One of my best friends has lived in Nashville for nearly two decades and I’ve been lucky to visit multiple times. Every visit is a little different, from young college kid to adult foodie, and it’s been fun returning and discovering more. This list includes places I visited on two visits in the last decade.

See below for recommendations on Nashville food, sweets, and drinks.

FOOD

Audrey

The flagship restaurant of Chef Sean Brock, Audrey celebrates traditional southern food inspired by his Appalachian roots. Named after his maternal grandmother, this restaurant has classic dishes on its menu like cornbread and grits, but the final presentation is elevated by quality ingredients and creative chefs. Their tasting menu, The Feast, is eight dishes served family-style for $75 per person. We were thrilled with the variety and size of the dishes and left very pleased with the meal.

Offering: Dinner, happy hour, weekend brunch

Neighborhood: Northeast, Mcferrin Park

Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Website: https://www.audreynashville.com/

Cafe Roze

This hip yet low-key spot was great for a spontaneous dinner. I’ll be wishing for the smoked trout dip and steak and frites. Both were excellent and among the best eats we enjoyed in Nashville.

Offering: Lunch, happy hour, dinner

Neighborhood: Eastwood

Address: 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://www.caferoze.com/

Five Points Pizza

My friends tell me this is the best pizza in Nashville! I couldn’t verify since it’s the only pizza I had in Nashville but I really enjoyed it. I like that you can get it by the slice and the slices are huge! They have two locations.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: West, East

Address: 1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 and 4100 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Website: https://fivepointspizza.com/

Prince’s Hot Chicken

Known as the original Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has seven locations and counting. We tried the X Hot (2 more levels after this) and it was pretty spicy. I think medium or hot would have had better flavor and you don’t want to order tenders.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple, including downtown and the airport

Address: See locations here

Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

While Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has expanded outside of Tennesee (yes, even Austin!), it continues to be a go-to hot chicken spot in Nashville. They have five levels of spicy, from no spice (Southern) to mouth-on-fire spicy (Shut the Cluck Up). I had the medium but probably wouldn’t have minded more heat. Also, you don’t want to miss the Pimento Mac & Cheese! Their banana pudding is also a guest favorite.

Offering: Spicy Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: Midtown Nashville (original location): 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 plus 4 locations in Nashville

Website: https://www.hattieb.com/

Far East Nashville

What a great vermicelli bowl! I had the Bun Fareast with Vietnamese BBQ pork and it came with vermicelli, crispy egg roll, shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, sliced cucumber, basil and cilantro. We also started with the tofu fresh rolls, and Abbie got the pork banh mi.

Offering: Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, banh mi, and pho

Neighborhood: East, Watkins Park

Address: 614 18TH Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Website: http://www.fareastnashville.com/

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville with multiple locations. They roast their beans so you know they’re serious about their coffee. They’re also a cafe so you can come for a casual meal.

Offering: Coffee; Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 4 locations in Nashville

Website: http://frothymonkey.com

Barista Parlor

We were advised by a local to find the best biscuits here and they did not disappoint! This sleek, modern, and hipster coffee shop is the perfect place to wake up slowly.

Offering: Coffee and snacks

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville

Website: https://baristaparlor.com/

SWEETS

Five Daughter’s Bakery

Yes, this bakery is worth all the hype! The 100 Layer Donut (a croissant donut) takes three days to make. You can never go wrong with a Quinn, their version of a kouign amaan. If you’re paleo or vegan, they have treats for you too.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville. See them here.

Website: http://www.fivedaughtersbakery.com/

Hattie Jane’s Creamery

This small-batch creamery is a Tennesee original and uses local dairy for their ice cream. They have two locations in Nashville, including one at Assembly Food Hall, one in Murfeesboro, and one in Columbia. I enjoyed their classic flavor Cookie Jar Supreme with cookies, brownies, and Oreos.

Offering: Ice cream

Neighborhood: Downtown, Donelson

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and 2418 Lebanon Pk, Nashville, TN 37124

Website: https://hattiejanescreamery.com/

Baked on 8th

This bakery is currently being renovated but you can order for pick-up. You’ll have a selection of slices of cake, cookies, treat bars, and more. You’ll find a lot of classic flavors here.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 1512 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/

The Cupcake Collection

The cupcake tour continues! We stopped in The Cupcake Collection right when it opened and the bakery smells were so delightful. We got a four-pack with sweet potato, red velvet, blackout, and strawberry. Fans know best – their most popular sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese icing was my favorite! Can’t make it to Nashville? They ship!

