It appears we have more than a few Nashville people on this forum. We are going there to see Josh Ritter (and other music) at the Ryman on May 13. Our daughter lives there and will be running us around. Just looking for a few decent restaurants, ideally healthy and perhaps 1 bbq. She does live on the sw section near Brentwood. Music we are more into Americana, singer/songwriter (i.e.: Jason Isbell, Sarah Jarosz, Nickel Creek are favs, not hardcore country)
Suggestions?
Because you’re already seeing a big show (and because your daughter lives there and knows this), I hesitate to recommend the big one, but the Grand Ole Opry – the regular, long-running multiple-act show – is worth a try at least once. What stood out were 2 things:
So, not exactly ‘insider’ information. However, the Opry was 100x better than its reputation, and it has a pretty good reputation. Also, we’re going back to Nashville this summer, and we’ve got a couple of vegetarians who are healthy eaters, so I hope you’ll report back after you go.
The Row
Restaurant with live music.
Josh Ritter should be great!
Places you should check out to see what live music they have when you will be here are:
Station Inn
The Listening Room
Third & Lindsley
Dee’s country cocktail lounge
If you want to go the other direction, south, check out, Kimber’s Pickin’ Parlor or Fox & Locke
We have a plethora of really good restaurants. Personally, my favorite restaurant in the entire city is City House. My other faves are Tailor Nashville and Xiao Bao. Other options include: Lou, Lyra, Lockland Table, Butcher and Bee, Fifth & Taylor, Rolf and Daughters, Henrietta Red.
For barbecue (in order of my favorites):
Shotgun willies, but it’s only open for lunch Wed-Sun, and sells out pretty much daily (brisket)
Edley’s - multiple locations
Martin’s barbecue - multiple locations
Peg leg porker (dry rub ribs)
Bringles smoking oasis
Central BBQ
Jack’s BBQ
Puckett’s
we’ve got a couple of vegetarians who are healthy eaters, so I hope you’ll report back after you go.
Avo
Radish Kitchen
Graze
The Wild Cow
E+ROSE Wellness Cafe
Butcher and Bee has a lot of vegetarian options
Woodlands Indian vegetarian restaurant
Vui’s - Vietnamese, and they do a lot of vegetarian dishes
Gojo Ethiopian - again, they do a lot of vegetarian dishes
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It appears we have more than a few Nashville people on this forum. We are going there to see Josh Ritter (and other music) at the Ryman on May 13. Our daughter lives there and will be running us around. Just looking for a few decent restaurants, ideally healthy and perhaps 1 bbq. She does live on the sw section near Brentwood. Music we are more into Americana, singer/songwriter (i.e.: Jason Isbell, Sarah Jarosz, Nickel Creek are favs, not hardcore country)
Suggestions?
You don’t trust your daughter?!
The main strip is profoundly disappointing if you’re into good Americana / singer/songwriter music. My sole recommendation is to make the effort and get yourself to the Bluebird Cafe one night. We didn’t get tickets in advance so got in line for the 10-12 they keep back each night. We were first in line and stood there for 2 hours, it was worth every moment. A really special venue and vibe and I’m 99% sure that whoever you see there will be incredible.
Also really recommend Another Broken Egg if you need a very indulgent breakfast (carrot cake pancakes anyone?).
Josh Ritter should be great!
Places you should check out to see what live music they have when you will be here are:
Station Inn
The Listening Room
Third & Lindsley
Dee’s country cocktail lounge
If you want to go the other direction, south, check out, Kimber’s Pickin’ Parlor or Fox & Locke
We have a plethora of really good restaurants. Personally, my favorite restaurant in the entire city is City House. My other faves are Tailor Nashville and Xiao Bao. Other options include: Lou, Lyra, Lockland Table, Butcher and Bee, Fifth & Taylor, Rolf and Daughters, Henrietta Red.
For barbecue (in order of my favorites):
Shotgun willies, but it’s only open for lunch Wed-Sun, and sells out pretty much daily (brisket)
Edley’s - multiple locations
Martin’s barbecue - multiple locations
Peg leg porker (dry rub ribs)
Bringles smoking oasis
Central BBQ
Jack’s BBQ
Puckett’s
Thanks to all!!! Booked the Opry (she hasn’t been there, Vanderbilt pays crap) and City House. Now to see if we can get in the Bluebird.
