Red Pony Restaurant

We were with a large group that took up the entire upstairs. The service was exceptional and timely and the atmosphere was inviting and cozy. The food... YUM. I had the shrimp and grits, which was a different take on this dish then I've usually had, but the flavors were rich and intentional. The lemon tart for dessert was so fresh and light but had layers of well blended flavors and textures. Amazing. I highly recommend the French press coffee. So good. Thank you all for hosting a great night with our large group.

First time dining here at the McConnell house location, and I hope they don't move back to the main street location as this is a gorgeous restaurant spread over different floors of an old building with beautiful hardwood floors, wide stairways, and large windows that let in a lot of light (with the added bonus of having ample parking behind the building). While I can't disagree with some other reviewers that the prices are on the high side, however I think one needs to judge prices based on the value and quality of the overall experience. The Red Pony delivers on the value and quality for the prices in that everything was well prepared, beautifully presented, and of large portion sizes, unlike other pricey restaurants where you might leave feeling that you overpaid for what you actually experienced.

This restaurant is in a great area full of great people . the food the service and atmosphere were all 10 out of 10. Great time with friends . Highly recommend it.

One of my favorites and for good reason! Very cool atmosphere, great cocktails and outstanding food. Service? They had to push two tables together for us and the staff and manager went out of their way, crawling under the table, to level it out for us! Without our asking!

We had a reservation made for us by a friend. We were celebrating a work promotion and a birthday, both happened in the same week. Our server Sabrina was amazing great service and even better food!

Nice dining experience. The service was great and the food was delicious. The portions are generous, we could have split an entree. The sour dough donuts are must try.

I was well advised to have dinner here on my first trip into Franklin Proper. I didn’t have a reservation and was dining solo. The nicest guy personally took me to the upstairs bar area to a table. The bartender was attentive and entertaining. The food was well worth the investment. Will absolutely come back for a full course dinner and try the Shrimp & Grits.

Just got back from the Franklin location after being closed. So delicious! Timothy was a super attentive server Drinks were creatively crafted and on point. The baked Brie appetizer was so flavorful and the steak perfectly prepared. Highly recommend!

We got the 5 star treatment this past weekend at Red Pony. Scott, the Sommelier, took WONDERFUL care of us! We had so much wonderful food and drink - from the Amuse Bouche & champagne, all the way to the desserts and Tawny Port - this was the icing on the evening. Everything was hot, moist, timely, & tasty. I don't even like lamb, but the lamb appetizer did not have a game-y taste. My favorite of all was the pork entree - look at how freakin' colorful that is - and juicy & packed with flavor! Stick a fork in us, we were so done after this meal! Wonderful job chefs & wonderful job serving staff. We had the best girls night thanks to you.

Let's start with the ambiance... it's a total vibe with the cutest little bar upstairs. The food was absolutely amazing!! We started with drinks and the guacamole. Best guacamole I've probably ever had. Packed full of flavor, a little kick but not too spicy! For my entree, I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. They were hands down the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. They were very rich, but in the best way. My boyfriend ordered the Beef Tenderloin with pommes anna, mojo, corn, creole cream, and cultured butter. It was so good, especially the corn!! We will def be back!

WOW‼️ Blown Away by The Food 💯 Easily some of the best food we've ever tasted 🤤 From the service, to the atmosphere, to the presentation - This place impresses 👌 The cocktails were well-crafted and delicious. Their dinner specials were absolutely amazing ⬅️ Highly recommend you snag a reservation and experience this gem yourself ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was the best experience we have had in a very long time, atmosphere was great. Staff, incredibly friendly. Food, OMG so so good! 10000/10! It was the perfect treat yourself meal for our honeymoon trip 💜 The Birketts

We enjoyed appetizers and friendly conversations while sitting at the bar. The restaurant was on a wait and we didn’t plan reservations ahead of time so we we’re happy to see two available seats at the bar. The lamb chops were delicious and cooked perfectly.

Amazing food, incredible service (thank you Cydne!) And drinks worth going just for them. Being from the Twin Cities we certainly have our fair share of amazing food, but Red Pony is one to write home to and make a trip to Franklin again just to eat another meal.

Amazing restaurant! The dining experience is top notch, if a bit noisy at times. The service is professional, consistent, and amazing. And then there's the food... When I tell you that each dish looks like a work of art I'm not exaggerating. The chefs put a lot of work into preparing and executing this menu, and it shows. Price point seems to be about $30-$45 per entree, with salads, appetizers, and drinks comparably priced.

