You’re scrolling through tupelo honey southern kitchen & bar franklin photos and you see it. That golden-brown, craggy crust on the fried chicken. The mason jars filled with brightly colored cocktails. The sunlight hitting the wood-accented dining room in Meridian Cool Springs. It looks good. Almost too good. You wonder if the place actually lives up to the aesthetic or if it’s just another Instagram trap designed for the "brunch crowd."
Honestly? It’s a bit of both, but mostly it’s just solid Southern soul food served in a space that was clearly built to be photographed.
Franklin, Tennessee, isn't exactly hurting for good food. Between the historic downtown charm and the high-end developments in Cool Springs, you’ve got options. But Tupelo Honey occupies a specific niche. It’s where you go when you want to feel "Southern" without necessarily sitting on a porch with no air conditioning. The photos tell a story of modern mountain roots, and having spent time digging into the menus and the physical layout of this specific location, I can tell you that the camera doesn’t lie about the atmosphere. It’s vibrant. It’s loud. It’s very, very honey-drenched.
What the Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar Franklin Photos Don't Show You
When you look at a professional shot of their "Famous Fried Chicken," you see the drizzle of honey and the sprinkle of sea salt. You don't see the wait times. Because this spot is tucked into the McEwen Northside development, it gets packed. Fast. If you’re looking at photos thinking you’ll just stroll in on a Saturday at 11:00 AM, you’re in for a 90-minute surprise.
The Franklin location has this distinct, airy feel that sets it apart from the original Asheville flagship. The Asheville spot feels like a cozy, eccentric basement; Franklin feels like a polished, high-ceilinged cathedral of biscuits.
The Layout for the "Gram"
The interior design here is a mix of industrial hardware and soft, botanical murals. You’ll notice in many tupelo honey southern kitchen & bar franklin photos that the lighting is particularly intentional. Large windows let in that Tennessee sun, which is great for food photography but can be a bit blinding if you’re seated at the wrong booth during the golden hour.
Most people aim for the booths along the wall where the lighting is filtered. The bar area is also a major focal point. It’s got that wrap-around style that makes for great wide-angle shots, featuring rows of local spirits and those signature "Honey Elixirs." If you’re there to document the experience, the bar is your best friend.
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Decoding the Menu Through the Lens
Let’s talk about the food. You’ve likely seen the biscuits. They are huge. They’re called "Cathead Biscuits" for a reason—theoretically, they’re the size of a cat’s head. In reality, they are fluffy, salty-sweet pillows of dough that come with blueberry jam and whipped honey butter.
But here is a pro tip: the photos of the biscuits usually show them sitting pretty on a plate. In practice, they crumble the moment you touch them. It’s a mess. A delicious, buttery mess.
- The Bone-In Fried Chicken: This is the flagship. It’s brined for 24 hours. When you see photos of this dish, look at the color. It should be a deep, dark amber. If it looks pale in a photo, the kitchen was rushed.
- Shrimp and Grits: This isn't your standard watery grits situation. They use goat cheese grits. It gives the dish a tang that pops in photos because of the contrast between the creamy white grits and the red creole sauce.
- The Cocktails: If you aren't photographing the "Bohemian" or the "Peach Don't Kill My Vibe," did you even go? The garnishes—fresh mint, dehydrated citrus, edible flowers—are specifically chosen to make the drink look expensive.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the Chicken and Waffles
There is a specific shot of the Mac-N-Cheese Waffles that goes viral every few months. Yes, you read that right. Macaroni and cheese pressed into a waffle iron. It sounds like a fever dream. It tastes like a salty, cheesy carb-load that requires a nap immediately afterward.
The Reality of the McEwen Northside Location
Franklin’s McEwen Northside is a "work-live-play" district. This means the tupelo honey southern kitchen & bar franklin photos often feature a backdrop of modern glass buildings and manicured walkways. It’s polished. If you’re looking for a gritty, "hole-in-the-wall" Southern experience, this isn't it. This is Southern food for the suburbs.
The outdoor patio is one of the best in the area. It’s dog-friendly, which adds a whole other layer to the photo opportunities. You’ll often see golden retrievers lounging under tables while their owners sip mimosas.
