where to eat in nashville — Blonde Atlas

Happy Monday! If you're new around here, I just left town a couple days ago to embark on a 6 week road trip to the west coast and back. My mom is making the first part of the trip with me so we stopped in Tulsa to visit some family we have here for a couple days before I get to work creating travel guides for cities all across the U.S. Since I won't be creating one here, it's been so great to use this time to catch up with family (including my 90 year old grandmother) and get ahead of some work that I'll likely fall behind on in the weeks ahead.

But before I left town, I had some serious catching up to do in my own city after being away in Europe for over 4 months. There are some incredible restaurants that have opened these past few months, and I felt it was necessary to experience them for myself. So naturally, I went for the best meal there ever was: BRUNCH.

MARSH HOUSE RESTAURANT | THOMPSON HOTEL

I heard about Thompson Hotel non-stop whilst living in Europe. Whether grabbing drinks or eating meals, it was clear all of my friends were frequenting this new hot-spot. So after seeing how vibey L.A. Jackson was, I knew I had to try Marsh House too. It had been a minute since I had a proper American brunch, and they certainly made up for my lost time. We indulged in SO many delicious dishes (all of which you need to order). First up? That box of doughnuts!

Next, we scarfed down these gloriously-gooey cinnamon rolls (that I'm still dreaming about).

After the sugar high from all the pastries, we moved on to some appetizers. First we tried Momma's Gumbo (with okra, shrimp, andouille and crab) and the shrimp toast (which was one of the most unique and delicious dishes I've had in a while). After that we moved on to the brussel sprouts (with honey and pecan) and the yellowfin tuna tartare. Every single dish was awesome (and we were already STUFFED at this point).

After the appetizers, we noshed on some delicious seafood that they pride themselves in (this crab and oysters were just as delicious as they looked!)

While I was already full after the pastries, I bravely pressed on for the sake of all ye brunch lovers. It wasn't easy, but I'm no quitter. ON TO THE MAIN COURSES!

These buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and maple syrup were a carb-lovers DREAM.

And if you go to brunch in Nashville and you DON'T order Chicken + Waffles, did you actually go to brunch in Nashville? But unlike most of the traditional versions of this dish, Marsh House offers Korean Fried Chicken with a chili & cane syrup glaze (holy yum).

We washed it all down with countless cups of coffee and mimosas before they finally rolled us out of there (it was well worth the food coma). But as much as we enjoyed all of the food, I'd argue the atmosphere is equally as lovely. Bottom line, I give Marsh House an A+ and highly recommend dining here whenever you find yourself in Music City!

BARCELONA

PHOTOS BY SARAH CATHERINE DESIGN | SHIRT C/O THREAD CO.

I adore Spanish tapas, and so I quickly went to dinner at Barcelona as soon as I got home (it was SO good). When I learned they also served brunch, I knew I had to go back and experience that too.

For starters, this Bloody Mary bar is NO JOKE. They have the traditional mix (as well as a spicy version) like most places, but their toppings are unlike anything else I've ever seen: Spanish cured jamón, sardines, a variety of olives, manchego, meats, peppers... the list goes on.

Once we sat down for food, we started with some greens: Blistered Shishito Peppers (which were BOMB) and the Greener Roots Lettuces salad (also bomb)

Then we moved on to some more delicious dishes: Pan con Huevos, Steak & Egg, Huevos Estrellados... all unique from the other and equally incredible.

But my favorite dishes we tried? Easily the Churros & Chicken and the Wild Mushroom Benedict (that Hollandaise was pure magic).

Aside from the scrumptious food, the ambiance in Barcelona is killer and our server was awesome. It's clear this brunch spot is still a hidden gem because there were actually tables available on a Sunday (so hurry in before the word gets out!)

Looking for some more brunch options in Nashville? Some of my all time favorites include:

Regardless of where you choose to get your brunch on in Nashville, none of these options will disappoint! Stay tuned for more adventures of the epicurean sort...

