Our Story

1975-2019

In 1975 Win and Patti Myint opened International Market & Restaurant located at 2010 Belmont Blvd.

After almost 45 years of feeding generations of Belmont University students, introducing so many Nashvillians to their first taste of legit Thai cuisine, and providing a welcoming space for neighbors, day laborers and culinary tourists to experience one of the earliest multicultural dining experiences in Nashville, the 2010 location closed its doors on July 31, 2019.

2021-2022

On September 24, 2021 Anna and Arnold Myint, Win and Patti’s children, soft-opened the new International Market 2.0 (IM2) across the street from the original location at 2013 Belmont Blvd. Capacity and staffing limits during Covid allowed for a time period to make sure everything was perfect at IM2.

During lunch, the siblings honor their mom’s restaurant by continuing the fast hot-line steam table, with cafeteria style options as well as opportunities to get made to order dishes.

Dinner is when Chef Arnold revamps the restaurant with a full-service menu with a regionally conscious approach to modern Thai cooking, where guests can sit and experience authentic Thai cuisine.

2022-Now

IM2 officially opened its doors in February 2022, which just happens to. be the birth month of both Win and Patti.

IM2 has received the official Thai cuisine seal of approval from The Ministry of Commerce and Royal Thai Government; a first for Nashville, Tennessee. The Thai Select Classic Award is similar to a Michelin recognition for Thai eateries around the globe and is prominent in large metropolitan U.S. cities like Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.

Part of the selection criteria includes anonymous dining visits to the restaurant where a committee considers food authenticity, heritage, atmosphere and hospitality with high standards.

Meet the Team

Arnold Myint

Arnold Myint, a 2024 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist, is the chef/co-owner of International Market in Nashville, TN which his family originally opened in 1975.  He actively works with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Trade USA and his restaurant is the first and only to currently be recognized by the Royal Thai Consul as Thai Select in Nashville.  

A former culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, he competed on “Top Chef” and “Food Network Star” and works with numerous media platforms including Tastemade and Buzzfeed where he celebrates Thai food and his family heritage.  

Arnold is also a contributing writer for Epicurious, Eater, and Saveur and is the subject of Family Thais which documents his journey to cooking at the James Beard House in New York City.  His current projects include a cookbook with Abrams Publishing; slated for 2025. 

Anna Myint

When International Market closed in 2019 Anna decided to reopened the local institution with her brother in 2021, where she oversees the front of house, finances, and communications for the business.

Anna attended University School of Nashville (‘04), received her BA Communications from The University of Tennessee (‘08), Fashion Design Certificate from Parsons School of Design (‘11), before receiving her MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management (‘20).

After being a buyer at Macy’s and living in NYC for six years, Anna moved back to Nashville in 2015. In 2023, she was part of Nashville Emerging Leaders and Leadership Connect through the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the board of Small World Yoga and support initiatives with the Community Resource Center, Nashville Humane Association, and SNAFU Rescue.  

Anna is a recipient of the NBJ’s 40 Under 40 Awards (’22), a finalist for the Chamber’s Nashville Emerging Leaders Awards (’23, ’24) and is one of the University of Tennessee’s Alumni Volunteer 40 Under 40 recipients (’24).

annamyint.com

Recent Press

Giving Back & Shopping Local

Nashville Launch Pad is a non-profit initiative that provides street free shelter resources for Nashville’s LGBTQ+  youth.  For over the past 5, International Market has committed to providing a weekly meal to the organization to help reduce food budgets.  

We also work with: Nashville Food Project, The Store, Friendly Artic, Mr. Aaron’s Goods, Cheekee Greens Farms, Sequatchie Cove Farm, Miller’s Amish Farm, Sarabhas Creamery, Anne’s Cakes, Diskin Cider, Bearded Iris, Better Than Booze, Walker Brothers Kombucha, ST8MENT Brand Agency, Nashville Pickle Co.