Last week I completed the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Nashville. It was a hot, humid, hilly race, but let’s be honest… I went there to eat 🙂
Here are some highlights and my recommendations for a visit to Nashville! I will definitely be back in the future.
The Eats:
The Catbird Seat (map): Unique dining experience! One of the best meals I have had. Served at a 32 seat at a U-shaped table where you get to watch the kitchen prepare and plate your meal. It reminded me of many of the dishes I have tried during my travels around the world. Great job, Chef! The entire team is great. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! Reserve your seat by purchasing a ticket 30 days in advance.
Biscuit Love (map): Bonuts! So good I went twice! Located in The Gultch, it was walkable from my hotel (The Westin Nashville (map) – new as of Oct 2016). There’s likely going to be a line (and it could extend down the block), but it moves quickly and your bonut prize is worth it. To try:
- Bonuts – Biscuit dough fried, served with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote.
- The Nasty Princess. A combination of the East Nasty (Biscuit, Fried Boneless Chicken Thigh, Aged Cheddar) and Princess (Biscuit, Nashville Style Spicy “Hot Chicken” Thigh, Pickles, Mustard, Honey). So essentially the East Nasty with the Nashville hot chicken. Oh and don’t forget to add an egg!
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (map): Come for the hot chicken, but don’t forget to order the Banana Pudding for dessert! Missed out on the Nashville hot chicken during my last visit so I made sure not to miss it this time. I went to the Midtown location as it was close to downtown. Again, there can be a line, be prepared to wait.
I had plans to also visit Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack (East Nashville – map) too but the time got away from me and they are closed on Sundays. My Uber driver suggested if I got medium heat at Hattie’s, I should get mild heat at Prince’s. Saving this one for next time 😉
Burger Republic (map): The perfect post race meal, a big burger and tater tots! I spotted this place while walking off my Biscuit Love donuts. Burger Republic is also located in The Gulch neighborhood. I ordered the Tennessee Burger; found on Zagat’s 50 States, 50 Burgers list. You can customize any burger by choosing your patty, bun, and sides.
Things to Do:
The Bluebird Cafe (map): Live music listening room. Incredible place to see up and coming singer songwriters preform their songs. I had The Bluebird on my bucket list since my last visit. They have two (2) shows nightly. I was able to reserve a seat at the bar for the night I chose to attend. Otherwise, you can line up for the limited (per the website 10-12 seats) first come, first served seats. I will definitely be back for one of their “In the Round” shows.
P.S. If you have a reservation, you line up to the left of the door, walk-ins line up to the right.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (map): You can also book the Historic RCA Studio B tour and the Hatch Show Print tour through this site. I really enjoyed everything the Country Music Hall of Fame had to offer. The Studio B tour meets at the museum entrance and they bus you to and from the site. Hatch Show Print is within the Hall of Fame and Museum building. You get to make your own letter press souvenir!
Ryman Auditorium (map): The Mother Church of Country Music. I did this tour back in 2015 and was hoping to attend a show here, but my schedule did not work out that way. So I took the tour again. They have updated the tour and there is a fun new intro to the self-guided tour. I was highly entertained!
Grand Ole Opry (map): Located outside the Downtown area, the Opry hosts the nightly radio broadcast of country music favorites. I went back in 2015 to see Josh Turner and Darius Rucker. Funny thing, Josh Turner was at the Opry during my recent 2017 visit.
Honky Tonks on Broadway, aka NashVegas: Starting around Broadway and 5th, you can find live music at anytime of day or night. Grab some friends, order a local beer and enjoy some music. This also happened to be the start line of the Rock n Roll Nashville Half Marathon. Some to try:
Camera Eats First 