| A Guide to Current Californian’s Favorites in Nashville |
Nashville’s population has seen significant growth within the past few years, and that is in part due to the waves of Californians making their way to Music City. We don’t blame them! Middle Tennessee has so much to offer, with the delicious food, lively nightlife, endless entertainment, and of course, the southern charm. We know that when relocating it can be tricky to find new favorites around town, but don’t worry, we got you covered! We have done our research and with help from our clients, we’ve put together a one-of-a-kind list that hits all of the transplant top picks around Nashville so that you don’t miss out on anything that this city has to offer. From restaurants, bars, to the perfect shopping spree, this blog is a guide for those coming from California looking for comparable & incredible spots!
| Food & Restaurants |
If you’ve got a passionate pallet, a love for food, or are just plain hungry, this is the place for you! We got you covered with all the favorite delicious dining & snacking spots.
Bartaco | 2526 12th Ave S |
Located in the heart of Nashville and in the lively 12 South neighborhood, Bartaco is one of the best taco places in all of Music City. The unique, inviting atmosphere, and bar in the middle of the restaurant makes for an immaculate vibe. Bartaco brings a little bit of beach to the city! Whether you are dropping in for a neighborly lunch, or out on the town for dinner, this spot is truly worth your time. Choose from your favorite taco options such as baja fish, spiced chicken verde, or sesame ribeye. Enjoy your tasty taco with a signature cocktail to really experience all Bartaco has to offer! To visit their website and learn more about their menu click here.
True Food Kitchen | 3996 Hillsboro Pike |
True Food Kitchen is located near The Mall at Green Hills, all day long they serve tasteful, healthier options for your desired meal. Spend the afternoon shopping at your favorite stores, then head over to True Foods for a fulfilling dinner! This restaurant offers a variety of options, such as gluten free and vegan plates for those with different tastes. Jump start your day, or night with a bite of edamame dumplings and a truffle honey pear flatbread. You will surely be wanting more! To read more about the variety of options click here to visit their menu. It’s all in the name, the food is truly fantastic!
The Loveless Cafe| 8400 TN-100 |
The Loveless Cafe is a home away from home. There is nothing better than homestyle comfort food in the heart of Music City. This cute cafe is the perfect place to spend your quiet Sunday. Offering more than just food, the experience of The Loveless Cafe is one-of-a-kind. Southern specials, such as their famous biscuits will leave you wanting more! Planning an event soon? The Loveless Cafe has you covered! They offer the most beautiful venue for the perfect night to celebrate. Head over to The Loveless Cafe community and experience all it has to offer, from the cafe to the outfitters store, this is the place to be! To learn more about The Loveless Cafe experience click here.
O-Ku Sushi | 81 Van Buren St |
Here’s to all my sushi lovers out there! We know California has some of the best sushi, but this place will not leave you disappointed. O-Ku sushi brings a modern approach to your dining experience. Offering authentic Asian cuisine and a variety of sushi options, O-Ku is a must on your list. Curious about what O-Ku has to offer click here to learn more. We hope you love this perfect place as much as we do!
Pastaria | 8 City Blvd |
Looking for a fresh, Italian dinner for your cozy weekday night? This is the spot for you! Bringing the flavor from Italy to Nashville, you can never go wrong picking this pasta. Pastaria offers a variety of options including yummy appetizers, and pasta entreés. Even if you do have dietary preferences, you can still spoil your taste buds with their organic pasta options! Click here to dive deeper into the amazing pasta options Pastaria has to offer!
The Baked Bear | 1809 Division St |
To all my dessert craving, sweet tooth satisfying and ice cream loving peeps, boy do we have the place for you! One look at these desserts and you’ll be craving it for DAYS. Baked Bear offers you customized ice cream sandwiches, brownie and cookie bowls, and a variety of toppings for you to choose from. Not only will these sweet treats leave you in a food coma, but these Insta-worthy ice cream sandwiches will steal your heart! You know what they say, the phone eats first! Get to snappin’ pics and snackin’ on some sweets at The Baked Bear. If you are interested in viewing all the creative flavors Baked Bear has to offer click here. However, this is your warning, once you see you won’t be able to resist!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream | 2312 12th Ave S |
We will always scream for this ice cream! One of the most popular, well known Nashville spots is Jeni’s Ice Cream. Jeni’s offers flavors that are specific to their brand and will have you reading the flavors for hours. Taste testing is a must at Jenis, but truly you can’t go wrong with whatever you decide. In addition to their flavors, Jeni’s gives each scoop of ice cream its personal waffle triangle. Use it as a spoon, or a topping, either way it’s the perfect addition to your sweet treat! Whether you are visiting Nashville for the weekend, or making the long term move, Jeni’s will always leave your heart full and happy! Click here for more information.
