A Local’s Guide to Nashville (33+ Restaurants, Attractions, and Shops to Visit)
Last updated: 7/1/24
Nicknamed Music City, Nashville is not only Tennessee’s capital city, it’s also a hub for the music industry in the United States. There are so many things going on in the city, so I’ve put together this Nashville guide to help you get started planning.
I live in Nashville, so I’m constantly checking out new places in the city. Everything on this list is somewhere I’ve personally tried and loved. (I haven’t been everywhere yet, but I’m working on it!)
Whether you’re a visitor or a local who wants to find more things to do in Nashville, keep reading to find out where to start.
Places to Visit in Nashville
Tennessee State Museum + Bicentennial Mall
Going to the Tennessee State Museum is my first recommendation for anyone going to Nashville. The museum’s collection includes everything from artifacts from the First People of Tennessee to one of Dolly Parton’s stage costumes.
The Tennessee State Museum is free. Plus, it’s usually easy to park nearby, which is why I’d recommend it over some of the more well known museums downtown. When the weather is nice, it’s also worth walking around the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park located right next door.
See my full guide to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park here.
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium is part of Nashville’s legacy as Music City. The Grand Ole Opry made its home here for years, and the converted church is still used as a performance venue today. You can take a guided tour of the auditorium.
However, if you are able to book tickets to a show you’d like to see here, I’d suggest that instead. The Ryman Auditorium has a special, intimate atmosphere. And, it’s an incredible experience for both the artists and the fans.
Centennial Park
Nashville has lots of green spaces, but none quite like Centennial Park. Besides being a beautiful, calm park with a nice trail around Lake Watauga, Centennial Park is also home to a full-size replica of the Greek Parthenon. It’s very much worth visiting!
Frist Art Museum
Located in the Gulch, the Frist Art Museum hosts a series of traveling art exhibits. Meaning that what’s on display is constantly changing every few months, so there’s always a reason to go back. The museum is housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that used to be a Post Office.
Country Music Hall of Fame
For country music fans, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-visit. I grew up listening to country music and can attest that the museum was everything I wanted it to be. The only downside is that parking downtown is annoying, which makes it hard for locals to justify going too often. If you’re interested in music, you should go at least once though.
Arrington Vineyards
Arrington Vineyards is technically located outside of Nashville, but at just 25 miles away, a visit to Arrington Vineyards is a nice little day trip from Nashville. The vineyards are beautiful, the frosé is delicious, and there is music on the weekends during the summer.
Main Library
All of the Nashville Public Library System is wonderful, but the Main Library downtown is especially nice. The building is beautiful. You can study, work, or read in the East Reading Room, check out the Civil Rights Room and the Votes for Women Room, or sit out in the courtyard.
The library is also perfect for families with children. The children’s area is giant with literary thousands of books, movies, and other media. Families can attend storytime and watch the productions at the children’s puppet theater. There’s even a climbing wall and play area. It’s absolutely magical.
I obviously love the library because I have an entire post on reasons to visit the Downtown Nashville Public Library.
Restaurants in Nashville
Blue Aster
Blue Aster is a restaurant in the Conrad Hotel serving absolutely delicious seafood dishes. I’m not sure how they are able to get such good seafood this far from the ocean, but Blue Aster manages to pull it off.
The menu changes depending on what’s in season. The fish and chips are one of the best things I’ve eaten in a long time. If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a fancy meal, Blue Aster is it.
See my full review of Blue Aster here.
Peninsula
Peninsula is one of the best restaurants in East Nashville (and there are a lot of great restaurants in East). The cuisine is inspired by the Iberian Peninsula. The gin and tonic menu is especially nice. For a fancy date night, Peninsula is the place you want to go. It’s fine dining in a welcoming and approachable atmosphere.
Hearts
Hearts is an Australian-inspired brunch place with two locations, 12 South and East Nashville. Now, I don’t know how closely the food actually matches Australian breakfast food, but I can tell you that it’s good.
