Every week I get quite a few people sliding into my DMs asking me where they need to visit in Nashville. So I’m finally writing up my definitive guide so I don’t have to keep copy-pasting my pathetic list out of Notes.
People are always asking for the “non touristy” places to go, but I feel like I see tourists and bachelorette parties everywhere I go, so I’m just going to give you a list of my favorite places and you can go from there.
Quick note: most of the places I’m going to recommend are on our side of town in East Nashville or Germantown neighborhood. You’re getting my REAL list of places I actually visit and so proximity is important to me. There might be better places, I just don’t visit any of them.
Breakfast
Here’s the thing you need to know about Nashville, unless you want a chicken biscuit, there’s not a ton of places that do a really great daily breakfast. I don’t know why, I’ve been asking myself why we have a breakfast scarcity issue since I moved here. But the places below are all places I love and eat at regularly, I just wish this list could be longer.
FLORA & FAUNA
This coffee shop and cafe has risen the ranks quickly for me this past year. Delicious coffee, the highest espresso bar standards, and if you like matcha lattes, I’m telling you they have the best one in town. I almost always opt for it even though in my heart I’m a black coffee gal. So far everything I’ve tried on the menu has been delicious, but here’s my tops faves: the potato/veggie hash (with bacon— locally sourced!), the coffee cake, the Irish breakfast and if you’re there at brunch and want to branch out get the Crispy Chickpea Caesar salad. 10/10 no notes.
Proper Bagel
We don’t get to Proper half as much as we’d like because it’s on the other side of town from us but maybe that’s a good thing because we’d be there every day otherwise! Another deli with more delicious bagels, but I would say they specialize in a range of delicious bagel breakfast sandwiches.
Cafe Roze
Right in the heart of our neighborhood, is this delicious bistro called Cafe Roze (pronounced like the flower, not the delicious wine!) On the weekends it is pretty run over with bachelorette parties and people from out of town, but with good reason. My favorite breakfast item on the menu is the savory porridge bowl that is topped with sauteed shiitake mushrooms, toasted sesame oil and a beautiful poached egg. But it’s all good. Just make a reservation.
Tacos Aurora (inside Hunter’s Station)
There are lots of lovely Mexican breakfast options in Nashville, we just love this unassuming place the most. Located in a stall inside Hunter’s Station this place is a sleeper hit IMO. The breakfast burrito comes with housemade fries rolled into it and I usually get 2-3 breakfast tacos UGH so delicious. This truly is a Eastside local haunt which means you won’t have to fight the lines to get your food. Because it’s inside a food hall it doesn’t have as much of a vibe. You just grab a table in the communal seating area and there’s a stall that does hot coffee around the corner from Aurora. But you will not feel like you missed out on a good food that’s for sure.
Brunch on the weekend ONLY (need reservations)
Lou (French, farm-to-table, bistro) This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville across the board and if you’re lucky enough to get a brunch reservation TAKE IT
Butchertown Hall (bbq and smokehouse)
Henrietta Red (seafood)
Lunch/ All Day Cafes
Pretty much all of the places I listed above for breakfast also have killer lunch options. But here’s where I go if I’m looking for a bite to eat around lunchtime.
Baja Burrito
This place is so damn gooooood. Located in Berry Hill it’s definitely not local to me, but we still make the trip over as much as possible. It’s like if Chipotle was done right. The “secret” menu has brisket tacos and blackened salmon tacos that are *chefs kiss*.
KISSER
I’ve never seen a new restaurant in Nashville become a local foodie hotspot as quickly as Kisser. Run by a husand-wife chef duo, their culinary accolades are fierce so it makes complete sense why this place has become an overnight sensation. My favorites are the grilled onigiri (I would go JUST to order rounds of these), the katsu chicken sammy and the ramen. GOOD LORDT. Shout out to the housemade yuzu lemonade which is just chef’s kiss.
Mitchell’s Deli
I don’t even really like sandwiches and this is still on my list as a top-tier lunch option. They smoke and cure all their deli meat in house, they pickle all their own veg and bake their own sandwich bread and hoagies. What more do you want?! There’s kombucha, root beer and local brews on tap, a daily soup option and lots of great options if you’re vegetarian or vegan that don’t feel like you’re missing out at ALL. We go here at least once a week. Definitely where all the East Nashville locals go.
SOY CUBANO
If you love Cuban food, this place is a great little joint to have some of the best cuban sandwiches and fried plantains. I actually always order the Mojo Pork plate. You can’t go wrong here.
East Side Bahn Mi
Holy Moses this place is good. I usually go for a lemon grass chicken rice bowl with all the fixings. But it’s all delicious. Good veg option.
LITTLE HATS ITALIAN DELI
The most idyllic little Italian deli popped up in an old converted movie theater in Germantown last year, and guess what? The food is delicious too. My favorite thing on the menu is the turkey and provolone sandwich on fresh, housemade focaccia and the tortellini soup. Mama Mia!!! This deli also contains a gorgeous little market where you can buy every pasta shape under the sun, Italian meats, cheeses, artisan olive oils and local beverages. Worth the visit.
Steam Boys Dumplings
Favorite xiao long bao (soup dumplings) in Nashville. So delicious and a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat if you’re pottering around Germantown.
SHOTGUN WILLIE’S BBQ
Open for lunch from 11am until 3pm or until supplies last which should tell you everything you need to know about how absolutely delicious this food is. It’s kind of an East Nashville local haunt but if you want good BBQ, go here.
