Berry Hill
Berry Hill is a local neighborhood with chain restaurants and stores like Wal-mart and PetSmart. Among the big names are some awesome local hidden gems.
Berry Hill is flooded with chain restaurants and stores like Wal-mart and PetSmart. Among the big names are some awesome local hidden gems.
Distance from Downtown: 6 miles/14-min drive
The Vibe: Busy shopping area for locals with a few hidden gem bars and coffee shops.
Folk
This cozy Italian spot is great for a date night or an intimate night out with friends.
Folk’s menu is divided into four categories: snacks, vegetables/fruit, seafood/meat, and pizza. We love trying our luck at the bar which is first come, first served. Otherwise, it’d be wise to make reservations. This spot is great for a date night or an intimate night out with friends. Call us basic, but we like the Tomato Mozzarella pizza with a side of the herb yogurt ranch.
Local’s Tip: Really impress your date or your friends and hit up Attaboy before or after for a fancy cocktail in one of Nashville’s coolest bars, located just a mile and half from Folk.
website
location
823 Meridian Street Nashville, Tennessee
hours
Thurs-Mon: 5-10pm
Closed Tuesday + Wednesday
Restoration Hardware Cafe
This beautiful cafe is located in a furniture store!
This beautiful cafe is located in a furniture store! Weird, right? It is a hidden gem, located beside the Green Hills Mall. The inside is stunning; probably the most Instagram-worthy spot in Nashville: chandeliers, trees, and a water fountain… this place is fancy.
I highly recommend making reservations as soon as possible, because it books up quickly. Their dinner is great, but I love their brunch the best; the natural light flowing in from the glass ceilings is perfect for photos. Come dressed in your cutest outfit! Before or after brunch, do some shopping at the Green Hills Mall (or in Restoration Hardware!), book an appointment at the Bella E Famosa Spa nearby, or hit up the Greenhouse Bar just down the road.
The Stillery
Ah, The Stillery. One of my standbys. You can always be sure you’ll have good food, good service, and a good time at either location.
Ah, The Stillery. One of my standbys. You can always be sure you’ll have good food, good service, and a good time at either location. Speaking of location, there are two: one downtown and one in midtown. Let’s go over the differences and similarities of each.
Downtown Location:
Right beside the Honky Tonks and tourist attractions
Make reservations
Live music upstairs on Friday & Saturday (request this in your reservation notes if you’d like to hear live music)
No brunch
Midtown Location:
In its own fun neighborhood near other bars and restaurants but a mile from the Honky Tonks
First come, first served
Brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Live music on Saturday, sometimes on Friday
As for the food, you can’t go wrong with anything. I love the soft pretzels, cheese bread, the Strawberry Gorgonzola salad, and my husband loves the pizzas.
website
downtown location & hours
113 2nd Ave N Nashville, TN 37201
Sun: 11 am - 10 pm
Mon: 11 am - 10 pm
Tue: 11 am - 10 pm
Wed: 11 am - 10 pm
Thu: 11 am - 10 pm
Fri: 11 am - 11 pm
Sat: 11 am - 11 pm
midtown location & hours
1921 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203
Sun: 10 am - 10 pm
Mon: 11 am - 10 pm
Tue: 11 am - 10 pm
Wed: 11 am - 10 pm
Thu: 11 am - 10 pm
Fri: 11 am - 11 pm
Sat: 10 am - 11 pm
Sat / Sun Brunch: 10-3, midtown location only
Harding House Brewing
I love the vibe at Harding House Brewing, and the beer is fantastic too. Bring your dog and chill at the picnic tables on their deck, or hang out in the airy, industrial indoor/outdoor space.
I love the vibe at Harding House Brewing, and the beer is fantastic too. Bring your dog and chill at the picnic tables on their deck, or hang out in the airy, industrial indoor/outdoor space. They don’t have food, but check their instagram for food truck announcements, or head down the road to Nicky’s Coal Fired, Midnight Oil, or Bringles Smoking Oasis for dinner afterwards. And don’t miss their 2-4-1 Tuesday draft-beer special!
