagerly anticipate returning to.
17 Reviews
  1. Matt

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Super inspiring meal. I am already going back on Tuesday for a popup they’re hosting. Please go

    Is this helpful?

  2. robert

    VIP

    Nashville

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our second time back. Menu has changed. Good that there are new options. Unfortunate in that some of our favorites are no longer available. Service continues to be excellent. Food adventurous and wine list is extensive. This place is a keeper.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Wade

    Nashville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Some of the best food we’ve had. The pricing makes it more of a celebratory spot but totally worth it and will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Raj

    St. Louis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really cool vibe. Original and innovative food. A bit pricey

    Is this helpful?

  5. Betsy

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, wine, and service all just fabulous! Not to mention in a beautiful space!

    Is this helpful?

  6. aMY

    VIP

    Memphis/West TN

    17 reviews

    2.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Spencer was cool; server was fantastic. Food was forgettable.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Austin

    Nashville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The name is great because eating here was anything but a Bad Idea. The food was phenomenal and the service was next level. I don’t remember how I heard about it but I’m thrilled that I did! I can’t recommend it enough. The space was beautiful as well. Can’t wait to go back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Lisa

    Nashville

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Interesting and delicious food. Wine list is intriguing and sommelier is knowledgeable. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Michelle

    VIP

    New York City

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant always knocks it out of the park. Love their food.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Bevan

    VIP

    Jacksonville

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding as always! Creative food and the best wine selection around, the by-the-glass wine menu is the best around.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bad Idea is rated 4.8 stars by 17 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Bad Idea

1021 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    East Nashville
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 5:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, Laotian, Farm-to-table
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (629) 729-4332
  • Private party facilities
    Enjoy a semi-private experience in our mezzanine.Overlooking our beautiful dining room, our mezzanine can be the perfect gathering place for up to 30 people!Email Events@badideanashville.com
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