COFFEE + BRUNCH
Note: I recently had one of my best friends from East Tennessee visit, and up until her visit, she didn't understand my love for brunch or the fact that, yes, it really is that popular in Nashville. So if you're a brunch-doubter, I encourage you to try at least one of these places between the hours of 9AM and 2PM. I promise you won't regret it!
Frothy Monkey – 12th South will always always always be my number one coffee and brunch spot. You simply can't go wrong. Great location, great coffee, great food, great atmosphere. What to order, you ask? 'The Bob' with Benton's bacon and fruit. Don't forget to order your Rosemary Honey Latte, too!
Biscuit Love – The Gulch (or Hillsboro Village!) is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Their unique southern fare is totally worth the one (or sometimes more) hour wait. For a real taste of Nashville, order the East Nasty–fried chicken and cheddar cheese atop a biscuit. Yum.
Bongo Java – Omni Hotel has some of the best coffee in town. I'm looking at you, Local Latte! By far my favorite latte in Nashville with local honey, cinnamon, espresso, & almond milk. Make sure to get it iced since you're probably sightseeing in 90º heat (yay). If you're hungry, grab a Vegan Beet It! muffin. So good.
LUNCH
Another note: Yes, it is acceptable to eat both brunch and lunch in the same day. In fact, I highly recommend it. #treatyoself
Bartaco – 12th South is my go-to spot for trendy tacos and quality patio sitting. Ordering may seem odd at first, but your Abercrombie-esque waiter should be able to help you out. Start with chips and salsa and their signature Sanguina while you wait for your Falafel and Cauliflower tacos. (Sounds weird? Yes. Tastes so so good? Also yes.)
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden – East Nashville is definitely my favorite burger in all of Nashville. Honestly, it doesn't matter which burger you order (they're all delicious), as long as you get their Hand-cut Sweet Potato Fries or (and by "or" I really mean and) Tater Tots on the side.
The Farmers Market – Germantown is home to Bella Nashville Pizzeria and many other unique restaurants. Order the Margherita pizza at Bella, then grab dessert at Jeni's Ice Cream. Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks and Darkest Chocolate are my go-to flavors, but Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk is good, too.
DINNER
One more note: Yes, dinner comes after both brunch and lunch, regardless of what was consumed earlier in the day. There's a reason there are so many Nashville food Insta accounts!
Rock Bottom Brewery – Broadway has one of my favorite rooftop views of Music City. Everything there is delicious, but their Bacon Mac n Cheese is my meal of choice (and should be yours, too).
Hattie B's Hot Chicken – Midtown offers the perfect opportunity to try Nashville's very own Hot Chicken. If you don't know what "hot chicken" is, you're missing out on a key piece of our culture. But don't worry, you're not the only one asking us to explain what exactly makes it "hot" chicken. Basically, it's fried chicken that has some level of heat (think spicy) to it, served on white bread with a pickle on it. I don't have any advice on which heat level you should order, other than probably not "Shut the cluck up!!!", which comes with a burn notice. Seriously.
Puckett's Grocery – Downtown Nashville is a great place for traditional southern eats. Start out with the Fried Green Tomatoes, then try either the Cajun Chicken and Waffles or Southern Fried Catfish (a tasty instrument of crime, go Preds!).
Oh, and go ahead and 'gram your food pics because did you really try hot chicken if you didn't document it? Probs not.