Thanks to Marsh House Restaurant and Barcelona Wine Bar for hosting me and sponsoring this post. I will definitely be back to see both of you again as soon as I'm in Nashville!

Being a Nashville native, this is one of the most daunting posts I've ever written. As a traveler, having a handful of positive experiences about a destination is enough to equip you with confidence about the recommendations you provide. But as a native to one of the most popular destinations in the country right now? I feel immense pressure to carefully curate the most ideal list given my knowledge about the area. So let me start by caveating that this doesn't include everything to do in this wonderful city (it's a blog post not a book, people) but I did my best to provide crowd pleasers in every neighborhood as a starting point. So over the last few weeks, I played tourist in my own town, arranged a few staycations, and pulled together this guide of some of my favorite places for you to visit in Music City.

DOWNTOWN

STAY:

506 LOFTS

506 Lofts is a five-unit boutique hotel in downtown Nashville. The 130 year old building has been a department store, a mensware store, and an Asian restaurant. During construction, maintaining as much original work as possible was a top priority in an effort to restore the building while preserving its history. I went for a staycation with my friend Sarah, and we loved everything about our unit. But my favorite part of 506 Lofts is what they stand for. They belive strongly in Luke 12:48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." To that end; the owner created a program called Rooms for Rooms which ensures no stay at 506 Lofts happens without helping someone in need. For every stay, they donate 5% to the surrounding Nashville homeless shelters (Room in the Inn and Nashville Rescue Mission). Therefore, those without a home are able to find a places to stay due to your stay at 506 lofts. The pictures speak for themselves, but it truly is a beautiful property and in a killer location if you want to be in the heart of downtown.

BOOK NOW

EAT:

PINEWOOD SOCIAL

Pinewood is a great place no matter what you're looking for at any time of the day. I often come for coffee and breakfast to work during the day or to grab cocktails at night. It goes far beyond your average restaurant, offering bowling, bocce ball, a swimming pool and private karaoke room.

DO:

ACME FEED & SEED

Being a local from Nashville, I'm guilty of having turned my nose up to Broadway because it's crawling with tourists (and if you are a tourist, you definitely should experience it- it's iconic). But Acme Feed & Seed is a bar on Broadway that anyone can genuinely enjoy. This 3 story bar offers a different option at every level, and each one is tons of fun. For killer views of the city, head all the way to top and have a drink on the roof.

EAST NASHVILLE

STAY:

AIRBNB

East Nashville is an up and coming area with tons happening, but hotel options are extremely limited. There are tons of Airbnb listings to choose from, but I recently stayed at a friend's guest house that they list and I highly recommend it. The decor is insane and it's conveniently located to tons of great places on the East Side.

Book Now

EAT:

MARCHÉ

Easily my favorite spot to grab brunch in town. The elegantly rustic setting creates a perfect ambiance for any occasion. Not only do they serve amazing food, but with a unique selection of goods from artisan producers. The menu utilizes local and seasonal products and changes seasonally, but everything I've ever ordered has been out of this world.

ROSEPEPPER

Rosepepper has one of the best patios in town and their margarita has been voted best in town for 11 years in a row now (you've also likely seen someone Instagram of their tounge-in-cheek marquee quotes). Go for lunch, dinner, or simply guacamole and margs on a pretty day and you'll be a happy camper.

MIDTOWN

STAY:

LOEWS VANDERBILT HOTEL

If you're looking for a more classic hotel experience, check out Loews Vanderbilt on West End. Every detail has been carefully thought through, so that when you check in your mind can check out. The time I spent there during one of my staycations was some of the most relaxing I've had in a long time.

Book Now

EAT:

LE SEL

The atmosphere at Le Sel will make you swoon (took me back to when I fell in love with sketch in London). I love their brunch, dinner and cocktail selection. No matter what time of day you go, the vibe is always on point and you'll totes get a good Insta pic (insert sassy emoji).