Technical Details You Might Actually Care About
If you’re planning a visit or a shoot, keep these logistics in mind. The restaurant is located at 1110 McEwen Dr, Suite 150, Franklin, TN 37067.
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- Parking: There’s a garage. Use it. Street parking is a nightmare.
- Reservations: They use OpenTable. Use it. Seriously.
- The Best Time for Photos: Between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on weekdays. The lunch rush is gone, the dinner crowd hasn't arrived, and the light is soft.
A Note on the "Southern-ness"
There’s a bit of a debate among locals. Some people think Tupelo Honey is a bit too "corporate" now that they’ve expanded across the country. And look, they aren't wrong. It’s a chain. But as far as chains go, the Franklin location maintains a high level of quality control. The honey is still sourced responsibly. The grit cakes are still hand-made. The photos you see online of the "Scratch Made" kitchen aren't just marketing fluff; they really are back there peeling potatoes and hand-breading chicken.
Navigating the Visual Vibe
What really stands out in tupelo honey southern kitchen & bar franklin photos is the color palette. Unlike many Southern restaurants that lean heavily into "rustic" browns and tans (think Cracker Barrel), Tupelo Honey uses a lot of greens, teals, and yellows. It feels fresh.
The artwork on the walls is often overlooked in quick snaps, but it’s worth a closer look. They usually commission local or regional artists to create pieces that reflect the local flora. In Franklin, this translates to a space that feels connected to the Middle Tennessee landscape, even if it’s located right next to a Lululemon.
The Brunch Factor
Brunch is the main event. It’s the reason the "Franklin photos" tag is so populated.
- The Mega-Mosa: It’s a literal carafe. It’s meant for sharing, but we’ve all seen the person trying to drink it solo for the photo op.
- Avocado Toast: Yes, they have it. No, it’s not particularly "Southern," but they put pickled red onions and salt on it, so it looks great.
- The Biscuits: I mentioned them before, but they deserve a second mention for the "Biscuits for a Cause" program. You pay for the biscuits, and a portion goes to a staff relief fund. It’s food that feels good.
Is it Worth the Hype?
If you’re looking at tupelo honey southern kitchen & bar franklin photos and wondering if you should book a table, ask yourself what you want.
Do you want the best, most authentic, hidden-gem fried chicken in the state of Tennessee? Probably not here. You’d go to a shack in Nashville or a family-owned spot in a smaller town for that.
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Do you want a fantastic atmosphere, a consistent meal, a killer cocktail, and a photo that will make your followers jealous? Then yes, 100%. Tupelo Honey is an experience. It’s a "Southern Kitchen" in the same way a Broadway play is "Life." It’s an elevated, stylized version of reality.
Common Misconceptions
- "It’s too expensive": It’s not cheap, but the portions are massive. One order of chicken and waffles can easily feed two people if you aren't starving.
- "It’s just for tourists": Actually, a lot of Cool Springs professionals use this as their lunch spot. It’s a business-casual staple.
- "The food is spicy": Most of it isn't. Even the "hot" chicken is relatively mild compared to true Nashville Hot Chicken.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to see the space for yourself, don't just wing it.
First, download the Tupelo Honey app. They have a loyalty program that actually gives you decent rewards, and you can join the waitlist before you even leave your house. This is the only way to survive a weekend visit without losing your mind.
Second, check the weather. If it’s a nice day, request a table on the patio when you check in. The indoor acoustics can get very loud—like, "can’t hear the person across from you" loud—whereas the patio offers a bit more breathing room and better natural light for those food photos.
Third, order the roasted cauliflower. Nobody ever takes photos of it because it’s a vegetable, but it’s secretly one of the best things on the menu. It’s got this smoky, charred flavor that balances out all the honey and butter you’ll be consuming.
Finally, don't forget to look up. The lighting fixtures in the Franklin location are custom-designed and look like something out of a high-end design magazine. They are the unsung heroes of the restaurant's aesthetic.
Get your reservation in early, bring a portable charger for your phone (you’ll be taking more photos than you think), and prepare for a sugar crash. It’s a Franklin staple for a reason. Even if that reason is partly because it just looks so dang good on a screen.