Smith & Lentz Brewing
My grandma says beer and pizza is the best combination, and I don't disagree with her. Smith & Lentz Brewing in East Nashville is such a great spot to go with friends to satisfy this craving.
My grandma says beer and pizza is the best combination, and I don't disagree with her. Smith & Lentz Brewing in East Nashville is such a great spot to go with friends to satisfy this craving. I am really impressed with the taste of both their beer and ‘za… it’s really, really good! Please don’t tell too many people about this place… I selfishly want to keep it on the down low! Seating here is first come, first served; don’t be surprised if it’s crowded on the weekend.
hours
M-Fri: 3p-10p
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10p
address
903 Main St.
Nashville, TN 37206
Superica
In the mood for some amazing Tex-Mex in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods? Superica is the place! Great for a date night or a girls’ night out.
In the mood for some amazing Tex-Mex in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods? Superica is the place! The vibe here is somewhat upscale and fun but not “wild”. They have an adorable inside as well as the cutest outdoor patio (with a ping pong table!) You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu; every single food item and cocktail is made to perfection.
Local’s tip: They don’t take reservations and there’s usually a wait, BUT you can join the waitlist online on their website (awesome!) and go get a drink nearby while you wait (L.A. Jackson rooftop or The Pub would be my choice)! Or, go straight to the bar where seating is first come, first served.
Local’s tip #2: I always recommend taking an Uber/Lyft, especially if you’re drinking. The Gulch and neighborhoods close to downtown are busy during the weekends. However, if you do drive, park in the parking garage located right beside Superica. This parking garage is lesser known and never as crowded. You pay by downloading an App. It’s really easy!
Local’s tip #3: Order the “Bridal Party Shot”. It’s not on the menu and your server will have to find the bartender who knows how to make it. It’s a delicious, semi-sweet “shooter” shot that will take your night out to the next level!
Cheese enchiladas with rice and beans and an “O.G. Margarita”.
website
hours
MON – THU: 4:30 – 10 PM
FRI – SUN: 5 – 10 PM
Brunch
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS : 10 am 3 pm
address
605 Overton St.
Nashville TN 37203
Wedgewood-Houston
We-Ho is quickly developing and lots of cool bars and distilleries are popping up here!
We-Ho is quickly developing and lots of cool bars and distilleries are popping up here!
Distance from Downtown: 2.5 miles/10-min drive
The Vibe: Hipster, local, cool. No bachelorette parties in pink cowboy boots here.
Historic Place to Eat
Loveless Cafe is famous in Nashville; it’s been serving up old fashioned southern cookin’ for 65 years!
Loveless Cafe is famous in Nashville; it’s been serving up old fashioned southern cookin’ for 65 years! It all began with Lon and Annie Loveless, who served biscuits and fried chicken to wary travelers on Highway 100 out of their home. When word traveled about their delicious meals, they became so popular that they turned their house into a restaurant and built a motel to accommodate their guests. And the rest is history.
A local’s tip: At peak times and days expect to chill on the front porch for a while. The best non-peak times to visit are a non-holiday, Wednesday or Thursday between 8:00 am – 9:00 am or 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Also keep in mind that because it’s located on Highway 100, it’s a little bit of a drive but totally worth it!
Eggs, bacon, and grits
Biscuits with homemade preserves
You’ll feel like you’re back in time at Loveless Cafe.
Geist
Geist in Germantown is a great spot to get brunch with the girls or a romantic dinner option.
Geist in Germantown is a great spot to get brunch with the girls or a romantic dinner option. Request to sit on the covered patio “the champagne garden” next to the fireplace or in the chic, brick interior space. This place is perfect for getting a pretty Instagram photo and chowing down on some quality food and drinks. Reservations recommended. Oh, and be sure to check out the bathroom! I love the ~ vibe ~ in there.
