Your field guide to Music City from the folks at the
This Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors cowgirl outfit was designed for actress Gail Davis, star of the 1950s TV western Annie Oakley, but never retrieved from Nudie’s shop. In the 1970s, it was purchased and worn by Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris.
From the exhibit Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock, presented by City National Bank
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.
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: Laura Hutson Hunter; Art Director: Elizabeth Jones; Copy Editor: Dana Kopp Franklin; Illustrator: Mary Louise Meadors; Photographers: Angelina Castillo, Eric England and Daniel Meigs; Writers: J.R. Lind, Elizabeth Jones, Laura Hutson Hunter, D. Patrick Rodgers
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.
White’s Mercantile
This gift shop features upscale fashion and accessories along with a good selection of locally made products. Additional locations are in Green Hills and Franklin.
Imogene + Willie
Judith Bright
Emerson Grace
Epice
Among Nashville’s many great Mediterranean restaurants, Epice stands out by making its Lebanese cuisine elegant as well as delicious.
Locust
Chef Trevor Moran’s 12South outpost won Food & Wine’s award for Restaurant of the Year in 2022.
The Henry
SCENE TIP:
Draper James
Serendipity
This 12South staple is a modern mom-and-pop shop that has something for everyone — novelty T-shirts printed by local favorites Friendly Arctic, jewelry, candles, toys for kids and more.*
STAG Provisions for Men
Buck Mason
Frothy Monkey
Ladybird Taco
Burger Up
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
The Butter Milk Ranch
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.
JOHN SEIGENTHALER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
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.
National Museum of African American Music
Officially opened in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music — or NMAAM — quickly became a global destination for music lovers. With galleries dedicated to R&B, jazz, blues, gospel and hip-hop, the downtown museum offers something for every generation.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (see p. 61)
Nashville Farmers’ Market and Bicentennial Mall
Gardens of Babylon
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Big Drag Bus
Step onto a bus full of dancing, singing, high heels and sightseeing with this tour. Voted “Best Transpotainment” in the Scene’s Best of Nashville Readers’ Poll several years in a row, Big Drag Bus is a good time for tourists and Nashvillians alike.*
Historic RCA Studio B
Johnny Cash Museum
Hatch Show Print
Bad Axe Throwing
The Arcade
Haley Gallery
Fifth + Broadway
Printers Alley
SCENE TIP:
Tinney Contemporary at 237 Rep. John Lewis Way N. hosts rotating exhibitions of artists from all over, including Nashville-based artists Wendy Walker Silverman, Marilyn Murphy and James Perrin. Tinney also curates a world-class exhibition series at Bobby Hotel on Fourth Avenue, where you’ll find works from a variety of emerging and mid-career artists.
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.*
Located in a space within the JW Marriott Hotel, 888 is inspired by jazz kissas in Japan — combination coffee shops and bars where jazz fans gather to listen to records on a high-fidelity stereo system. It’s a unique experience with plenty of sushi on the menu — from hand rolls to nigiri — and late-night offerings like Godzilla Fries (made with pork belly, Tokyo spice and miso ranch dressing) and seasonal mochi ice cream. *
Long considered one of downtown Nashville’s best restaurants, The Southern Steak & Oyster is perfectly situated at the intersection of commerce, entertainment and tourism. A delectable selection of oysters is always on the menu, as are the signature steaks, but the Beaux Bros. gumbo and Saffire steak biscuits are not to be missed.*
Located inside Fifth + Broadway is this food hall, featuring more than 30 different dining options.
Housed inside a multi-story building from 1890, Acme Feed & Seed might be the most well-rounded entertainment spot on Lower Broadway. There’s a stage with live music that’s streamed on Acme Radio Live, a wide selection of regionally sourced retail items, a curated collection of country music artifacts hanging on the walls, and a restaurant menu that features everything from chicken-fried chicken and Redneck Lo Mein to a full sushi bar. All this and a rooftop bar, too.*
Don’t miss anything historic Nashville has to offer by taking this tour where a maximum of 12 people ride in a mobile glass-wall-enclosed showroom. Eat, drink (BYOB) and enjoy the sights down Broadway and beyond. Tour options include mural tours and dining tours.*
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 Boulevard, look for a historical marker commemorating Nashville’s first gay bars, Juanita’s Place and The Jungle.
This cluster of locally owned stores offers everything from handcrafted jewelry to quirky gifts, garlicky goods and vintage knickknacks.
