Lee Beth's Guide to East Nashville
Restaurants
A list of amazing restaurants in the immediate neighborhood. East Nashville has been recognized, even nationwide, as a hotspot for dining.
One of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. Get the steak. You will not be sorry. Lockeland also has a great happy hour, a stone-fired pizza oven and an amazing pastry chef. It also shares a corner with Urban Cowboy Public House cocktail bar (also in this guide) so you can pop over after for a hip cocktail experience.
525 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lockeland Table
1520 Woodland StOne of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. Get the steak. You will not be sorry. Lockeland also has a great happy hour, a stone-fired pizza oven and an amazing pastry chef. It also shares a corner with Urban Cowboy Public House cocktail bar (also in this guide) so you can pop over after for a hip cocktail experience.
The BEST ramen in Nashville. Great cocktails. Tips: Get your ramen with a side of spicy miso paste and an extra egg. Also not widely known: You can order extra noodles if you still have broth left over for $3. The garlic noodles are a complete delicious indulgence. Note: they will not let you take your leftovers to go, so don't ask.
407 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Two Ten Jack
1900 Eastland AveThe BEST ramen in Nashville. Great cocktails. Tips: Get your ramen with a side of spicy miso paste and an extra egg. Also not widely known: You can order extra noodles if you still have broth left over for $3. The garlic noodles are a complete delicious indulgence. Note: they will not let you take your leftovers to go, so don't ask.
For the vegetarians. I have nothing more to add to this. ;)
360 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Wild Cow
1100 Fatherland StreetFor the vegetarians. I have nothing more to add to this. ;)
An original: one of Nashville's first forays into high-end dining. Still revered. Classic.
372 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Margot Café & Bar
1017 Woodland StAn original: one of Nashville's first forays into high-end dining. Still revered. Classic.
Old school East Nashville dive, but on this list because burgers.
250 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dinos Bar
411 Gallatin AveOld school East Nashville dive, but on this list because burgers.
A fine-dining, tapas-style sharing restaurant, you won't find anything else in Nashville like it.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peninsula
1035 W Eastland AveA fine-dining, tapas-style sharing restaurant, you won't find anything else in Nashville like it.
Second outpost by the chef from Nashville's esteemed City House - this place is amazing for wood fired pizzas, cocktails, and just plain amazing food.
151 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Folk
823 Meridian StSecond outpost by the chef from Nashville's esteemed City House - this place is amazing for wood fired pizzas, cocktails, and just plain amazing food.
A neighborhood favorite Mex place. But definitely known for their hilarious marquee signs. Reese Witherspoon once instagrammed one of their better signs, and created a flood of celeb commentary, and it was amazing to follow.
455 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rosepepper Cantina
1907 Eastland AveA neighborhood favorite Mex place. But definitely known for their hilarious marquee signs. Reese Witherspoon once instagrammed one of their better signs, and created a flood of celeb commentary, and it was amazing to follow.
Best pizza in town. Period. And a bunch of national lists say so too. The garlic knots are also insane (and super garlicky and oily, so beware) and you can also get slices to go from the pick-up side of the restaurant.
812 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Five Points Pizza East
1012 Woodland StBest pizza in town. Period. And a bunch of national lists say so too. The garlic knots are also insane (and super garlicky and oily, so beware) and you can also get slices to go from the pick-up side of the restaurant.
Huge gourmet burgers and sandwiches. LOTS of beers.
778 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
731 Mcferrin AveHuge gourmet burgers and sandwiches. LOTS of beers.
Unique Mexican food here. Widely known and appreciated around town. They can have some weird hours though so look it up before you go.
693 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mas Tacos Por Favor
732 Mcferrin AveUnique Mexican food here. Widely known and appreciated around town. They can have some weird hours though so look it up before you go.
El Fuego Restaurant
3917 Gallatin PikeMy favorite cheap Mexican restaurant.
Amazing hot dog stand out of a converted VW bus right in 5 points. It's SO good. There are picnic tables on the premises as well.
117 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I Dream Of Weenie
113 S 11th StAmazing hot dog stand out of a converted VW bus right in 5 points. It's SO good. There are picnic tables on the premises as well.
They make their own pastas. Go in order, wait in line, walk out with your food. There is a little bit of seating in there but it's not set up like a sit down restaurant. Tip: Meatballs are made with local Porter Road Butcher meat, and they are amazing. I go straight with Spaghetti and Meatballs here and it never disappoints.
108 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nicoletto's Italian Kitchen
2905 Gallatin PikeThey make their own pastas. Go in order, wait in line, walk out with your food. There is a little bit of seating in there but it's not set up like a sit down restaurant. Tip: Meatballs are made with local Porter Road Butcher meat, and they are amazing. I go straight with Spaghetti and Meatballs here and it never disappoints.
Bakeries & Desserts
Bakeries in the immediate neighborhood
Never had better ice cream. Tip: Brown Butter Almond Brittle will not disappoint. It's a mainstay there.
754 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1892 Eastland AveNever had better ice cream. Tip: Brown Butter Almond Brittle will not disappoint. It's a mainstay there.
These guys are known for their breakfast sandwiches. To feel like a local, you wanna say "Can I have 'one' to go?" They know what you're talking about. If you need two and if you're staying there to eat, obviously you would say "Can I have 'two' for here?" See how where I'm going with this? They are just a tad too rich for me, but they are indeed good.
202 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sweet 16th
311 N 16th StThese guys are known for their breakfast sandwiches. To feel like a local, you wanna say "Can I have 'one' to go?" They know what you're talking about. If you need two and if you're staying there to eat, obviously you would say "Can I have 'two' for here?" See how where I'm going with this? They are just a tad too rich for me, but they are indeed good.