Dinner
Lou
This is hands down my favorite place to eat in Nashville. They’re mostly farm-to-table with a rotating seasonal menu, natural wine pairings, insane charcuterie, and an in-house pastry chef (Sierra Cody) who I swear is a witch because she makes magic happen. They are reservation only so make that booking!
XIAO BAO
The first time we went with friends we just ran the menu so I feel confident telling you that this entire menu DOES NOT MISS. It is hit after hit, from the Instagrammable noodles you cut with tiny, red scissors, to the bean pancake (which you just have to trust me on)— it’s all delicious. They don’t take reservations so do with that what you will.
Smiling Elephant
The best Thai in town. It’s a little house that’s been converted into a restaurant and the walls inside are basically wallpapered with awards and pictures of celebrities who frequent it. I love to get the Pad Kra Pow or the Larb and their sticky rice is to die for. But it’s hard to go wrong here.
Smith & Lentz Pizza and Brewing Company
This is a new one for me but it’s so good. You can eat out back or order for take away in you’re all tired out from a day of Nashville-ing and are ready to escape the crowds. They make their pizza on sourdough and bake them in a wood fired oven. I don’t know what they do to the cheese to make it so magically melty but it’s insane.
REDHEADED STRANGER
Dive bar energy with delicious tacos and weirdly one of the best burgers in Nashville. There’s something for everyone here. You can bring kids, you can go for a late-night-bite, you can go and nurse a hangover at breakfast. If you want to be on the fast track towards feeling like a Nashville local, eat here.
Martin’s BBQ
Okay so you’re in the south, you want BBQ. Martin’s is it. It’s also a great option for if you’re already stuff from your day of food tourism and want something delicious and healthy without forcing your posse to eat a salad. I love the smoked turkey on the farmer’s salad, the burger is my favorite in town, and the smoked, deep fried wings are insane. Of course the ribs and brisket are killer too. Basically it’s a good time.
Oku Sushi
It’s really hard to get a booking here but it still remains my favorite sushi in Nashville. Probably the best bite of sushi I’ve ever had is their individual fancy nigiri. I don’t know how they make it taste so good.
Lockeland Table
This place is the ultimate OG East Nashville haunt. They have a lovely community hour from 4-6 on weekdays which includes half off food and drink. But it’s probably one of my favorite places to book for a date night on a cozy fall night, I love their pasta so much. All locally sourced farm-to-table fare with a lovely drink selection and don’t sleep on the skillet cookie!
Joyland Burger
If you’re looking for the Sean Brock experience but couldn’t get a reservation at Husk (or you just don’t want to drop that kind of money on dinner!) check out his burger restaurant. Trust. Just check out the website or Instagram page and I guarantee you’ll start drooling.
Coffee
Sump
Definitely the best all-round coffee in Nashville. If you want pour overs that actually taste like the flavor notes advertised in the description, this is the place. It’s located in an industrial park area that actually has a lovely outdoor seating area and mini park. So we bring Danny all the time and let him roam free while we drink our coffee.
Crema
For me it honestly doesn’t get better than Crema for espresso. All their espresso drinks are so good and even their seasonal drinks are beautifully considered and not sickly sweet in anyway. They are the OGs of third wave coffee in Nashville and still my perfect espresso in town.
Dose Coffee & Dram Bar
They have two locations, but my local on is the one in Riverside Village. The coffee is delicious but really you’re missing a trick if you don’t get any of the baked goods. We low-key live off the Vegan Everything Cookie and Zucchini Muffin. Truly next level.
Cocktails
Attaboy
Ask anyone, it’s the best speakeasy in Nashville. The owner is a Northern Ireland fella who moved and opened the original Attaboy location in New York. It’s super small and intimate and sometimes there’s a bit of a wait to get in, but it’s really worth it. You will NOT be offered a menu. While you can just order straight up traditional cocktails and they’ll make them for you, the concept is to tell the bartender what flavors and spirits you enjoy and they go away and come up with something they think you’ll enjoy based off your preferences. However, it’s also home of the best piña colada I’ve ever had.
Urban Cowboy Public House Bar
Attached to the Urban Cowboy boutique hotel, this bar is so lush. There’s usually a big fire pit going outside on cooler nights and the indoor space is so vibey and Nashville. Not to mention the cocktails are delicious.
Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
Fox is a classic for us and for good reason. Again, this place has a bit of a speakeasy vibe (although I don’t believe technically it is!) and sits only a small handful of people. Great way to wind down at the end of the night and chill.
Chopper
If you love a theme, you’re in luck at Chopper. It’s a tiki bar and is SUCH a vibe. They also have drink robots that make your drinks which is cool and they’re delicious.
Lakeside Lounge
This is a Llewellyn date night go-to. It’s Attaboy’s dive-bar little sister and serves dive bar grub as well as a few cocktails on tap and a bunch of local brews. We usually go on date nights and put $20 in the Buck Hunter arcade machine and order a few ice cold beers and fries and play until it’s time to head home. Fun fact, I had my birthday here this year!
Other Honorable Mentions
These are places that are actually incredible and will show up on many “best of Nashville” guides, but I don’t eat at them as much. Not because they’re not delicious, I just don’t.
Otaku Ramen
Two Ten Jack
Jeni’s Ice Cream
Pharmacy Burger
Mas Tacos Por Favor
Henrietta Red
Part II coming soon!!!! Tag me on Instagram if you take me up on any of these recommendations— it’ll make me feel like typing all this was worth it. 😂