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City Cast Nashville

Margaret Kingsbury

How well do you know Nashville’s street names? Take this mini crossword to see. And 

Nashville’s foodie scene is hopping with 

 opening every month, but the oldies need our support, too. While Nashville’s oldest restaurant, Varallo’s, closed earlier this year, we still have plenty of great restaurants and bars that have been around for a very long time.

This West Nashville dive bar is not only the city’s oldest bar, but the state’s, too. While it looks like the typical semi-dilapidated dive bar, it has a storied history. The bar converted to a speakeasy during the Prohibition era, and it’s 

rumored that Al Capone was a frequent visitor

. They always have a great lineup of comedy shows and live music.

This greasy hamburger joint made its home almost 100 years ago in an old trolley car in Hillsboro Village. It’s also got that dive feel, and has only had three owners in its history. Though its hamburgers are famous, Brown’s also serves a solid breakfast.

You can find this high-end steakhouse in a Southern mansion tucked between the Centennial and St. Thomas Midtown hospitals. Founded during the Great Depression, the original Jimmy Kelly promised diners he’d always serve good steak and whiskey, though the restaurant is perhaps best known for its corncakes, after Kelly 

 from the Maxwell House Hotel known for making them.

Just a block away from Jimmy Kelly’s is this meat-and-three with a classic, pharmacy-style soda fountain. They serve three meals a day, but their milkshakes are the highlight. While the shop briefly closed in 2019, developers Tony and Lisa Giarratana reopened it in 2021, with the goal of 

Nashville’s OG hot chicken has an origin story as spicy as its menu: When Thornton Prince’s wife got fed up with his philandering ways, she served him his favorite meal, fried chicken, with heaps of peppers and spices. But instead of getting sick, Thornton loved it, and decided to open a hot chicken restaurant. Today, it’s run by his great niece, Ms. Andre Prince Jeffries.

Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash have performed at this famous Printer’s Alley restaurant, known for its burlesque and jazz. It also has quite a history, including the 

1998 murder of founder David “Skull” Schulman

Lon and Annie Loveless began serving chicken and biscuits out of their Bellevue home in 1951, but as demand grew, they converted their entire home into a restaurant and built a 14-room motel for guests. Those biscuits are still famous.

This West Nashville staple is best known for its chocolate-dipped soft serve ice cream. It was 

, but when Bobbie McWright bought it in the mid-1980s, he renamed it. While it’s changed hands a few times, it still maintains that ‘50s feel.

Right across the street from Bobbie’s is this meat-and-three, which has stayed in the same family for three generations. The restaurant serves all three meals every day except Sunday. Don’t sleep on its country ham and banana pudding.

This North Nashville cafeteria-style restaurant serves up delicious Southern soul food, and has had pretty much the same menu since its opening. It’s stayed in the family for all these years. Try the pork chops and cornbread.

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Nashville Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Whitney Pastorek

 the best park in town? There’s a strong case to be made. Located in East Nashville along the Cumberland River, and boasting nearly 1,300 acres of land — from groomed fields to tangled forest — it’s an urban oasis with something for everyone.

If you like to ride on something with wheels, the 

 out-and-back provides eight miles of scenic pavement, and you can add on the 

 for some extra loops. But for those on foot, the 

 are where the magic happens. No bikes back here — just the chance to walk or run in nature and say hi to the neighborhood deer.

 for naturalists; it’s also surrounded by some of the coolest things in the park, like beehives and pollinator gardens, and the newly-revamped 

 where kids can get properly grubby. This is where you’ll set out to see the annual 

Whether your baby is of the human or fur variety, Shelby has plenty of places for them to romp and run free. The 

) is one of the city’s best, and the shady playground nearby gets high marks from kiddos. Another playground can be found between the ballfields below the lake. 

 also abound, perfect for birthday parties.

Shelby might boast the most diverse selection of 

 in town, including pickleball, tennis, baseball, basketball, and golf for all ages — even 

. Running races (fun speed and competitive) base out of Shelby year-round. For those who like to take life a little slower, Sevier Lake is regularly restocked for 

, and you’re welcome to put in a kayak at the 

 does a terrific job of programming regular events and activities in the park, from a 

 bring great bands to the airplane hangar every summer, and while we may be biased, 

 is the coolest pop-up party in town. If you want to remember why you love Nashville, there’s no better place to be.

