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

Screen-print poster illustration of fried chicken and pickles on a plate, capturing the culinary atmosphere of Nashville.
Sam Smith sampled local Nashville culinary staples, including hot chicken, ahead of a highly anticipated debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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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

  1. October 19, 2026: Sam Smith visited Prince's Hot Chicken and Lower Broadway.

  2. 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?