Nashville has changed. A lot of it is great! A lot of it is… well, if you’re in the hard-partying, woo-girl, Bachelorette party rolling down Broadway crowd you know what to do. If not: there are great parts of town for you to explore. A few recommendations based on our last visit.

EAST NASHVILLE FOOD

• FOLK: Great vibe, seasonal menu, naturally leavened pizzas. Guided by acclaimed chef from another favorite of mine, Rolf & Daughters‘ Philip Krajeck. In the growing, trendy, East Nashville area.

• AUDREY: Wow – this restaurant is gorgeous. Also in East Nashville from Chef Sean Brock (HUSK). Think cornmeal fried morel mushrooms with ramps, chicken & dumplinks – this is Southern meets Appalachian done at a very high level.

• S.S. GAI: Thai fried chicken from a stall in an outdoor food hall called The Wash. We randomly ran into a bunch of friends in town for the same wedding here, which is a good sign. Christina Nguyen and Birk Grudem (Hai Hai/Hola Aprea) and Colin Stumbras (Smack Shack) also here.
• Maiz de la Vida taco truck: When a taco truck chef is a finalist for James Beard’s emerging chef award, you know it’s special. Reminds me of Nixta in Minneapolis.

• CHOPPER TIKI BAR: a robot-themed tiki bar, drinks are served in Star Wars or Robot ceramic mugs. More than just a schtick, it’s quality tiki too.

MUSIC / FUN

• THE LISTENING ROOM: We paid $12 for a show to see three songwriters tell stories and play their songs. Some brand new, some #1 hits, just an amazing experience.
• RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Tour it. You get to be backstage, experience the dressing rooms, hear great stories – fun even it you’re not a country music fan

• ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD: Get the $6 fried bologna sandwich with chips and a PBR and enjoy the most authentic old-school Nashville place on Broadway.

COFFEE

• CREMA COFFEE: The top coffee roaster in Nashville, absolutely beautiful beans and coffee shop.
• FROTHY MONKEY: Cute cafe with brunch all day
• 8th & ROAST: Great beans and a nice shop in the airport too!

SHOPPING

• THE GULCH: Trendy, touristy, fun to walk around. Faves: e.Allen clothing boutique, Rustler Hat Co., grab a coffee at Killebrew.

• HATCH SHOW PRINT: Letterpress shop with incredible history of printing concert posters. Inside the Country Music Hall of Fame building by the convention center.

• GIBSON GARAGE: Gibson Guitar’s flagship store with hundreds of guitars, awesome design, go test and play this icon.

HOTEL

• Holton House Nashville: We stayed here, great rooftop pool, terrific bar, and nice location near everything.