I recently had to make a last minute trip to Nashville and was only in the city for a total of 18 hours. Despite the time crunch, I was able to enjoy the city’s food, beer, and live music. Here’s what I got up to:
Downtown Nashville
We began our exploration downtown, parking near 3rd street and making our way toward Broadway. As we walked around, we sampled the live music drifting from every venue we passed — restaurants and bars alike. My favorite thing to do in a new city is to walk the streets, and Nashville offers something around every corner!
Martin’s BBQ Joint
For dinner we were in the mood for some BBQ. After a quick Google search, we found ourselves at Martin’s BBQ Joint. I ordered their whole hog sandwich and would recommend trying out any of their whole hog menu items. Their “redneck tacos” were a menu highlight!
Broadway
We ended our evening where we started: on Broadway. We tried to search for the perfect music venue. Because of the early start we would have the next morning, we didn’t want anything too rowdy. We found ourselves at ACME Feed & Seed, a multi-floor building with each floor offering different food and atmosphere options.
We started on the rooftop floor to look out over the city and the river. Because of the crowds and limited beer options on that level, we worked our way back to the first floor. Here we enjoyed a beer and that night’s band. It was exactly what we were looking for: lively and fun but not too crowded.
The Loveless Cafe
The next morning we stopped by The Loveless Cafe on our way out of town. Famous for their biscuits, this place started when a couple served hungry travelers from their home. Since, it has transformed into a must-visit restaurant. While we were told we would have a half-hour wait, we were kept occupied by the many shops surrounding the restaurant, selling everything from jams and ham to aprons and t-shirts.
When we were seated, we were served unlimited biscuits and homemade jams as we waited for our breakfast. The portions were large, and the overall restaurant had a welcoming Southern atmosphere. I sadly do not have photos from this stop, but I have included images from the Cafe’s website.
Overall, Nashville is a lively city with much to offer. I hope to return soon with more time to enjoy the local bars, shops, and venues!