A Local’s Tip: If you want to keep the brunch party going, walk to Von Elrod’s beer garden afterwards and get a B.A.M. (Big Ass Mimosa) and a soft pretzel (if you sit in the uncovered beer garden you must order from the bar… there’s no table service out there).
Brunch at Geist is always a good idea!
Biscuits & Gravy
“Coffee & Donuts”: house beignets, coffee pot de creme, & cocoa whip
website
hours
Mon: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri: 5-11pm
Sat: 10am-11pm
Sun: 10am-10pm
address
311 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208
Frozen Drinks
I love Nashville, but woah, can summer be brutal! Luckily, there are boozy frozen drinks to get us through. In this post, I list my favorite spots to grab a freezing cold cocktail.
I love Nashville, but woah, can summer be brutal! Luckily, there are boozy frozen drinks to get us through. Below, I’m listing my favorite spots to grab a freezing cold cocktail.
L.A. Jackson
The Gulch
The frozé here might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s made with still rosé, strawberry, and lime for $13. It’s expensive because it comes with a rooftop view and a rooftop breeze! If you’re hungry, the double cheeseburger will rock your world.
Jacqueline at The Optimist
East Germantown
The Optimist’s outdoor bar, Jacqueline, has several frozen drinks to choose from, my favorite being the Frozen Hurricane. I like it because it’s strong, the perfect texture, and of course it’s freezing cold! The cocktails are only $8-$9, and you can get a beer for only $5. If you’re hungry, get some ceviche to share or order the Lobster Roll Slider (SO GOOD, and it comes with fries) for a substantial meal. You can grab drinks before your reservation at The Optimist (amazing seafood) or just eat and drink outside from their limited menu if you didn’t make reservations.
The Frozen Hurricane (left) and the “Sunny Sloth” (right).
The best lobster roll slider in the city in my opinion!
Rosemary & Beauty Queen
East Nashville
If you’re up for a little adventure, make the short 10-minute drive from downtown to East Nashville to check out Rosemary & Beauty Queen. It’s a bar in a house! They have two frozen drinks to choose from: the Strawberry Daiquiri or the Pimm’s Cup. You can get a mini for $7 or a regular for $14. Check out the back patio where you can sit on swings! They also have food like chips & queso, crunchwraps, and nachos. And they have shot specials, too! How fun.
You’ll be wondering if you’re at the right spot because there’s no obvious sign!
I ordered the Strawberry Daiquiri and it hit the spot!
Sixty Vines
Downtown
Sixty Vines has two frozen cocktails options: the Frozé (pictured below), made with rosé and strawberries, and the Blackberry Bramble made with vodka, blackberry liqueur, lemon, and simple syrup. These pair perfectly with their weekend brunch (Sat. & Sun., 10am-3pm) menu! Reservations are recommended for drinking and/or eating.
Von Elrod’s
Germantown
If you’re with a big group, or your dog, head to Von Elrod’s spacious beer garden for a huge beer or choose from their two frozen drinks: a Frozen Paloma or a “Cold Fashioned”. Order a soft pretzel or check out their delicious brunch (10am-2pm), which is now served on Friday as well! They don’t take reservations, but you can call ahead 30 minutes prior to your arrive to get on the wait list (615-866-1620) during peak days (like the weekend). For larger parties of over 25 guests, contact their events team at events@vonelrods.com.
There you have it! My favorite places to grab a frozen drink in Nashville. Check them out, and let me know what you think!
Chopper
Ever had a TIki drink that was on fire? If you haven’t, you might want to check this place out!
Chopper: an unassuming Tiki Bar located between some other shops in East Nashville. But once you walk in, you're transported to another place and time. Their decor changes with each season, so you never know what you’re going to get. The last time I went it was Star Wars themed: your drinks served in Yoda tiki mugs, and Star Wars memorabilia everywhere along with all the Hawaiian themed stuff. We had a great time trying all the tropical flavored drink, most of which come in Tikis, so make sure to get a photo! One of the cocktails even comes on fire (the Robo Zombie)… which is, of course, the one I ordered ;).
