Guidebook for the Nashville Loft
Food Scene
Voted the best burger in town something like 20 years in a row!
83 locals recommend
Gabby's Burgers & Fries
493 Humphreys StVoted the best burger in town something like 20 years in a row!
The best Thai food in all of Nashville. This is more of a locals secret. You won't leave hungry and careful with the spice level!
156 locals recommend
The Smiling Elephant
2213 8th Ave SThe best Thai food in all of Nashville. This is more of a locals secret. You won't leave hungry and careful with the spice level!
No coffee but you can get your sugar high here! (Just walk "up" Alloway on your right two buildings down.)
30 locals recommend
Baked on 8th
1512 8th Ave SNo coffee but you can get your sugar high here! (Just walk "up" Alloway on your right two buildings down.)
Make reservations waaaaaaay in advance and sit at the kitchen bar and pay the big $$ for the chef's selections with drink pairing. You'll thank me later! (don't come super hungry, it's foodie small plates.)
192 locals recommend
Bastion
434 Houston StMake reservations waaaaaaay in advance and sit at the kitchen bar and pay the big $$ for the chef's selections with drink pairing. You'll thank me later! (don't come super hungry, it's foodie small plates.)
For a good local cup of Joe! You can walk here, just be careful going across Wedgewood in the morning. If it's nice, grab your coffee and walk up Benton Avenue, and down Grantland to walk through one of the two national register historic districts in Nashville. (Make a loop by turning left on Bradford and Left on White Avenue.)
123 locals recommend
8th & Roast
2108 8th Ave SFor a good local cup of Joe! You can walk here, just be careful going across Wedgewood in the morning. If it's nice, grab your coffee and walk up Benton Avenue, and down Grantland to walk through one of the two national register historic districts in Nashville. (Make a loop by turning left on Bradford and Left on White Avenue.)
Fenwick's 300
2600 8th Ave SFor Sunday brunch or breakfast
Nashville's original Meat and Three. No reservations but get there early for lunch(11am)!!!
145 locals recommend
Arnold's Country Kitchen
605 8th Ave SNashville's original Meat and Three. No reservations but get there early for lunch(11am)!!!
If you go, do not park in the neighborhood on Grantland, they tow. Park in the downstairs of Publix parking garage and walk over.
128 locals recommend
Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Melrose Nashville, TN
2222 8th Ave SIf you go, do not park in the neighborhood on Grantland, they tow. Park in the downstairs of Publix parking garage and walk over.
Husk
37 Rutledge StFantastic Southern "gourmet" southern food.
The Southern Steak & Oyster
150 3rd Ave SBest place for fresh Oysters in Nashville.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
410 4th Ave SSome of the best BBQ in Nashville(also try Jacks)
O-Ku Sushi Nashville
81 Van Buren StBest Sushi in Nashville, get a reservation!
Really expensive!!!! but it's a James Beard award winning chef and a must stop for foodies. Food is all based on Appalachian cuisine. YOU NEED RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE! If you go to the bar upstairs while you wait for a table, just know the drinks are special and only offer a select group that they make and it's kind of a production they want you to experience.
23 locals recommend
Audrey
809 Meridian StreetReally expensive!!!! but it's a James Beard award winning chef and a must stop for foodies. Food is all based on Appalachian cuisine. YOU NEED RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE! If you go to the bar upstairs while you wait for a table, just know the drinks are special and only offer a select group that they make and it's kind of a production they want you to experience.
Yolan was named No. 1 on Food & Wine’s "The 10 Best Restaurants According to Readers" list, according to a release.
Located inside the Joseph Hotel in downtown Nashville, Yolan also came in at No. 1 on Food & Wine’s "11 Best Restaurants for Ambiance in the U.S."
Yolan
Yolan was named No. 1 on Food & Wine’s "The 10 Best Restaurants According to Readers" list, according to a release.
Located inside the Joseph Hotel in downtown Nashville, Yolan also came in at No. 1 on Food & Wine’s "11 Best Restaurants for Ambiance in the U.S."
Drinks & Nightlife
The greats have all played here at one time in their professional history. Even bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Metallica!
104 locals recommend
The Basement
1604 8th Ave SThe greats have all played here at one time in their professional history. Even bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Metallica!