Join us at Fridays by the River! 

With miles of greenway and trails, multiple playgrounds, and a great dog park, East Nashville’s Shelby Park has something for everyone.

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April’s warm weather brings allergies here in Nashville, but at least we have plenty to keep us busy this month, from pop-up thrift stores to Easter egg hunts galore. Just don’t forget the allergy meds and tissues! Here are our top picks for what to do in Nashville this month, and 

 runs every day this month (except Sundays), and ends May 2. It’s located right across from Centennial Women’s Hospital in West Nashville. Find lots of good quality women’s and men’s clothes, plus household items. The ladies there are SO nice, and it’s such a great shopping experience. The 120-year-old local nonprofit uses proceeds from the pop-up to provide emergency food, clothing, and bill assistance to Nashville folks in need.

Here are some other thrifting opportunities this month: The 

 is April 2-6 at the Fairgrounds, there’s a 

 at the Fairgrounds April 10-12, and The Nations has a 

If spring cleaning is on your agenda, here’s a list of 

This weekend is Easter! There are heaps of Easter activities for the family. For kiddos, search for eggs at Cheekwood’s 

. Kids can also have brunch with the Easter bunny at 

Lots of local restaurants are serving up special Easter Sunday meals, including 

 with a special three-course menu and egg hunts on the patio.

April 18 is Record Store Day. While we’re grieving the closure of The Groove, Nashville still has a 

list of stores participating in Record Store Day

If books are more your thing (or you’re a reader + vinyl listener), Independent Bookstore Day is April 25. Participate in the 

 by picking up a passport at any participating bookstore, and collecting a stamp for each purchase. There are 12 participating bookstores in Davidson County alone. Turn in your passport for a chance to win a grand prize.

 celebration at Centennial Park on April 18. Find free trees, live music, yoga, lots of food trucks, 75+ vendors, and more. It’s a super fun, free event.

If you can’t make it, there are plenty of other ways to take care of the Earth this month. Find heaps of 

 happening in April on the Nashville.gov website, or check the 

 for volunteer opportunities with local gardens or parks.

🌸 More April Activities

April’s warm weather brings allergies here in Nashville, but at least we have plenty to keep us busy this month, from pop-up thrift stores to Easter egg hunts galore.

Your Guide to Nashville in April 2026

Find the best of everything that Nashville has to offer.

Nashville’s Best

Nashville's Best

Hungry? Nashville has so many excellent new restaurants and bars opening every month. Here are our favorites!

This open-air East Nashville gathering spot recently opened and has heaps of new restaurants and food trucks: 

. It’s going to be the place to hang out in this nice weather!

The popular East Nashville restaurant Soy Cubano just opened a location on the west side in The Nations! For now, its new location is only open for breakfast and lunch. Find Cuban coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.

Meanwhile, The Nations’ pizzeria Midnight Oil has opened a second location in Donelson. It’s a great place to grab a beer or cocktail with a slice of pizza and watch a game, or meet up with friends.

 truck now has a storefront inside the Nashville Farmers’ Market, where they also hold ice cream-making classes. Their ice cream is SO delicious! Make sure to grab some next time you’re at the market.

Indigo Road Hospitality Group, based in Charleston, is opening its third Nashville restaurant in Germantown. Indaco is an Italian restaurant open for dinner nightly, and for brunch on the weekends. The menu includes artichoke pasta, braised rabbit, and lobster tortellini.

Coa is a Tulum-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant located on the Canopy by Hilton rooftop in The Gulch. Expect a modern take on Mexican cuisine, with the city’s largest agave menu. It has both indoor and outdoor eating spaces, with three terraces and an agave garden.

This locally owned smashburger restaurant opened its fourth location in The Gulch yesterday. They serve unique takes on smashburgers, from the Skippy Thai Yay to the Bleus Brothers, and the entire restaurant is covered in newspapers, magazines, and memorabilia from the ‘80s and ‘90s. It’s one of my 

Present Tense has reopened in a new, more intimate Wedgewood-Houston location. Chef Ryan Costanza has scaled down the restaurant from 120 to 40 seats, and it now shares a building with the nightclub 

. The new menu features about a dozen items that blend Japanese, French, 

This farmers market favorite now has a brick-and-mortar store in 12 South. While the Mexico City-inspired menu focuses on a wide variety of tacos, Ofelia’s also serves street corn, dulce de leche, and margaritas.

