Happy Hour can be just as much about the food as the drinks, so meet your friends on the patio of Lyra for things like hummus, za’atar-spiced french fries with Lebanese garlic toum, and a bowl of aleppo butter chickpeas served over pita chips and topped with tahina labneh. (Yes, you should dip the fries in the hummus.) Lyra’s cocktails take classics and infuse them with Middle Eastern flavors that really complement the food—they do a riff on a mule featuring gin, hibiscus, and cardamom, and add cinnamon bitters to their bourbon old fashioned. RESERVE A TABLE WITH

East NashvilleCleveland Park has turned into a dining destination thanks to the addition of this Middle Eastern eatery, where chef Hrant Arakelian draws on his Lebanese roots to present a seasonal menu of bold flavors featuring elevated versions of hummus, roasted vegetables, and creative meat dishes. The chef is particularly adept with lamb and seafood, so put those at the top of your order and work backwards to the appetizers from there. An affordable wine and cocktail list offers excellent accompaniments to the nuanced elements of the food.

A modern Middle Eastern' restaurant with a great happy hour, a vegetable-centric menu and ice cream sandwiches for grown-ups. Why we love it: Creative interpretations of a cross-section of Middle Eastern traditions and spices ensure your brain and palate don’t get bored. The pistachio-whipped feta is a real table pleaser, so it’s not a bad place to start.

Middle Eastern cuisine is having a moment in Nashville thanks to restaurants like Lyra bringing some of the staple dishes of the region—hummus, Man'oushe, fried Halloumi, and Baba Ghanoush—to the masses. While the menu is always changing, inspiration from Chef-Owner Hrant Arakelian’s childhood years in Lebanon and Oman is always a central focus. A seared scallop dish, for example, is dressed up with a roasted red pepper and grape molasses purée, blackened kale, chickpeas, carrots, and Lyra’s signature spice blend, while a recent dessert special from Arakelian’s wife and co-owner, pastry chef Elizabeth Endicott, featured a meringue trio in orange blossom, pink almond and cardamom pistachio.

Lots of East Nashvillians mourned when cozy neighborhood restaurant Holland House closed its doors, but the grief was short-lived. After cooking for places like Rumors East, Holland House and Etch for years, chef Hrant Arakelian opened his own place where his Lebanese roots inspire his creative, tasty Middle Eastern fare. It's the kind of place where you're enjoying the dish in front of you so much, you get excited for the dish that's coming next.

To discover flavorful Middle Eastern fare while sticking to a budget, Lyra is the ideal destination. Nearly the entire selection of mouthwatering dishes rings in under twenty dollars, enabling patrons to sample an array without draining their wallets. Notably, the baba ghanoush appeases cravings and hunger with its ample portions served within the eggplant exterior for added hearty satisfaction compared to punier versions of this spread.

Eastland Ave., Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 928-8040More Info: lyranashville.com. Also in East Nashville, Lyra’s welcoming bar and string-lit patio provide a picturesque backdrop for sipping on a creative cocktail or mocktail while sharing Middle Eastern-inspired small plates. The dining room features hues of blues, grays, and greens, and the warmth from the visible wood-fired oven is reflected in the atmosphere and level of hospitality.

When Lyra opened in East Nashville in 2018, it felt like nothing else in town: part casual neighborhood spot and part fine-dining experience where Middle Eastern flavors are 100% the focus. Family-owned, chef Hrant Arekilan and wife Elizabeth Endicott created Lyra to have an inviting modern space. The wood-burning oven where bread like pita, man'oushe, and fatayer are made to order is on full view from the dining room.

There are dozens of Mediterranean restaurants in Nashville, but we’re only aware of one Mediterranean-Appalachian restaurant: Lyra. With welcoming, lively tapas bar vibes, most of the wood-fired dishes are meant to be shared. The patio has also become “the” hotspot in East Nash, which is really saying something.

Hospitality: 5.0, when I’m at a place that’s busy but the waitstaff treats me like I’m their only guest, that’s top marks from me. When you think of Nashville Bars, a Middle Eastern restaurant may not come to mind. However, some of my favorite cocktails have come from Middle Eastern restaurants.

935 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206Phone: 615-928-8040 Visit Website. On the border between the neighborhoods of Maxwell and Greenwood, Lyra is best described as a comfortable restaurant with great food. You can feel relaxed and comfortable while enjoying their authentic Middle Eastern fare.

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (30 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: International, Middle Eastern- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 935 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206-3531- Read more on Tripadvisor

935 W Eastland AveNashville, TN 37206(615) 928-8040 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. In 2018, Lyra opened its doors on Eastland Avenue to bring the authentic flavors of the Middle East to Nashville.

People rave about their tasting platters of hummus and breads. Falafel gets big points too. Melissa the Vegan loves that she can always find something great on the menu.

935 W Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206Phone: 615-928-8040 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Lyra (@lyra_nashville)