A Local’s Tip: Do an East Nashville Tropical Drink Tour… Go to Hawker’s first (drink and an App), then go to Chopper (drink and app), then end at Pearl Diver (drink and app!). Make sure you walk or Uber, obviously!
website
hours
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | 4PM - 11PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY | 4PM - 12AM
SUNDAY 12PM - 11PM
address
1100B Stratton Avenue | Nashville TN | 37206
Redheaded Stranger
Breakfast burritos, tacos, queso, totchos, and a Green Chile Burger? This is the restaurant of my dreams.
Redheaded Stranger in East Nashville is known for their breakfast tacos, Totchos, and their Green Chile Cheeseburger. Weird combo? Maybe. But it’s all awesome. Some even say this place has the best burger in all of Nashville. I’ve only tried their breakfast burrito, and it was fabulous, so I’m definitely going back to try the burger. They also have Queso, iced coffee, mimosas, margaritas, beer and more. Their inside is uniquely decorated; think old-school diner with light pink and blue everywhere. They also have ample outdoor seating if you’d rather do that! Wherever you choose to sit, it will be picture-worthy; this is the perfect vintage photoshoot spot.
A Local’s Tip: Be sure to try their signature hot sauces! Very spicy and very good.
RHS BURRITO ($8) STUFFED WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS, CHORIZO, PORK HATCH GREEN CHILE SAUCE, TATER TOTS AND CHEDDAR/JACK CHEESE (VEGETARIAN VERSION AVAILABLE!)
Bongo Java East
100% Organic coffee, free boardgames to play, and a large, dog-friendly courtyard makes Bongo East a wonderful breakfast or lunch stop.
If you’re renting an Air Bnb in East Nashville and need some quality coffee and a quick breakfast or lunch, Bongo Java East has you covered. They also have a gazillion board games you can play or buy while you’re there and a huge outdoor, dog-friendly courtyard with picnic tables.
Rosemary & Beauty Queen
It’s a cocktail bar. It’s a house. It’s a cocktail bar in a house!
It’s a cocktail bar. It’s a house. It’s a cocktail bar in a house! Cool! Get a frozen Strawberry Daiquiri (pictured below), a signature cocktail like the “Street Trash” (vodka cherry limeade), or go with a classic like an Old Fashioned. They also have beer, hard cider and kombucha, ranch water, and shot specials! To eat, you can order nachos, tacos, crunchwraps, chips & queso, or a “bowl”.
A Local’s Tip: If the weather’s nice, ask to sit outside on their “swings”. If all the swings are taken, the patio is still a cool place to be! Dancing on the weekend is from 8pm-1am!
website
hours
Sat & Sun: 12pm-2am
Mon-Thurs: 4pm-2am
Friday: 3pm-2am
Plant-Based Brunch Hours
Saturdays and Sundays Starting at 12pm (Music from 2-5pm)
address
1102 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Margot Café & Bar
This French-inspired café makes you feel like you’re a world away from Nashville.
Margot is a French-inspired café with a Southern flare. The cute, European atmosphere is what does it for me. You feel like you’re in a different country and time zone in here. To drink, they have coffee, lattes, tea, etc and cocktails, beer, or cider. We went for breakfast, but they also serve lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekend.
To eat, I got the Croissant French Toast, and my husband got the Breakfast Sandwich (egg, bacon, and cheese on a croissant). Mine was delicious, but he wasn’t crazy about his. He is a super picky eater (the bacon was too soft and, “why is there aioli on this?”), and since this place is French-inspired, be aware that picky, American food-lovers might not be thrilled. There’s always a Chocolate Croissant option for these people, though! That’s what we should have gone with.
