Buttermilk Ranch
One of the newest additions to the 12 South neighborhood is Buttermilk Ranch, an all-day eatery serving breakfast, lunch, pastries, coffee, and cocktails in a bright and lively setting.
One of the newest additions to the 12 South neighborhood is Buttermilk Ranch, an all-day eatery serving breakfast, lunch, pastries, coffee, and cocktails in a bright and lively setting. Order at the counter for take-out or put your name in with the host stand for full service. On the weekend, join the waitlist online and do some shopping nearby while you wait for your table to be ready. Their full-service menu is extensive and includes things like pancakes, biscuits and gravy, flaky croissants, salads, grit bowls, and gluten free options too! The only downside? They’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The “Soft Scramble & Croissant” | $16
Website
Hours
Bakery & Counter Service
Wednesday–Sunday | 8am–4pm
Full Service Dining Room
Wednesday–Sunday | 8am–2pm
Location
Urban Grub
Urban Grub in 12 South is a classic, tried-and-true favorite of ours. Great for a romantic dinner or a fun brunch with the girls.
Urban Grub in 12 South is a classic, tried-and-true favorite of ours. Great for a romantic dinner or a fun brunch with the girls. No matter when you decide to go, be sure to make reservations. For dinner, definitely start with a charcuterie board and a cocktail. The Filet Mignon, Stone Oven Mac & Cheese, and the Shrimp & Grits are some of my favorite dinner items. For brunch, go with the sweet and savory Chicken & Waffles or one of the many Benedict options. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11-3.
Chicken & Waffles… our favorite item on the brunch menu.
Romantic dinners always end with dessert. This is the Mocha Ice Cream with a side of seasonal syrup.
website
hours
Tuesday–Friday
4pm–10pm
Saturday & Sunday
11am–10pm
(Brunch til 3pm)
address
2506 12th Ave S. Nashville, TN 37204
Ladybird Taco
Located in the bustling neighborhood of 12 South, Ladybird Taco is a wonderful place to go for some breakfast tacos, which are only $3.50 each.
Located in the bustling neighborhood of 12 South, Ladybird Taco is a wonderful place to go for some breakfast tacos, which are only $3.50 each. Choose from chorizo or bacon (paired with eggs and cheese of course), or go vegetarian/vegan with avocado and potato tacos. For lunch pick from house made brisket, salsa verde chicken, carnitas, or the cauliflower taco. Order it to-go online, or order at the counter to dine-in. If the weather’s nice, snag a table on their adorabl outdoor patio.
The #4 Breakfast Taco: Chorizo, egg, and cheese (I subbed corn tortillas). Paired with an Iced Coffee with Almond Milk.
The #1 Breakfast Taco: Bacon, egg, and cheese taco on a flour tortilla.
bartaco
It seems like there are always people gathered around outside waiting for a table at Bar Taco; while I like visiting more small, local businesses, I can’t deny that this place is fun!
bartaco, with locations in a dozen states, is one of the most popular restaurants in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville. It seems like there are always people gathered around outside waiting for a table. They do not take reservations, but you can call ahead or use their app to put your name on the waiting list. May I suggest grabbing a beer to-go at The Filling Station while you wait? I like their Baja fish tacos, brown rice, and margaritas (or their Paloma cocktail is really good, too). I also like that they have gluten free options, like the ahi tuna bibb lettuce tacos, pictured below. On nice weather days, they have a great outdoor patio, and even on cold weather days, it’s still available with heaters.
The “tuna tatako”: ahi tuna and asian slaw on bibb lettuce with a side of brown rice paired with a margarita.
website
Hours
Sun-Thurs: 11am - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am - 11pm
address
2526 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN
Embers Ski Lodge
One of my favorite bars, this place is decorated like a ski lodge and makes you feel cozy and warm.
One of my favorite bars, this place is decorated like a ski lodge and makes you feel cozy and warm. But when the weather’s nice, there’s also a big outdoor seating area where you can watch the people walk by. It’s a lively joint, where young locals like to hang out. We love their drink specials (just ask and they’ll let you know what they are), especially their list of “a beer and a shot” combos. They also have food in case you’re hungry. It’s right in the middle the 12 South action and walkable to a ton of other bars and restaurants. My husband and I go here so much that the bartenders may know our names… oops.
MENU: CLICK HERE
Hours
*As of right now, check website for updates due to COVID-19
Monday- 3pm-12am
Tuesday-Thursday- 11am-12am
Friday and Saturday- 11am-2am
Sunday- 11am-12am
The kitchen hours are now as follows…
Monday- 3pm-10pm
Tuesday-Thursday- 11am-10pm
Friday and Saturday- 11am-11pm
Sunday- 11am-10pm
Location
2410 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Burger Up
You might think I’m weird but this is my favorite thing form Burger up in 12 South… the kale salad topped with a quinoa burger. Delicious!
Took a break last night from cooking and ordered take-out for dinner from Burger Up in 12 South. I got the kale salad topped with a quinoa burger. It was delicious! Due to COVID, they also do cocktails/beer/wine to-go, so I ordered a Negroni and it came in the cutest little bottle with instructions on how to serve it. I love this city.
The Filling Station
The Filling Station is a small, local beer store in 12 South that also sells draft beer!
