Where To Eat (Our Favs)

Breakfast/Brunch

  • Buttermilk Ranch

  • Rise Chicken & Biscuits

  • Hearts

  • Pancake Pantry

  • Hampton Social

  • Loveless Cafe

  • E+Rose (for Acai Bowls)

  • Proper Bagel

  • D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe

Coffee

  • Crema Coffee Roasters

  • Frothy Monkey

  • 8th & Roast

  • Dose

  • Barista Parlor

  • Babu

Lunch

  • Arnold’s Country Kitchen

  • Assembly Food Hall

  • Kisser

  • Joyland

  • Puckett’s

  • Fatbelly Pretzel

  • The Pharmacy

  • Grill Shack

  • Little Hats

  • Red Perch

  • Hot Chicken Spots: Hattie B’s, Prince’s, and Boltons

Dinner*

  • Locust*

  • Noko*

  • Rolf & Daughters*

  • Kore*

  • Pelato*

  • Margot Cafe*

  • Folk*

  • Twelve Thirty Club*

  • Lrya*

  • Chauhan Ale & Masala House*

  • The Optimist*

*Reservations Needed/Recommended

Things to Do

Broadway/Downtown

No trip to Nashville is complete without visiting Broadway at least once. You'll find live music everywhere, neon lights, dancing, shops, and food. Some of our favorite bars on Broadway to check out:

  • Robert’s Western World – Known for traditional country tunes and famous fried bologna sandwiches.

  • The Stage – Lively vibes, great bands, and murals of country legends.

  • Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge – A Nashville classic with three floors of live music and a rooftop view.

  • Honky Tonk Central – Three stories of nonstop music and dancing.

  • Honorable mentions: Aldeans, Luke 32, and Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa

  • Pro Tips:
    1) Grab lunch and/or dinner at Assembly Food Hall. Rated one of the best food halls in the nation! 2) You will see a very long line at Hattie B’s. Do not get sucked into the trap and wait in line. It’ll be quicker to take a 10-min Uber/Lyft to the other Hattie B’s locations in the area. Same food, no lines.

Do Not Miss 12 South

This may be our favorite area in all of Nashville. 12 South is a charming neighborhood full of local shops, great eats, and cozy coffee spots. It’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon of exploring, shopping, and snapping photos.

  • Five Daughters Bakery – Home of the famous 100-layer donuts (trust us, they’re worth it!).

  • Draper James – Reese Witherspoon’s Southern-inspired boutique, with a cute blue-and-white mural for photos.

  • Frothy Monkey – A local go-to for coffee, breakfast, and chill vibes.

  • White’s Mercantile – A modern general store filled with unique gifts and local finds.

  • Edley’s BBQ: For authentic Southern BBQ, head to Edley’s. Famous for its smoked meats, BBQ nachos, and hot chicken sandwich, it’s the perfect spot to dig into Nashville flavor. Don’t miss their signature Bushwacker—an adult milkshake you’ll love!

  • Pro Tip: Wake up early and head over to Buttermilk Ranch for breakfast/brunch. This spot fills up quickly, and there’s typically a long wait, but so worth it! Grab a coffee afterward at Frothy Monkey and check out all of the local shops. I would also recommend booking a reservation at our favorite restaurant, Locust, ahead of time. Their lunch is incredible!

Visit the Gulch

If you’re looking for trendy vibes, great food, and Insta-worthy spots, The Gulch is the place to be. Just a short ride from downtown, this chic neighborhood is packed with stylish boutiques, rooftop bars, and some of Nashville’s best restaurants.

  • The Wings Mural – Snap a photo at Nashville’s famous “WhatLiftsYou” wings by Kelsey Montague.

  • L.A. Jackson – A rooftop bar with incredible city views and craft cocktails.

  • Station Inn – For live bluegrass in an iconic, no-frills setting.

  • Milk & Honey – Coffee, brunch, and gelato in a beautiful space.

  • Superica – Great Tex-Mex food, homemade tortillas, and amazing margs.

Honorable Mentions - Experience Nashville Like a Local

  • Richland Park Farmer’s Market – Our favorite Farmer’s Market! It happens every Saturday from 9am-noon. Here, you’ll find fresh produce, local honey, handmade goods, and some of the best bites from local vendors.

  • Shelby Bottoms Greenway – For a breath of fresh air, head to Shelby Bottoms in East Nashville. This beautiful park offers scenic walking and biking trails along the Cumberland River, with plenty of spots to relax and enjoy nature. Rent bikes or take a leisurely stroll—you might even spot some local wildlife.

  • Attaboy – Tucked away behind an unmarked door in East Nashville, Attaboy is one of the city’s coolest cocktail bars. There’s no menu here—just tell the bartender your favorite flavors, and they’ll whip up a custom cocktail that’s sure to impress.

  • The Pharmacy – For juicy burgers and the best German-style beer in town, head to The Pharmacy in East Nashville. They’ve got some of the best burgers in Nashville and an awesome beer garden to go with it.

  • Rudy’s Jazz Room – For a break from country music, head to this intimate jazz club in The Gulch for live performances and craft cocktails.

  • The Parthenon at Centennial Park – Nashville’s full-scale Parthenon replica is a must-see. Located in Centennial Park, it houses an art museum and a stunning 42-foot statue of Athena. It’s a great park to check out and enjoy a leisurely walk.

  • The Patterson House – For an intimate, speakeasy vibe, head to The Patterson House in Midtown. This hidden gem offers craft cocktails made with precision and top-notch ingredients in a cozy, dimly lit setting.

  • Kisser – Probably in our top 3 restaurants in all of Nashville is Kisser. Located in East Nashville, Kisser is a cozy, casual spot serving up Japanese comfort food with a creative twist. From miso soup and rice bowls to seasonal specials, every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. They don’t take reservations and are only open for lunch. Try to check them out while you’re in town - you won’t regret it!

  • Chopper Tiki Bar – For a tiki bar experience with a fun, futuristic twist, head to Chopper Tiki Bar in East Nashville. This robot-themed hideaway serves up creative, tropical cocktails in a vibrant, laid-back setting.
    Pro Tip: DO NOT miss grabbing tacos at Maíz de la Vida. This is a taco truck located outside of Chopper. This truck is owned by Julio Hernandez — a James Beard semifinalist – and serves up the best birria tacos in all of Nashville. You can’t miss this one!

For Music Lovers

If you’re a fan of live tunes, legendary venues, and the rich history of country, blues, and rock, you’re in for a treat. Here are some must-see spots to check out while you’re here:

  • Country Music Hall of Fame – Dive deep into the history of country music with exhibits featuring iconic artists, instruments, and even Elvis’s gold Cadillac.

  • Grand Ole Opry – A Nashville staple, the Opry is where country music legends are made. Catch a show and experience the magic of live performances from both iconic artists and rising stars.

  • Ryman Auditorium – Known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the Ryman offers incredible acoustics and a storied history. Even if you can’t make it to a concert, take a daytime tour to soak up its rich musical legacy.

  • The Bluebird Café – An intimate spot where famous singer-songwriters like Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks got their start. Reservations are a must!

  • Johnny Cash Museum – Get an up-close look at The Man in Black’s life and legacy.