Lyra

Lyra is an excellent warm-weather restaurant in East Nashville, with a lush, sprawling patio beckoning folks off the street. And there’s almost no place we’d rather relax while eating wood oven-roasted halloumi and some hummus with a kabob when the weather allows. It’s also the answer when the first date has led to a more adventurous second, where you can debate the logistics of getting an extra order of pomegranate and walnut molasses-coated olives to smuggle into your pocket for later (just us? OK, fine). But outside of castelvetrano contraband, you must end the meal with the savory sesame tahini cookies sandwiching sweet and dreamy pistachio ice cream.