Offering: Cupcakes

Neighborhood: Germantown, Lennox Village

Address: 1213 6th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37208 and 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 15, Nashville, TN 37211

Website: http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Fox’s Donut Den

Good ole classic donuts. Because sometimes you don’t need crazy toppings or combinations. You want a classic glazed or a blueberry cake donut. We picked up a few donut holes, and they also sell gigantic, sheet-cake-sized donuts that serve as an alternative to a birthday cake. Stop in if you visit Parnassus Books next door.

Offering: Donuts

Neighborhood: South

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215

Website: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsDonutDen/

DRINKS

Attaboy

The only other location of NYC’s award-winning bar of the same name, Attaboy in Nashville operates similarly to its original location. Expect modern and creative cocktails you order by telling the bartender your liquor and taste preferences. No reservations and you get in by waiting outside the door. They’ll be watching for your arrival. Our cocktails were $18 each.

Offering: Cocktails

Neighborhood: East, East End

Address: 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us-1

Living Waters Brewing

We stopped in here for an afternoon beer. They have a few IPA options, though they brew all types of beer. They also have a coffee bar program, so you could drink both. It’s a cute spot with spacious table and lounge seating.

Offering: Craft beer, coffee

Neighborhood: East Hill

Address: 1056 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216

Website: https://www.livingwatersbrewing.com/

Yazoo Brewing Company

One of the oldest breweries in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing Company is about 20 minutes from the downtown area. They have a taproom and tours available.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Madison Park

Address: 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115

Website: http://yazoobrew.com/

Jackalope Brewing Company

One of the most popular breweries in Nashville since 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company moved spaces since I last visited and has a colorful taproom.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 429B Houston St., Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://jackalopebrew.com/

The Patterson House

This upscale bar with speakeasy vibes serves craft cocktails with a smile. While we had to wait a bit to get in (no reservations), the low-key atmosphere at the bar gave our laid-back night the cherry on top. Not to mention – the bartenders know their stuff and will help you find your next favorite cocktail.

Offering: Fancy cocktails

Neighborhood: Midtown

Address: 1711 Division St. Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://thepattersonnashville.com/

I can’t wait to go back to Nashville again because I still have a list of places to try! Here are some recommended places:

• SS Gai – Thai chicken street food
• Maiz De La Vida – tacos
• East Side Banh Mi – Vietnamese
• Mas Tacos Por Favor – tacos
• Otaku – ramen
• Catbird Seat – tasting menu
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Southern cuisine
• Loveless Café – Southern cuisine
• Biscuit Love –  brunch and biscuits
• Pinewood Social – American food and bowling
• The Treehouse – American cuisine
• The Pharmacy – burgers
• City House – rustic Italian
• Vui’s Kitchen – Vietnamese

What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?

P.S. Want to read more about travel eats? Check out these posts:

• Chef’s Tasting at Rooster & Owl in Washington, DC
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Eating and Drinking on Big Island of Hawaii
• The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List

The post Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Use this Nashville, Tennessee Travel Guide to plan your trip! Here’s what to expect, where to eat, where to play, and where to stay in Nashville.

Why Visit Nashville?

While I went to visit one of my best friends who has lived there for about 10 years, I was also excited to visit one of the top cities in the U.S. Nashville is slowly rising as a popular city to visit and not only for aspiring musicians. As I found out, it’s becoming a foodie city, and soon, it’ll be harder to keep up with all the noteworthy restaurants. The city’s laid-back, cool-girl vibes will make you feel carefree and adventurous. Its charming neighborhoods will have you wishing you could live in the little pink house on the corner.

What people say about Nashville is true – it’s Austin, Texas 10 years ago – on the cusp of a boom, though the cranes in the sky show the city is moving quickly towards change. Nevertheless, Nashville in its current state provided the perfect weekend and everything Austin can’t provide – less traffic, fewer lines, and all the cool places and people.

Quick Tips

• A long weekend is perfect for a trip to Nashville. I would recommend it for a weekend getaway for couples and friends, girls’ trip, or a bachelorette party.
• The best time to visit Nashville is in the spring and fall. April through October has nice weather, though summer will be busier.

Getting There

You’ll fly into Nashville International Airport (BNA). It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville. Nashville is a quick two-hour flight from Austin.

Getting Around

You’ll need to rent a car or rely heavily on rideshare, especially if you want to visit different neighborhoods. Parking is fairly easy except for some parts of downtown. You can stay downtown but you’ll mainly get the touristy view.