Just throwing this out there, even though you didn’t ask. What I enjoyed most about my Nashville trip:
1 - Country Hall of Fame Museum
2 - Ryman Theater tour
3 - Replica of the Parthenon
4 - Roof top bars for drinks
5 - Johnny Cash museum
Can’t speak to music venues as have only been to the Ryman (not for music). Cool place, although some seats don’t have a great view of the stage (on the wings in the upper section).
Food, Cathy’s list is pretty all-inclusive. I’ve been to Lockeland Table, Butcher and Bee, Henrietta Red, Edley’s, Martin’s, Avo, and Radish Kitchen that she mentions. Radish is in same area as Avo but in my opinion much superior. I’d also throw Smiling Elephant (Thai) into the healthy/vegetarian option. Might be counter-intuitive, but it is a good option although parking is awful. I also thought Bourbon Steak and Husk were good meals, but a bit over-hyped and as much about presentation and “vibe” as they were good food. A great option is Once Upon a Time in France (french bistro, GREAT steak). Several of these are in East Nashville, while the rest are scattered on the other side of the river. Most of Nashville is <20 minutes from the rest of Nashville, it’s when you get out to Franklin (and, sort of, Brentwood) that drive times start to stretch out. Opryland is a ways off; I’ve never been out that way (yet).
I would concur on smiling elephant. It’s probably the best Thai in Nashville after the Thai shack burned down.
Bourbon, steak is really good in the view is incredible. But it’s expensive and hard to get into. Husk is good, but I haven’t been there since they changed chefs. They do have a really nice patio for cocktails.
OUATIF is great and real French food. The only issue is they don’t take reservations and they’re always busy. Plus parking is pretty nonexistent. In the winter, their beef Bourgourgion is fantastic.
One more music suggestion: City Winery.
We are booked for Opry Fri night, Ryman Sat, may go to Bluebird Sun eve but will be our last night so may go to nice quiet restaurant Sun with our daughter. Unfortunately it is Mothers day so could be bit more difficult. Taking out all her friends (free meal) Thurs so she found hot pizza/italian place.
She will be cruising us out to the outskirts of town to show where some of the “real” people/artist live, visit Vanderbilt (since she has access card) Should be a fun time. Steal her bike for some cruising a bit also
hot pizza/italian place
Fun! Is this Folk?
On your cruise perhaps you will end up in Leipers Fork. Maybe you can say hi to Justin Timberlake and have a meal at Puckett’s. Leipers Fork is a cute little town that we used to ride out to all the time on the bikes until traffic got ridiculous in WilCo.
hot pizza/italian place
Fun! Is this Folk?
On your cruise perhaps you will end up in Leipers Fork. Maybe you can say hi to Justin Timberlake and have a meal at Puckett’s. Leipers Fork is a cute little town that we used to ride out to all the time on the bikes until traffic got ridiculous in WilCo.
Bella Napoli Hope it is good, time to change if can recommend better.
Bella Napoli is good.
Only place that might be better is Il forno. Bella Napoli is good though.
ETA - Roberta’s (in Urban Cowboy) is also very good.
thanks, least my nose all the way from RI appears to be working, this point Bella is booked. Unfortunately didn’t score for Bluebird, but our daughter knows the scene and may suggest something else. She was in the nosebleeds for Swift concert, not a Swiftie but said show was fun. Least she didn’t go last night and been sick by time we get there!
Only place that might be better is Il forno. Bella Napoli is good though.
ETA - Roberta’s (in Urban Cowboy) is also very good.
Bella was booked apparently, but THX!! jkhayc got into Il Forno
Weather looks likes crap for next 5 days 
Only place that might be better is Il forno. Bella Napoli is good though.
ETA - Roberta’s (in Urban Cowboy) is also very good.
Bella was booked apparently, but THX!! jkhayc got into Il Forno
Weather looks likes crap for next 5 days
It’s Middle TN - the weather will change eighteen times before then. It was supposed to pour rain all weekend. It rained a couple of times, but the days were nice.
Want to thank everyone here! Yes it is raining but great to see our kid. Able to get tickets to bluebird sun eve, so Opry, Ryman, and Bluebird all in one trip.
Have fun time at Il Forno with daughters friends