City Guide 2022

Your field guide to Music City from the folks at the

First, let us congratulate you on your choice of vacation destinations. You’ve selected Nashville, aka Music City, a place where folks are friendly, visitors are welcome, and every child exits the womb with the ability to flat-pick. For the length of your stay, you’re not going to have a disappointing meal, see a bad show, or hear anything less than some of the best music you’ve ever heard in your life — be it honky-tonk, hip-hop, pop punk, indie rock or classical. All you need is somebody to steer you in the right direction. That’s where we step in.

At the Nashville Scene — the city’s free alternative newsweekly and guide to the daily avalanche of musical, cultural and culinary offerings — we’re used to navigating a ton of options competing every day, around the clock, for limited time, money and attention. You can only do so much in a day, right? Well, we’re used to testing that theory, and we’re going to help you do the same during your stay in Nashville. Consider this guide our handpicked tour of some of the best Nashville has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a bluegrass club, a scenic walk, a sharp place to shop, a trip through country music history or a place to sample our indigenous delicacy, hot chicken — keep a fire extinguisher handy — you’ll find it here.

As in much of the country, here in Nashville, the coronavirus pandemic has made grabbing a bite to eat or checking out a museum a bit trickier than usual. Be sure to check with restaurants, attractions and venues for their hours of operation and any updated protocol.

Just remember: No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. You’re in Nashville now.

* Denotes advertorial content

STAFF: Editor-in-Chief: D. Patrick Rodgers; Project Manager: Erica Ciccarone; Art Director: Elizabeth Jones; Copy Editor: Dana Franklin; Illustrator: Mary Louise Meadors; Writer: J.R. Lind

City Guide is produced seasonally by the Nashville Scene

For information on advertising or distribution, please email Chelon Hasty at chasty@fwpublishing.com or call 615-844-9272.

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GET A TATTOO

Black 13 Tattoo Parlor has eleven skilled tattoo artists covering a wide variety of styles. From full-color realism to fineline, geometric to traditional, we’ll help you match up your idea with an artist who specializes in it.

You know it’s time for your next tattoo. Get yours from the shop voted Nashville Scene’s “Best Of Nashville” twelve years in a row.

NEIGHBORHOODS

12South SHOP

White’s Mercantile

This gift shop features upscale fashion and accessories along with a good selection of locally made products.

Imogene + Willie

Judith Bright

Emerson Grace

Halcyon Bike Shop

EAT AND DRINK

Epice

Among Nashville’s many great Mediterranean restaurants, Epice stands out by making its Lebanese cuisine elegant as well as delicious.

Frothy Monkey

Josephine

Burger Up

Edley’s Bar-B-Que

SCENE TIP:

At the southern end of the main strip of 12South is Sevier Park, with lots of open grassy areas to picnic or lounge (and plenty of trees that provide shade), a playground and jogging trails. It’s also the home of Sunnyside, an antebellum mansion. It was built in the mid-19th century by Mary Benton, the first cousin of first lady Sarah Childress Polk. Her husband Jesse Benton famously engaged in a pistol fight with Andrew Jackson in 1813. The Battle of Nashville raged around the house in December 1864, and the bullet-scarred porch and columns still bear the marks of battle. Sunnyside is now home to the Metropolitan Historical Commission.

downtown

DO

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

The city’s multipurpose center for the performing arts boasts three separate stages capable of housing everything from national Broadway tours such as Hamilton and The Color Purple to lavish Nashville Opera and Nashville Ballet productions and works from the excellent Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Jane’s Hideaway

In historic Printers Alley, you can relax with a cocktail and listen to some classic Nashville tunes. On weekends, check out Jane’s bluegrass brunch, featuring chicken and waffles, short rib in gravy and more.

Bad Axe Throwing

Located in Pie Town, this Canada-based chain offers dedicated coaching in the art of ax throwing, with room for corporate events, parties and walk-ins.*

Headquarters Beercade

Nashville Farmers’ Market and Bicentennial Mall

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

downtown

EAT AND DRINK

Robert’s Western World

Lower Broadway is lined with honky-tonk options, and while many of them are a good time, they pale in comparison to Robert’s, with boots lining the walls and incredible fried bologna sandwiches.

Assembly Food Hall

Located inside Fifth + Broadway is this food hall, featuring more than 30 different dining options.

Martin’s B-B-Que Joint

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

Etch

SCENE TIP:

Sure, Lower Broadway has its charms, but there are plenty of hidden gems to discover in the city’s center. A cluster of buildings is influenced by Egyptian Revival architecture, most notably Downtown Presbyterian Church, the sanctuary of which is one of Nashville’s most interesting spaces. The church’s third-floor attic also houses a small colony of local artists who keep studios and run a gallery. The Ryman Auditorium is Nashville’s most venerated venue — except for during the 20 years it was abandoned. Book a tour there to learn about the storied past of the Mother Church. On Rosa Parks Avenue, look for a historical marker commemorating Nashville’s first gay bars, Juanita’s Place and The Jungle.

East Nashville

SHOP

Shoppes on Fatherland

This cluster of locally owned stores offers everything from handcrafted jewelry to quirky gifts, garlicky goods and vintage knickknacks.

The Bookshop

nancybgoods and Marigold

Home & Gift

Located next to each other in East Nashville’s Fatherland shopping district, these sister stores offer a wide selection of apparel, handbags, jewelry, artisan gifts and much more.*

EAT AND DRINK

Hunters Station

Hail, Dark Aesthetics

Five Points Alley Shops

Black 13 Tattoo Parlor

Looking to commemorate your visit to Music City with some ink? With more than a dozen artists, Black 13 Tattoo Parlor offers diverse styles to hook you up with whatever your heart desires. And they use boast-worthy organic, vegan ink.*

This convenient food court is home to locations of Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop, Vui’s Kitchen, Tacos Aurora, The Picnic Tap and The Grilled Cheeserie. To top it off, there’s a dogfriendly outdoor dining area.

