Danny and I have been going to Nashville nearly every year since 2014. It is at the very top of my list of favorite cities. Don’t you dare come at me with hate words against Nashville because I claim it as my own.
I’ve had a note saved on my phone for years that I’ll send to friends and anyone who asks for Nashville recommendations on Instagram. I figured it was time to put it here for the public. Go forth and boot scoot boogie.
Note: There are few walkable neighborhoods in Nashville. Most of these spots will require you to drive from place to place. That’s the most common thing I hear from people who claim they don’t like Nashville… “There was too much driving.” So, do with that what you will and set your expectations right before you show up in Music City.
12 South is probably the most walkable street in Nashville. I highly recommend this area for coffee, lunch or dinner, and shopping. Park on one of the side streets off of 12 South, like Sweetbriar or Paris
FOOD:
- Burger Up
- Edleys BBQ
- Bar Taco
- Locust
- Taqueria Del Sol
- Josephine
SHOPS:
- Savant Vintage
- Serendipity
- Emerson Grace
- Vinnie Louise
- Outdoor Voices
- Draper James
- Imogene + Willie
- Madewell
- Marine Layer
- White’s Mercantile
COFFEE:
- Frothy Monkey
- Portland Brew
DESSERT:
- Jeni’s Ice Cream
- Las Paletas (popsicles)
- 5 Daughters Bakery
OUTDOORS:
Sevier Park – Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays
NEARBY 12 SOUTH:
- 8th Street Antiques
- Grimey’s Records
- Proper Bagel
- Bongo Java
- A 25 minute drive from 12 South will take you to Radnor Lake State Park. I love walking here.
FOOD:
- Milk + Honey (brunch)
- Biscuit Love
- Moto
- Saint Añejo
- Sambuca
COFFEE:
- Barista Parlor
- Killebrew Coffee
FOOD:
- Mas Tacos
- The Pharmacy
- Hunter’s Food Hall
- Shep’s Deli
- Hawker’s Asian Street Food
- Folk
- Redheaded Stranger
SHOPPING:
- Local Honey (hair salon)
- Grimey’s Records
- Anaconda Vintage
- Fatherland District (many shops)
COFFEE:
- Living Waters (brewery + coffee)
- Elegy
- Slow Hand Coffee + Bakeshop
- Barista Parlor (my favorite location)
FOOD:
- Grilled Cheeserie
- Pancake Pantry
- Hopdoddy
*A handful of shops and boutiques
DESSERT:
- Crumbl Cookies
- Jeni’s Ice Cream
NEAR HILLSBORO VILLAGE:
- Dose Coffee
FOOD:
- City House
- 5th & Taylor
- Butchertown Hall
- Rolf and Daughters
- Henrietta Red
SHOPPING:
- Bits and Pieces Antiques
- Abednego
COFFEE:
- Barista Parlor
- Steadfast Coffee
Here’s the thing: I’ve only been to Broadway once for a bachelorette weekend. In my opinion, there are too many people and too many chain restaurants. There IS live music, which is a perk if you’re into that.
FOOD:
- SATCO
- Hattie B’s
- White Limozeen
COFFEE:
- Crema (coffee)
- Three Brothers Coffee
- Pinewood Social – bowling, coffee, patio, restaurant
LATE NIGHT:
- Cookout (for the best milkshake you can buy at 2 AM)
- The Patterson House (speakeasy bar)
- Printers Alley (bar and karaoke)
OUTDOORS:
- Centennial Park
We’ve seen a handful of shows in Nashville and would recommend checking out these venues. You can go to the venue’s website, find an artist who is playing (many of them are up-and-coming), and buy a ticket.
- The Cannery / Mercy Lounge
- The Basement
- The Ryman
- Bluebird Cafe
These will be controversial, but here’s a short list of places everyone will tell you to go that I personally think are overrated:
Biscuit Love – go to Milk & Honey instead.
Five Daughters Bakery – go to Fox’s Donut Den instead.
Pancake Pantry – go to Barista Parlor instead. Quick note: these Pancakes are seriously delicious and absolutely worth your time if you wake up early and don’t have to wait in line. Nothing, including these pancakes, is worth waiting in line for over an hour.
Bar Taco – go to Mas Tacos instead.
Robert’s Western World – go to Bluebird Cafe instead.
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