We Love Music City
***Food***
Pelican & Pig
*Reservations strongly recommended* Pelican & Pig, although on the more expensive end of things, is worth the splurge. They feature a menu cooked entirely over an open flame. It's a small restaurant with a big personality.
Pie Town Tacos East
Multiple locations, multiple great tacos. The East Nashville location is close to other restaurants, shops, and coffee shops. They also have plenty of street parking.
Maiz De La Vida Restaurant
We absolutely love the food at Maiz de la Vida. The duck mole is a standout dish, and they have great cocktails to boot!
Peg Leg Porker BBQ
In Jess's humble opinion, this is the best BBQ in town! It's quick counter service with some serious flavor. Their meats are smoked to perfection, and there are a variety of sauce options. It's a no-frills joint owned by a local legend (also look into Bringle's owned by the same crew).
Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville - Midtown
Hattie B's is a perfect example of the infamous Nashville Hot Chicken. It's a casual eatery with excellent fried chicken and sides. Beware: they take their heat seriously.
Otaku Ramen
We love Otaku! It's a casual ramen restaurant with some seriously slurpable soup. They have two locations: the Gulch (more convenient but often has a wait) and East (further away but with more seating available).
Daddy's Dogs
Have you ever wondered just how elaborate a hotdog can be? Daddy's Dogs has your answer: extremely. If you're looking for a late night bite or a quick meal while you're in town, they've got you covered! The location in the Nations is our favorite, but it is (mostly covered) outdoor seating only.
The Loveless Cafe
Loveless is a Nashville staple. They've offered some of the best Southern breakfast in town since 1951. They've been featured on numerous shows throughout the years. They often have a wait on the weekends, but you can get a coffee and look around their shops until your table is available.
Biscuit Love (Hillsboro Village)
Biscuit Love is everything the South loves about biscuits, gravy, and fried chicken, all rolled into one adorable brunch spot. We recommend the Hillsboro location as the Gulch location is prone to long lines.
Brightside Bakeshop - West
Brightside has some of the best pastries we've ever had. They're small and local, so go early if you've got your eye on anything in particular (we recommend the everything tart). They also have online ordering available.
Yeast Nashville
Looking for a great Kolache? Don't know what a kolache is? Look no further than Yeast Nashville! They've got the best kolaches in town (possibly the world, who's to say) and a great espresso bar to boot! It's carry-out only, but they're very quick and travel well.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
We love Jeni’s for a sweet treat! They’ve got a bunch of locations, but the ones on 12S and 21S are the most convenient if you’re out and about exploring (they’re also some of the busiest locations).
***Drinks***
Attaboy
Attaboy is a cocktail bar without menus. They recommend and customize drinks based on your preferences. It can have a long wait, but there are plenty of other spots in the area to kill time at!
Chopper
Chopper is just your average robot-themed tiki bar. They feature a large variety of flavors and unique twists on classic tiki drinks. There's a Miaz de la Vida taco truck outside if you're hungry while there.
Marble Fox Brewing Company
Marble Fox Brewing has excellent craft brews in a casual setting. They have limited parking spots on-site (free for 2 hours), but there are also several paid street spots available. If it's available, we highly recommend the PB&J beer.
TailGate Brewery Music Row
TailGate Brewery has a large selection of craft beers and unique pizzas. They offer other bar foods, have a large patio area, and often have live music. Parking can be tricky, so plan to carpool or rideshare!
***Things To Do***
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
The zoo is a great time! You only need 2-3 hours, but be sure not to miss the kangaroos and red pandas.
Game Point - A Board Game Cafe
Game Point has become a staple for us! They have excellent coffees, a small selection of beer and wine, and SO MANY BOARD GAMES. Their game library is free to use and has a ton of options.
Parnassus Books
Parnassus is one of our favorite places to spend time (and money)! It’s a great local book shops with lots of unique finds and a very large selection. They often have “shop dogs” on duty to help you find your next favorite book. They’re owned by a local author - Ann Patchett - so all of her books (as well as many others) are available as signed copies.
The Café at Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms is a cozy cafe with excellent teas, coffee, and lunch bites. They help provide social services and employment to victims of trafficking, abuse, and addiction. They also have a small store with assorted bath products, clothes, and accessories.
12 South
12 South is a popular area for all things shopping and eating. They have several restaurants and bars as well as local shops. If you're looking for a quick photo op, the famous "I Believe in Nashville" mural is there.
Centennial Park
Our favorite neighborhood park has lots to offer. There's a lake, beautiful landscaping, and lots of walking paths. There's even a replica of the Parthenon and a "Taylor Swift" bench.
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Estate
Cheekwood is a historic estate turned botanical garden. It boasts 55 acres of seasonally rotating displays, walking paths, and other areas to explore. If you have a few hours and want to enjoy the weather, we highly recommend Cheekwood.
Opryland Hotel
The Opryland Hotel is famous for its indoor gardens. The walking paths will take you from a river boat ride to waterfalls. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours indoors on a rainy day. Ask one of us about free parking near the hotel if you're not staying as a guest. It's located right beside the Opry Mills Mall (which is usually very crowded) and the Grand Ole Opry.
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry has hosted some of country music's biggest names. If you can't make it to a show in this iconic venue, you can take a tour and go behind the scenes to learn about its history.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a Nashville staple. If you're going on a weekend, be sure to get your tickets in advance!
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's been around for over 130 years and has hosted some of Nashville's most iconic music events. If you can't make a concert, they offer tours!