Margot Café & Bar

Lyra

Two Ten Jack

SCENE TIP:

Resilient East Nashville survived a category EF3 tornado in March 2020. The twister lifted the spire right off of East End United Methodist Church and severely damaged the beloved music venue The Basement East, among other buildings. There are scores of small businesses to support in neighborhoods including Five Points, McFerrin Park, Lockeland Springs, Inglewood and more. From Shelby Park, you can catch a glimpse of Tennessee’s only functioning lighthouse. Built in 1889, the 39-foot tower marks the intake for Nashville’s Omohundro Water Plant.

600 9th Ave S #100, Nashville, TN 37203

The Gulch

DO

Station Inn

The homey no-frills vibe is part of the charm at this world-famous bluegrass mecca. Your odds of hearing jaw-dropping instrumental and vocal talent any night of the week are roughly 1:1 — this is where tomorrow’s bluegrass superstars hone their chops and today’s drop in and unwind.

Carter Vintage Guitars

Gulch Greenway

16-Bit Bar+Arcade

Pins Mechanical Company

EAT AND DRINK

Marsh House

Inside the Thompson Hotel, Marsh House focuses on seafood — lobster tart, snapper stew — with Southern flair. Leave room for dessert, too.

Emmy Squared

This intimate Gulch spot offers up fantastic Detroit-style pizzas, sandwiches and a contender for the best burger in town.

Gertie’s Bar

Peg Leg Porker

Chauhan Ale and Masala House

SCENE TIP:

A massive, years-long revitalization project transformed Nashville’s railroad gulch into the Gulch, a bustling neighborhood of shops, apartments, condos, high-end hotels and restaurants. It’s a metaphorical beehive of activity as scooters zip by on sidewalks and cranes reach into the sky.

Germantown

EAT AND DRINK

Monell’s

Operating out of a refurbished Victorian home, Monell’s is not your typical meat-and-three, but more like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. Meals there are served that way, around communal tables with big bowls of fried chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread and more.

Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen

Given Von Elrod’s menu of artisan sausages and sandwiches plus a darn fine cheeseburger, the idea of enjoying the midday meal at this spot — accompanied by one of its vast array of craft beers in the convivial atmosphere of a breezy biergarten and expansive patio — is a no-brainer.

City House

The Cupcake Collection

Germantown Pub

With plenty of drink specials and a classic bar-food menu, the neighborly vibes at Germantown Pub encourage you to relax and take a load off. Check out the brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays, and sip bloody Marys while you watch the game.

Rolf and Daughters

Geist Bar and Restaurant

Red Bicycle

Henrietta Red

SCENE TIP:

Tucked away just north of the Tennessee State Capitol, the gridded streets of Germantown — so named because of early German immigrants who settled in the neighborhood and brought brewing and meatpacking to Nashville — offer some of the city’s most beloved restaurants. The new Tennessee State Museum shares a block with Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Nashville Farmers’ Market, with the minor league Nashville Sounds tossing around the old horsehide at nearby First Horizon Park. The park stands where Sulphur Dell once did, hosting baseball from the Reconstruction until the 1960s (and has again since 2015), but long before that was home of an impressive 12thcentury saltworks operated by the Mississppian peoples who once populated the Cumberland River Valley.

Hillsboro Village

DO

The Belcourt Theatre

Founded in 1925, the Belcourt is one of the country’s leading arthouse cinemas — a movie lover’s magnet for foreign and indie films, repertory tributes and raucous midnight screenings with accompanying drink specials.

Fannie Mae Dees Park

Belmont Mansion

Posh Boutique

Molly Green

EAT AND DRINK

The Grilled Cheeserie

This is a great place to grab a cheesy, melty, satisfying sandwich, with a side of house-made soup and a milkshake.

Anzie Blue

Nicoletto’s Meet Noodles

Pizza Perfect

SCENE TIP:

A small but bustling district, Hillsboro Village is a charming spot to shop and grab a drink. Named for a local civic leader and folk hero, Fannie Mae Dees Park is often called “Dragon Park” by locals because it is home to a 200-foot-long mosaic sea serpent.

North Nashville

DO

Carl Van Vechten Gallery

This gallery on Fisk University’s campus is often curated with art by a mix of historic artists of the 20th century, like Aaron Douglas and Greg Ridley, and contemporary ones from around North Nashville. The exhibitions reflect the tremendous range of Fisk’s impact.

Jefferson Street Sound

Woodcuts Gallery & Framing

Elephant Gallery

Hadley Park

EAT AND DRINK

The Southern V

This all-vegan “meat”-and-three features crispy seitan-based fried chick’n, hearty mac ’n’ cheeze, BBQ jackfruit nachos and an array of tasty sides. Dining at the V is simple and delicious — just like Southern comfort food should be.

Ooh Wee Bar-B-Q

Slim & Husky’s

Vege-licious Cafe

Riddim N Spice

SCENE TIP:

From the hallowed halls of Fisk University to the church basements where civil rights activists were trained in nonviolent protest, historically Black North Nashville has a storied past. Its current residents and small businesses continue the neighborhood’s legacy of artistic engagement, inventive cuisine and civic leadership. A 105-year-old Beaux Arts building houses the North Branch of Nashville Public Library. It is one of six Nashville libraries built as part of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie’s ambitious international philanthropic effort to provide cities and institutions with libraries. Nearby Silver Sands Cafe has been serving soul food to hungry residents for more than a half-century.

South Nashville

DO

Plaza Mariachi

With a large number of eateries (including Mexican, Cuban and Greek options and more), a dedicated bar, and constant entertainment from the stage and beyond, Plaza Mariachi is perfect for large groups and curious travelers. On various nights, bands play, and you can salsa dance, play trivia, watch aerial artists and dancers and more.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Radnor Lake State Park

Ford Ice Center

EAT AND DRINK

Pupuseria Reina La Bendición

At this Salvadorian spot, the pupusas are monsters, big masa cakes filled with cheese and other goodness (pork, chicken, beans, etc.), then griddled into submission until there’s a char on both sides. Served with hot sauce and curtido, it’s a gloriously gooey dish when hot.

