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 and 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

Get a slice of prosciutto and basil pizza.

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

Great burgers and a good selection of craft beer.

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.

Nada

Midtown • 202 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Excellent high-end tacos. Get the potatoes, cauliflower taco, and mezcal margarita.

Rosepepper Cantina

East Nashville • 1907 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

I’m not exaggerating when I say they have THE BEST queso and margaritas in town.

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.

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.

Urban Grub

12 South • 2506 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Fancier food. Get the pork chop and a charcuterie board.

Stay Golden

Berry Hill • 2934 Sidco Dr #130, Nashville, TN 37204

Our go-to brunch spot. Great coffee and food.

Assembly Food Hall

Downtown • 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Go on a weeknight, so many great Nashville local spots in one place! Parking is below the place.

Hunter’s Station

East Nashville • 975 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206

Another food hall that’s v good when your friends are all craving different things.

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.

Drinks

Rare Bird on Noelle Hotel Rooftop

Downtown • 200 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219

Great city views and cocktails on tap.

Hidden Bar in Noelle Hotel Basement

Downtown • 200 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219

Enter through a storage room door.

Urban Cowboy Public House

East Nashville • 1603 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

Go in the hotel lobby for cool vibes.

Pearl Diver

East Nashville • 1008 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Awesome tiki bar. Get the Banana Banana!

The Fox

East Nashville • 2905B Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

1920s cocktail bar. Best happy hour old fashioneds.

Attaboy

East Nashville • 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Speakeasy with custom cocktails they make for you after asking what you like.

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. Woman-owned 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.

Pins Mechanical

Duckpin bowling, yard games, arcade games.

5th and Broadway

Food hall and shopping

HQ Beercade

Free arcade games.

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.

Show Venues

Analog at the Hutton Hotel

The Back Corner

Grand Ole Opry

The Ryman

3rd and Lindsley

Zanies Comedy

Skull's Rainbow Room

Shops

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 young women to shop for free

Glen & Effie

Jewelry brand by my friend Brooke known for its timeless blend of antique and modern influences

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