Nashville is known for so many things, but I bet food isn’t what came to your mind upon reading the word! The city has some excellent dishes, from typical southern dishes to stellar international cuisine, Nashville really knocks it out of the park. Here are my favorite things to eat in the city!
Hillsboro Village
The original Pancake Pantry deserves every accolade it has received. Everything from the absolutely perfect pancakes to the cinnamon sugar spread they give you to supplement them with is excellent. Aside from serving great coffee and vibes, coffee shop Fido has some pretty good breakfast sandwiches.
12South
If you need to refuel after shopping, 5 Daughters Bakery and Christie’s Cookies offer cronuts and cookies, respectively. Epice serves some pretty fantastic Lebanese food and The Buttermilk Ranch gives a great breakfast. Hattie B’s has a few locations around town, but my favorite spot was also off Eighth Avenue. Regardless of their popularity, the chicken sandwiches are incredible.
Green Hills
I can, without hesitation, say that Fox’s Donut Den has the best Apple Fritters in the world. The flawlessly fried fritters balance a delicious crunch with the perfect level of sweetness.
Vandy Area
The Baked Bear has become infamous among my friends and I. With freshly baked cookies and made-to-order ice cream sandwiches, literally what is not to love?!
East Nashville
Mediterranean Staple Lyra serves up some of the city’s most unique offerings. Five Points Pizza, while no New York, has great pizza. I’m going to throw another mention to Pearl Diver as their food is just as good as the drinks and vibes. Pharmacy Burger doubles as not only just a fantastic burger joint, but a charming outdoor eatery. If you’ve never heard of a kolache, do yourself a favor and grab one from Yeast Nashville.
The Nations
Brightside Bakeshop has some of the best pastries in the city, so you’ve got to visit. Don’t leave without trying their Cinnaroll or Sunshine Roll.
The Gulch
If it wasn’t already obvious, I love sweet things. Nashville has some great cinnamon rolls. On weekends, the Thompson Hotel’s coffee shop Killebrew has the city’s best. The warm roll is huge and basically melts in your mouth! Biscuit Love also has incredible cinnamon rolls, but the real star of their show is the biscuit breakfast sandwiches. On the same topic, Barista Parlor has amazing, albeit expensive, egg, bacon and cheese sandwiches. For something not breakfast related, Knoxville-based Stock and Barrel has great, customizable burgers.
Downtown/Broadway
Who doesn’t love tacos? Bakersfield has a few locations around the south and the one on Third Avenue is just as good as the rest. Parlor Doughnuts are literally my favorite donuts in the world, get the French Toast, or Sandy Beach, or Carnival. Honestly, get them all. Assembly Food Hall at Fifth and Broadway is incredibly overwhelming, but sift through the madness for Hattie Jane’s ice cream, especially the honeycomb flavor. Finally, you literally can’t go wrong with the half-pound cookies from Mattheessen’s.
Turquoise Skies 