Bill’s Sandwich Palace
We’ve awarded this Lockeland Springs hot spot several Best of Nashville awards, including Best Sandwich Shop in 2024. Its rotating lineup of big, delicious, and often sloppy sandwiches are always a hit — from a sauce-covered slab of meatloaf on a roll to a crispy chicken thigh with barbecue dry rub and a spicy pickle. *
Ten Jack Xiao Bao
The Wash
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.*
Getalong Gift Horse
This Japanese neighborhood restaurant was named Best New Restaurant in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2023.
Every Wednesday through Sunday, Shotgun Willie’s provides Madison with some of the tastiest live-fire barbecue in town. Order a plate and get a half-pound of meat with two scratch-made sides (dill pickle potato salad and honey poppy seed slaw are two favorites) and all the fixin’s. Save room for bourbon banana pudding for dessert.*
On the East Side, chef Marcio Florez’s Peruvian eatery Limo has delicious tapas and a great lineup of ceviches. It won the Scene’s Readers’ Poll award for Best New Restaurant in 2024, and continues to impress us with a wide array of options, from traditional to vegetarian and vegan options, and even a sampler platter that showcases many of Peru’s iconic flavors.*
This convenient food court is home to locations of Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop, Vui’s Kitchen, Radish Kitchen and more. To top it off, there’s a dogfriendly outdoor dining area.
The 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.
Pins Mechanical Company
Puttshack
Marsh House
Inside the Thompson Hotel, Marsh House focuses on seafood — lobster tart, snapper stew — with Southern flair. Leave room for dessert, too.
This intimate Gulch spot offers up fantastic Detroit-style pizzas, sandwiches and a contender for the best burger in town.
Adele’s
Peg Leg Porker
A frequent winner of Best Place to Buy a Musical Instrument in the Scene’s annual Best of Nashville Readers’ Poll, Carter Vintage Guitars has long been one of the city’s most valuable and beloved spots for procuring vintage guitars. Since merging with The North American Guitar in 2022, the Nashville institution has expanded and moved its showroom to a new spot, filled with history for guitarists and music lovers of all stripes.*
In addition to the always-superb sfincione (don’t sleep on the potato sfincione, or the Classic Vito), chef Michael Hanna has been riffing on stracciatella, pastas, salads and a whole lot more — with great success.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Geist Bar and Restaurant
Henrietta Red Butchertown Hall
The Cupcake Collection
Little Hats Market
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 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.
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
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.
Greenery Co.
Meet Noodles
Pizza Perfect
Molly Green
Hester & Cook
The Hillsboro Village store contains beautiful display platters, golden measuring cups, colorful glassware and all the materials needed to throw a sophisticated party.
United Apparel Liquidators
Dumpling House
Only Chicken Mediterranean Restaurant
Fido
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
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.
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
Ooh Wee Bar-B-Q
Slim & Husky’s
Tio Fun!
Bag Lady’s Fry Joint
Get hand-cut fries, chips or cauliflowerloaded protein, vegetables, cheese and sauce at Bag Lady’s. The unique menu includes pizza fries, hot chicken fries, Philly cheesesteak fries and gyro fries, plus burgers, gyros, lamb and more.
Woodcuts Gallery & Framing
Elephant Gallery
Hadley Park
Buchanan Arts
Vege-licious Cafe
Riddim N Spice
Trap House Wingz
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.
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.
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 alwayson-tap Tennessee IPA.
Pupuseria Reina La Bendición
Taj
Seoul Garden
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Radnor Lake State Park
Ford Ice Center
Game Terminal
Rosie’s Twin Kegs
Gojo
OSH Restaurant & Grill
House of Kabob
Waffle Taco
Middle Eatz
King Tut’s
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 Nashville SC’s Geodis Park. 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.
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
51 North Taproom
Located in the heart of The Nations, 51 North Taproom has something for everyone — from tacos and quesadillas to Southern fried chicken. A special weekend brunch menu includes breakfast nachos — fried eggs over black beans and chips covered with a Gouda queso. It’s a craft-beer focused spot, with 30 constantly rotating taps and 75 bottles or cans of craft beers and ciders, but it’s also family-friendly, and the menu includes plenty of options for the kids.*
TIP:
The Barbershop Theater
Sylvan Supply
L&L Market
Able
Rhino Booksellers
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip
M.L. Rose
Nicky’s Coal Fired
Door Cookies
Black Dynasty Secret Ramen
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.
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.
At its two locations, Dose serves up coffee, baked goods and the best breakfast sandwich around.
