If you’ve only got one day in Nashville and you’re wondering where to begin, let me make it easy for you: start with the food. Downtown Nashville is packed with history, music, and culture, but the flavors are what bring it all together. Whether you're here for a conference, a birthday weekend, or just passing through, this guide will help you find what to eat in Nashville when time is limited but taste is non-negotiable.
I'm Christine Wheatley, founder of A Little Local Flavor, Nashville’s most locally-rooted food tour company. I’ve spent nearly a decade walking people through the hidden gems, standout dishes, and soulful stories that make downtown Nashville unforgettable. So here it is, your fast pass to Nashville’s local food favorites.
Tips for What to Eat in Downtown Nashville
Quick Tips for Eating Well in a Day
Before we dive into specific dishes, here are a few quick, high-value tips that will help you make the most of your day:
Walk, don’t Uber. Downtown Nashville is compact and best explored on foot. You'll discover murals, music, and menu boards that you’d miss in a car.
Don’t overcommit to a single restaurant. With so much to try, we recommend grazing your way through a few small bites at different places, think progressive lunch.
Balance your bites. Grab spicy hot chicken, sure, but balance it with something cool and creamy (hello, hand-made ice cream). You’ll thank yourself.
Ask the locals—especially your servers. They often know what’s hot, what’s overhyped, and what’s flown in fresh that morning.
Aim for off-peak hours. Most downtown spots have long waits during traditional mealtimes. Try late lunch or early dinner for the best shot at relaxed, unhurried dining.
Look beyond Broadway. Some of the most memorable meals come from the side streets, back patios, and neighborhood joints tucked just a few blocks off the main drag.
We Love These Downtown Nashville Famous Dishes
Specific Local Favorites to Try
Want a few quick wins before or after your tour? Here are some can’t-miss items to track down downtown:
Grab a pastry at D’Andrews Bakery - A James Beard-nominated local bakery known for buttery croissants, morning buns, and their famous hummingbird cake. This stop is perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning bite.
Order the Hatchery at Acme Feed & Seed - One of the most unique brunch dishes in town: curried chickpeas over coconut rice, topped with a sunny-side-up egg and served with homemade fry bread. It's plant-based, filling, and bursting with flavor—and the view from the rooftop doesn’t hurt either.
Try a Bushwhacker from Broadway Brewhouse - The original home of Nashville’s signature frozen cocktail. Made with four kinds of liquor, I always tell our tour guests that "It tastes like an adult version of a Wendy’s frosty."
These are just a few of the standout bites you’ll only hear about from locals. And if you’re joining our food tour, we’ve got even more up our sleeves.
Start With a Food Tour (Obviously)
Yes, this is a guide. But if you truly want the most delicious, most efficient, and most insider experience? A Nashville walking food tour is your best bet. In just 3 hours, we’ll walk you through:
5+ tastings from the best locally owned restaurants
Live music, local beer, cocktail, and whiskey
Unforgettable stories you won’t find on plaques or in travel guides
You’ll leave full, happy, and knowing exactly what to eat next (if you have room).
As one of our recent food tour guests said:
“I'm a firm believer that food tells the history and the culture of an area. This story is beautifully told with A Little Local Flavor. This history that ties in with the tour, alone with the truly delicious pairings are stunning...” - Jeffrey Eshelman, Official Google Review
1. Hot Chicken Worth the Hype (No Lines Required)
Yes, you have to try Nashville hot chicken. But you don’t have to stand in a 2-hour line with a bunch of other tourists to do it. We’ve partnered with a spot that locals love—crispy, spicy, and just the right amount of heat.
As guest Anthony Zhang shared:
"We grabbed some BBQ, hot chicken, ice cream, caramels, and infused whiskey to end the tour. Between the good food and the mixed-in history lessons, I would recommend to anyone visiting Nashville and looking for a one-stop tour around downtown Nashville!" - Anthony Zhang, Google
2. Southern-Style Brisket You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
At one stop on our tour, guests sit around a historic 400-year-old heart pine table, eating smoked brisket that isn’t even on the restaurant’s regular menu, it’s only served on our food tour.
