Nashville hasn’t become the hot spot for weekend getaways, bachelorette parties, and musical tourism for nothing. It is hopping with restaurants, shops, sports, concert halls-everything you need in a small sized city to have a full, non-stop trip. I have always loved visiting Nashville, and the combo of having our beautiful editor, Anna McCarthy, and my little brother attend school there over the years has led to countless trips. Here are some restaurant suggestions for your swinging trip to the city of music...
Adele's
1210 McGavock St, Nashville, TN 37203
Opened inside an old warehouse, the atmosphere here immediately caught my attention. The inside is airy and absolutely beautiful. There is a ton of space in this restaurant, which makes it feel casual and easy, even when fully booked. With a small but mighty menu, it was the perfect location to bring my parents for a nice but casual lunch during their visit.
What we ate: Steak Salad, Crispy Trout, JW Potatoes, Diskin 'Bob's Your Uncle' Cider
Henrietta Red
1200 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Henrietta Red is one of my favorite spots in Nashville. Its open and gorgeous interior is perfect for a weekend brunch or sunny lunch. We grabbed a breakfast sandwich, shrimp roll, biscuits, fries, and brunch cocktails. Perfectly southern sweet.
PS they have an excellent raw bar menu!
Edley's Bar-B-Que
2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
You can’t visit Nashville without eating your weight in barbeque. Or at least, I can’t. Although there are so many options and everyone will suggest a better or more authentic spot “in their opinion,” Edley’s Bar-B-Que is tried and true. It is a quick, find-your-own-seating establishment, which is great for a big group of people trying to get their bbq fill. All the sides are delicious, so come with an empty stomach and full heart.
What we ate: Pork Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, Fries, Banana Pudding, Fried Pickles, Cornbread, Cole Slaw
Frothy Monkey
Various Locations
Frothy Monkey is a notorious fan favorite for those visiting Nashville. So much so, that they've started to spread - most recently into the up-and-coming neighborhood 'The Nations.’ The interior is wooden and cozy and the exterior deck is full of comfy outdoor seating. I always visit Frothy Monkey when I am in town for the weekend. You can stop by for a casual lunch/dinner too; the menu is full of sandwiches and salads that are fresh, creative, and delicious. I suggest any of their specialty drinks, and maybe stop by their shop to grab some house-made syrups for your home brew!
What we ate: Rosemary Honey Latte, Havana Latte, Betsy Sandwich, Lucy Salad, Charcuterie Board
Proper Bagel
2011 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
Proper Bagel is small and bustling, but for good reason. A common spot for Belmont students, this bagel shop has a wide variety of delicious bagels and cream cheeses, making it easy, to find your own “favorite.” I went with my brother, who always gets the sesame bagel with the lavender cream cheese. In addition, they have a large selection of breakfast sandwiches topped with avocado, cheeses, meats, and toasts. Don’t hesitate to bring a non-bagel-loving friend either, they offer some waffles, salads, regular sandwiches, and granola options as well.
What we ate: Avocado & Egg Bagel Sandwich, Lavender Cream Cheese on a Sesame Bagel
Pinewood Social
33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
Pinewood Social is an excellent stop for some food and fun. With an eclectic menu and bar, you can sit down and share dishes with friends in the full but comfy environment. Then, you can head over to the indoor bowling alley to truly test your three-drinks-in bowling skills. It is a perfect choice if you want some activities and competition to spice up a date or group outing! There are also quite a few good spots to grab a coffee and get some afternoon work done.
What we ate: Fried Broccoli, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, BLT+A, Turkey + Brie, Ricotta Donuts, ALL the specialty cocktails
Yazoo Brewing Company
910 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
Not exactly a food spot, but a great stop if you love some brews and spending time with friends. There is plenty of space for groups of all sizes, so feel free to bring friends and enjoy. Highly recommend the flights! And make sure to bring some cards.
Barista Parlor
610 Magazine St, Nashville, TN 37203
An open and fun stop for coffee, Barista Parlor can be a great stop for anything from a coffee date to a place to hunker down and study. Taking pride in pure coffee and fresh style, don’t expect a large food menu, but do expect some great drink options. And if the clean and bright interior, big windows, and industrial feel are a perfect fit, be sure to explore their other locations, which are equally beautiful.
What we ate: Coffee Soda, BP x Milkshake, Clockwork Orange Smoothie
Fido
1812 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
Another fan favorite, made possible by its celebrity guest appearances, Fido is a large and popular coffee shop slash restaurant. It always has seasonal drinks that are fun to try -- during halloween I tried their “Sleepy Hollow Seasonal PSL” which was your typical pumpkin spice latte with a few spices and kicks that made it uniquely delicious. They also have a large menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that allow you to stay for hours if you should choose to (but be wary, they’re known to turn off their WiFi during a mealtime rush, so if you’re planning on hunkering down for awhile you may need to take a real break when it’s time to eat). Another hard-to-resist addition: a full delicious display of pastries and desserts. You will want to try it all.
