A Nashville Local’s Guide to Germantown
Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood is one of my favorite in the city. The historic area is right next to downtown. The neighborhood is walkable with lots of cool shops and restaurants, and it’s filled with beautiful old homes.
Germantown is significantly less crowded than downtown, and you really could spend the entire day exploring just this one neighborhood. I’m sharing all my favorite spots with you so you can enjoy them too!
I didn’t include The Nashville Farmers’ Market, The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, or The Tennessee State Museum on this guide because they are technically Downtown and are on my Downtown Nashville guide. However, they are so close that you should visit while you’re in Germantown.
Like always, I only include spots I have personally visited, and I’m always adding more when I visit new places.
Restaurants
Little Hats
Little Hats is an Italian market and deli with great soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta. I typically get a Caprese sandwich when I go, but everything here is good.
The market portion of Little Hats has imported Italian products as well as fresh pasta.
There are free parking spots for customers in front of the restaurant. Which is not always the case in Nashville!
Google Maps | Little Hats Website
Henrietta Red
Henrietta Red is an oyster and seafood restaurant that’s been nominated for two James Beard awards.
It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion or a date night, but I really love going there for a girls’ night as well.
Google Maps | Henrietta Red Website
The Optimist
The Optimist is another seafood restaurant that my husband and I love for a date night. The atmosphere is so good, and the walls upstairs are covered in ocean-themed murals (in a cool, vibey way).
Obviously, Nashville is not anywhere near a beach, but The Optimist still delivers quality seafood. We usually get “The Opportunist” which comes with oysters, shrimp, tuna poke, ceviche, and smoked fish.
Butchertown Hall
Butchertown Hall is a BBQ and Tex-Mex spot. As you might imagine from the name, popular menu items include steaks, tacos, and pulled pork.
I recommend ordering the queso and a side of street corn with your meal.
Google Maps | Butchertown Hall Website
Steam Boys
I heard about Steam Boys so many times before visiting, and it did not disappoint. Steam Boys is a fast-casual Chinese restaurant serving bao, dumplings, noodles, and boba.
The restaurant is unfussy, and the menu is small and straightforward. Steam Boys makes delicious food at a reasonable price. It’s now one of my favorite places to grab lunch!
Geist
Geist is very popular (and you can tell because the lot is always full). The restaurant is housed in a converted blacksmith shop from the 1900s. The inside is so elegant. Although if you’re able to, you should get a spot outdoors in the champagne garden when the weather is nice.
Bakeries
Cupcake Collection
The Cupcake Collection is not your average cupcake shop. While you can find classic yellow or vanilla cupcakes here, the real star is the sweet potato cupcake. It’s all the flavor of sweet potato pie in a miniature cake form. (My personal favorite flavor here is the red velvet.)
The shop is also a great stop for gluten-free goodies. Many of their most popular cupcakes are available gluten-free. And, The Cupcake Collection has lots of vegan options as well.
Google Maps | Website | 👉 Read my full review of the Cupcake Collection
Shopping
The Golden Slipper
For home goods and gifts, The Golden Slipper is the place to go. The charming little shop is packed with unique finds. The Golden Slipper also has a candle bar and perfumery where you can take a class to make your own candles or perfume.
Google Maps | The Golden Slipper Website
Wonderland
Another absolutely magical shop in Germantown is Wonderland. This charming toy store is like walking into a child’s dream. The shelves are filled with wooden toys, stuffed animals, games, candy, and some nostalgic toys that parents will remember from their own childhoods.
Google Maps | Wonderland Website
Spread Market & Larder
Spread Market & Larder is a neighborhood market that sells fresh bakery items and a curated selection of pantry items along with wine. The market’s cinnamon rolls are very popular!
On the pantry shelves, you’ll find packaged goods like specialty olive oil, tinned fish, spices, chips, and other tasty staples.
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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy your time in Germantown!
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