Ruthy's Nashville Guidebook
Neighborhoods
The Nations is a recently gentrified neighborhood of West Nashville, and easily one of the most walkable neighborhoods in town. Coffeeshops, bars, boutiques, spas, and restaurants - the Nations has it all! Not to mention it's a neighborhood with many wide streets and some sidewalks, so walking around or going for runs is easy and pleasant.
Just south of the Nations (right across Charlotte Pike) is a neighborhood called Sylvan Park, where you'll find historic homes, a beautiful greenway, and more local restaurants. (I personally love to go for runs and walks over in Sylvan Park, as it's only a half a mile from our house.)
48 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Nations
The Nations is a recently gentrified neighborhood of West Nashville, and easily one of the most walkable neighborhoods in town. Coffeeshops, bars, boutiques, spas, and restaurants - the Nations has it all! Not to mention it's a neighborhood with many wide streets and some sidewalks, so walking around or going for runs is easy and pleasant.
Just south of the Nations (right across Charlotte Pike) is a neighborhood called Sylvan Park, where you'll find historic homes, a beautiful greenway, and more local restaurants. (I personally love to go for runs and walks over in Sylvan Park, as it's only a half a mile from our house.)
Ahhhh 12 South. The perfect little Nashville pocket to spend an afternoon - mosey around some unique Nashville shops (Imogene + Willie, White's Mercantile, Draper James), eat at some local restaurants (Burger Up, Epice, bartaco, Portland Brew), or grab an afternoon pick-me-up (Franklin Juice Co. or Five Daughters Bakery). When you get tired of spending money, I highly recommend walking around the neighborhood and over a couple blocks to Belmont Blvd. - it's one of the most beautiful streets in Nashville.
353 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
12 South
Ahhhh 12 South. The perfect little Nashville pocket to spend an afternoon - mosey around some unique Nashville shops (Imogene + Willie, White's Mercantile, Draper James), eat at some local restaurants (Burger Up, Epice, bartaco, Portland Brew), or grab an afternoon pick-me-up (Franklin Juice Co. or Five Daughters Bakery). When you get tired of spending money, I highly recommend walking around the neighborhood and over a couple blocks to Belmont Blvd. - it's one of the most beautiful streets in Nashville.
Coffee Shops
If you're looking for good coffee, a gorgeous space, and a reliable spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Frothy Monkey is a tried and true favorite. "The California" is my go-to breakfast, and I love their shrimp 'n grits for dinner.
547 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Frothy Monkey
2509 12th Ave SIf you're looking for good coffee, a gorgeous space, and a reliable spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Frothy Monkey is a tried and true favorite. "The California" is my go-to breakfast, and I love their shrimp 'n grits for dinner.
Another favorite coffee shop that's just minutes from our house is 8th & Roast. They have great coffee, delicious munchies, and a great atmosphere to sit and chat or get a few hours of work done.
123 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
8th & Roast
2108 8th Ave SAnother favorite coffee shop that's just minutes from our house is 8th & Roast. They have great coffee, delicious munchies, and a great atmosphere to sit and chat or get a few hours of work done.
Food scene
51 North is by far our most visited dinner spot. Not only is it a 2-minute walk from our house, but it also has some of the best food and drinks in town. They have a menu full of variety, offering everything from amazing salads (the "Seared Tuna and Ginger" is my personal favorite) to tacos/quesadillas to seafood pasta to incredible sanwiches/burgers. Something for everyone.
They also have an amazing brunch menu on the weekends. You must try their award-winning Bloody Mary!
34 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
51 North Taproom
704 51st Ave N51 North is by far our most visited dinner spot. Not only is it a 2-minute walk from our house, but it also has some of the best food and drinks in town. They have a menu full of variety, offering everything from amazing salads (the "Seared Tuna and Ginger" is my personal favorite) to tacos/quesadillas to seafood pasta to incredible sanwiches/burgers. Something for everyone.
They also have an amazing brunch menu on the weekends. You must try their award-winning Bloody Mary!
If healthy bowls full of veggies, grains, and greens are your jam, this is the spot for you. You can build your own custom bowl or order one of their signature bowls - I highly recommend the "West Coast Radish" or the "Chicken Mamacita." You can also switch out ingredients (i.e. I am a vegetarian, so I usually switch out the chicken for sweet potato in the "Chicken Mamacita"), or dressings (I have yet to try one I don't like).
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Radish Kitchen
4101 Charlotte AvenueIf healthy bowls full of veggies, grains, and greens are your jam, this is the spot for you. You can build your own custom bowl or order one of their signature bowls - I highly recommend the "West Coast Radish" or the "Chicken Mamacita." You can also switch out ingredients (i.e. I am a vegetarian, so I usually switch out the chicken for sweet potato in the "Chicken Mamacita"), or dressings (I have yet to try one I don't like).
When we're ready to splurge on a more upscale Nashville meal, 5th & Taylor is where we go every time. The ambiance is quiet and dimly lit but not dark, the service is spectacular, and the food is lick-your-plate delectable. The menu changes with the seasons, so you know you're always getting the freshest, most flavorful ingredients available.
243 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
5th & Taylor
1411 5th Ave NWhen we're ready to splurge on a more upscale Nashville meal, 5th & Taylor is where we go every time. The ambiance is quiet and dimly lit but not dark, the service is spectacular, and the food is lick-your-plate delectable. The menu changes with the seasons, so you know you're always getting the freshest, most flavorful ingredients available.