You can’t really go wrong with anything, but try out the twice-baked French toast or the zucchini corn fritters if you want a recommendation. Know that Hearts is very popular, so it can be hard to get a table on the weekends.
Read my full review of Hearts here.
Pancake Pantry
Some people will tell you that Pancake Pantry is overhyped. It’s true that the wait is longer than you’d normally expect for a place serving pancakes. But, the pancakes are delicious (especially the blueberry), and the atmosphere at the Hillsboro location just feels right. Pancake Pantry is one of the few Nashville restaurant lines worth waiting in.
Read my full review of Pancake Pantry here.
Cock of the Walk
Cock of the Walk is one of the most underrated restaurants in Nashville. The catfish restaurant is located in Music Valley, making it easy for tourists to get to, but I almost never see locals there. Nashville has a few good places to get catfish, and Cock of the Walk is one of them.
The fried catfish is consistently cooked well, it’s easy to park here, and I have yet to have to wait to be seated.
Read my full review of Cock of the Walk here.
Five Points Pizza
For lunch, it’s hard to beat the weekday lunch special at Five Points Pizza. There aren’t many places in Nashville where you can get such a good deal for under $10. Even if you can’t get the lunch special, a large slice of the day is still relatively inexpensive on the weekends.
Both the West and East locations of Five Points do a good job.
Read my full review of Five Points Pizza here.
Food Courts
If you’re with a group or you can’t decide exactly what you want to do, Nashville has several food courts that give you multiple options. Assembly Food Hall in downtown has stalls with a number of Nashville staples all in one place. Another good option is the Markethouse at the Nashville Farmers Market. I go to the Markethouse for lunch way too often.
Hot Chicken
You can’t visit Nashville without hearing about hot chicken. First, you need to know that there’s a heat scale when you order. It’s possible to get no heat or low heat. There’s no reason to get the hottest one unless you’re absolutely sure that’s what you want.
Prince’s Hot Chicken is the original hot chicken place that started it all. The hot chicken at Prince’s is obviously good, and their fries are perfect.
Hattie B’s is also great. It has a reputation for having super long lines. Locals sometimes dismiss Hattie B’s as just for tourists, but they do an incredible job of handling lots of diners and still produce high-quality chicken. Plus, the pimento mac and cheese is so good!
Drinks in Nashville
Hidden Bar @ Noelle
All of Noelle is delightful with beautiful 1930s features. The hotel also has a great location in downtown near Printer’s Alley. Many of the bars in downtown can be a bit loud and crowded, which makes the Hidden Bar at Noelle such a unique spot. The theme of the bar changes periodically, but it’s always cozy and cool.
White Limozeen
Located on the rooftop of The Graduate Hotel, White Limozeen is by far one of my favorite spots in Nashville. It’s impossible not to love the over-the-top pink restaurant and bar inspired by Dolly Parton.
The bar is more than just pretty. The menu is actually tasty as well. Even if you’re just going for drinks, you should get an order of the fries because they are amazing! Just be sure to make your reservation well in advance if you plan to visit on a Friday or Saturday night. If you can’t get a reservation, patio seats are walk-in only, so you have a shot..
Geist
Geist is one spot you don’t hear too many people talking about, but it’s obviously popular because the parking lot is always full. The restaurant and bar is located in a converted 1900s blacksmith shop in Germantown. The decor is so different from other places in Nashville–it’s moody and elegant without being overdone.
The food and drinks are great too, and there’s a champagne garden. You’ll likely need a reservation to get in here, but you might luck out with a walk-in.
Redheaded Stranger
Redheaded Stranger is a cool, very Instagrammable Tex-Mex and taco spot in East Nashville. The frozen drinks are absolutely delicious as is the food! There’s typically a line here, but it’s worth it.
See my full review of Redheaded Stranger here.