Earnest Bar & Hideaway (formerly Hemingway's)
438 Houston StFantastic food and craft cocktails
Jackalope Brewing Company - The Ranch
429B Houston StOne of Nashville's beloved brewery's
The ONLY pool hall in Nashville worth going to. It's in the basement of course. The smell is part of the charm, smoking starts after 9 or 10 so plan accordingly if you are a non-smoker.
23 locals recommend
Melrose Billiard Parlor
2600 8th Ave SThe ONLY pool hall in Nashville worth going to. It's in the basement of course. The smell is part of the charm, smoking starts after 9 or 10 so plan accordingly if you are a non-smoker.
Game Terminal
201 Terminal CtGreat classic pin ball and arcade games, good beer selection.
Best honky tonk on Broadway. Local favorite. They play both types of music, country and western. Local tip: On a busy night, avoid the lines for the door and the bar by using the alley entrance in the back against the Ryman.
601 locals recommend
Robert's Western World
416 BroadwayBest honky tonk on Broadway. Local favorite. They play both types of music, country and western. Local tip: On a busy night, avoid the lines for the door and the bar by using the alley entrance in the back against the Ryman.
One of the most unique bars in Nashville in the basement of the boiler room of the old White Way Cleaners facility.
161 locals recommend
Old Glory
1200 Villa PlOne of the most unique bars in Nashville in the basement of the boiler room of the old White Way Cleaners facility.
Nationally acclaimed for their craft libations. This is probably #1 on the list of Nashville destinations if you like speakeasy's and craft cocktails.
368 locals recommend
The Patterson House
1711 Division StNationally acclaimed for their craft libations. This is probably #1 on the list of Nashville destinations if you like speakeasy's and craft cocktails.
Craft Brewed
2502 8th Ave SLaid back craft beer joint with a heated outdoor patio.
Get a late reservation here and come for the food and Jazz, stay for the burlesque show that starts late(not during Covid, check their website).
152 locals recommend
Skull's Rainbow Room
222 Printers AlleyGet a late reservation here and come for the food and Jazz, stay for the burlesque show that starts late(not during Covid, check their website).
Really nice "trendy" rooftop bar off the tourist trail. (Also there is a secret speakeasy bar in the BASEMENT!)
41 locals recommend
Rare Bird
200 4th Avenue NorthReally nice "trendy" rooftop bar off the tourist trail. (Also there is a secret speakeasy bar in the BASEMENT!)
Museums
Frist Art Museum
919 BroadwayGreat rotating exhibits!
About a 15-20 minute drive out to see the mansion and walk the gardens. Check their schedule online for rotating exhibits and events.
593 locals recommend
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
1200 Forrest Park DrAbout a 15-20 minute drive out to see the mansion and walk the gardens. Check their schedule online for rotating exhibits and events.
Breweries and Taprooms
Jackalope Brewing Company - The Ranch
429B Houston StNashville local beer
Somewhat nationally acclaimed for their New England IPA "Homestyle"
77 locals recommend
Bearded Iris Brewing
101 Van Buren StSomewhat nationally acclaimed for their New England IPA "Homestyle"
If you're walking around downtown and need a break, nice laid back atmosphere with yard games, etc. Also you can sample Ole Smokey moonshine here, watch out for the pickle juice!
50 locals recommend
Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
423 6th Ave SIf you're walking around downtown and need a break, nice laid back atmosphere with yard games, etc. Also you can sample Ole Smokey moonshine here, watch out for the pickle juice!
City/town information
Leipers Fork
Really great day trip for shopping, food and scenery.
Walkable, family friendly and trendy art scene. JJ's Wine bar for a drink and catch dinner at my all time favorite steak place, "Cork and Cow" while you're down there (you need a reservation)
251 locals recommend
Franklin
Walkable, family friendly and trendy art scene. JJ's Wine bar for a drink and catch dinner at my all time favorite steak place, "Cork and Cow" while you're down there (you need a reservation)
Neighborhoods
One of the two or three national register neighborhoods in Nashville. Walk on over and grab a coffee at 8th and Roast then go walk the neighborhood!
Woodland in Waverly
One of the two or three national register neighborhoods in Nashville. Walk on over and grab a coffee at 8th and Roast then go walk the neighborhood!
Lots of boutique shops. Park behind one of the businesses, street parking is tough.
43 locals recommend
12th Avenue South
12th Avenue SouthLots of boutique shops. Park behind one of the businesses, street parking is tough.
Radnor Lake Dam
Great state park that's worth hiking and only 10 minutes south, down 8th.