This cafe boasts some of the best baked goods, soup and sandwiches in the city. Keep it simple with a cappuccino and an extraflakey croissant.
Serving Southern staples like shrimp and grits and chicken-fried-steak biscuits, Adele’s is a go-to weekend brunch spot.
This East Side taco shop isn’t just great for lunch — its egg-and-cheese-filled breakfast tacos will power you through any day.
Nashville has plenty of brunch options, but only one qualifies as a true experience. Suzy Wong’s Drag’n Brunch is a two-hour interactive party with three fabulous queens who serve looks along with delicious chicken salad croissants, breakfast hash and Suzy Wong’s famous barbecue pulled pork and bacon egg dish, the Hong Kong Millionaire. Make your reservation now — seats sell quickly.*
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. The Pancake Pantry also has a downtown location at the corner of Third and Molloy.
Scene staffers agree: SweetMilk is with the trip to Donelson. The spacious venue opened in 2023, and offers an outsized menu of breakfast favorites, including country breakfast, steak and eggs, shrimp and grits, omelets, buttermilk pancakes, French toast, breakfast casserole and oldfashioned biscuits.
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 is an artisan coffee pioneer on Hermitage Avenue at the edge of downtown, known for reliable coffee craftsmanship and sharing its knowledge via classes.
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.
With locations in West Nashville, Midtown 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.
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:
East Nashville’s Ugly Mugs will keep you coming back with its seasonal sips. A Scene favorite from the winter menu is The Grinch, a white chocolate and peppermint concoction. One of the summer matcha lattes — She-Hulk — was such a hit that it’s now a permanent fixture on the menu.
The Scene covers dozens of events every month, from concerts and music festivals to art openings and craft fairs. All that work pays off when we get to be in charge of organizing our own event, like the FW Publishingsponsored Music City Food & Wine Festival, which takes place April 24 to 27, 2025. Sure, we’re biased, but we think it’s the best in the biz. A regional destination event for locals and tourists alike, MCFW is a weekendlong culinary celebration that includes a chef competition, a vendor market, samples from top wine and spirits brands, and special dinners and brunches that happen throughout the city. It’s kind of a big deal — find out more at musiccityfoodandwinefest.com.
If you find yourself north of the city in Gallatin, make sure to stop by Campione’s for some of the best Chicago-style hot dogs you can find in Tennessee. Not a hot dog fan? Their menu boasts Italian beef, pastas and pizza as well.*
In this warmly lit Somali cafe, the team offers many delectable foods, including a savory pastry called the sambusa, a Somali variation on the Indian samosa.
Elliston Place Soda Shop has been serving locals Southern comfort food and sodas for more than 80 years. It’s a true Nashville institution — George Jones was photographed sitting in one of its booths for the cover of his 1976 record Alone Again. These days, the soda shop is best known for its indulgent milkshakes and Miss Linda’s meringue pies.*
The unassuming Tutti Da Gio in Hermitage offers some of the best Italian food you’ll find in Nashville, and possibly anywhere. The menu includes handmade gnocchi and pasta, paperthin prosciutto and thin-crust pizzas baked in a brick oven that we like so much we gave it our Best New Italian writer’s choice in the Scene’s 2022 Best of Nashville issue.*
Based out of East Nashville’s The Wash, S.S. Gai offers Thai chicken in two styles: gai tod (crispy and fried) and gai yang (smoky and grilled). Both are served with sticky rice, fried garlic and shallots, tamarind chili fish sauce, aromatic chili vinegar and local veggies and herbs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You don’t need to lead a plant-based lifestyle to enjoy this chain’s delicious superfood bowls. They start with açaî or dragon fruit as a base, blend them with nut milks and butters, and top them high with ingredients like fresh fruit, nuts and local honey. Delicious and nutritious.
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 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.
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.
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.
Bad Idea
Best Restaurant: 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.*
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.
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.
Maiz de la Vida
Making tortillas is an art form at Maiz de la Vida, now in a new bricks-and-mortar spot on Eighth Avenue. It serves a variety of delicious offerings — tacos, quesabirria, elote and more — that split the difference between traditional and innovative. You can also still find it as a food truck outside of East Nashville’s tiki-themed bar Chopper every Tuesday through Sunday.
Carniceria San Luis
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.
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.
Rice Vice by Proper Saké Co.
Attaboy
In a meticulously curated space, Chopper offers its own takes on traditional tiki drinks like the mai tai, the jet pilot and the painkiller.
