Pair this with my interactive map — every spot below is plotted so you can see what's near what.
Restaurants
Prepare to gain 5–10 pounds after visiting Nashville. Nashville restaurants get booked up FAST because of all the bachelorette parties, so I recommend setting alarms for about a month in advance — or whenever each restaurant's reservation window opens.
Reservations Needed
The Optimist: Great seafood in a unique part of town. The menu rotates, but I usually get the oysters to start, the kale salad if they have it, the lobster roll, and anything with tuna.
O-Ku: Great sushi right across the street from The Optimist. Went here for my grad dinner — Kristin Cavallari and Shawn Johnson have both said it's their favorite restaurant in Nash.
M Street Restaurants: M Street restaurants are some Nashville-local restaurants that I love. They're all located on the same street and owned by the same restaurant group (they also run Moto Cucina + Enoteca, if you want a fifth option).
Virago: My FAVORITE of the M Streets. Get the rainbow box, it is to die for. More centrally located than O-Ku and has been around longer.
Saint Añejo: Good Mexican (not as good as Texas… sorry fam). Great happy hour! They don't take reservations, so the wait can get long.
Kayne Prime: Steakhouse on the street. Popcorn butter lobster and the housemade bacon (with cotton candy) are the staple starters I always order.
The Hampton Social: Brunch must. Great for day drinking.
The Catbird Seat: I never got to eat here because the building it shared with The Patterson House burned down. Good news — it's since reopened at 700 8th Ave S, still stacked right above The Patterson House, so the "tag team both" plan is back on. This is still my #1 boujee restaurant on the list: expensive, but you get 12–13 courses. Reserve well ahead — it's only open Wednesday through Saturday.
Blanco: Located down off Broadway, so a great spot if you're planning on going to/from Broadway.
Josephine: Love this place for the vibe, not necessarily for the food.
Casual Spots
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint: Staple BBQ of Nashville (several locations around the city).
Central BBQ: Another staple (also multiple locations).
Prince's Hot Chicken: Hot take, but this was my friends' and my favorite hot chicken over Hattie B's?! Hattie B's is more available though.
Hattie B's Hot Chicken: Pro tip: order online and then go pick up — 10x faster than waiting in the long line.
Superica: Probably the best Mexican food you can get given that you're in Nashville (it is a chain, FYI).
Breakfast
Proper Bagel: Bagels to die for. Across the street from Belmont.
Ladybird Taco: Texas breakfast tacos in Nashville. Enough said.
Midtown Cafe: I ate here 3x a week for breakfast. Old-school Nashville breakfast place.
The Pancake Pantry: A Nashville institution in Hillsboro Village — 23 pancake variations, open since 1961, and the line out the door is part of the tradition. (RIP Tavern, which permanently closed in September 2025 — its Midtown space is now a Japanese izakaya called BAR ROKA if you want that instead.)
Where To Stay
The Graduate: My favorite hotel chain ever. Very Nashville-themed and close to Vanderbilt/downtown.
Virgin Hotels Nashville: Awesome pool and view.
Nashville Things to Do
Preds Game at Bridgestone Arena.
Radnor Lake State Natural Area: Easy loop around a lake with pretty views (especially in the fall).
12 South: Great for walking around, food, and shopping (coffee shops, Five Daughters Bakery donuts, etc.).
The Gulch: A little touristy for my taste but great to walk around and shop if you're visiting.
Pedal Cabs and Party Tractors: Tractors are so fun — do not knock it until you try it. Options include The Nashville Tractor, Off The Wagon Tours, and Nashville Pedal Tavern.
Vanderbilt Campus: Beautiful to walk around. Close to lots of bars and restaurants.
Centennial Park / The Parthenon: The Parthenon has had extended closures for HVAC work, so check hours before you plan around it — the park itself is always open.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens: Never went but looks awesome in the fall.
Bars
Broadway Bars
Stage: Top floor and bottom floor have the best bands.
Acme Feed & Seed: Great place to day drink because of the views.
Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar: Extremely fun and touristy. Great rooftop, I always make new friends here.
Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk: Always has such a fun band on the first floor.
Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa: Love the vibe of the bar but it's never been packed when I'm there. I'd still try it out.
Non-Broadway Bars
Pins Mechanical Co.: Fun day-drinking spot with lots of people and games.
Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen: Popular beer garden in Germantown.
Tin Roof Demonbreun: Great for live music (pretty local — my favorite bar in Nash).
L.A. Jackson: Rooftop bar in the Gulch with pretty views.
Bourbon Sky: Swanky rooftop bar (atop the JW Marriott) with gorgeous views of the city.
The Patterson House: Speakeasy bar, now located at 700 8th Ave S, just below The Catbird Seat. Great place for two people.
White Limozeen: DOLLY PARTON BAR! It was a little bit weathered when it first opened, but it's extremely cute for pics and a girls' weekend. Get reservations in advance, but they do take walk-ins (and you can usually get in). Get the champagne jello shots. They have food, but I'd recommend it more for the bar.
Division Street
Losers Bar and Grill: No discussion, just go.
Red Door Saloon: Low-key neighborhood dive bar near Vanderbilt/Belmont — cheap drinks, jukebox, no pretense. Good option if the group needs a break from the Broadway crowds.
Want to see it all laid out? Open the interactive map — every restaurant, bar, and hotel above is pinned by category.