Sam Smith Tours Nashville Restaurants Before Opry Debut
The singer explored Nashville culinary staples while in town for their upcoming appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Dining Out

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Sam Smith visited the Prince's Hot Chicken South location and posed with a Moon Pie on Lower Broadway on October 19. The singer is currently in Nashville ahead of their scheduled performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Why it matters
The visit highlights the intersection of local Nashville food culture and the city's status as a premier destination for major musical artists.
Sam Smith visited the Prince's Hot Chicken South location on Nolensville Pike. The singer documented their local food tour via a secondary Instagram account titled Ham Smith.
The players
Sam Smith
An internationally recognized singer and songwriter who is visiting Nashville for an upcoming performance.
Grand Ole Opry
A historic venue in Nashville known as the home of country music that frequently hosts artists from various genres.
Prince's Hot Chicken
A notable Nashville restaurant chain recognized for its role in popularizing the city's signature hot chicken dish.
The details
Sam Smith shared their Nashville culinary experiences through posts on a secondary Instagram account known as Ham Smith. Prince's Hot Chicken confirmed the visit via their own social media channels.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Sam Smith visited Prince's Hot Chicken and Lower Broadway.
October 21, 2026: Sam Smith makes their Grand Ole Opry debut.
Culture Shift
Sam Smith's appearance at the Grand Ole Opry follows a well-established tradition of the venue hosting artists from outside the country genre. This move reflects a broader trend of cross-genre engagement within Nashville's historic musical landmarks.
Residents may see an uptick in interest for the specific hot chicken establishments visited by the singer. The event highlights the prominence of local culinary landmarks in attracting high-profile visitors to the city.
The takeaway
Visitors and residents can look forward to Sam Smith's upcoming review of local hot chicken offerings. Exploring the local food scene remains a common highlight for musicians visiting Nashville for major performances.
What happens next
Sam Smith is scheduled to perform at the Grand Ole Opry on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse the latest updates in Nashville Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessean.
Live Poll
Should traditional venues like the Grand Ole Opry book performers from genres outside of country music?