The Filling Station is a small, local beer store in 12 South; they sell six packs and individual bottles/cans plus draft beer that you can sit down and drink inside or outside on their cute patio. You can even take your cup of beer to-go… so cool! Just be sure to drink it off the property and buy a snack to go with it… it’s TN law. We like taking our to-go beers and going for a stroll through the pretty neighborhood.
P.S. They have their own parking lot; if you’re looking at the entrance, it’s located to the right. Super convenient! They card everyone, so don’t forget your ID.
Me and a Tree
Our boys enjoying their beers outside
MENU: CLICK HERE
Hours
12 South Location
Sunday – Thursday: 11AM-10PM
Friday and Saturday: 11AM – 11PM
1118 Halcyon Ave Nashville, TN 37204
East Nashville Location
Monday and Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday and Thursday: 11AM – 10PM
Friday and Saturday: 11AM – 11PM
Sunday: 11AM-10PM
904B Main Street Nashville, TN 37206
Frothy Monkey (12 South Location)
This place has awesome coffee, breakfast food is served until 5pm, and they have a huge selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, bagels, omelettes, desserts, and more.
One of my favorite coffee shops in Nashville, if not my favorite coffee shop in Nashville, is Frothy Monkey. They have multiple locations, with the smallest, coziest, and busiest being in 12 South. This place has awesome coffee and specialty lattes, breakfast food is served until 5pm, and they have a huge selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, bagels, omelettes, desserts, and more.
During peak days/hours, the 12 South location is slammed and you can expect a wait; put your name in, and do some shopping in the neighborhood. They’ll text you when your table is ready.
The Grit Bowl: smoked cheddar cheese grits with chilled prosciutto, arugula, house-pickled okra, and dijon sour cream
MENU: CLICK HERE
Hours
Daily, 7am-8pm
Locations:
12 South
2509 12th ave. south
nashville, tn 37204
Downtown Nashville
avenue of the arts
235 5th ave north
nashville, tn 37219
The Nations (this one is huge)
1400 51st Ave N
Nashville, TN 37209
East Nashville
1701 fatherland ave
nashville, tn 37206
Franklin
Mafiaoza's Pizzeria & Neighborhood Pub
If you ever find yourself in Nashville in need of the best pizza you’ve ever tasted, head on down to Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria in 12 South for some authentic New York slices.
If you ever find yourself in Nashville in need of some delicious pizza, head on down to Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria in 12 South for some authentic New York slices. Beware… the crust is sweet. My husband and I love it, but it’s not for everyone! For an appetizer, try the Cheese Bread (The Tony) or the Fried Ravioli Sticks!
Why I love Mafiaoza’s:
The pizza is ALWAYS good!
Even on crowded days, they can usually seat you right away.
They have a wonderful, large outdoor patio.
They are located in 12 south which is close to other restaurants, shopping, and bars. I recommend going to Embers for a drink before dinner or a night cap after ;)
Pictured above is The Godfather Pizza: Brooklyn pepperoni, MOFF mozzarella, and Pecorino. I love pairing it with an Aperol Spritz or 2-4-1 Drafts during Happy Hour.
website
hours
Monday - Closed
Tues-Thurs: 4pm-10pm
Friday: 4pm-10:30pm
Saturday: 12pm-10:30pm
Sunday: 12pm - 10pm
Happy Hour:
Two-For-One Drafts Wednesday - Friday 4pm-7pm;
Two-For-One Drafts and Bottled Beers: Sunday all day & night: 2 for 1 Beers
address
2400 12th Ave S Nashville, TN 37204
Five Daughters Bakery
If you’re looking for something sweet, Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville is the place to go.
If you’re looking for something sweet, Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville is the place to go. This insta pic worthy bakery (cute colors, signs, and designs everywhere!) sells out of their sweet treats EVERY DAY. It’s that good.
Why I love Five Daughters Bakery:
There is literally not a person who doesn’t love FDB
From their website: “No chemical preservatives. No genetically modified organisms. No hydrogenated oils. No soy. No artificial colors or flavors. Our treats are made daily from scratch, sourcing locally and fresh, from our family to yours.”
They make Paleo and Vegan donuts, too! I mean!!!!! It doesn’t get better than that y’all.
*Keep in mind: We came in close to closing and were lucky to snag one of the six donuts that were left on this Friday date night after dinner. Don’t go too late at night or you will be out of luck!
If you visit Nashville, this place has to be on your list! They have two locations in Nashville, by the way: 12 South and East Nashville. My husband and I enjoy the 12 South location, because we grab some pizza at Mafiaoza’s right next door beforehand, because pizza + donuts = the best date night ever.
Seasonal Doughnuts are the best! For fall they have “Pumpkin Spice Latte” flavor!
MENU: CLICK HERE
Hours &
Location
-12 South Location: 1110 Caruthers Ave, Nashville, TN 37204
Monday - Friday: 7am - 10pm (or till sold out)
Saturday - Sunday: 8am - 10pm (or till sold out)
-East Nashville Location: 1900 Eastland Ave Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37206
Monday - Friday: 7am - 10pm (or till sold out)
Saturday - Sunday: 8am - 10pm (or till sold out)
12 South Location