Red Pony in Franklin, Tennessee, offers an elevated American dining experience that blends updated Southern classics with a refined, low-lit atmosphere and dramatic decor.
From the moment guests arrive at 408 Main St, the setting feels thoughtfully designed for memorable meals, whether you are planning a special night out, meeting friends for cocktails, or settling in for a solo dinner with exceptional food and service.
The restaurant’s polished yet welcoming feel makes it a standout choice for diners who appreciate quality, character, and a menu that goes beyond the ordinary.
Known for brunch, dinner, and dessert, Red Pony brings together a sophisticated selection of dishes and drinks that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Guests can enjoy comfort food, healthy options, organic dishes, and local specialties, along with an impressive beer selection, great cocktails, a well-curated wine list, and standout desserts.
With table service, a bar on site, and options for dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site service, the restaurant makes it easy to enjoy a high-quality meal in the way that suits your plans best.
Its strong reputation is reflected in a 4.70 out of 5 rating from 958 reviews, a clear sign that guests value both the food and the overall experience.
Red Pony is also designed with accessibility and convenience in mind, offering wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restroom facilities to help ensure a comfortable visit for all guests. The atmosphere is cozy, romantic, trendy, and upmarket, making it a popular choice for evenings when the setting matters as much as the cuisine.
Brunch reservations are recommended, dinner reservations are recommended, and reservations are accepted, though guests should also be aware that there is usually a wait.
With flexible payment options including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, Red Pony delivers a dining experience that is both polished and practical, giving customers the confidence that every detail has been considered.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Red Pony
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Mint chimichurri, pecorino, fried onions
Tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, chile, house chips, jicama
Cured meat, honey mustard, house giardinera, focaccia
Pears, caramelized onion brown butter, baby arugula, candied hazelnuts, dijon vinaigrette
Porker house rolls, chow chow, ancho-sorghum, whipped ricotta
Watermelon, cantaloupe, burnet pesto, red wine reduction, olive oil
Focaccia, porker house rolls, whipped sorghum butter, truffle-lima bean puree
Creamy caesar, anchovy crumble, preserved yolk, pecorino
Cherry tomatoes, olive crumble, shaved red onion, pickled sweet peppers, balsamic
Pico de gallo, crumbled tortilla, crème fraiche
Barley risotto, charred broccolini, green goddess, lemon-beef butter
Crispy potatoes, braised green beans, chile butter, steak sauce
Apple bacon, scallions, mushrooms, white wine, old spencer mill garlic-cheese grits
Panko crusted chicken with southern fried rice, miso scallion broth, caramelized green tomatoes, fried cabbage and broccolini
Warm potato salad, grilled sweet corn, mussel nage, blistered cherry tomatoes
Buttermilk polenta, local mushrooms, castelvetrano olives, tomato conserva, tahini cream
House fries, green salad, cilantro-lime vinaigrette
Mojo marinated, street corn, black rice, avocado-serrano salsa
Apple bacon, scallions, mushrooms, white wine, old spencer mill garlic-cheese grits
Avocado-citrus salad, black bean enchilada, chili oil
Bean sprouts, lime, cilantro, rice noodles, candied peanuts
Bacon, lobster, and tomato served over yukon gold ravioli with truffled corn cream
Truffle-parmesan potatoes, mushrooms, caramelized onions, chile butter
Blue cheese-corn risotto, asparagus, lemon butter
With dry sherry
Sweet corn dressing, cherry tomatoes, bacon jam, crispy shallots, everything spice
Arugula, bourbon vinaigrette, smoked blue cheese, spiced pecans, blue berries, lemon yogurt
Zucchini & squash ribbons, lemon-black pepper vinaigrette, candied peanuts, shaved pecorino
Old forester bourbon, sugar baby watermelon limeade
Altos blanco tequila, domaine canton ginger, lemon, angostura bitters, cayenne sugar rim
Pickers blood orange vodka, elderflower, passionfruit, lime, champagne
Wild turkey 101 rye, gomme, angostura and orange bitters
Ford's gin, italicus rosolio, ginger, lemongrass
Vanilla custard, fruit
Toasted coconut, spiced pecans, maraschino cherry whip
White chocolate ganache, pistachio cookie crumble, raspberry pearls
Vanilla bean / seasonal selection / swirl
Hear from our valued guests
A treat of a restaurant located in downtown, historic Franklin, TN, the Red Pony is a fine example of upscale and fine dining. The menu has all the staples that will please nearly any diner as well as some wonderful cocktails that complimented the meal exceedingly well. I had their surf and turf special which was, I believe, a beef tenderloin with a familiar yet unique set of seasonings including a cocoa butter, alongside langoustine tail. My wife had their pork porterhouse which was delightful with their cherry, sherry cream, mushroom, and truffle mashed potatoes all mixed into the dish. I can also recommend their pork belly fried Brussels sprouts and their brisket bao (steam buns). The service was excellent, and we got a reservation for a 5:45 time slot with no major issues. Staff was attentive and seemed to be well oiled in their routine. Our waiter, whom I regret to say I forgot his name, was phenomenal with excellent recommendations for cocktails, starters, entrees, and everything linking it all together.