Inglewood Lounge
This off-the-beaten-path spot offers a succinct but diverse cocktail menu. Reliably inventive, the menu rotates throughout the year.
Located on the first floor of The 404 Kitchen, Gertie’s has a whiskey list that 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 selection of frozen drinks at East Nashville Tex-Mex spot Redheaded Stranger varies, but you can usually count on the Aperol-featuring Chill Bill to be on tap. Other favorites include strawberry and hibiscus margaritas, and you can always request a non-alcoholic flavored lemonade option.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1. BARRIQUE BREWING & BLENDING barriquebrewing.com
2. BASSLINE BREWING COMPANY baselinebrews.com
3. BEARDED IRIS beardedirisbrewing.com
4. BLACK ABBEY blackabbeybrewing.com
5. BLACKSTONE BREWING blackstonebeer.com
6. CRAZY GNOME BREWERY cgbrewing.com
7. DISKIN CIDER diskincider.com
9. EAST NASHVILLE BEER WORKS eastnashbeerworks.com
10. FAIT LA FORCE BREWING faitlaforcebrewing.com
11. FAT BOTTOM BREWERY fatbottombrewing.com
12. GRANITE CITY BREWERY gcfb.com
13. HALF BATCH BREWING halfbatchbrewing.com
15. HONEYTREE MEADERY honeytreemeadery.com
16. JACKALOPE BREWING CO. jackalopebrew.com
17. LITTLE HARPETH BREWING littleharpethbrewing.com
18. LIVING WATERS BREWING livingwatersbrewing.com
19. MARBLE FOX BREWING CO. marblefoxbrewing.com
21. MILL CREEK BREWING millcreekbrewingco.com
22. MONDAY NIGHT BREWING PRESERVATION CO. mondaynightbrewing.com
23. NEW HEIGHTS BREWING CO. newheightsbrewing.com
24. SOUTHERN GRIST (2 locations) southerngristbrewing.com
25. TAILGATE (6 locations) tailgatebeer.com
26. TENNESSEE BREW WORKS tnbrew.co
27. SMITH & LENTZ smithandlentz.com
28. YEE-HAW BREWING CO. yeehawbrewing.com
29. YAZOO BREWING CO. yazoobrew.com
30. BIG MACHINE bigmachinevodka.com
31. CORSAIR corsairdistillery.com
33. NASHVILLE CRAFT nashvillecraft.com
34. NEAREST GREEN DISTILLERY unclenearest.com 35. NELSON’S GREEN BRIER greenbrierdistillery.com
36. OLE SMOKY 6thandpeabody.com
PICKERS VODKA pickersvodka.com
GRIMEY’S NEW AND PRE-LOVED MUSIC
This is the shopping center that locals have been obsessing over since it opened in 2023. Outlets from major names like Coach, Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew share space with a Pottery Barn outlet, a Shake Shack and more. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Tanger likely has it — and for far less than you’ll find anywhere else. Local favorites like Prince’s Hot Chicken add a little Nashville authenticity to this massive shopping center.*
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.
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 co-owned by author Ann Patchett, does all of these things and more.
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.
Need a relaxing break between shopping and mural photo ops? The Gulch’s Face Foundrie can accommodate everything from mini-facials to full spa treatments, with an extensive enhancement menu.*
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.
This antique mall features inventive furniture, records, knickknacks and memorabilia for every budget, plus a slew of souvenirs worth bringing home.
This boutique in Nashville’s historic downtown Arcade is stuffed with gifts and locally made goods. But what really sets it apart is its selection of permanent jewelry. You can choose among a broad assortment of sterling silver and goldfilled chains and engravable charms, then watch as a jeweler welds it closed on your wrist or around your neck.*
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.
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 Pike in Madison, it’s a great outpost for comic-book lovers too.
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.
Totally Rad Toyhouse is sure to elicit an “I remember that!” from every visitor — from G.I. Joe to Barbie to Marvel, there’s something for everyone. Collectors can buy, sell and trade, or hunt for rare finds.
Mecca for fans of Jack White, and the Chocolate Factory to the Nashville-by-wayof-Detroit Last Rock Icon Standing’s Willy Wonka, Third Man Records is unlike any modern musical landmark in the world.
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.
