Nashville’s 5 Coolest Neighborhoods
1. Wedgewood-Houston
This up-and-coming neighborhood is a must if you want the local experience with a laid back vibe. The heart of Wedgewood-Houston is a main street full of bars, art galleries, and coffee shops.
Geodis Park is also here, home to the Nashville SC. Nashville is a big soccer town, so catch a game if you have a chance.
🍽 Eats and drinks:
To start your day you have a lot of options. Humphrey's Street is a coffee shop full of natural light, students, and remote workers. Matryoshka Coffee is a bright, colorful shop serving up Lucky Charms cereal and glittery lattes (no kidding).
For a full breakfast, stop inside Dozen, one of the best bakeries in town.
In the warmer months, join the locals enjoying the patios at Never Never and Jackalope Brewing. Then in the evening, hop over to Bastion for drinks and maybe even go dancing at Flamingo.
If you're with a group and the vibe is right, stop into Santa's Pub—a divey, Christmas-themed bar with karaoke.
⭐️ Personal favorite:
You can find me at Americano Lounge on the weekly. Coffee and cocktails with a cozy atmosphere? Say no more. Be sure to check out their Instagram to stay in the loop on jazz nights and events.
🚲 Getting around:
This neighborhood is mostly walkable, but you'll want a car to drive to Santa's Pub or Matryoshka.
2. East Nashville
I could probably break East Nashville into an entire guide because there’s just so much here. But here I’ll hit the highest of highlights.
East is your hipster Nashville neighborhood, and also the more “crunchy” of neighborhoods. You’ll find health food stores and zero-waste stores here like The Turnip Truck and The Good Fill.
🍽 Eats and drinks:
Let’s talk brunch. Ohhh the options. Redheaded Stranger is the place for breakfast tacos. If you’re feeling like something healthy and light, Hearts or Cafe Roze are the move. And lastly, Butcher & Bee is an all-time favorite—order the whipped feta!
The last two suggestions are just as good for dinner. My other dinner recommendation is Lockeland Table. Come for "community hour" (aka happy hour) from 4-6pm for deals on drinks and apps. Reservations aren't required for community hour.
At some point, stop by Mas Tacos for what I consider the best tacos in Nashville. It's a cash or venmo-only joint with indoor and outdoor seating. Expect a bit of a line, especially on summer weekends, but take it as a testament to how good it really is!
⭐️ Personal favorite:
Ask me what my ideal evening is, and I'm going to tell you sitting on the patio at Urban Cowboy, sitting a glass of wine, eating a slice of pizza, next to a fire, listening to (good) live music. Done.
🚲 Getting around:
3. Germantown
One of the most interesting Nashville neighborhoods IMO, is Germantown. It has a historic feel, with many of its businesses and upscale eateries housed in old Victorian-style homes or updated industrial buildings.
You’ll find the Nashville farmers market here (open year-round!) next to Bicentennial Park. Plant lovers should stop in the Garden of Babylon shop.
In the summer, you can catch a Nashville Sounds game at First Tennessee Park. Before or after the game stop by Von Elrod’s for a pretzel and beer. It’s group and dog-friendly, BTW.
🍽 Eats and drinks:
If you’re looking for a nicer meal out, Germantown is the place to come. Butchertown Hall, Rolf and Daughters, and the Optimist are just a few of most popular restaurants.
Although if you want a quicker, cheaper bite then check out Grillshack or Little Hats Market
Steadfast Coffee, Elegy, and Barista Parlor are some of Nashvilles trendiest coffee shops (which is saying something).
And finally, there are plenty of neighborhood bars to enjoy a drink. Monday Night Brewing and Bearded Iris are both casual breweries, while Mother’s Ruin does great cocktails in a most intimate atmosphere.
⭐️ Personal favorite:
Poppy & Monroe is a boutique spa using only natural products in their services (nails, facials, brows, etc). I day dream about their facials. If you’re looking for a little pampering on your Nashville trip, make an appointment here.
🚲 Getting around:
Germantown is semi-walkable, but a scooter/bike would be helpful.
4. Sylvan Park
Sylvan Park is a quaint, family-friendly residential neighborhood—the kind of place you see a lot of parents pushing strollers around on a Saturday morning.
The McCabe Park golf course is here, and has a greenway that’s popular to walk, especially in the fall months while the leaves are changing.
🍽 Eats and drinks:
Before you walk McCabe park, grab a bagel and coffee from Star Bagel Cafe (the bagel sandwiches are superb and worth the wait!)
Right across the street, Caffe Nonna is a favorite for dinner. On the weekends I’d recommend grabbing a reservation for this cozy Italian restaurant.
About a 15 minute walk or 3 minute drive north, there’s another pocket of restaurants and bars on Charlotte Avenue…
Visit the “secret” Black Dynasty ramen place inside the second location of Bearded Iris.
L&L Market is a collection of shops + eateries. It’s a fun place to walk around, especially on rainy days since it’s all indoors. Grab some coffee from Honest Coffee Roasters while you’re here.
⭐️ Personal favorite:
🚲 Getting around:
McCabe Park and the restaurants in Sylvan Park are all on a small block. For the rest of my recommendations on Charlotte Avenue you may want to make a quick drive.
5. 12 South
12 South is a classic stop for every Nashville tourist and for good reason. Whether you're a native or visiting the city for the first time, this neighborhood is beloved by all.
Spend the afternoon strolling up and down the street to shop and take pictures in front of Nashville's most iconic murals.
🍽 Eats and drinks:
For coffee (I always start with coffee) you can visit one of the most popular locations of Frothy Monkey, or go down a few doors to Portland Brew for half the line and coffee that's just as good.
If it were me, for lunch I'd go right around the corner to Ladybird Taco on 10th Avenue—you won't be disappointed 😍
Be sure to bring your sweet tooth because there are delicacies around every corner...from Jeni's Ice Cream, Five Daughters Donuts, Christie Cookie, and Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar (overpriced but fun nonetheless) you have options to say the least.
⭐️ Personal favorite:
Embers Ski Lodge is essentially a sports bar with a ski-theme. It shouldn't make sense in this southern city but it just does. Come for happy hour and sit on the roof-top patio!
🚲 Getting around:
12th Avenue South is very walkable. The entire stretch is about 1 mile long.
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