Black Abbey Brewing Company

Black Abbey Brewing refers to its South Nashville taproom as Fellowship Hall — “a place to gather and chat among friends while enjoying a pint of our unique but approachable brews.” Try out one of the seasonal brews, or the delicious and always-on-tap Tennessee IPA.

Rosie’s Twin Kegs Gojo

SCENE TIP:

The history-rich neighborhoods south of downtown still reflect their blue-collar background, though the factories and mills are more likely to be filled with tech companies and hip eateries than workers on an assembly line. There’s auto racing at The Fairgrounds Nashville — as there has been for more than a century — and soon there will be professional soccer too. Nolensville Pike, one of the main drags in these parts, hosts a delightful international amalgam of immigrant-owned shops and restaurants with food from everywhere from Central America to Ethiopia to Nepal.

Taj

Seoul Garden

West Nashville

DO

McKay’s

A book lover’s paradise, the ground floor of McKay’s is crammed with worn classics, paperbacks, DVDs, cookbooks, Xbox games and how-tos of every description; overlooking it is a balcony ringed with thousands of CDs and records.

CLIMB Nashville West

The Warner Parks

The Barbershop Theater

Centennial Park

EAT AND DRINK

Hathorne

The menu at Hathorne is composed of shareable plates of various sizes created with care and impeccable ingredients. Good drinks enhance the conviviality, as does the patio, an oasis along the Charlotte corridor.

Bobbie’s Dairy Dip

M.L. Rose

Neighbors of Sylvan Park

Nicky’s Coal Fired

SCENE TIP:

The Tennessee hills start their gentle roll west of downtown, home of long-established neighborhoods like Sylvan Park and Belle Meade, founded as quieter alternatives to more intown locales. You’ll find Nashville’s most famous park, Centennial, home of a full-size replica of The Parthenon, an homage to the city’s status as Athens of the South and a legacy of higher education that includes nearby Vanderbilt University. A renaissance along Charlotte Avenue brought new restaurants and shops, and beer lovers will want to visit the breweries in The Nations, one of the city’s most charmingly — and mysteriously — named neighborhoods.

food and drink

Breakfast

The Loveless Cafe

Since 1951, this local landmark has been dishing out its famed biscuits, country ham and fried chicken to everyone from struggling songwriters to foreign dignitaries.

Dose

At its two locations, Dose serves up coffee, baked goods and the best breakfast sandwich around.

Redheaded Stranger

This East Side taco shop isn’t just great for lunch — its egg-and-cheese-filled breakfast tacos will power you through any day.

Big Bad Breakfast

For big plates of eggs, taters, bacon and grits, hit up this Charlotte Avenue outpost.

Dozen Bakery

This Wedgewood-Houston cafe boasts some of the best baked goods in the city. Keep it simple with a cappuccino and an extra-flakey croissant.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER:

Best Brunch: Sinema

The decadent weekend brunch in this Melrose spot includes bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. They change up the menu, but you can expect flavored pancakes and waffles, like cinnamon roll and Fruity Pebbles; traditional fare like biscuits and gravy; and scrambled eggs served with chimichurri potatoes.

Breakfast

Shep’s Delicatessen

At this East Nashville deli, you can get a New York-style bagel and schmear, a corned-beef-and-eggs burrito or homemade blintzes. And stick around for lunch, when you can get a knish, a reuben and much more.

Adele’s

Serving Southern staples like shrimp and grits and chicken-fried-steak biscuits, Adele’s is a go-to weekend brunch spot.

The Pancake Pantry

The Pancake Pantry is so popular that you’ll see a line winding around the Hillsboro Village building and onto the sidewalk, and for good reason. The eatery boasts a reliably solid breakfast, including a variety of, you guessed it, pancakes — from sweet potato to apple-walnut, blueberry and more, you can sweat out your hangover or get fueled up for a day of sightseeing.*

coffee

Steadfast Coffee

Drinks are perfectly balanced, from The Rested Butterscotch Latte to The Atlas, in which a thick layer of cool, sweet foam delicately sits upon steaming-hot coffee like a complex, delicious science experiment.

Crema

Crema is an artisan coffee pioneer on Hermitage Avenue at the edge of downtown, known for reliable coffee craftsmanship and sharing its knowledge via classes.

Bongo East

This East Side establishment delivers a reliable cup of great coffee as well as innovative espresso drinks, fresh salads, panini and breakfast all day long — and you can choose from dozens of board games to play.

The Loading Dock

At this delightful nook in Wedgewood-Houston, The Loading Dock’s baristas are constantly inventing new drink specials that feature seasonal and house-made syrups.

8th & Roast

With locations in West Nashville and on Eighth Avenue South, 8th & Roast serves up reliably delicious espresso drinks, pour-over coffee and a variety of baked goods and premade sandwiches and salads.

Stay Golden

South Nashville’s Stay Golden is a local favorite — in fact, it earned a writers’ pick in the Nashville Scene’s 2019 Best of Nashville issue. Thanks to its tasty and affordable menu items, an inviting space and, most importantly, a really good cup of coffee, it’s plain to see why.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER:

Best Coffeehouse: Frothy Monkey

With locations in 12South, East Nashville, The Nations and downtown, Frothy Monkey serves up superior locally roasted brews, baked goods and meals for every time of day.

cheap eats

Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Everyone has their favorite meat-and-three, but Arnold’s tops a lot of lists, as evidenced by the cross section of Nashvillians who line up daily for the fried green tomatoes, peppery roast beef, turnip greens, bread pudding and chocolate pie.

The Horn Coffee

In this warmly lit Somali cafe, they offer many delectable foods, including a savory pastry called the sambusa, a Somali variation on the Indian samosa.

Five Points Pizza

Big, foldable New York-style slices, tasty salads and garlic knots make for a cheap and tidy lunch. Two locations are conveniently located in East and West Nashville.

BokBox

The chefs who run this East Side walk-up window have perfected the savory, smoky art of coal-roasted chicken.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER: Dino’s Bar

One of the city’s favorite dive bars, Dino’s delivers on cheap but tasty meals. Get yourself a cheeseburger and fries for about $10.