Where to Stay

I was lucky enough to stay with my friend while visiting Nashville, but here are some places I found for you. Airbnb says their nightly average price is $169. Downtown is the most convenient location to stay but if you are looking for cute neighborhoods, try Fatherland District, 12South, East Nashville, or Germantown.

• Urban Cowboy BnB: I mean, just look at it. Wouldn’t you want to stay in a pretty place like this?
• Hermitage Hotel: This upscale, downtown is swanky and beautiful!
• Union Station Hotel: What happens when you transform a 19th-centry railroad station into a hotel (after a $15 million renovation in 2016)? This beauty!
• The 404 Hotel: No errors here. This boutique hotel offers something different to the Nashville experience with a modern feel.
• Graduate Nashville
• Henrie House
• There are many affordable, cute, and conveniently located Airbnb places in Nashville! Here’s one.

Where to Eat/Drink

Check out my post about the Best Restaurants in Nashville to plan which restaurants you will visit!

Where to Play

Ok, so there’s more to Nashville than eating and drinking. There’s music history, museums, a Parthenon replica, and more! Check out all the things to do in Nashville here.

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Snapchat (@wanderlustanita). You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Nashville Travel Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Parnassus Books

This is an independent bookstore co-owned by best-selling author Ann Patchett and publishing veteran Karen Hayes. They opened this shop in 2011 when all the independent bookstores disappeared. I liked that they had Nashville author and history sections.

Classic Music Venues

Musicians flock to Nashville to secure contracts, find inspiration, and share their talent.

• Bluebird Café: This iconic spot is known for giving up-and-coming artists the stage.
• Station Inn: Known as THE venue for bluegrass music.
• Grand Ole Opry House: Grand Ole Opry started as a radio show and moved to this venue from the Ryman Auditorium when they wanted a bigger space. Music’s big names grace the stage here. You can take a tour of the venue and/or buy tickets for a show.
• Ryman Auditorium: This historic venue is the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and where many music legends have performed. You can tour the venue and see a show here. For all you lovebirds, this is where Johnny met June.
  

12South Neighborhood

This neighborhood is a great option for walking around to shops and restaurants.

• Craft South: Love yarn crafts? This colorful shop will be heaven for you!
• White’s Mercantile: A great little shop for home goods, from Nashville poster prints and kitchen goods to candles and blankets.

Craft South

White’s Mercantile

Street Art

From music to paintings, Nashville is an artistic city. You’ll spot some photo-worthy street art around town. You’ll find many in 12 South, including a blue and white striped wall at Draper James.

Museums

Nashville’s well-known museums are focused on art. Learn about the history of country music or see traveling exhibits.

• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: If you love country music, this museum is where you should go. It collects and preserves country music history.
• Hatch Show Print: Legendary print shop connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Historic RCA Studio B: This recording studio has been the place for many music greats, including Elvis. It is also connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
• The Frist Center for the Visual Arts: This small art museum hosts non-permanent exhibits. When I visited we saw an exhibit about Samurais (historic artifacts), a very cool video exhibit by Ragnar Kjartansson called “The Visitors,” and art by Harmony Korine.

Historic Sites

• Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art: This place was originally a home in 1929 and is now a 55-acre botanical garden and museum.
• Parthenon at Centennial Park: A full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens? Yes. And don’t forget the 42-foot replica of Athena. It was built for the 1897 Centennial Exposition. If the Parthenon isn’t quite your thing, Centennial Park is a great place for a walk!
• Belle Meade Plantation: This plantation holds 34 acres (once 5,400 acres!) and its mansion and original homestead. Visit if you want to learn about Tennessee history and architecture
• The Hermitage: Andrew Jackson’s home is now a historical plantation and museum
• Tennessee State Capitol: High on a hill, you’ll find the State Capitol building.

Fatherland District

Another area for shops and restaurants is the Fatherland District. I found some of my favorite gift shops here.

• Her Bookshop: I loved this book shop because the books here are finely curated.
• Project 615: This local t-shirt shop had some cool and fun designs on the softest shirts.
• Gift Horse: This gift shop features lots of printed art (posters and cards), comic books, and gifts.

Her Bookshop

Gift Horse

Craft Breweries

It’s no secret one of my favorite activities is visiting craft breweries, and Nashville has plenty for your to-do list.

• Yazoo Brewing Company
• Jackalope Brewing Company
• Check out Eater Nashville’s guide to brewery taprooms.

Sports

For all the sports fans, Nashville has two strong options.

• NFL: Tennessee Titans
• NHL: Nashville Predators

This list should keep you busy in Nashville for a couple of days! Have recommendations? Add it in the comments below!

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Snapchat (@wanderlustanita). You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

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