Late-Night James Beard Semifinalist Food Inside an East Nashville Bar

The best bar food you have not tried yet is hiding inside Skinny Dentist in East Nashville, at a window counter called Little Miss Mal. The chef behind it is a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in the South, and the menu is significantly more ambitious than the setting suggests.

The Spot

Little Miss Mal operates as an order window inside Skinny Dentist, a bar in East Nashville. You can order at the window or scan a code at your table. The vibe is intentionally high-low: dirty Dr. Peppers at the bar while local performers play, followed by food that belongs in a fine dining restaurant.

The Food

The menu includes pani puri served after midnight and steak tartare. The harissa gulf shrimp, plated with herbs and beans, looks like something from a tasting menu.

Key Takeaways

• Little Miss Mal is a food counter inside Skinny Dentist bar in East Nashville
• The chef is a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in the South
• The pani puri and steak tartare are standouts on a menu that punches well above typical bar food