Vegetarian

The Wild Cow

East Nashville’s The Wild Cow has taken all your favorite comfort foods — burgers, tacos, nachos, giant salads and even hot chicken — and re-created them as delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes.*

Copper Branch

The Nashville location of what claims to be the world’s largest plant-based restaurant chain boasts an entirely vegan menu, from breakfast to dinner. If you are eschewing meat — either on occasion or 24/7 — this is the place to get quick, filling, not-at-all-boring eats downtown, such as smoothies, maple tempeh sandwiches, “wings,” baked goods, salads, soups and more.*

AVO

Check out the signature cocktails and The Wild Nashville — arguably the most filling salad we’ve ever eaten, featuring freshly foraged greens and all sorts of goodness grown right here in Music City.

Sunflower Cafe

Surprise is the order of the day at this sunny cafe in Berry Hill. The food is delivered cafeteria-style, so you can sample bits and pieces of the rotating menu of entrées and sides. Gluten-free, oil-free and soy-free options are available.

Graze

At Graze, you can go pig out on your favorite comfort foods made vegan, like Mac & Chorizo, Nashville Hot Tempeh and even a cashew-based cheesecake.

The Southern V

See page 21.

Fine Dining

Folk

With craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and menu standouts like wood-fired pizzas and royal red shrimp, Folk is an East Side staple.

The Catbird Seat

The Catbird Seat perches at the pinnacle of memorable upscale dining in Nashville. The food is avant-garde yet delicious, and the kitchen has enhanced the résumés of many brilliant chefs. Plan ahead: The 32-seat culinary-adventure ride has a booking system that’s complex even by big-city standards.

Husk

Founding chef Sean Brock has moved on to other projects, but Husk remains a hot destination. Lunch and dinner menus change every day depending on what local growers have to offer and are cooked in an open kitchen at the center of the Victorian mansion.

Tailor

This Germantown supper club offers authentic Indian cuisine with Southern sensibilities. Chef Vivek Surti is known to keep the dining experience lively with his warm personality shining through as he introduces each course and tells the stories that inspired them.

Lockeland Table

One of the highest-caliber culinary stops in Nashville as well as one of the coziest neighborhood joints, Lockeland Table makes magic out of fresh local ingredients.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER: Peninsula

The menu of this delightful and ambitious East Nashville spot is inspired by the cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula. The food is both sophisticated and comforting, a rare trick.

Mexican Fare

Mas Tacos Por Favor

From pulled-pork tacos to vegetarian quinoa tacos, fried plantains and its regionally famous chicken tortilla soup, Mas Tacos Por Favor never fails to satisfy.

Fogatas Authentic Mexican Food

You can get everything from standard Tex-Mex combos to a breakfast plate of steak and eggs with grilled cactus on the side — and there’s a fresh juice bar, too.

Taquería La Juquilita

Ask for whatever the daily soup is, point at a few pupusas and tacos, and get ready to enjoy.

Tacos y Mariscos Lindo Mexico

A $20 bill can get an entire roasted chicken with rice, beans, tortillas, pico and toppings, with some cash still left over. Tip big, these people are the best.

Taqueria Andrea

Everything on the menu is solid gold — the quesadillas, the burritos, the tacos — but bang-foryour-buck-wise, you can’t beat the $7.75 torta, a savory Mexican sandwich about the size of a cheeseburger-and-a-half.

Tacos 1989

Nothing beats scarfing down a few tacos for a midday meal, especially if you’re out shopping and sightseeing. The Gulch’s Tacos 1989 has you covered with their take on the classic street food. The tacos are stuffed with standard fare — chorizo, chicken, carnitas — as well as ingredients with more flair, like lamb barbecue, grilled octopus, cactus and more.*

BEST MARGARITAS:

Rosepepper Cantina

At this East Nashville mainstay, you can go with a top-shelf margarita or stick with a classic. Other options include margaritas with jalapeño for the adventurous and frozen margaritas blended with fresh fruit that are worth the brain freeze.

411 KOREAN VETERANS BLVD., NASHVILLE, TN 37203

Hot Chicken

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

The restaurant that made Nashville hot chicken a world-famous specialty serves it up in four varieties: mild, medium, hot or, for the truly reckless, extra hot. Prince’s is the yardstick by which everyone measures hot chicken in Nashville.

400 Degrees

In our book, Aqui Hines’ glorious deep-fried bird rivals the mighty Prince’s for its crackling crust and its proportion of flavor to pain. Thick-cut pork chops and crinkle-cut french fries also benefit from a dash of chef Hines’ hot seasoning powder, but it’s her smile and infectious positive attitude that add extra zest to the experience.

Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

A loyal clientele considers this the equal of Prince’s and some prefer it. It’s just as well known for its hot fish — the distantly related Nashville specialty consisting of fried fish doused in mustard and hot sauce.

Helen’s Hot Chicken

Helen’s started in a little trailer on the side of a Nashville road, and it’s expanded to four Middle Tennessee locations and three spots out of state. Offering leg and breast quarters, wings and tenders — as well lobster tails, catfish and more — there’s something for everyone.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

With locations in Midtown, on Lower Broad, in Melrose, on Charlotte and beyond, Hattie B’s has built an impressive hot chicken empire. They’ve also landed at the top of the Readers’ Poll results in more than one installment of the Scene’s Best of Nashville issue. With heat levels ranging from “Southern” (i.e., no heat) all the way up to “Shut the Cluck Up!!!” — not to mention an array of addictive sides — the popular purveyors of fiery fowl have a little something for everyone. Check out hattieb.com for catering info and more.*

Cocktails

Pearl Diver

This tropical-themed bar has a menu featuring expertly crafted (and aesthetically appealing) daiquiris, piña coladas and a rum-and-soda concoction known as the Ting Wray.

Henley

The menu at this Midtown brasserie features some of the most creative cocktails anywhere in town and gives the old standards new twists.

Earnest Bar & Hideaway

The drinks menu features few details, opting instead for snippets of prose. This encourages a conversation between mixologist and customer to discover the perfect cocktail for the mood and the moment.

