You come to The Falls for the views. The name promises atmosphere, and it delivers on that. You’ll see Twin Falls spilling over a jungled ledge. You’ll hear live music too – this is, after all, Music City. The Falls is a loud, echoey place. People pour in, reclining their backs into the curves of the seats. The food offerings are slim (there’s really only snacks offered); the libations are liberal. Drinks come strong (really strong). You’ve been warned.

Like a lot of the Gaylord Opryland hotel restaurants, Cascades American Cafe offers great views. You’ll be seated right in the atrium, at a cozy wooden table overlooking ridged stone enclaves, peeks of foliage, and skipping waters. Breakfast is a buffet featuring all the standard morning offerings: eggs to order, bacon, potatoes, pancake toppings, grits, gravy, and bagels. Lunch blinks out of all-you-can-eat mode; you’ll find soups and sandwiches and simple entrees served instead. Dinner presents even more options: Duroc Pork Chop and Seared Sea Bass. Get the Pan Seared Salmon.

Finding cheap eats amongst the Gaylord Opryland restaurants is tough. Enter Paisano’s Pizzaria & Vino, a simple pizza place that quickly hands out generously large (school lunch style) slices of pizza (Paisano’s portions are so big, you could easily make a meal out of a single serving). Visit during off-peak days and off-peak hours (less so during the heightened madness of holiday season), when you can quickly duck in and request a slice of pepperoni pizza to-go.

You’ve listened to speaker after speaker. You’ve networked. You’ve shaken hand after hand. You’ve smiled big and smiled bright. You don’t have time for a full sit-down restaurant experience. There’s more to do, more people to speak with, more folks to listen to. But there’s also a part of you that feels like resting for one small moment. Stax Burgers lets you have that moment. The system at Stax is efficient. Stax is a make-your-own-burger joint that distributes sandwiches in no time (add on a milkshake – it’s worth it). Carry your burger to a metal barstool overlooking Gaylord Opryland’s indoor river, and enjoy your meal while it’s still warm.

Jack Daniel’s is one of the most chill and relaxed Gaylord Opryland hotel restaurants. Service is casual, friendly, and unhurried. Hard booze only crafts the outer rim of Jack Daniel’s vibe. You can get other, more petite drinks, too: light margaritas and pretty mocktails. Regardless, order the brisket quesadillas. They’re the best thing on the menu.

Decibels can only be accessed with a SoundWaves Experience package, so (unsurprisingly) it’s less swamped and less rushed than most Gaylord Opryland restaurants. But the menu, once permanently summer-y, has standardized. Think: smash burgers, coney dogs, and fried chicken. The best offerings? Decibels’ Crab Cake sliders and tropical-inspired cocktails.

If you’re craving something sweet, head straight to Bravo Gelato. Skip the fresh fruit (and yogurts and cookies and any other dessert asides that may cause you to stray from the main menu). Stick with the ice cream. There are plenty of flavors, from banana pudding to honey lavender. What Bravo Gelato makes best is in its name.

P.S. The gelato here melts quickly so I recommend enjoying it right in the Garden Conservatory!