There are a lot of Thair restaurants around, and we spent several years trying to find the best one. After our first visit to Thai Satay, we knew we'd never go anywhere else for take-out Thai. It's small and always busy, which only proves its excellence. We especially love their Pad Thai and all of their curries.
Thai Satay
2412 Elliston PlThere are a lot of Thair restaurants around, and we spent several years trying to find the best one. After our first visit to Thai Satay, we knew we'd never go anywhere else for take-out Thai. It's small and always busy, which only proves its excellence. We especially love their Pad Thai and all of their curries.
You can't come to Nashville without trying some Nashville Hot Chicken, and when it comes to hot chicken, Hattie B's has it goin' ON. Their spice levels are no joke - don't say you weren't warned. (I recommend starting with a "medium" spice - it's still spi-cy!)
211 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Hattie B's Hot Chicken - West Nashville, TN
5209 Charlotte AvenueYou can't come to Nashville without trying some Nashville Hot Chicken, and when it comes to hot chicken, Hattie B's has it goin' ON. Their spice levels are no joke - don't say you weren't warned. (I recommend starting with a "medium" spice - it's still spi-cy!)
Fifth + Broadway is a new area of downtown Nashville right across from Bridgestone Arena. It offers some great shopping and amazing food, including several restaurants on the ground floor as well as an elevated food court-style area one level up called Assembly Food Hall. There's something for everyone at Fifth + Broad, and it's a great way to ease into the joyful chaos of downtown. (There is also a paid parking garage at Fifth + Broadway that gives you super easy access to the whole strip! If you decide to drive instead of Uber or Lyft, I highly recommend parking there.)
146 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Fifth + Broadway
5036 BroadwayFifth + Broadway is a new area of downtown Nashville right across from Bridgestone Arena. It offers some great shopping and amazing food, including several restaurants on the ground floor as well as an elevated food court-style area one level up called Assembly Food Hall. There's something for everyone at Fifth + Broad, and it's a great way to ease into the joyful chaos of downtown. (There is also a paid parking garage at Fifth + Broadway that gives you super easy access to the whole strip! If you decide to drive instead of Uber or Lyft, I highly recommend parking there.)
Midnight Oil is our go-to for a beer and a slice of pizza. The indoor-outdoor feel is perfect for warm nights, and their pizza is...making my mouth water just writing about it. (The "Sweet Heat" pizza with jalepeños, capicola, and warm honey is my favorite.)
15 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Midnight Oil
1310 51st Ave NMidnight Oil is our go-to for a beer and a slice of pizza. The indoor-outdoor feel is perfect for warm nights, and their pizza is...making my mouth water just writing about it. (The "Sweet Heat" pizza with jalepeños, capicola, and warm honey is my favorite.)
Bakery
If you are a sucker for incredible baked goods, this is your SPOT. They have all the pastries, croissants, danishes, tarts...the list goes on. They also sell Barista Parlor coffee, some the best coffee in Nashville.
Note: they are only open from 8-Noon, and they are closed Monday and Tuesday. So get in there when you can and get some yummy goodness!
8 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Brightside Bakeshop - West
4907 Indiana AveIf you are a sucker for incredible baked goods, this is your SPOT. They have all the pastries, croissants, danishes, tarts...the list goes on. They also sell Barista Parlor coffee, some the best coffee in Nashville.
Note: they are only open from 8-Noon, and they are closed Monday and Tuesday. So get in there when you can and get some yummy goodness!
Dozen is by far my favorite lunch spot in Nashville. They have some of the best baked goods around (their baguettes and sourdough loaves are to die for), as well as super unique salads and sandwiches. They source all the best local ingredients, and you can taste the difference.
108 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Dozen Bakery
516 Hagan StDozen is by far my favorite lunch spot in Nashville. They have some of the best baked goods around (their baguettes and sourdough loaves are to die for), as well as super unique salads and sandwiches. They source all the best local ingredients, and you can taste the difference.
Farmers' Market
I'm biased, but the Richland Creek Farmers' Market is my favorite in Nashville. Every Saturday from 9am-Noon, you can find the most delicious local produce, flowers, eggs, homemade yarn, and more.
20 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Richland Park Farmers Market
4711 Charlotte AveI'm biased, but the Richland Creek Farmers' Market is my favorite in Nashville. Every Saturday from 9am-Noon, you can find the most delicious local produce, flowers, eggs, homemade yarn, and more.
Bookshop
Any time you're hankering for a used bookstore to nose around, Rhino is your spot. It's walking distance from our house, and it's a perfect place to get lost for a few hours. (There's also a little coffee shop a few doors down called Headquarters - I love to grab a hot drink and walk around Rhino until it's gone).
9 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Rhino Booksellers
4918 Charlotte AveAny time you're hankering for a used bookstore to nose around, Rhino is your spot. It's walking distance from our house, and it's a perfect place to get lost for a few hours. (There's also a little coffee shop a few doors down called Headquarters - I love to grab a hot drink and walk around Rhino until it's gone).
Health Food Store
Just a half-mile from our Airbnb, The Turnip Truck is a stellar health food store offering all your local organic grocery needs, plus a variety of natural skincare products, juices/smoothies, beer/wine, and a hot bar.
16 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Turnip Truck - Charlotte Ave
5001 Charlotte AveJust a half-mile from our Airbnb, The Turnip Truck is a stellar health food store offering all your local organic grocery needs, plus a variety of natural skincare products, juices/smoothies, beer/wine, and a hot bar.