Inglewood Lounge

This off-the-beaten-path spot offers a succinct but diverse cocktail menu. Reliably inventive, the menu rotates throughout the year.

Chopper

In a meticulously curated space, Chopper offers its own takes on traditional tiki drinks like the mai tai, the jet pilot and the painkiller.

The 404 Kitchen

The 404 Kitchen’s whiskey list is otherworldly. The staggering variety includes Orphan Barrel bourbons; more than 75 rye; and hard-to-find Japanese, Taiwanese and French bottles.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER:

The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club

With its 1920s Art Deco influence, velvet booths and warm brass and gold fixtures, The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club has class. It also has an expertly curated menu of craft cocktails and liquors.

food trucks

Maiz de la Vida

Making tortillas is an art form at Maiz de la Vida. The food truck serves a variety of delicious offerings — tacos, quesabirria, elote and more — that split the difference between traditional and innovative. Find it outside of East Nashville’s tiki-themed bar Chopper every Tuesday through Sunday.

King Tut’s

King Tut’s has been turning heads and turning people into falafel fans for years, and it stepped up a notch by setting up permanently on Nolensville Pike with a charming shaded patio. It takes a master of techniques and seasonings to make us daydream about sautéed eggplant, creamy-crunchy falafel and tender, flavorful shawarma.

Bag Lady’s

Get hand-cut fries, chips or cauliflower-loaded protein, vegetables, cheese and sauce at Bag Lady’s, which sets up around the city each week. The unique menu includes pizza fries, hot chicken fries, Philly cheesesteak fries and gyro fries, plus burgers, gyros, lamb and more.

Caracasville

Pulling up at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, Caracasville offers a variety of empanadas, cachapas stuffed with homemade cheese and other Venezuelan foods, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the stuffed arepa.

Mac Shack

Think you know mac-and-cheese? The Mac Shack will expand your mind. They add pesto, Buffalo chicken, Memphis-style barbecue and more to your favorite comfort food. They’ll also add a hefty dollop to your chicken-and-waffles or hot dog.

Retro Sno

The Retro Sno truck takes those snow cones you loved eating as a kid and makes them even better. The shaved ice is soft, more like snow, and the syrups are made in house so they taste much better than the sugar water of yesteryear. But you’ll have to wait till summer.

Cousins Maine Lobster

The main event at Cousins Maine Lobster is, of course, the lobster roll. Served on a toasted New England split roll, the sandwich can be ordered in two varieties: traditional New England chilled with a touch of mayo or Connecticut-style, warmed with butter and lemon.

Steaming Goat

Despite the name, this truck serves not goat but steamed sandwiches and appetizers. Among the specialties are spinach balls, made using the chef’s grandmother’s recipe and served with a dipping gravy that brings the taste of Thanksgiving stuffing to your mouth year-round.

BEST OF NASHVILLE WINNER:

The Grilled Cheeserie

The Grilled Cheeserie was one of the earliest food trucks to earn notice in Nashville, and as the operation grew, it always seemed to deliver what people wanted — a cheesy, melty, satisfying sandwich, with a side of house-made soup and a dessert. The truck pulls up at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and around the city — and you can check out the brick-and-mortar in Hillsboro Village (see p. 19) and East Nashville (see p. 12).

tailgatebeer.com

24. TENNESSEE BREW WORKS tnbrew.com

25. TURTLE ANARCHY turtleanarchy.com

26. SMITH & LENTZ smithandlentz.com

27. YEE-HAW BREWING CO. yeehawbrewing.com

28. YAZOO BREWING CO. yazoobrew.com

DISTILLERIES

29. BIG MACHINE bigmachinevodka.com

30. CORSAIR corsairdistillery.com

31. HEAVEN’S DOOR heavensdoor.com

32. NASHVILLE CRAFT nashvillecraft.com

33. NELSON’S GREEN BRIER greenbrierdistillery.com

34. OLE SMOKY 6thandpeabody.com

35. PICKERS VODKA pickersvodka.com

36. PENNINGTON DISTILLING penningtondistillingco.com

37. TENNESSEE LEGEND tennesseelegend.com

WINERIES

38. AMBER FALLS WINERY amberfallswinery.com

39. ARRINGTON VINEYARDS arringtonvineyards.com

40. CITY WINERY citywinery.com

41. LOVE & EXILE WINERY & BAR loveandexile.com

things to do

top dates

Bastion

Josh Habiger is making some of the most creative food in the city with virtually none of the pomposity, and Bastion has become one of Nashville’s most essential restaurants. It’s set up to feel like a dinner party at someone’s house, complete with vintage stereo equipment and a great vinyl collection. Also, enjoy a drink in the restaurant’s adjacent bar, which features a more laid-back atmosphere.

Cafe Roze

The decor is clean, the cocktails killer, and the food fresh, vibrant and seasonal. To drink, try the Miller High Life with grapefruit ice cubes. To eat, they bring the umami with grilled halloumi cheese, a juicy burger and shaved celery salad in olive brine that’s nothing short of epic.

Flamingo Cocktail Club

A hip spot in Wedgewood-Houston, Flamingo has a terrific, creative drinks menu. It features both lounge-y seating areas and an open dance floor, so you and your sweetheart can opt to either nuzzle up in the corner or cut a rug to whatever the DJ is spinning that night.

Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co.

Tennessee’s only bean-to-bar chocolatier, Olive and Sinclair offers a 35-minute tour that takes you through the process — with plenty of nibbles along the way.

Topgolf

The high-tech driving range is a chain with more than 50 locations on multiple continents. It’s not exactly locally sourced entertainment — but fun is fun. The best part? It doesn’t really matter if you don’t know how to golf. It’s almost more charming if you don’t.

Vinyl Tap

East Nashville’s delightful Vinyl Tap offers two things that go great together: vinyl (new and used!) and craft beer (local and regional!). Pop in to shop records, or to try a beer or cocktail — or do it all.*

Top Retail Destinations

Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music

Grimey’s is one of Nashville’s best independent local record stores, with a knowledgeable staff more likely to nerd out over your purchases with you than sneer at your selections. And it’s even got two floors, with printed material downstairs.