Wedgewood-Houston’s Deir Café, run by a Nashville-born Palestinian doctor, has opened a second location in Antioch, which they’re saying is 

! Deir blends “the soul of Palestine with the creativity of Nashville.” Make sure to try the shawarma.

Under the direction of celebrity chef José Andrés, Zaytani’s menu is inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines, with small plates alongside larger dishes. It’s located inside W Nashville. The José Andrés Group plans to also open Bar Mar in W Nashville soon.

Locally owned meal prep and catering company Prepped Palate recently soft opened its grab-and-go storefront in Wedgewood-Houston. Expect healthy and delicious quick lunches.

Heirloom Hospitality has brought this fine dining steakhouse to Nashville Yards, within the Grand Hyatt. Open for dinner seven nights a week, the menu also includes seafood and a raw bar.

This Music Row coffee shop has opened a second location in Brentwood, right across the street from REI. It’s open every day from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Grab some coffee and avocado toast.

Radish has several locations across Nashville and Franklin, and now East Nashville can enjoy its signature salads and grain bowls. It’s located near Butcher & Bee.

JINYA is a large ramen chain, with more than 60 locations across the nation. Its Tennessee debut is in downtown Nashville, where customers can expect slow-simmered broth, sushi, rice bowls, craft beers, and cocktails.

This popular bagel chain is opening its first Tennessee storefront in The Gulch tomorrow, Feb. 27. They’ll be serving a limited-edition Nashville HOT schmear for the 

This Austin-based burger joint also has its grand opening tomorrow, Feb. 27, at The Arcade. Its name stands for “Not a Damn Chance Burger,” and they serve one option: A double Wagyu cheeseburger with secret sauce.

This new cocktail bar in The Gulch has comfy booths, neon lights, and 80s vibes. Open until 1 a.m., Love’s Alibi is “a love letter to bold women, loud laughter, good music, and that perfect in-between hour when the light gets soft and the stories start.” Grab a pic in the photo booth with friends, order some elevated bar food, and have a good time.

Cilantro already has locations in South Nashville and 5 Points, but they’re now expanding to The Gulch, which seems to be a hotspot for new restaurants. They claim to have the best margaritas in town. You’ll have to visit to see if you agree.

We’re staying in The Gulch with this new self-pour bar and bowling alley. Watch the latest game on numerous TVs, hang out on the patio when the weather turns nice, and see if you can beat your friends at bowling. It’s currently having a soft opening, with a grand opening slated for Feb. 7.

Nashville’s newest sushi restaurant in Wedgewood-Houston offers sushi classics with a creative twist. Sushi Row started in Colorado Springs, and is operated by the creators of Dos Santos, which is right across the street. The menu includes pork belly buns, sake, and tamaki tacos.

This popular Germantown coffee shop has reopened after an interior revamp, with velvet couches and candles giving it a warm and cozy vibe. In addition to coffee, they’re now serving cocktails and food all day and night.

The folks behind West Nashville’s popular Streetcar Taps have opened a second location in Germantown. Expect the same great food and friendliness, and just like the Charlotte Pike location, there’s plenty of patio space, including a heated patio area. This is likely to become a neighborhood favorite.

This hip new bar, located inside downtown’s The Maddox Hotel, has a vintage speakeasy feel and lots of unique cocktails.

Over by K&S Market on Charlotte Pike, this Korean barbecue has an all-you-can-eat buffet, hot pot, and stoves at the table where you can cook your own food. It’s a fun space, with lots of claw machines and games, and cool interior decorations.

Craving Chinese takeout? Golden Prawn in East Nashville has finally opened. Get classics like sweet and sour chicken and egg drop soup, and don’t forget the fortune cookie, which has Nashville-themed fortunes.

I cannot wait to check out this newly opened teahouse in East Nashville. There’s also a pottery studio inside, and handmade pottery for sale. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, with morning and evening hours.

The Nation’s newest neighborhood bar is open every day of the week, with happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m. It has a large outdoor area with games and a fire pit, where kids and dogs are welcome.

Hungry? These are the best new restaurants and bars in Nashville to check out in March.