What we ate: Seasonal Drinks, Local Latte, Sweet Potato French Toast, Hangover Bagel Sandwich, Fries with homemade Aioli, Pink Radio Cake
Taqueria del Sol
2317 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Another easy and always delicious spot. Taqueria del Sol is great as a stop-by lunch spot or a night out with friends. With excellent margaritas and taco options, this affordable and delicious spot has outdoor seating and an open-air feel.
What we ate: Memphis Taco, Fried Chicken Taco, Guacamole, Cheese Dip, House Margaritas
Southern Grist Brewing Co.
Urban Grub
2506 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
We picked Urban Grub out for a large group gathering for my brothers graduation and it exceeded all expectations. If you have the opportunity to request the “Gazebo” space, I highly suggest it. Located outside and attached to the patio, the Gazebo is a round covered table with a fire pit in the center, perfect for a large group celebration. We started with wine and a Charcuterie Platter, followed by Steaks, Lamb Chops, Pork Chops, Macaroni, Asparagus, Potatoes, and last but definitely not least, Banana Pudding Pie and Homemade Ice Cream. We ate and had a wonderful time, the waitress was wonderful, I highly recommend this spot!
What we ate: Basically everything. Highly suggest trying multiple cocktails, the Steak, Macaroni, and Loaded Potatoes
Husk
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
731 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
I love Pharmacy Burger. Truly one of my favorites in Nashville. Imagine a menu full of creative burgers of every variety, paired with excellent outdoor seating and an easy-going, trendy vibe. If the weather permits, definitely sit outside and enjoy the stringed lighting with beers and friends. You will leave stuffed and happy, trust me.
What we ate: Farm Burger, Mission City Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, Tater Tots
Jackalope Brewery
The Loveless Cafe
8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221
The Loveless Cafe is a tourist destination for a reason. I have friends that will drive through Nashville just to make a stop here. It’s classic, it’s always delicious, and it provides all the eggs and bacon to fulfill your Ron Swanson dreams. Now expanded into additional markets and shops, the original home stands and is packed with people ready for their fill of southern food. Although it's a little bit of a drive out of Nashville, it's well worth the stop, especially if you're traveling with kids.
What we ate: Breakfast Platter filled with biscuits, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes.
404 Kitchen
& Gertie's Whiskey Bar
Tons of Tennessee Whiskey selections!
Gabby's Burgers & Fries
493 Humphreys St, Nashville, TN 3720
Like Loveless, I would consider Gabby’s a local, family-owned, and lovable establishment. Unlike Loveless, you might not see the touristy crowd knowing that this is the best stop for a greasy (like, unbelievably greasy), well-made burger. It is a small space packed with people ready to devour a meal that may send them into a food coma. I definitely suggest this spot if you care less about aesthetic and more about grabbing the good stuff.
What we ate: Gabby Burger, Fries, Chocolate Shake
Attaboy
Cocktail Bar
No menu- just say what you love and they create a drink just for you!
Butcher & Bee
Hattie B's
Multiple Locations
Definitely stop by Hattie B's if you want to get some good, southern, Nashville chicken. It is an easy, fast-casual restaurant that you can stop by with a group or grab something to go. Famous for their variety is hotness, if you really want to test your pallet, go ahead and try to "Shut the Cluck Up!" level. That being said, even the second "Mild" level of their chicken was hot for some people in our party, so be wary!
What we ate: Chicken Tenders and Pimento Mac & Cheese
Poindexter
Located at Graduate Hotel, Poindexter Coffee is an adorable open cafe with an excellent eclectic interior. We swung by multiple times for coffee, and listened to some live music while we planned our day. They also have a lot of space to work and chat, I saw more than one book club and bachelorette party getting together around couches.
Marsh House
401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Located in the Thompson Hotel, this is another restaurant in the Gulch that is easy to get to and absolutely gorgeous. Specializing in seafood and apparently huge portions, we took advantage of the mimosa and bloody mary menu before starting multiple rounds of delicious eating. The table shared the Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll and Banana "Crunch Cake" Doughnut before moving on to our main courses. I ate the Catfish Sandwich, expecting to only finish half but continuing on to clean my plate. The marble, turquoise, and gold colors of the restaurant were beautiful in the morning, and made it another great spot to bring a large group for a nice but affordable meal together. PS. although I didn’t get to visit myself, I hear the rooftop bar is absolutely gorgeous- make sure to take a peak if it’s open!
What we ate: Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll, Banana "Crunch Cake" Doughnut, Catfish Sandwich, Crispy Breakfast Potatoes, Marsh House Omelette, Bloody Mary’s, and Pineapple Mimosas
Fat Bottom Brewing Co.
Any other suggestions? Let me know!
Written by Emi Lungmus
Edited by Anna McCarthy
Photos by Emi Lungmus
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