My husband and I had dinner at Red Pony tonight for our anniversary. We have been wanting to try it for the longest time but they rarely have times available for dinner. Now, I understand why. The food was great. Our server was attentive. The atmosphere was nice although it did get really loud when a large party came in for dinner. Luckily, we were almost done. We will definitely be back!
Sabrina, our server, was exceptional in keeping up with drink and food orders for our table of 10 celebrating a family birthday. My lettuce wrapped AL Crab dish was flavorful and generous as my entree as I had taste tested every appetizer on the menu and truly couldn't pick a favorite as they were all outstanding. Thank you Red Pony for a night our family will cherish for years to come.
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE! My husband and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. Our server made the experience wonderful. He was very attentive and knew the menu very well. The atmosphere is elevated but not fancy. There are about 10 tables and a large bar downstairs and more dining upstairs. We sat downstairs where you can see into the kitchen. The morning dew cocktail was sooo good-- not too sweet and definitely refreshing. For appetizers, we had the hamachi crudo, grilled halloumi and pork belly biscuits. Our favorite was definitely the biscuits. We did not care for the crudo. Although the fish itself was tasty, the heavy white sauce and large sunchokes took away from the delicate flavor of the fish. The biscuits, on the other hand, were addictive. The pork belly is served separately with an apple butter sauce, which was fantastic. We never had halloumi before and wanted to try it. We would definitely have it again. It came with grilled vegetables and you can definitely taste the grilling. For the entree we split the snapper. The fish seemed slightly overcooked but we enjoyed the corn, pico de gallo, fried onions and cornbread crumbles that came with it. It was large enough to share, especially after the three appetizers. We enjoyed creme brulee and chocolate mousse for dessert. Surprisingly, we thought the creme brulee was slightly better than the chocolate mousse. This is a nice spot to celebrate a special occasion. Highly recommend.
If you're interested in experiencing different flavors and textures in your meal, I cannot recommend a restaurant more highly than this. The pork porterhouse was one of, if not the best, pork chop I have ever had in my life. And I've had them on two continents. My husband and I are already trying to think of a reason to go back because it was absolutely wonderful. The staff was fantastic. The recommendations were excellent. The food was delicious. And the coffee is some of the best in Middle Tennessee.
Great little place in downtown Franklin. Great spot for a date night or a special occasion dinner. Food was excellent, service was professional and the lighting was dimly perfect. The atmosphere has a very cool vibe. The brussel sprouts were the very best. My husband had shrimp and grits with the steak. Delicious! The pictures don't do the food justice!
Great experience at The Red Pony! The red snapper was incredible probably the best I’ve ever had. The seafood pesto was a bit mild but still worth trying. Carnitas were super tender and flavorful, just not the traditional tortilla style. Shrimp and grits had a unique twist and were very tasty. The atmosphere was great, and even without a reservation, we were able to sit upstairs at the bar. The bartender was patient and gave excellent service. We’ll definitely be back!
Beautiful space, warm atmosphere, and attentive, friendly staff made for a great experience from the start. The food was amazing—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made from scratch with real care. The trout special was spectacular, and we also loved the lamb chops and guacamole. The salmon with sweet potatoes was perfectly cooked as well. Definitely a spot worth coming back to!
Some restaurants feed you. Red Pony feeds your soul. We came to celebrate my brother's birthday and left with one of those evenings you will talk about for years. That is what this place does. It does not just serve dinner; it creates the kind of memories that become part of your family's story. Sharon runs the show and she is the real thing. She treated us like local royalty, not because we were regulars, but because that is simply who she is. When you walk through that door, you are her people. Chef Jason and his team have built something rare in Franklin: a restaurant that genuinely carries the soul of this town on every plate. The food is extraordinary. Every dish reflects a kitchen that cares deeply. When I mentioned I eat vegan, the kitchen did not just accommodate me. They created something special from scratch, including a custom dessert that ranks among the best I have had anywhere. Red Pony is proof that the greatest dining experiences are not found in chains or trends. They are built by people who love their community and love what they do. Franklin is lucky to have them, and we need to show up for places like this. If you are looking for a spot to celebrate something that matters, or simply want a meal that becomes a core memory, this is the place. Highest possible recommendation.
I like to come here for cocktails throughout the year, but the annual NYE fixed price dinner is simply amazing! I’m normally not a big steak guy, but every steak I get here is so tender it literally melts in your mouth!
Common questions about Red Pony
Red Pony is located at 408 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064, United States, Franklin, TN, United States.
You can reach Red Pony by calling +1 615-595-7669.
Red Pony has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 958 customer reviews.
Red Pony features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Red Pony features the following service options: On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
Red Pony features the following highlights: Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Red Pony features the following popular for: Dinner, Solo dining.
Red Pony features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Healthy options, Organic dishes, Private dining room, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Red Pony features the following dining options: Brunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Red Pony features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Red Pony features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Red Pony features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
Red Pony features the following planning: Brunch reservations recommended, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait.
Red Pony features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Red Pony features the following parking: Free parking garage, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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