Reservations are recommended, but they do take walk-ins for their patio seating. We made reservations and once we got there, they let us decide if we wanted inside or outside. I would have loved to sit outside on their adorable patio, but it was really hot the day we went, so we opted for inside (which was actually just as cute!).
website
hours
Breakfast: Wednesday through Friday 8:00am to 11:00am
Lunch: Wednesday through Friday 11:00am to 2:00pm
Dinner: Wednesday through Sunday 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm
address
1017 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
Lockeland Table
Possibly the best dinner spot in Nashville.
Possibly the best dinner spot in Nashville. You’ll need to make reservations well in advance. And they don’t take them online… they’re old school: you have to call! The reason I’m a fan of Lockeland is because they have fancy, upscale options as well as fun food like pizza, so there’s a menu item for everybody. And it is all superb!
A Local’s Tip: Head to Urban Cowboy Public House across the street for cocktails before or after dinner!
The Margherita Pizza
The Sustainable Catch: Flounder w/ Vegetables and Cheesy Grits
website
hours
Mon – Sat, 4 pm – 10 pm
Closed Sundays
Community Hour (happy hour):
Mon-Sat, 4pm-6pm
address
1520 Woodland St
Nashville, TN 37206
Urban Cowboy Public House
Located behind a bed and breakfast, Urban Cowboy Public House offers delicious cocktails in a unique setting.
Located behind a bed and breakfast, Urban Cowboy Public House offers delicious cocktails in a unique setting. I felt like I was in a fancy desert; I know that doesn’t make sense… you’ll just have to check it out for yourself! They have a large outdoor patio and a cozy interior, so this is a great date night spot OR a fun place to come with a group of friends. Their food options change up, so be sure to check out their website to see what they’re offering currently.
A Local’s Tip: Lockeland Table, a popular dinner spot, is right across the street, so hit up Urban Cowboy before or after dinner at Lockeland! No reservations needed for Urban Cowboy, but they are required for Lockeland Table.
Enjoying a cocktail on Urban Cowboy’s patio!
Hawkers
Need an Asian street food fix? Hawkers is THE place.
Need an Asian street food fix? Hawkers is THE place. They have noodles, they have fried rice, they have egg rolls, wings, fried wontons… if you want it, they have it! I love their creative cocktails, some of which come in a tiki glass! Everything I tried on the menu was fantastic. They have cozy indoor seating or an open, airy patio to choose from. They do not take reservations. On the weekend, they’re open late until midnight!
A Local’s Tip: Do an East Nashville Tiki Drink Tour: Start at Hawkers (make sure to ask for a tiki drink because not all of them come in one), then head to Chopper, and then end at Pearl Diver. Get a Tiki drink and an appetizer at each stop!
Chicken egg rolls, rice, and the “Pretty fly for a Mai Tai” Cocktail
We went on a rainy day, but still got to sit “outside” since they have side paneling during inclement weather
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Ice Cream is the most popular spot for ice cream in Nashville.
Jeni’s Ice Cream is the most popular spot for ice cream in Nashville. They have several locations spread throughout the city; you’ll find them in downtown (5th & Broadway), Hillsboro, 12 South, the Farmers’ Market, and the one pictured below is in East Nashville. Don’t be surprised if there’s a long line out the door, but if you catch them at the right time, there may be no wait at all! Their flavors are unique, and all so, so delicious; choose from Brambleberry Crisp (that’s what I got!), Buttercream Birthday Cake, Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes, or Boston Cream Pie, just to name a few. They also have dairy-free flavors for those who are lactose intolerant!
A Local’s Tip: If you’re in East Nashville, go to Rosepepper Cantina for dinner beforehand. If you’re in 12 South, get dinner at Urban Grub (reservations) beforehand. If you’re downtown, go to Blanco Cocina & Cantina to get dinner beforehand.
website
hours
Sunday-Thursday: 11am-11pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am-midnight
Hours may vary by location
locations
5th & Broadway, Hillsboro, 12 South, the Farmers’ Market, and East Nashville
Known for their biscuits and jam and their “Bronut”: a fried biscuit stuffed with cheesecake and topped with a blueberry filling.