Southern Illinois’ only listening room provides a one-of-a-kind experience. Listen to hit songwriters as well as up-and-comers. Young and old – established and emerging.
The Little Nashville Cafe brings the experience of Nashville to our own back yard.
Founded by award-winning songwriter Aaron R. Smith, this venue was conceived as a place to bring the spirit and creativity of songwriting to southern Illinois through the vehicle of a venue.
Grab something to eat or drink, and sit back and enjoy all that is good about music.
Bill shea
Stopped in for a late lunch. Was greeted and sat at a table immediately. Serve was friendly and noticed right away when my glass was empty. I order the hot chicken sandwich lunch special, with fries and a side of queso, which was a great value. The chicken wasn’t overly spicy, but had good flavor and was juicy. The slaw and pickles were nice and crisp. The fries were done well and I enjoyed the seasoning on them. The side of queso was only 50 cents and went great with the fries. The food came out quickly too. The music also wasn’t playing too loud, which I always appreciate.
… moreKendra P.
First time here, & as my FIL put it, the food was “so good, it surprised the hell out of me [& us]!” Consider that high praise out of him!! LOL
The live music was fabulous, too — especially impressive harmonica talent tonight!! We’ll be back!
… moreCassie Stearns
Unexpected date night, but the atmosphere in here is amazeballs! Live band to start at 6P, so noise level was good but once LIVE music starts, it will obviously be louder, but still tolerable assuming you are there to listen to music ♀️ I got pulled chicken tacos (w/o pico and slaw) and HIGHLY recommend! For dessert, I had a Cocotini and it was FABULOUS! We need this in our local town of Cville and we have a perfect building for it❤️
… moreAlexis Pennington
Beautiful patina, clean kitchen, unbelievably good food, our favorite restaurant in Southern Illinois. A place we can go for amazing smashburgers and wings!! They smoke ALL their meats yall! We come to this place to get out of the work day for a moment of clarity, we bring our children here, we host our family and acquaintances here and we even sometimes come here for a night of drinks and live music! Our server knows us by name and it feels like home anytime we come in! Love this little slice of Southern style music and hospitality!
… moreBrian Sapp
Good eating’ with a touch of the south!
Everything was solid.
Service- The waitress was nice and attentive. She had a lot of tables keeping her busy.
Food- The food was good! I went for the catfish, slaw, and fries. At first portions seemed small, but really I think the plate was too big. The price was right for the amount of food and the quality. The Old Fashioned was really good. Kinda stole the show!
Atmosphere – cozy yet plenty of space with a good hum and vibe. There was music the night we were there. Good energy from the customers and staff. I LOVE the blue color on your wall.
Would go again.
… moreMikayahu
Little Nashville Cafe and Lounge is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly blends cozy charm with vibrant energy. The decor, with its rustic touches and nods to Nashville’s iconic music scene, sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.
The food is nothing short of spectacular—every dish bursts with flavor, showcasing fresh ingredients and creative twists on Southern classics. Whether you’re craving their melt-in-your-mouth brisket, perfectly seasoned fried chicken, or a hearty vegetarian option, the menu has something to delight every palate. Pair that with their craft cocktails or a cold local beer, and you’re in for a treat!
What truly sets Little Nashville apart is the live music. The talented local artists bring the spirit of Music City to life, creating an electric vibe that makes every visit feel like a special occasion. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making you feel like part of the family from the first hello.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Little Nashville Cafe and Lounge is a must-visit. It’s the perfect spot for a night out with friends, a cozy date, or even a solo evening soaking in the soulful tunes and delicious food. I can’t wait to come back
… moreAdam Moore
Little Nashville is the best place for chicken wings, the best I’ve ever had. Shrimp tacos, smash burgers and sometimes brisket. I have been here many times and everything I’ve had is delicious. Nice laid back atmosphere and great servers/bartenders. Plus you get live music while you eat!
… moreAlyssa Milton
Recently went here for the first time and had a great experience. Went on a Sunday which was open mic night. The performances were all unique and very entertaining. Our server was Juliana, she was EXCELLENT – she gave great recommendations for drinks and food, and was patient with us when we needed time deciding. I appreciated that she checked in frequently since we stayed a while to watch the performances. She was very kind and warm to us! And of course the food and drinks were fantastic. I enjoyed it so much that I came back the next Sunday and was delighted to have the same server and hear some of the same performers as the week prior!!
… moreAdeline Robinson Bihlmaier
Kickass hot chicken sandwich, delightfully smoked wings (the garlic parm and the hot honey are SO good), a fantastically delicious shrimp po’boy and of course, some sweet tea. All with wonderful live music and good service!
… moreMya Byrd
Good portions with flavorful food. I gave 4 stars on the service due to the waitress forgetting refill our drinks multiple times. We went during the week and it wasn’t busy which was a plus. It is family friendly. I’m not sure if the family that owns the restaurant has their kids with them at the business but a little girl kept wondering around the place and she was walking around with a lighter playing with it.
… more