Check Out These New Nashville Restaurants and Bars in March 2026

Nashville's Best New Restaurants and Bars

 because of the U.S. and Israel’s joint attacks on Iran. According to AAA, 

 are $3.698 a gallon on average, up from $2.625 just one month ago. Here are some tips for saving on gas in Nashville.

WeGo is adding new bus routes and improvements regularly thanks to the Choose How You Move transit program. Now just might be the time to investigate 

 to and from your most frequent destinations, if you aren’t a bus rider yet.

 is free and tracks gas prices in your area. Enter your address or route, and it will show you the current gas prices at stations along the way. It’s crowdsourced, and you can enter your receipts to earn points toward rewards, including discounts on gas. You can also play games to earn points.

 gives you points for every dollar you spend on groceries to be spent at Kroger gas stations. Kroger frequently offers 4x bonus fuel points days. If you’re a frequent Kroger shopper, buy some gift cards on those days to rack up more fuel points. 

 also have fuel savings programs for members. If you tend to go to the same gas station, check whether it has 

 keeping tires properly inflated, and making sure to drive the speed limit. As speeds exceed 50 mph on the highway, aerodynamic drag reduces fuel economy. While limiting air conditioner use helps save on gas, that’s often impossible in Nashville. Use a windshield shade to lessen heat buildup inside the car, and remove bulky items — it takes more fuel to accelerate in a heavier car.

Saving Money on Gas

🚗 What are your cost-saving tips?

Gas prices are rising. Here are some tips for saving money on gas in Nashville.

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Life Hacks

Tips and tricks for living your best Nashville life, by locals, for locals.

Nashville Life Hacks

It’s tulip-picking time! Tulip season is short, so if picking flowers is on your spring bucket list, or you just want a killer spring selfie, head out ASAP to one of these local you-pick flower farms.

Get beautiful, fresh-picked tulips at this Bellevue farm, located at the intersection of Hwy. 70 S. and Charlotte Pike. It’s $5 to enter the fields, and $2 per stem. The farm is close to the end of its tulip-growing season, so make sure to check their Instagram before heading out.

This Columbia farm is currently open to the public every day of the week for tulip picking. It costs $16-19 a ticket, with five free tulips included. After that, tulips are $1.50 per stem. You’re welcome to bring a picnic, and there’s also a concession stand.

This place is a wonderland for kids, with animal encounters (sloths!), pony rides, and farm-style amusement park attractions. They have the largest you-pick tulip farm in the Southeastern U.S., but they could run out of tulips soon. Tickets start at $12.

This family farm has Cookville’s longest-running produce stand. They just opened for tulip-picking, and on Saturday, March 28, they’re hosting 

, with a bunny trail and egg hunt, local vendors, and flower picking. Or visit on April 4 for their Tulips for a Cause event, which benefits Operation United Hope. Admission is $5, and tulips are $2.50 per stem.

Take a day trip to Roberts Five Farm in Sparta, just outside Cookeville, to find your perfect tulip bouquet. They just opened, so it’s a great time to go. Admission is $5, and tulips are $2.50 per stem, with a $1 bargain for weathered blooms. You might want to wear boots, or at least close-toed shoes.

🧺 Local CSAs

It's tulip-picking time! Here are five tulip picking farms in the Nashville area.

5 Middle Tennessee Tulip Picking Farms

Where To Pick Tulips in the Nashville Area

Get to know the natural side of Nashville: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Nashville Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Marie Cecile Anderson

Daniel Sumstine

Everybody loves pizza, and there are plenty of pizza places in Nashville. But which ones are the best? Here are the City Cast Nashville’s favorite pizza spots in town, from classic NYC slices to creative toppings. Do you disagree? 

Fave Pizza

In this former New Yorker’s opinion, Smith & Lentz is the closest Nashville gets to a proper slice. They do not, however, sell slices — the whole pies come as the pizza gods intended, on an elevated metal stand to be shared at the table. Try the sausage and kale, or go simple with the white pie (extra ricotta, please!) while washing it all down with a house-brewed pilsner. — 

Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations has Tennessee’s only coal-fired oven, which makes their pizza extra delicious. They have a great selection of red and white pies, and I love the interior’s industrial feel. And kids eat free on Mondays!

Pizza Perfect and I share a birth year: 1983! This Nashville institution, 

 from Iran, has locations in Hillsboro Village and Bellevue, and is easily the restaurant I’ve eaten at most often. The pizza always hits the spot; my favorite is the deluxe vegetarian. 

