These are my
Nashville Favs
Howdy! I’m Kelsey! I’m a graphic designer, not a travel agent, but I’d love to tell you what the locals love. I’ve called Nashville home for over eight years and love exploring the city’s best food and fun. Here’s my guide with all my recommendations for exploring Music City. Do you have somewhere I should try? Did you hate one of my recommendations? Let me know!
Food
Burger Up
12 SOUTH • 2901 12TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37204
Get the truffle fries and try the homemade ketchup and aioli.
Chauhan Ale & Masala House
MIDTOWN/GULCH • 123 12TH AVE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37203
From celebrity chef, Maneet Chauhan. Fancy-ish Indian food with a modern twist. Get the tandoori chicken poutine, hot chicken pakoras, and a reservation.
Daddy's Dogs
WEST NASHVILLE • 5205 CENTENNIAL BLVD, NASHVILLE, TN 37209
Great hot dogs, cool design. A great follow on Instagram.
Fenwick's 300
8TH AVENUE • 2600 8TH AVE S #103, NASHVILLE, TN 37204
Trust me, get the breakfast rice bowl. Or the Melrose bagel.
Five Points Pizza
EAST NASHVILLE • 1012 WOODLAND ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
WEST NASHVILLE • 4100 CHARLOTTE AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37209
Pinky Ring Pizza
MADISON • 414 GALLATIN PIKE S, MADISON, TN 37115
My new favorite pizza spot. THEY HAVE PICKLE PIZZA. The design is so good too.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS NASHVILLE AND FRANKLIN
Brambleberry crisp 4ever.
Mas Tacos Por Favor
EAST NASHVILLE • 732 MCFERRIN AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
Taco truck turned taco stand. Speaking of stand(ing), there’s usually a line. Get the fried avocado taco and tortilla soup.
M.L.Rose
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS NASHVILLE
Mockingbird
MIDTOWN/GULCH • 121 12TH AVE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37203
Fancy-ish around-the-world food. Get the tatchos, adult Capri Sun, and a reservation.
Rosepepper Cantina
EAST NASHVILLE • 1907 EASTLAND AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
Pelican & Pig
EAST NASHVILLE • 1010 GALLATIN AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
Our favorite date night spot. Everything on the rotating menu hits the woodfired grill. Best pork chop and steak frites. Get a reservation.
Nectar Urban Cantina
Donelson • 206 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214
Nectar is the best place to eat outside and take your kids. They have a fenced in backyard eating area with a playground and live music! You can sip your margarita and eat your plantains while you let your child run wild.
Pinewood
DOWNTOWN ADJACENT • 33 PEABODY ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37210
Bowling and cool vibes. Get the fried chicken. Fun fact: My husband and I had our first date here.
Stay Golden
BERRY HILL • 2934 SIDCO DR #130, NASHVILLE, TN 37204
Our go-to brunch spot. Great coffee and food.
Coffee
Crema Coffee Roasters
DOWNTOWN ADJACENT • 15 HERMITAGE AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37210
Get the iced latte and a ham & cheese croissant.
Nectar Urban Cantina
DONELSON • 206 MCGAVOCK PK, NASHVILLE, TN 37214
Where I end up getting coffee from most of the time because it’s close to home. They serve Sky Bear Coffee, a great local roaster. Grab an overnight oat bowl while you’re there too.
Libations
Rare Bird
DOWNTOWN • 200 4TH AVE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37219
Great city views from the rooftop of the Noelle Hotel.
Hidden Bar
DOWNTOWN • 200 4TH AVE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37219
Enter through a storage room door to this hidden bar in the basement of the Noelle Hotel.
Urban Cowboy Public House
EAST NASHVILLE • 1603 WOODLAND ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
There’s an outdoor bar area, but go in the hotel lobby for cool vibes and probably live music.
Pearl Diver
EAST NASHVILLE • 1008 GALLATIN AVE, NASHVILLE, TN 37206
Awesome tiki bar. Get the Banana Banana!
The Fox Cocktail Bar
EAST NASHVILLE • 2905B GALLATIN PIKE, NASHVILLE, TN 37216
1920s cocktail bar. Best happy hour old fashioned.
Bar Sovereign
DOWNTOWN ADJACENT • 514 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
Feels like you’re in a Rudyard Kipling book.
Skull's Rainbow Room
DOWNTOWN • 222 PRINTERS ALLEY, NASHVILLE, TN 37201
Best Manhattan and jazz.
Jackalope
WEDGEWOOD-HOUSTON • 429B HOUSTON ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37203
My fav brewery. Female-founded and delicious.
Things To Do
The Parthenon
See Athena and have a walk around the park.
Country Music Hall of Fame
Check out the long history of music in Nashville.
Tour the Ryman
See the Mother Church of Country.
The Frist Art Museum
The building itself is as beautiful as the art inside.
Ms. Kelli’s Karaoke
The best dive bar. $2 Jell-O shots.
Santa's Pub
Sing karaoke in a triple-wide trailer. Cash only.
5th and Broadway
Food hall and shopping downtown.
Nashville Mural Tour
There’s great art all over the city. Get dressed up and strike a pose.
Robert's Western World
The BEST place on Broadway. Live classic country music. Get the Recession Special—$6 for a PBR, fried bologna sandwich, and a Moon Pie.
Live Music & Comedy
Check out these venues for great shows and entertainment.
Shopping
Pre to Post Modern
Retro, eclectic
Restoration Hardware
Expensive but impressive store
Buffalo Exchange
Higher-end thrift store
Lizard Thicket
Boutique
Nisolo
Nice, ethically-made leather shoes
Able
Ethical fashion
Project 615
Nashville t-shirts
TenThirtyFive
Upscale thrift that exists to allow women in need to shop for free
Glen & Effie
Jewelry brand by my friend Brooke known for its timeless blend of antique and modern influences