There are the usual spots you will find on a list of restaurants, bars, and activities in Music City. We’ve edited down to the must-sees and spots that will have you enjoying NashVegas as the locals only know how.
Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
Breakfast
Proper Bagel - NYC based sandwich eatery
Café Roze - trendy East Nashville all day café
East Park Donuts & Coffee - family owned brioche & cake donuts
Monell’s - family style southern breakfast in a historic setting
Fido - pet shop turned coffee house and restaurant
Ruby Sunshine - Nola-inspired all-day breakfast
Café Intermezzo - “a step back to nineteenth-century Vienna”
Pinewood Social - a place to meet, drink, and play
Brunch
Urban Grub - the place where locals brunch, fresh fish & fine aged meats
Stateside Kitchen - chic eatery in the Dream Hotel
The Southern - wood-fired steaks, live music, and oyster bar
Joyland - Sean Brock’s southern burgers & biscuits
5th & Taylor - intelligent atmosphere with elevated American cuisine
Geist - crazy good food and beverages in a historic setting
Adele’s - French-styled brunch buffet
Party Fowl - hot chicken and slushees
Husk - new Southern food in a historic home
The Hampton Social - rosé lounge, restaurant, and rooftop lounge
Dinner
Locust - shaved ice & dumplings
Sixty Vines - “escape to wine country” right in the heart of downtown
Skulls Rainbow Room - fine food with craft cocktails, live jazz & burlesque
Thai Esane - locally owned authentic Thai cuisine
Twelve Thirty Club - Justin Timberlake’s supper club and rooftop bar
Pearl Diver - tiki drinks & funky eats
Kayne Prime - an imaginative, boutique steakhouse
Hawkers - Asian street food
White Limozeen - Dolly inspired indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant
Honky Tonks, Live Music, & Things to Do
The Best Honky Tonks
Acme Feed & Seed - This site rich in history first opened its doors in 1890. Now it is the cornerstone of Broadway, with panorama views, food, and live music.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row - Previously the home of Gruhn’s Guitars, this is Broadways highest rooftop patio complete with an array of music genres and a close up view of the iconic Batman building.
Famous - This spot is right on 2nd avenue and a favorite with the locals. With good food, big screens, and views of the Cumberland River, its a good pitstop to escape the madness out on Broadway.
Legend’s Corner - is an energetic, old school honky tonk that is home to some of the best live music on Broadway. Your first stop on the honky tonk tour.
Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa - This newcomer to Broadway offers Tex-Mex dining, 5 bars, and 2 stages, but people really stay for the Instagram worthy interior.
Nudie’s - This honky tonk is known for its roadhouse vibe and eclectic mix of rock and country live music. Come for the music and Nudie suits, but don’t miss the dazzling Cadillac hanging from the ceiling.
Roberts Western World - Yes, this is a prototypical and historic honky tonk, with lots of friendly faces and traditional country music. Don’t miss the fried bologna sandwich-just do it.
Tootsie’s - The Orchid Lounge is hard to miss and not just because its purple. The best live music in what is easily mistaken for a museum; come during the week to try and miss the line.
OFF broadway
Ryman Auditorium - “Mother Church’ - built 1885-1892
Brooklyn Bowl - double-decker bowling alley with bars floating around a music venue
The Back Corner - under the radar live music and nightclub
Rudy’s Jazz Room - mellow, cozy lounge featuring authentic jazz
Sambuca - live music nightly with great eats located in the Gulch
3rd & Lindsley - seasoned musicians and unique line-ups
Marathon Music Works - locally owned & operated concert space
6th & Peabody - a venue that features a distillery, brewery, bars, pop-up foods, and shops
Cannery Ballroom/Mercy Lounge - 3 venues residing in what was a flour mill circa 1883
City Winery - urban winery, music venue, & skyline patio
The Listening Room - an intimate singer/songwriter café
unique activities
Pins Mechanical - a social destination complete with duckpin bowling, bocce ball, games, & bar
L.A. Jackson - easily the most exciting hotel rooftop in town at the Thompson Hotel
Third Man Records - Jack White’s records store and recording studio
The Parthenon - a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, built 1897
Hi-Fi Clyde’s - sports bar with table games, smoked meats, and drinks
Grimey’s New & Preloved Music - vintage, pressed recordings, CDs, and cassette tapes
Cheekwood - botanical gardens with seasonal art installations
Fifth & Broadway - retail space & largest indoor/outdoor food hall in the country
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - completed in 1909, connecting East Nashville to Downtown, easily has the best views and vantage points with art installations and park paths at its feet