Last year, I toured all the local pizza places to find 

. There was one clear winner: Emmy Squared. It’s the only gluten-free pizza in Nashville with a thick, deep-dish crust, and wow, is it amazing. I hear their regular pizza is solid, too, with Detroit-style and regular options. There are four locations around town. 

Venito’s Pizza is located at the intersection of Harding Place and Trousdale, right next to a gas station and the train tracks, where my beloved Mamma Mia’s used to be. It’s a tiny little Italian joint, with cheap fare, great salads, and slices that will remind you of a time when pizza was simple. 

Led by Sean Brock, Sho Pizza Bar in East Nashville’s Riverside Village blends traditional Neapolitan and Japanese techniques. They obsess over the details in the best way, from imported Italian flour to a wood-fired oven fueled by local hickory and oak. I highly recommend the Salumi, topped with beef pepperoni, fresh oregano, asiago, and a chili-honey drizzle. Don’t sleep on the Caesar salad! After early success, they’re already exploring a West Nashville expansion. 

 joint wins for pure creativity: From lemon pepper chicken to chili crisp, street tacos, and oxtail, they’re willing to put just about anything on their hand-stretched dough. Their full menu also features pasta and fish dishes likely to please the less adventurous eaters among us. — 

This Gallatin Pike newcomer is about to get some stiff competition up the street (

 soft opens this weekend, y’all!), but for now, you can’t beat their $3 pizza-by-the-slice, all day and all night — except for happy hour, when the price drops to $1. You’ll need those slices once you settle onto their charming, dog-friendly patio and accidentally have one too many Italian margaritas. — 

It’s very good pizza. It’s available at three locations, by the slice or as a whole pie. Just eat it. You won’t be mad. —

🍕 More Pizza Spots!

Everybody loves pizza. Here are the best pizza spots in Nashville.

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The Best Pizza in Nashville

In a city famous for songwriting and live performances, these local music shops are where the sound begins. Spend an afternoon exploring them, and you’ll quickly see how Nashville’s music culture isn’t just heard — it’s built piece by piece, instrument by instrument. From vintage guitars with decades of stories to neighborhood spots where musicians still gather to talk about gear, these stores are part of the creative backbone of Music City.

Founded by longtime drummer and drum tech Bryson Nelson, this shop is known for its knowledgeable employees and friendly, musician-first vibe. Walk in, and you’ll find a wall of snares, cymbals from every major maker, and staff who can talk shop about everything from jazz tuning techniques to modern touring setups. The shop is also home to 

, a unique coffee pop-up tucked right inside the store.

For decades, Corner Music was an iconic hangout in 12 South where local musicians would browse gear, talk shop, and inevitably run into someone they knew. But as the neighborhood grew more expensive, the longtime shop was pushed out of its original home. Today, Corner Music carries on that legacy at its new location on Dickerson Pike. The shop offers a wide selection of guitars, keyboards, and recording gear, along with the same welcoming, atmosphere that made it beloved in the first place.

Part music shop, part cultural space, Fanny’s House of Music has become one of Nashville’s most beloved creative hangouts. Located in East Nashville, the store focuses on guitars, basses, and vintage gear, but its mission goes beyond selling instruments. Fanny’s actively supports women and marginalized musicians through workshops, community events, and an inclusive vibe that makes everyone feel like they belong. It’s also just a fun place to browse, with colorful instruments lining the walls and a friendly staff who are always happy to answer questions.

For guitar lovers, Carter Vintage is basically a museum where everything happens to be for sale. The shop specializes in rare and collectible instruments — think vintage Martins, Gibsons, and Fenders played by generations of musicians. Walking through the showroom and seeing pieces of music history up close is unforgettable. Don’t be surprised if you spot a touring artist quietly testing out a guitar in the corner.

If your musical gear needs repairs, British Audio is the place to go. Musicians from across the country ship their amps here to be serviced by technicians who know these circuits inside and out. I had my studio monitors repaired here, and the team was incredibly helpful throughout the process. It’s also a place where Nashville’s tone obsessives go when they want their gear to sound perfect.

🎵 Our best music venues

Here are Nashville’s best music shops, from vintage guitar havens to community drum stores. 

Exploring Nashville’s Best Music Stores

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City Cast Nashville Mini Crossword

Margaret Kingsbury

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