This is where the magic happens: high-end southern cuisine, paired with a view of the Cumberland River and a story about Nashville’s oldest restored buildings.
3. Craft Cocktails and House-Infused Whiskey
Not only are we the only downtown Nashville food tour to include alcohol in the base price—we make it count. One of our most unique stops is a micro-distillery born behind the bar, where guests sample whiskey infusions you won’t find anywhere else.
"This was the best tour we've ever been on!! My favorite drink was the whiskey dessert cocktail. ... Highly recommend!!!" - Steve G, Official TripAdvisor Review
4. Iconic Ice Cream & Hand-Stretched Caramels
We’ll introduce you to two of the sweetest small businesses in town:
A multi-generational candy maker crafting caramels and pralines by hand since the early 1900s.
An ice cream shop that survived being pushed off Broadway and now serves some of the creamiest scoops on 2nd Ave.
These aren’t the places you’ll find on Yelp’s front page. They’re the ones you’ll remember and crave long after your trip.
“Great tour of Nashville with some yummy edible treats included. Highly recommend!” - Celeste Might, Google
5. Live Music, Without the Crowds
One of our food tour stops includes live music during your meal, but it’s not what you think. It’s not Broadway blaring through an open window. It’s intimate. Relaxed. And authentic.
You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the local music scene, and maybe even a new favorite artist.
6. The Best Views, Stories, and Insider Tips
Our guests often tell us that the stories are what stick with them most. We don’t shy away from the hard stuff, like the 2020 bombing that changed 2nd Avenue, but we also highlight the resilience, creativity, and flavor that define this city.
And we help you plan the rest of your stay with personalized recommendations for the rest of your trip.
“We used your recommendations for the rest of our weekend. Every place you told us to try was incredible!” - Lindsey_M_NY, TripAdvisor
What Makes Our Food Tour One of Nashville’s Best Experiences
It’s not just the food. It’s the pacing. The storytelling. The way we support local businesses—and treat our guests like friends. And, while we know we're the not the least expensive food tour in Nashville, we stand by our value:
We serve a protein heavy full meal on our food tour including, not just samples.
You'll be served an exclusive dish that you can only eat as a guest on our tour.
Our guides are professionally trained and deeply knowledgeable.
We’ve been featured in the Top 1% of Things to Do Worldwide on TripAdvisor.
We’ve received over 2,300 glowing five-star reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Nashville famous for?
Nashville is known for hot chicken, Southern BBQ, biscuits, and traditional soul food—but local favorites also include modern takes on Southern cuisine, like smoked brisket, infused whiskey, and farm-to-table dishes.
What is Nashville’s signature food?
Hot chicken is the city’s most iconic dish, but don’t miss Nashville-style BBQ, handmade caramels, and artisanal ice cream from legacy businesses.
What food was invented in Nashville?
Hot chicken is the most famous dish invented here, reportedly created by Thornton Prince in the 1950s as a spicy revenge meal that turned into a citywide phenomenon.
Where do the locals eat in Nashville?
Locals love places like Red Headed Stranger, Lyra, Chopper, Henrietta Red, and our curated food tour stops, because we work with family-owned, community-rooted spots.
Is a food tour worth it in Nashville?
Absolutely. A food tour lets you try multiple local favorites, hear the stories behind the food, and get curated recommendations from real locals. It’s one of the best things to do in Nashville TN, especially on your first day.
Ready to Taste the Best of Downtown Nashville?
If you’re trying to figure out what to eat in Nashville, let us take the guesswork out of it. Join our Downtown Nashville food tour and experience the flavors, stories, and hidden gems that define this town.
Whether you’re solo, traveling with a group, or planning something special, we’ve got you covered.
Book now and let us show you why our guests say this is “the best food tour I’ve taken anywhere in the U.S.”