The restaurant sits on Franklin's Main Street. Parking is easy to find around the area. I choose Red Pony for my Mother's Day outing. Once inside, the history comes through. High ceilings, exposed beams, pipes, brick walls, and wood floors. The seating is cozy and intimate. We arrived early but weren't seated until our reservation time. It was only a fifteen minute wait, but I recommend not arriving too early. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive without being obtrusive. We ordered drinks, appetizers, salad, and entrees all at the same time. Each selection arrived at our table at the perfect time. Since it was our first visit, we received a small complimentary appetizer. Grits gnocchi with cheese sauce. The gnocchi was light pairing well with the sauce Delicious. Our drinks, old fashions, and appetizers of bread, spanakopita, and lamb arrived. The lime bean truffle butter complimented the foccacia while the lemon butter added tang to the pull apart rolls. The spinach salad was so good. I need the vinaigrette recipe. Lol. Their regular menu is small, and I'm sure the food is great. We chose the entree special. Lobster pasta in a cream sauce with pork belly, I believe corn, tomatoes, and garlic bread crumbs. Dessert was fabulous. I had the buttermilk cherry tart, and my son had the creme brulee. We had the espresso martini with dessert. It was a great Mother's Day meal.

Wonderful dining experience with a unique but excellent main course. Brooklyn is a delightful and knowledgeable server who helped us understand all of the menu options. Highly recommend and will go again.

A 10/10! Alejandro was so attentive and thorough with the menu and checked on us often. It was one of the best meals we’ve had! Thanks to our wonderful server who made our first time there memorable. We will be back!

Place was great. Very comfortable setting. Server was excellent and added a nice touch to our experience. Pork chop was cooked perfect and the Sea bass with the succotash was great as well. Definitely recommend to anyone in the area.

Randy our server was so attentive and prompt. My husband and I both have food allergies and Randy helped us navigate through the menu seamlessly based on our dietary needs. We had the snapper, street corn Caesar, shrimp and grits, fresh fruit sorbet, and crème brûlée. Everything was prepared to perfection. My complements to the chef. This place has been a staple of downtown Franklin and I hope it will continue for years to come…. Their flavors, service, and all around charming southern atmosphere make it a place that you’ll want to attend time and time again.

Had dinner and really enjoyed it. Amazing cocktails, locally inspired menu - everyone loved their dish, and great service.

A chef owned and operated establishment. I had a Beef Tenderloin cooked Medium and it was the best taste I have ever experienced. Everything is prepared in-house and extremely fresh. The waiter was very professional and knowledgable about the menu. The service was just perfect. The deserts were outstanding. If I lived in Franklin this would be on my short list for sure. Nice Job, I wish you all continued success with your business,

The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The vibe was excellent. Pricy? Yes, of course, but you know that going in.

We absolutely loved our service and our meal. The off-menu gnocchi was amazing. Ribeye was cooked perfectly and the seafood was super fresh! Such a great welcome to Franklin, Tennessee!!!

Went for a girls weekend to visit Franklin and we found ourselves at the Red Pony for Saturday nights dinner! Service was wonderful, atmosphere is quaint (we were upstairs), and the drinks and eats were loved by us all. For sure a great date night place or GNO. Franklin is just special all the way around!

Exceptional dining experience and excellent food. Apps were delicious, particularly the mini lamb chops and pork belly. Absolutely a must visit if you're in the area!

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.

First time dining at the Red Pony. Did not have reservations, but still got a table right away. Great atmosphere...feels like a bit like a speakeasy. Friendly and efficient service. The food and cocktails were excellent. I seriously couldn't be happier with the entire experience. Will definitely be back!

Came here for a work dinner and the ambiance is dark amd moody with a masculine vibe. Drinks were on point, the meal was excellent as I had the lettuce wraps as an app, the squash soup and some beef entrees with creme brulee for dessert. While this is a higher price point for a meal it's great for special occasions. Loved the decor!

If I could give 10 stars I would!!! HUGE SHOUT OUT TO OUR SERVER ANNIE!!!! Let me start with we are out of towners... We've been coming to Franklin area for the last few years and I'm sad we just found this place!!!! The atmosphere was perfect, it felt small, personal, quaint, and intimate with an open view of the kitchen staff absolutely crushing it. The food was perfect. The drinks were not to be missed out on, and the cherry on top was our amazing waitress Annie!!! We've had some great memories here in the Franklin area and this was one of the memories that we were blessed to be able to make that will absolutely make the top of the list. If you have the opportunity to stop in and don't... you are missing out and have made a mistake!! Hats off to the GM and ownership of this place. Keep up the great work!!

Red Pony Restaurant in Franklin, Tennessee is truly outstanding! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel right at home — friendly, professional, and genuinely caring. The service was flawless from start to finish. And the shrimp & grits… absolutely incredible! Perfectly cooked shrimp, creamy grits, and flavors that come together in the most delicious way possible. Easily the best shrimp & grits I’ve had anywhere in Tennessee. Beautiful atmosphere, amazing food, and top-notch service — Red Pony is a must-visit spot in Franklin! @travelingfoodguys

Red Pony is a fantastic restaurant in downtown Franklin with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The drinks menu is impressive, and the salads were fresh and flavorful. I had the wild pork carnitas, which were outstanding, and everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed their meals. We ended the evening by sampling every dessert on the menu — an absolutely perfect finish to a great dining experience

Bartenders and wait staff were friendly and had great recommendations. Beef cigars and lamb chops were out of this world and the ribeye absolutely melts in your mouth. Right in the heart of Franklin, this gem is a must visit!