Parnassus Books

A great bookstore doesn’t just peddle books. It starts conversations, launches friendships, changes lives, transmits the passions of its staff and anchors a community’s intellectual life. Parnassus, which is coowned by author Ann Patchett, does all of these things and more.

Hatch Show Print

Need presents for those back home, an outside-the-box wedding gift, or something to distinguish your walls or office cube? This is some of the coolest (and most affordable) art you’ll find anywhere.

Hail, Dark Aesthetics

The walls of this East Side outpost are covered with the heads of various taxidermied critters and framed bat and insect corpses. It’s not all about death and bones, though — they also carry gorgeous Victorian-inspired jewelry, crystals, Garbage Pail Kids cards and goofy vintage patches.

Daphne Quirky | Pretty | Home

Stop by this home furnishing store for casual cottage style that is comfy and quirky, and book a consultation for customized interior design.

The Groove

Just a couple blocks north of East Nashville’s buzzing Five Points neighborhood, The Groove has been a must for vinyl-hunting audiophiles for a decade-plus. The independently owned store offers new and used vinyl, cassettes and CDs, and frequently hosts in-store performances and events.

Marathon Village

It seems many of the folks who head to Marathon Village are hoping to catch a glimpse of American Pickers star Mike Wolfe, who owns Antique Archaeology. But whether you’re there for antiques or cool old cars, definitely take some extra time to check out the other local shops, including The Bang Candy Company and Grinder’s Switch Winery, which offers wine from the Centerville winery.

Music Valley Antiques and Marketplace

This antique mall features inventive furniture, records, knickknacks and memorabilia for every budget, plus a slew of souvenirs worth bringing home.

Top Retail Destinations

Gruhn Guitars

The instrument shop has been around since 1970 and currently has more than 1,000 guitars, basses, banjos and more. Gruhn has furnished guitars for Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, George Harrison and Paul McCartney.

The Great Escape

Holding one of the largest used CD and record collections in Nashville, this long-standing shop is a favorite for those willing to dig for their treasure. With locations on Charlotte Avenue and on Gallatin Road in Madison, it’s a great outpost for comic-book lovers too.

Paddywax Candle Bar

Scratch your arts-and-crafts itch at Paddywax Candle Bar, where you can sip on a mimosa and make your very own quality candle. With options like Chamomile & Fig and Pink Pepper Grapefruit, the only hard part is choosing a fragrance. Locations are in Berry Hill and the Gulch.

Music City Psychic

For an extrasensory experience, check out Music City Psychic. This local telepath offers palm readings, astrology chart interpretations, tarot readings and more to help you figure out your present and look to the future.*

Consider It Flowers

Established by husband-and-wife team Dexter and Kelsey Palmer, Consider It Flowers is a cannabis brand and online shop that delivers hemp-derived products — including CBD, Delta-8 and much more — throughout the Nashville area. Got questions? Find answers at consideritflowers.com.*

Savory Spice

This West Nashville shop has everything you need to zhuzh up your cooking: signature sauces, dips and dressings, and nearly 400 spices that range from the familiar to the hard-to-find. The shop also offers pre-packaged spices with accompanying recipes, like honey-Sriracha-lime fish tacos. Just stop at the grocery store with the provided shopping list, and you’re set to make a delicious meal.*

Hustler Hollywood

At Music City’s own emporium of pleasure, you can find just about anything that gets you going. The inventory includes classic stock, like Doc Johnson dildos, as well as inventive sex toys from companies like We-Vibe and Lelo — plus lingerie, BDSM gear and much more. The staff is welcoming and helpful, so don’t be shy.*

top dog-friendly spots

Two Rivers Dog Park

Open from dawn until dusk in the lovely and expansive Two Rivers Park, this spot is perfect for dog owners who want plenty of room for their little pals to run.

Downtown Dog Park

The park on the Riverfront isn’t large, but it’s a lovely little respite from the concrete jungle for downtown pooches. Plus, it’s surrounded by other areas to visit once your pup is back on his or her leash.

Tailgate Brewery

This West Side brewery’s headquarters sits on more than seven acres, giving pups plenty of room to play. Plus, there’s a semi-secret dogs-only menu with treats made from leftover pizza dough and beer malt.

William A. Pitts Dog Park

Half the park is a spacious, well-kept grassy patch with water fountains, shade and plenty of seating. But the other side is a heavily wooded area where your dog can run wild through shrubs and trees while chasing squirrels and birds.

BarkPark

While the dogs have fun running zoomies and cooling off on the splash pad, humans can take advantage of the covered seating, free Wi-Fi and coffee bar.

top museums

Frist Art Museum

Housed in the beautiful Art Deco building that once served as the city’s post office, the Frist Art Museum is Nashville’s finest art institution. Often hosting historical and contemporary art exhibits simultaneously — as well as offering a cafe, monthly live music performances, a wonderful children’s center and regular architecture tours — the Frist goes to great lengths to offer something for everyone.

Tennessee State Museum

In its new digs near the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum holds more than 150,000 artifacts from all over the state, and all of the exhibits are free to the public. The museum is dedicated to educational programming for kids too.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Because the museum’s collections and stories are so well presented, and because the exploration of country music runs so deep, even verging into blues and gospel at times, there’s plenty for all music fans to appreciate.

The Parthenon

Securing our reputation as the Athens of the South, Nashville is home to a full-scale replica of The Parthenon. There’s a museum inside with paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, and just like the Parthenon in ancient Greece, this one holds a 42-foot statue of Athena.

Lane Motor Museum

In this unique museum, you’ll find myriad examples of the ever-evolving concept of practical transportation, from tiny bicycles and scooters to capacious people-carriers. Among the 150 or so vehicles on display, there are radical designs from engineers manifesting their visions in metal.