We’re fortunate in Nashville to have several thriving independent bookstores, from Parnassus to Novellette. But the small-but-mighty The Bookshop is our current favorite — the thoughtful curation of mostly new releases and reissues always has what we’re looking for, and insightful, opinionated booksellers are always happy to help us find something new.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.*
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more than a decade, Furever Friends has been making environmentally friendly leashes and toys by hand using donated T-shirts. You can find double-sided bandanas and more from Furever Friends at Wags & Walks, Miss Kitty’s Dog Resort, Biscuit Love and The Modern Dog Company.
YOUR FAVORITE FACIAL BAR IN THE GULCH. Looking for a royal treatment? We have you covered with a service suited for kings and queens alike! Our Royal Treatment uses a series of microtreaments including hydradermabrasion, microcurrent and oxygen infusion to change your skin in just 50 minutes.
RECEIVE A FREE DERMAPLANING ENHANCEMENT WITH ANY ROYAL TREATMENT!
329 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 / 629-241-9400
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.
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.
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.*
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.
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.
National Museum of African American Music (see p. 11)
ANACONDA VINTAGE
1062 E. Trinity Lane, Suite 101 anacondavintage.com
Instagram: @anacondavintage
BABY SNAKES VINTAGE
105A 24th St., Old Hickory babysnakesvintage.com
Instagram: @babysnakesvintage
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
GARAGE SALE VINTAGE
East Nashville - 747 Douglas Ave. Downtown - 5040 Broadway garagesalevintage.com
Instagram: @garagesale_vintage
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
HORSE GIRL VINTAGE
Inside Nelson Drum Shop in East Nashville 1102 Riverside Drive
LIVE TRUE VINTAGE
103 22nd St., Old Hickory livetruevintage.com
Instagram: @livetruevintage
MADELOW HOUSE
2009 Belmont Blvd madelowhouse.com
Instagram: @madelow
MUSIC CITY VINTAGE
2503 Gallatin Ave., Suite 103 musiccityvtg.com
Instagram: @musiccityvtg
SAVANT VINTAGE
2302 12th Ave. S.
Instagram: @savantvintage
STARLAND VINTAGE & UNUSUAL 2110 Eighth Ave. S.
Instagram: @starlandemporium
STAR STRUCK VINTAGE
604 Gallatin Ave., Unit 109 starstruckvintage.com
Instagram: @starstruckvintage
5 6 7 9 3 8 4 1 0 1 6 1 3 2
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.*
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.
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.
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.
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.
This honky-tonk-style music venue opened in 1977, and has become legendary in the years since. Musicians who have graced the Nashville Palace stage include everyone from Randy Travis and George Jones to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Current offerings include live music from some of Nashville’s best, and line-dance party nights every weekend. *
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.
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. 13.)
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.
The Station Inn (See p. 17.)
The Basement East
The Blue Room at Third Man Records
The Pinnacle
Eastside Bowl
Exit/In
Cannery Hall
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.
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.
This former cigar warehouse has been transformed into a destination for cutting-edge contemporary art experiences, with eclectic programming of performing and visual arts events.
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.
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. An additional perk is SoundWaves, an upscale indoor/outdoor water park with big, fast water slides as well as two lazy rivers, a wave pool and “water obstacles.”*
The Franklin Theatre opened in 1937 and was lovingly restored by the Heritage Foundation. Its Main Street location makes it the perfect moviegoing spot, but there are also lots of live music and theater performances that will help you make a night of it in downtown Franklin.
A 152-acre public park located in the heart of West End, Centennial Park is home to Nashville’s beloved Parthenon museum, and frequently hosts cultural events like Musicians Corner and Tennessee Craft.
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.
Located 25 miles south of Nashville, Arrington Vineyards is on a lush 95-acre property — 16 acres of which are vineyards. With five tasting rooms and music on weekends (from April through November), plus 22 award-winning wines that are bottled on site, it’s a great spot for wine lovers to visit while in Music City.*
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.
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.
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.
If redneck culture’s your thing, the Redneck Comedy Tour Bus is the sightseeing event for you. Meet them at Scoreboard Bar & Grill on Music Valley Drive, where you can park for free behind Nashville Palace. Featured destinations include Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery — you can find out more at theredneckbus.com.
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.
Cumberland Park
Beaman Park
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (see p. 74)
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.*
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.
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.
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.
At East Nashville Beer Works, there’s a fenced-in playground where your kids can have a ball while you’re enjoying really good pizza and even better beer. It’s also dog-friendly, so bring your pup along.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
If you’re hoping to get to or from downtown, the bus is a great, cheap option. The fare is just $2 (and exact change is not needed), so you can get downtown from the airport for cheap!