DO:

CENTENNIAL PARK

A Nashville staple for a walk in the park (and epic views of our Parthenon). If you're lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday in the moderate seasons, be sure to check out Musicians Corner for a showcase of Nashville's finest independent singer songwriters.

GERMANTOWN

STAY:

AIRBNB

Also a fantastic place to stay, but limited on hotels so check out Airbnb to find a spot that's right for your group.

EAT:

BUTCHERTOWN HALL

This place is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. I like to avoid gender stereotypes, but it's been my personal experience that ladies love the beautiful esthetic of this restored church-now-restaurant, and guys love the wide variety of (delicious) meat options. They also have one of my personal favorite margaritas in town.

5TH & TAYLOR

Probably my favorite restaurant in town right now. The atmosphere is sure knock your socks off, the food is delicious, and the cocktails are always on point (try the cucumber gimlet and you'll see what I mean).

SILO

I have lots of wonderful things I could say about Silo, but I will save my breath and simply say this. Do not leave without getting the mac and cheese. I repeat: do NOT leave, without trying the mac and cheese. It will change your life.

DO:

TEMPERED EUROPEAN INDULGENCE

Tempered Cafe & Chocolate, is a sweet and savory destination specializing in small batch artisan chocolates, light cafe fare, and fine wine & cheese pairings. Go on Thursday (8p-1a), Friday & Saturday (8p-3a) for Green Hour, when they serve signature cocktails and traditional absinthe drips (only when the green light in the window is lit.)

12 SOUTH

STAY:

AIRBNB

Another fantastic place to stay, but limited on hotels so check out Airbnb to find a spot that's right for your group.

EAT:

BURGER UP

There are lots of great burgers in town (which I'm just now discovering because I recently quit being a vegetarian- best decision ever). Burger Up has been one of my favorites so far. The entire menu is moderately priced, farm to table, has great portion sizes, and is sure to please no matter what you order (I love both the burger and the kale salad).

BARTACO

Channeling my inner cali-girl, I love the vibe at bartaco. I went during a staycation with my friend Brenna a couple weeks ago, and echo her sentiments exactly (read her entire blog about our squad getaway here)

I love a spot where I can get something healthy or splurge and this place offers all of those options. The chopped salad, guacamole, and cauliflower, ribeye, and duck tacos are my favorite menu items and the sanguina cocktail might literally be my favorite cocktail of all time.

DO:

WHITE'S MERCANTILE

White's is one of my favorite boutiques in town. If I buy you a birthday card or gift, there is a 99% chance I got it here, because I'm a sucker for every item available for sale. They pride's themselves in being a general store for the modern-day tastemaker, and offer a wide variety of products. My friend Mille (aka Amelia Styles) and I recently teamed up to share some of our Nashville favorites each month on Instagram, and our outfits in the photos above and below all came from their store.

SEVIER PARK

Sevier is my favorite park in Nashville (I'm slightly biased because I live just up the road). It's filled with the local community doing life together every single day. You'll find families gathered around the swingsets while the kids play, couples laying on blankets together, runners with their dogs, and groups of friends playing games or hanging out (like my friends do every Sunday after church if the weather is right). When Nashville had our snow-pocalypse, everyone in the neighborhood seemed to flock to Sevier for massive sledding and snowball fights. It's truly one of those idyllic atmospheres that seems to come straight out of a movie and tug at your heartstrings.

The list above is hardly putting a dent in all Nashville has to offer, and I can assure this won't be the last time I post about the great city that I call home. But no matter what you do during your stay, I'm confident you'll fall in love with Nashville and will find yourself back again soon. I'll have more recommendations to share with you when you do.

Best Brunch spots in Nashville

MARSH HOUSE RESTAURANT | THOMPSON HOTEL

BARCELONA

PROPER SOUTHERN FOOD

WITH THE GIRLS

RELAXED AND BOOZY

VIBEY AF

Nashville Travel Guide

DOWNTOWN

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EAST NASHVILLE

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MIDTOWN

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GERMANTOWN

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12 SOUTH

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