Try a plate of lemon and rosemary chicken with a side of whipped garlic potatoes, or a dollop of creamy grits. Or there's all the barbecue joints – you can't leave before tucking into a rack of spiced baby back ribs.
Germantown
Germantown is set in Nashville’s northwest, and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Wandering past the tall Victorian mansions on lush, tree-lined streets is a pleasure, and the perfect way to build up an appetite. The Germantown Café dishes up affordable, simple food with its own unique twist. A hit with locals and any visitors lucky enough to stumble across it, its signature dish is plump plum pork with garlic mashers. For home-style southern food try the cheese grits and skillet fried chicken at Monell’s Dining and Catering.
• Germantown Café, 1200 5th Ave N, Nashville; +1 615 2423 226
• Monell’s Dining and Catering, 1235 6th Ave N, Nashville;
Hillsboro Village
Step away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown and into the relative calm of Hillsboro, located near Vanderbilt and Belmont universities. Laid back it may be, but the eateries are as lively as anywhere in Nashville, and one of the best is the Sunset Grill – here you can tuck into fresh seafood and sizzling steaks, and chill out in the patio area. For some divinely zingy Asian dining in a cafeteria-style setting, at unbeatably inexpensive prices, head to the quirky International Market & Restaurant, a student favorite. Try the fried chicken gizzards if you dare.
• Sunset Grill, 2001 Belcourt Ave, Nashville; • International Market, 2010 Belmont Blvd, Nashville;
Downtown
Downtown is Nashville’s hub of entertainment, and glows with vibrant 24-hour energy. The streets are lined with neon-washed clubs, bars, and live music venues, as well as dozens of restaurants that serve some of the best barbecue in town. Head to the family-friendly Jack’s Bar-B-Que for unbeatable mac 'n' cheese, delicious heaps of homemade slaw, and huge racks of ribs, all served up by some of the friendliest folks in Nashville. For some indulgent delights, take a seat at the Southern Steak & Oyster, right beside West Riverfront Park. Enjoy the black-pepper T-bone steaks, or plates of melt-in-the-mouth beef brisket.
• Jack’s Bar-B-Que, 416 Broadway, Nashville; • The Southern, 150 3rd Ave S #110, Nashville;
East Nashville
East Nashville is the booming baby brother of Downtown, where trendy artists and up-and-coming musicians hang out at the cool coffee shops, bars, and authentic old school music venues. Food trucks fit right in to the laid-back scene, selling spicy Mexican food made with fresh ingredients. Expect to see a handful of European-inspired bakeries, such as the boutique dessert hotspot Nashville Sweets, with its pastel-colored macarons and infinitely edible cake pops. Alternatively, tuck into the savory delights at Bella Nashville Bakery – see if they've got the roast beef with sourdough on offer.
• Nashville Sweets, 803 Woodland Street, Nashville; • Bella Nashville Bakery, 1010 Fatherland Street, Nashville; Tel: +1 615 4903 627