Coffee Shops in Nashville
Hanna Bee
Hanna Bee is a cute coffee shop located in East Nashville. It’s a laidback spot that is perfect for meeting with friends, working, studying, or reading. Plus, it’s right next to a bookstore, which is clearly the best neighbor for a coffee shop.
See my full review of Hanna Bee here.
All People Coffee
All People Coffee is a friendly neighborhood coffee shop in East Nashville. It’s always full of people either working or hanging out with friends. I love the atmosphere here, and everything I’ve had from the menu has been delicious.
See my full review of All People Coffee here.
Americano Lounge
Americano Lounge is a decidedly cool coffee shop in Wedgewood-Houston. The cafe has a 1930s theme, and there are always a ton of interesting people inside. If I were only going to visit one coffee shop in Nashville, this would be a top choice!
Poindexter
Like everything else in the Graduate Hotel, the coffee shop Poindexter is glamorous, fun, and just a tiny bit over the top. I would work from here every day if I could just to enjoy the atmosphere.
Red Bicycle
Red Bicycle has two locations in Nashville – the Nations and Germantown. The cafe has lots of coffee options, but it also has awesome food. One of my favorite items on the menu is the crepes. This is such a good spot for meeting up with friends.
Bakeries in Nashville
Little Gourmand
If you love all things French, you’ll love Little Gourmand. The original location in Green Hills is part cafe part shop. So you can pick up imported French food like caviar and foie gras along with baguettes, croissants, tartlets, and much more. The food here is delicious, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the choices.
East Park Donuts
East Park Donuts in East Nashville is one of the best donut spots in Nashville. You’ll find specialty donuts here that you can’t get anywhere else. The brown butter donuts are especially delicious. The menu options change frequently, so I’d suggest following the shop on Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on some of the most popular donuts.
See my full review of East Park Donuts here.
Fox’s Donut Den
Fox’s Donut Den has been a Nashville staple for decades. The shop is exactly what you’d expect from a classic donut shop, and you’ll definitely feel some nostalgia when you walk in. The donuts are similar to what you’d find at the average donut chain except so much better!
See my full review of Fox’s Donut Den here.
Cupcake Collection
The cupcake craze may no longer be in full swing, but you won’t want to miss the Cupcake Collection. For most people, the sweet potato cupcakes are the biggest draw. However, I think the red velvet cupcakes are absolutely the best thing on the menu!
See my full review of the Cupcake Collection here.
Shops in Nashville
Draper James
The flagship store of Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James is located in 12 South. Obviously, the shop sells adorable clothes and accessories, but the atmosphere is just perfect as well. Once you walk in the door, you’ll be looking for reasons to stay a while!
The Bookshop
The Bookshop is an excellently curated bookstore in East Nashville. While the space is small, it’s impossible to walk in without having something catch your eye. You’ll probably leave with more books than you intended, but that’s absolutely fine.
Read my full review of The Bookshop here.
Parnassus
Another great independent bookstore in Nashville is Parnassus in Green Hills. This is probably Nashville’s most well-known bookstore (it’s owned by author Ann Patchett), and it’s delightful to browse the shelves here. There’s a great selection, and the shop just feels so inviting. You’ll also want to check the event schedule here because it seems like there are always authors coming to give talks or sign books.
Read my full review of Parnassus here.
Golden Slipper
There are so many cute shops in Nashville that it’s difficult to choose just a couple to talk about, but the Golden Slipper is so adorable that you just can’t leave it out. The store sells all kinds of cute gifts, jewelry, home goods, and more! The Golden Slipper also hosts candle-pouring workshops each weekend, and there are other cool, hands-on workshops scheduled throughout the year.
Grimey’s
Not surprisingly, there are multiple independent record stores in Nashville. Grimey’s in East Nashville sells both used and new vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and more. I also love that they have a selection of books downstairs. Grimey’s also does listening parties and other cool events throughout the year, so it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re a serious music fan.
Read my full review of Grimey’s here.
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