Two story rustic Yosemite themed restaurant in mid block old Franklin under Jason McConnell doesn’t live up to its potential for fine dining. The Gnocchi taste tester had pieces cooked too long, but was savory. We really enjoyed the Smoke Salmon Tabbouleh and the Grilled Flatbread, both with hints of fruit, mix of textures and flavors. The Hamachi Crudo was too fishy, even for Hamachi. The Sancerre from a fair wine list was not served sufficiently chilled. The waitstaff hustled to keep up with service changes.

Frequently enjoy this amazing restaurant in Franklin. The hero of the meal was the risotto which is one of those parts of the dish that are hard to nail. Book this unique restaurant in heart of downtown you won’t be disappointed.

I wish I could give it 5*, as the food tasted really incredible (we were impressed with everything we ordered, from first to main to dessert)! Not to mention their wine list! We felt in love with our Zinfandel bottle of wine! The location is also beautiful. We were taken to the upstairs back room, and finding the menus on the table personalized with our names, has been also a pleasant surprise! BUT... the service is also such a HUGE part of the dining experience and our waiter failed to impress us: he poured water on the table when filling our water glasses, he spilled wine on the table when filling our glasses, he took the bottle away to keep it chill, but then would not check on us is we needed a refill. He also dropped silverware on the floor when cleaning the table next to us. Not really what we expected to experience at Red Pony!

Our best meal in Franklin during our recent stay. The steak was outstanding and the best meal. The steak was simply just a great piece of meat. Shrimp and grits had a distinctive taste of Worcestershire. Surprisingly delicious but a bit tangy and not as good as other S&G I’ve had in other southern cities. Overall, very enjoyable dining experience and better than the other restaurants we tried in Franklin.

Honest Review of Red Pony We recently went to Red Pony in Franklin for a special occasion. We’ve heard a lot about the restaurant over the years and had been looking forward to finally experiencing it. Coming from the food and hospitality industry, and being well-versed in both food and wine, I’ll admit I can be a bit critical—especially when expectations are set high. Service: The service was very good—borderline fantastic. Attentive, professional, and polished. I have absolutely no complaints in this department. Presentation of the wine and overall pacing of service were excellent. Food: This is where things fell short for me. While the food was okay, it wasn’t anything mind-blowing. The menu felt dated, particularly the appetizer section, which came across as lackluster and not especially well thought out. I expected more creativity and refinement here. For my entrée, I ordered the elk meatloaf wrapped in bacon. It was fine, but not memorable. I also ordered the potatoes fried in tallow—exactly what you’d expect, nothing more, nothing less. Overall, the dishes lacked the level of excitement and innovation that the restaurant’s reputation led me to expect. Value: This was the biggest disappointment. The prices felt extremely high for the level of food and execution. In my opinion, in a larger or more competitive food city, Red Pony would simply register as a solid but unremarkable restaurant—not a destination. I imagine when Red Pony first opened, it was likely very cutting-edge. However, with so many modern, creative, and forward-thinking restaurants opening today, this menu now feels stuck in the past and lands firmly in the mediocre zone. Would I return? Probably not. Would I try their sister restaurant, Cork & Cow? Based on this experience, also probably not. That said, I did enjoy the evening—I enjoyed the atmosphere, the service, and most importantly, spending time with my family. I just don’t feel the food justified the price or the reputation. Final Takeaway: Red Pony delivers excellent service in a comfortable setting, but the food and menu no longer match the hype or the pricing.

Good vibe and atmosphere. We ordered lamb chop appetizer which was really good and cooked medium rare with sauce. The soup (Hierloom Tomato Gazpacho) was way too salty and not edible at all for me. The entrees shrimp&grits and grilled scallops were better. The flavor and seasoning was on spot. Dessert was the best of the night - creme brulee. The service was super slow. We sat on second floor and the waiter was busy serving food and also making cocktails at the bar most of the time. For this price, I was expecting better quality of food the service.

Had a reservation last night at 5pm. Restaurant and bar had some guests downstairs (not full) but the host took us upstairs and walked us to the very back empty room near a server station with servers chatting nonstop about non-work-related things. Ordered a drink and tipped the upstairs server but kindly told him we were going to move to the bar so that we didn’t feel like we were put in the hinterlands next to the service staff station. At the bar, service and food was fine until the bartender asked us if we paid for our drinks after we told him we settled upstairs with our original server. Watched more diners arrive and request new tables when host tried to seat them in undesirable locations. Something is broken with the communication and putting customer comfort first at this restaurant. Please think through the customer experience even on a slow weekday.