Nashville’s Vintage Stores

COMPILED BY ASHLEY BARRIENTOS

ANACONDA VINTAGE

1062 E. Trinity Lane, Suite 101 anacondavintage.com

Instagram: @anacondavintage

BACKSLIDE VINTAGE

4606 Gallatin Pike

Instagram: @backslidevintage

BLACK SHAG

1220 Gallatin Ave. blackshagvintage.com

Instagram: @blackshagvintage

EAST NASHVILLE ANTIQUES AND VINTAGE

3407 Gallatin Pike

Instagram: @eastnashvilleantiques

GOODBUY GIRLS

1108 Woodland St., Unit E goodbuygirlsnashville.com

Instagram: @goodbuygirls

HIGH CLASS HILLBILLY

4604 Gallatin Pike highclasshillbilly.com

Instagram: @hchvintage

HIP ZIPPER

1008 Forrest Ave., Suite A hipzipper.com

Instagram: @hipzippernashville

LIVE TRUE VINTAGE

103 22nd St., Old Hickory livetruevintage.com

Instagram: @livetruevintage

MUSIC CITY VINTAGE

2503 Gallatin Ave., Suite 103 musiccityvtg.com

Instagram: @musiccityvtg

NTHNG PRSNL

1003 Gallatin Ave.

Instagram: @nthngprsnl.shop

11

OLD MADE GOOD (OMG)

3701B Gallatin Pike

oldmadegoodnashville.bigcartel.com

Instagram: @oldmadegood

SAVANT VINTAGE

12

13

2302 12th Ave. S.

Instagram: @savantvintage

STARLAND VINTAGE & UNUSUAL*

*Previously Pre to Post Modern 2110 Eighth Ave. S.

Instagram: @starlandemporium

STAR STRUCK VINTAGE

14

604 Gallatin Ave., Unit 109 starstruckvintage.com

Instagram: @starstruckvintage

TRANSMIGRATION VINTAGE

15

508 Davidson St., Suite 510B transmigration-vintage.business.site

Instagram: @transmigration_vintage

top music venues

Ryman Auditorium

There’s a reason they call it the Mother Church of Country Music — with the stained-glass windows, the pews instead of traditional theater seating, and the rich history wafting through the air, concerts at the Ryman feel more like you’re experiencing some kind of spiritual revival rather than just catching another concert. The famed auditorium also offers tours.

The Basement

This intimate rock club boasts some of the best sound in Music City, with a full calendar of singer-songwriters, rock ’n’ roll bands and soul outfits — not to mention the friendly staff and full bar — that keeps the place filled to the brim most nights.

The Bluebird Cafe

Essentially the CBGB of landmark singer-songwriter haunts, this tiny, no-introductionnecessary hole-in-the-wall is where struggling and established songsmiths alike often woodshed and showcase future big hits for the first time.

City Winery

This spacious Pie Town venue hosts a menagerie of events, from live music to trivia to the occasional happy-hour yoga session. The space is broken up into a few different rooms — there’s the restaurant, which serves lunch, dinner and brunch; the lounge, where they have trivia, DJs and happy hours; and the main showroom, featuring both local and touring acts.

Drkmttr

Nashville’s only DIY all-ages venue, Drkmttr hosts an array of music from hip-hop to hardcore punk to dance, with local artists and touring acts equally represented.

top music venues

Exit/In

A key part of Elliston Place’s celebrated Rock Block, the renowned Exit/In has a 50-year history that includes everyone from Steve Martin to The Police — and their names are all there on the wall.

Grand Ole Opry House

The main home of the Grand Ole Opry since 1974, this opulent 4,400-capacity hall is the crown jewel of the Opryland complex. Standing on its stage is a rite of passage for anyone who’s anyone in country music.

Marathon Music Works

Located in historic Marathon Village, the spacious 1,500-capacity room features two full bars and hosts pop, rock, hip-hop and country shows.

Play

As Nashville’s hottest dance bar, this place has everything: female and male impersonators (known as The Play Mates), DJ nights, themed dance-party nights and much, much more.

Robert’s Western World

See p. 11.

The Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Home of the Nashville Symphony, the Schermerhorn is a gorgeous downtown venue that hosts a variety of classical, pop, blues, jazz and even the occasional comedy performance.

Station Inn

See p. 15.

Third Man Records

Mecca for fans of Jack White, and the Chocolate Factory to the Nashville-by-way-of-Detroit Last Rock Icon Standing’s Willy Wonka, Third Man Records is unlike any modern musical landmark in the world.

Top Indoor Activities

Nashville Public Library

A jewel in the city’s crown, the Downtown Branch of Nashville Public Library houses much more than books. With two art galleries, a stunning Civil Rights Room and bright and a playful children’s section, you can while away an afternoon.

First Saturday Art Crawl

Nashville’s downtown art galleries have been sharing opening nights for more than a decade. The first Saturday of every month on Fifth Avenue feels like an arty street festival, with new exhibits, free wine and refreshments available.

Bridgestone Arena

The roughly 20,000-capacity home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators turns gold in the winter for hockey with one of the loudest, craziest crowds in the league, but serves up a host of musical performances on a silver platter all year long.

OZ Arts

This former cigar warehouse was transformed into a destination for cutting-edge contemporary art experiences, with eclectic programming of performing and visual arts events.

Zanies

Nashville’s flagship comedy club hosts a wide variety of shows, from local comic showcases to national headliners such as Aziz Ansari, Bruce Bruce, Janeane Garofalo, Chris Rock, Marc Maron and countless more.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Located near both Opry Mills Mall and the legendary Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center features nine acres of stunning indoor gardens under glass roofs — along with 2,800 guest rooms and more than 750,000 square feet of convention space.

Top outdoor Activities

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

The city’s elegant longtime home for the arts offers attractions all year round, from quality art exhibitions in the estate’s museum to a woodland sculpture trail and the annual Holiday LIGHTS extravaganza.

Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area

Here, hundreds of riverside acres in what would otherwise be prime residential real estate are set aside forever as a wildlife habitat and gathering places for family barbecues, exercise, birding and more. Check out the Nature Center for educational programming.