High-end "doughnut" shop. I put doughnut in quotes because, well, these are not classic doughnuts. To me, they are unique pastries in doughnut shapes. They may have added more classic style cake doughnuts at some point. For more classic style doughnuts, try East Park Donuts.
162 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Five Daughters Bakery - East Nashville
1900 Eastland AveHigh-end "doughnut" shop. I put doughnut in quotes because, well, these are not classic doughnuts. To me, they are unique pastries in doughnut shapes. They may have added more classic style cake doughnuts at some point. For more classic style doughnuts, try East Park Donuts.
Closest thing to conventional doughnuts on this side of town. They are still a little "fancy," but the vanilla brioche and the chocolate glazed brioche are good classics.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
East Park Donuts & Coffee
700 Main StClosest thing to conventional doughnuts on this side of town. They are still a little "fancy," but the vanilla brioche and the chocolate glazed brioche are good classics.
Kolaches RULE here. If you've never had a Kolache - go here and get the classic Cream Cheese one. They also have savory ones. And they have cinnamon rolls. This might be my favorite pastry place.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yeast Nashville
805 Woodland StKolaches RULE here. If you've never had a Kolache - go here and get the classic Cream Cheese one. They also have savory ones. And they have cinnamon rolls. This might be my favorite pastry place.
Coffee
Coffee shops in the immediate neighborhood
A bit hipster-y, overpriced and pretentious IMO. Their breakfast biscuits rule, though. Definitely has amazing interior design.
470 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barista Parlor
519 Gallatin AveA bit hipster-y, overpriced and pretentious IMO. Their breakfast biscuits rule, though. Definitely has amazing interior design.
Classic, local EN coffee shop. Definitely a working outpost for a lot of people. Good, solid coffee.
321 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea
1886 Eastland AveClassic, local EN coffee shop. Definitely a working outpost for a lot of people. Good, solid coffee.
The thing I like about this location is the upstairs room after you've ordered your coffee. Vibe is great with tables, and couches.
106 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland Brew East
1921 Eastland AveThe thing I like about this location is the upstairs room after you've ordered your coffee. Vibe is great with tables, and couches.
Slow Hand Coffee + Bakeshop
1012 Gallatin AveChicken breakfast biscuit is insane.
Another classic Nashville establishment - all the Bongos.
215 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bongo East
107 S 11th StAnother classic Nashville establishment - all the Bongos.
Cocktails & Wine
The tiki bar that is totally ruling right now. And it's right over here. Tip: their burger is one of the best burgers in Nashville IMO. Also, it has a slice of spam.
180 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pearl Diver
1008 Gallatin AveThe tiki bar that is totally ruling right now. And it's right over here. Tip: their burger is one of the best burgers in Nashville IMO. Also, it has a slice of spam.
1920's-style cocktail bar - interior design on point. Cocktails on point. Small bites are really really good. Background music doesn't match the style is my only complaint, but that's pretty par for the course for any of these throwback "speakeasy" types. Which I still do not understand.
121 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
2905B Gallatin Pike1920's-style cocktail bar - interior design on point. Cocktails on point. Small bites are really really good. Background music doesn't match the style is my only complaint, but that's pretty par for the course for any of these throwback "speakeasy" types. Which I still do not understand.
Original Attaboy is in Brooklyn. They will ask you what you like and make you something. No menu here. Their "speakeasy" type location is not super obvious. Parking can be a bitch, so I would Lyft/Uber. But cocktails and vibe - super super plus. Weekends are harder to get in.
157 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Attaboy
8 Mcferrin AveOriginal Attaboy is in Brooklyn. They will ask you what you like and make you something. No menu here. Their "speakeasy" type location is not super obvious. Parking can be a bitch, so I would Lyft/Uber. But cocktails and vibe - super super plus. Weekends are harder to get in.
The bar that accompanies their B&B. Wonderful cocktails, and also food. Outdoor firepit is nice as well - but be forewarned: you WILL smell like a firepit afterward.
189 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Urban Cowboy Public House
103 N 16th StThe bar that accompanies their B&B. Wonderful cocktails, and also food. Outdoor firepit is nice as well - but be forewarned: you WILL smell like a firepit afterward.
One of the original cocktail bars on this side of town. Right next to Dino's.
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
No 308
407 Gallatin AveOne of the original cocktail bars on this side of town. Right next to Dino's.
I love the vibe of this place. It's so kitsch and you can get super good deals on really good cocktails, but also get a $3 beer. It's in an old remodeled Mrs. Winners location. Lounge type seating is what rules here.
70 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Inglewood Lounge
3914 Gallatin PikeI love the vibe of this place. It's so kitsch and you can get super good deals on really good cocktails, but also get a $3 beer. It's in an old remodeled Mrs. Winners location. Lounge type seating is what rules here.
Upscale wine, beer and liquor store for all your household needs.
122 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Woodland Wine Merchant
1001 Woodland StUpscale wine, beer and liquor store for all your household needs.
Beer, Bars & Dives
Classic Nashville dive bar. A definite favorite of the locals.
186 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mickey's Tavern
2907 Gallatin PikeClassic Nashville dive bar. A definite favorite of the locals.
Red Door Saloon
1010 Forest AvenueAnother classic East Nashville outpost.
The only lesbian bar in Nashville. Half the people are straight there tho - because it's super popular for Karaoke! Go have some fun!
103 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Lipstick Lounge
1400 Woodland StThe only lesbian bar in Nashville. Half the people are straight there tho - because it's super popular for Karaoke! Go have some fun!
Higher end dive bar, with a large burger menu. There are better places to get some burgers tho.
144 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Crying Wolf
823 Woodland StHigher end dive bar, with a large burger menu. There are better places to get some burgers tho.
Clubs & Live Music
The 5 Spot
1006 Forrest AveThe Basement East
917 Woodland St