Milk and Honey | 214 11th Ave S |
Located in the heart of Music City, Milk and Honey brings elegance to your table. With a variety of small plates, sandwiches, and more, Milk and Honey is the perfect place for Sunday brunch! If the sound of burrata and fig, a sweet breakfast sandwich, or a pork poutine, sounds amazing to you then Milk and Honey is a must. Make sure to check out all the other fun aspects the Gulch has to offer. Click here to learn more about one of Nashville’s finest!
Martin’s Bar-B-Que | 410 4th Ave S |
You haven’t had barbecue until you’ve had Martin’s. This southern charm restaurant brings big meats to your plate. Freshly smoked for 24 hours, the mouthwatering meals served at Martin’s Bar-B-Que will not disappoint! If barbecue isn’t bringing you in, Martin’s tacos with a twist sure will! Click here for more information and to check out their menu!
Pinewood Social | 33 Peabody St |
Looking for something a bit different with your meal? This spot is a sure strike! Pinewood Social believes that food shouldn’t be the only fun during dinnertime. Head over to Pinewood Social for splendid cocktails, the best brussel sprouts, and bowling. Bowling? Yes, bowling. Pinewood Social has 2-3 lanes of bowling for you to enjoy while eating your meal. If bowling is not your forté, don’t you fear, there is also a lovely outside area with enjoyable activities. Power up your instagram with the most aesthetically pleasing photos from Pinewood Social. Click here for more information.
Restoration Hardware (RH Cafe) | 2101 Green Hills Village Dr |
Now although the name might not attract your appetite, this Nashville favorite offers much more than furniture! This beautiful cafe located in the middle of the store is the perfect spot for a lunch date! This cute and elegant restaurant is nothing less than brunch goals. The atmosphere is friendly and fun, and the food is absolutely breathtaking. After your meal, walk through the different levels and pick out your dream home! Click here for more information.
The Hampton Social | 201 1st Ave S |
This three story restaurant is nothing short of a good time. Located just a street away from Broadway, there is more than enough after party to keep you going all night long! Missing the summer vibes? Head on over to The Hampton Social for the positive atmosphere. Too busy to attend a night out during the week? That is totally understandable and Hampton Social offers one of the best Nashville brunches for you to enjoy your laid back weekend at the edge of the river! Head on over to the Hampton Social to enjoy their lobster and brie dip, shrimp tacos, or their roasted chicken! Click here to dive deeper into the Hampton Social experience.
| Popular Areas |
Nashville is known for all of the amazing areas in which you can explore so many different food places, shopping centers, entertainment venues, and more. If you’re looking for a spot to spend the day, then keep reading because we got plenty of suggestions for you!
https://www.pinterest.com/johnfairheadgroup/12-south/
12 South Community | 12th Ave S |
12 South is a popular neighborhood area in which many Nashville locals, and tourists, gather for shopping, dining, and more! Stretched around half a mile down the road you can find anything from vintage stores, to gourmet restaurants. 12 South is home to many Nashville gems including Frothy Monkey, Five Daughters Bakery and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. To learn more about what all 12 South has to offer click here. Make sure to wear comfy shoes because once you get going you won’t be able to stop!
Mall at Green Hills | 2126 Abbott Martin Rd |
If you’re looking to shop til you drop, The Mall at Green Hills is the place to do it! From clothing, to shoes, furniture and more you’re bound to find just what you’ve been looking for here. The mall encompasses seemingly endless popular stores such as Apple, Nordstrom, Sephora, Artizia, Gucci and more. In between stores, check out the pretzel stand for a sweet treat! Learn more about this shopping spot here.