United Street Tours

This tour company informs visitors — and unaware locals — about Nashville’s impressive and extensive Black history and culture. It offers three different walking tours, each 90 minutes long. There’s a Black history option, as well as tours devoted to the civil rights movement and neighborhood diversity.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

This tree-lined park and promenade boasts a 200-foot granite map of the state, a Pathway of History measured in 2001-like monoliths, a World War II memorial, a working carillon, and a fountain plaza that fills in the summer with children splashing in the soaring jets of water.

Arrington Vineyards

Thirty-five minutes south of downtown, not only can you explore the countryside while sipping on some locally made wine, but you can also bring a picnic, order food and attend concerts.*

Gray Line of Tennessee

See the sights with Gray Line of Tennessee, which offers a bevy of tours to get you wellacquainted with Music City. Tours cover general sightseeing, celebrity homes, music museums and Civil War history. *

There’s no better way to explore Music City than on a pedal assist electric BCycle.

Top outdoor Activities

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

Immerse yourself in the history of Tennessee and hospitality at the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. You can explore the verdant grounds and Belle Meade Mansion, sample Southern cuisine and an array of wines, and attend educational tours. We especially recommend the Journey to Jubilee Tour, which invites discussion and explores the stories of the enslaved African Americans who were brought to and born at Belle Meade.*

Franklin on Foot

Just south of Nashville is the town of Franklin, and a great way to experience its downtown is through Franklin on Foot. The walking tours highlight the history, architecture and culture of the town. Eat your way through the bustling neighborhood on the Food Tour, which stops at several eateries.*

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

The seventh president of the United States’ home has been preserved since his death in 1845, and the estate boasts an extensive roster of attractions. The Hermitage offers several suggested itineraries to make the most of your stay, featuring museum exhibits; tours of the mansion, gardens and trails; the Natchez Hills Winery; and a tour with a historic interpreter about the lives of enslaved people who lived at The Hermitage.*

top family-friendly spots

The Adventure Science Center

Explore the 15,000-square-foot Space Chase, scale the Adventure Tower or take in a star show at the Sudekum Planetarium, where a GOTO Chiron optical star projector displays more than 6 million stars (!) onto the theater’s 63-foot dome.*

Nashville Children’s Theatre

With year-round programming, NCT has provided exposure to the theatrical arts to deserving kids, families and educators across Middle Tennessee for 90 seasons and counting. The production quality is top-notch, and its Rutledge Hill venue also hosts the Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Ingram New Works Festival each spring.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

At the Nashville Zoo you can feed birds while they sit on your hand (or sometimes head), pet kangaroos (which are softer than chinchillas), hang out in a petting zoo filled with goats, llamas and alpacas, and visit more than 300 different species of animals, including red pandas, tigers and so many more.

The Adventure Park at Nashville

This maze of ropes, cables, planks and netting is the perfect spot for kids’ day out, a place for your little ones to unleash their inner monkey by swinging, climbing and ziplining their way through the trees.

Red Caboose Park

Playgrounds are often full of big kids, and the structures are just a bit too large to set a little one loose on. But at Bellevue’s Red Caboose Park, you’ll find bouncy stuff on the ground underneath the equipment to protect delicate noggins, a zero-entry merry-goround, and some fake trees for climbing fun. Plus, there are a dozen comfy picnic tables, gloriously located under a pleasant stand of wide-canopied trees.

Top Health & wellness

Spas

Escape Day Spa & Salon

The spa menu includes a bevy of options for facials, massage and nail care — and the staff is happy to help you customize the experience based on your needs.

The Woodhouse Day Spa

The Nashville outpost of The Woodhouse Day Spa is elegant and luxe — and you can treat yourself from head to toe.

Esthetics By P. Brown

This local spot offers individualized treatments for skin and hair care as well as body treatments like waxing and steaming. The salon also caters to natural hair.

Fitness Centers

YMCA of Middle Tennessee

The city’s YMCAs offer excellent fitness centers, a variety of classes and youth sports to keep you active. Plus, some centers even have pools.

getFIT615

This locally owned business has adopted a body-liberation ethos, so everyone can work out without feeling the weight of society’s expectations — and that’s fresh.

Metro Parks Community Centers

Nashville is home to 10 regional community centers that offer fitness centers, tracks, exercise studios and more. A day pass is just $3.

Quick Medics

CareNow Urgent Care

There are seven CareNow Urgent Care clinics in Nashville that provide same-day treatment.

Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinic

The Vanderbilt clinics offer urgent medical care for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that need to be treated immediately. You can walk in or make a same-day appointment online.

East Nashville Family Medicine

This East Side health center offers long-term care as well as a walk-in clinic for whatever ails you.

Transportation

Nashville B-cycle

Nashville B-cycle is an hourly bike rental service, where you just swipe your credit card at a B-station, grab a bike and go. Take it wherever you’d like — Nashville has a lot of beautiful, mostly flat greenways — then return it to any B-station throughout the city.

Electric scooters

Those dockless electric scooters you see on the sidewalk and perched on various street corners? They’re relatively easy to get around on, and they’re definitely cheap. Just download the app of one of the many competing brands — Lime and Bird, to name just two — find a nearby scooter with some battery life left in it, and hop on. Both Bird and Lime scooters cost $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute of riding. Riders are encouraged to wear helmets, though they aren’t technically required — but keep the scooter off the sidewalk, or you could land yourself a fine.

Joyride Nashville

Want a quick lift from the Gulch to Lower Broad? Just wave down one of the many Joyride golf carts you’ll no doubt see zipping through the streets of downtown. The rides are free, but tips are very much appreciated.

Lyft

Lyft is an on-demand personal driver service that you utilize through a smartphone app, but it’s staffed by regular folks so the prices tend to be more affordable than a cab. Watch out for surge pricing, though.

Uber

Like Lyft, Uber is an on-demand car service that you can summon from your smartphone. It will take you to and from anywhere downtown and the nearby neighborhoods, and even as far out as Brentwood and Franklin

Nashville MTA

If you’re hoping to get to or from downtown, the bus is a great, cheap option. The fare is just $1.70 (and exact change is not needed), so you can get downtown from the airport for under two bucks!