Cherokee Steakhouse, long a lakeside fixture on Old Hickory Lake, is headed back to its longtime home at Cherokee Marina in Lebanon under new ownership. The incoming team says it will bring back the classic steakhouse playbook of hand-cut steaks, seafood, and a dockside bar, while updating the space for weekend regulars and event crowds.
Co-owner Emily Akers, one of four partners behind the revival, shared the news on the restaurant’s Facebook page, saying the group plans to “blend the rich history you know and love with fresh ideas,” according to WhatNow. The post notes that the menu is still being finalized and that hiring for front- and back-of-house roles is already underway, with the owners adding that they hope to honor the site’s legacy while bringing new energy to the lakeside dining room.
The Nashville Tennessean reported that Joe and Emily Akers and two partners will operate the restaurant and that the couple also owns J Bruner’s in Clarinda, Iowa, a steak-and-burger spot with Midwest beef roots, according to the Nashville Tennessean. The outlet noted that the property most recently operated as Cumberland Canteen and that the indoor dining room seats about 80, with a U-shaped bar for roughly 40 patrons and a patio that can hold about 150. The Akers told the paper they are aiming for an opening this late spring or summer, although no firm date has been posted.
The restaurant is set to return to the Cherokee Marina compound at 450 Cherokee Dock Road on Old Hickory Lake. The marina’s website lists the address and phone number, according to Cherokee Marina. The waterfront setting, which includes docks, a large patio, and a private party room, is a key part of what the new owners say they plan to build on.
Local filings show a new business license for “Cherokee Steakhouse” was recorded in Wilson County on March 27, 2026, a step toward reopening that suggests permitting and hiring are moving forward, per local records compiled by Wilson County Source. The listing appeared on the county’s weekly rundown alongside several other new restaurant and service businesses.
What To Expect When It Reopens
The menu is expected to lean on steaks, seafood, and chops while adding bar snacks, pizzas, and possibly a brunch element to broaden daytime service, according to WhatNow. Owners told the outlet they anticipate hiring dozens of staffers and keeping the dining room casual but still suitable for special occasions.
Locals have long treated Cherokee as a lakeside institution, with coverage tracing the restaurant’s roots back to the late 1950s and noting that the spot has been operating “since 1958,” according to Nashville Scene. The new owners say they hope the reboot will lure both longtime regulars and first-timers back out to the marina shoreline once the grills are fired up again.