The Gulch | 11th Ave S |
Located in the heart of Downtown Nashville, the Gulch is a trendy area filled with boutiques, food, and more! The Gulch hosts some of Nashville’s most famous murals, lunch spots like Milk and Honey, and is home to many businesses. The area is always buzzing with people and fun, the Gulch’s energy is unmatched. To learn more about this chic, modern spot of Music City click here.
The Pedestrian Bridge | 1st Ave North |
You may be wondering why a bridge is one of the most popular areas in Nashville. Well, the skyline of the city is unbeatable. Plan your instagram photoshoot from The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for the perfect city pictures. Your social media will be nothing short of amazing with this background. The Pedestrian Bridge is conveniently located in the middle of Downtown Nashville. After your pictures, head over to Nissan stadium or Broadway for the after party! Click here for more information!
Rhapsody Spa | 807 Clark Pl |
Looking for a place to get some pampering? This spa will leave you feeling revived, refreshed and renewed for the week! Take a day for yourself on the weekend or during a stressful week. The Rhapsody Spa offers a variety of services to their customers including facials, massages, waxing services, hair, nails and makeup. Head over to the Rhapsody Spa and pick out your favorite treatments for the best spoil. Treating yourself is just as important as treating your loved ones. Release your inner calm and experience everything this spa has to offer. If you are interested in learning more about their services click here to visit their website.
Radnor Lake State Park | 1160 Otter Creek Rd |
Radnor Park is a 1,300 acre state park where you can spend your day going for a hike, riding bikes, sightseeing, landscaping, and experiencing the Tennessee wildlife. Just when you thought Music City couldn’t get any better, you thought wrong! Nashville truly has the best of both worlds. How many other cities give you amazing city night life, and restful lake areas to explore. Nashville has its way with the outdoors and always convinces people to stay around for a little while longer. To read more about this awesome spot in Nashville click here to be redirected!
Harpeth Hotel | 130 2nd Ave North, Franklin |
The Harpeth Hotel is a Hilton hotel that is perfectly placed in Franklin, Tennessee. Just a short drive from the city, you can have a beautiful experience that shows you the quiet towns that surround Music City. A modern designed and beautiful interior design makes for a luxurious stay. Franklin is a wonderful place to spend your weekend if you are looking for a subtle experience without all the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the sweet treats, restaurants, and shopping downtown Franklin has to offer. To secure your spot at the Harpeth Hotel click here.
5th + Broadway | 501 Commerce St |
One of the newest attractions in Music City is this buzzing spot located on Broadway. Spend the day shopping and eating all the goods before heading down for live music at night. This is a win-win experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled and wanting to come back the next day! The Assembly Food Hall is located in the middle of 5th + Broadway and showcases over 10 restaurants, bars, and desserts! If that doesn’t sell you, we are not too sure what else will! All ages are welcome as this hot spot has so much to offer! To explore more options click here! We hope you love this place as much as us Nashville folks!
The Factory at Franklin | 230 Franklin Road |
Not sure you want to be downtown, but want the experience that 5th + Broadway has to offer? Well we got the perfect place for you! Located in the town of Franklin, Tennessee just a short drive from the city is the Factory at Franklin. The cute barn aesthetic brings many food stops, shops, and more right to your fingers. We knew Nashville would not disappoint and neither will its surrounding towns! Whether you are looking for a place to spend your Sunday or scoping out a venue for an upcoming event, the Factory has you covered! Head over to their website to check out all the amazing things this small town spot has to offer!
South Hall Farms | 1994 Carters Creek Pike |
As Nashville expands we’re seeing more and more exciting retreats popping up along the outskirts, like this one that’s expected to open this year! Just 25 miles outside of the bustling city, is South Hall Farms. Tucked away in the hills of Franklin, this spa, inn, and farm brings luxury to southern hospitality. This is the perfect location for a romantic getaway, girls trip, or even a calming Sunday out. You better turn the do not disturb on because this place is a true retreat! You will want to spend the next months here if you could. Experience the beauty and fun South Hall Farms provides by clicking here to visit their website. I would say enjoy your stay, but we know that’s a given!