Best Things to Do in East Nashville
East Nashville is what the rest of Nashville wishes it could be — genuinely cool, locally driven, and resistant to the homogenization that has swept through other parts of the city. It's the neighborhood Nashville residents actually live in and actually love. Here's the best of it.
Five Points: The Heart of East Nashville
Five Points is the intersection of Woodland Street, Clearview Avenue, and North 11th Street — the informal center of East Nashville's commercial district. Within a few blocks you'll find some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in the city. Start here and walk.
Best Restaurants in East Nashville
Mas Tacos Por Favor is a legendary lunch spot with some of the best tacos in Nashville — cash only, small menu, big lines. Lockeland Table is one of the best dinner restaurants in the city, period. Butcher and Bee (technically on Charlotte but East Nashville adjacent) is excellent. Holland House Bar and Refuge for cocktails and small plates. Margot Cafe and Bar for a European-inspired dinner in a beautiful room.
Best Bars in East Nashville
No. 308 is East Nashville's best cocktail bar and one of the best in the city. Rosemary & Beauty King is a low-key neighborhood bar with a great vibe. Dino's Burger is a dive bar with a cult following and a burger that's better than it has any right to be. The 5 Spot hosts local bands and has been an East Nashville institution for years.
Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Shelby Bottoms is a 958-acre nature park along the Cumberland River with paved greenway paths, unpaved trails, and access to the river. It's one of the best free outdoor spaces in Nashville and a short walk from Five Points. Go early in the morning before the heat kicks in.
Dose Coffee and Tea
Dose is one of the best coffee shops in Nashville — excellent espresso program, good pastries, and a cozy East Nashville room that fills up fast on weekend mornings. One of the few places where East Nashville locals actually wait in line.
Shopping and Boutiques
East Nashville has a strong independent retail scene. Abednego for men's clothing, Hip Zipper for vintage finds, and a rotating collection of pop-up shops and galleries along Gallatin Road and McFerrin Avenue. Not a mall experience — the real kind of shopping.
Staying in East Nashville? Stock Your Fridge First
East Nashville has some of the best Airbnbs in the city, and it's a great home base for exploring the neighborhood. Music City Weekend Co. delivers stocked fridges and amenity setups to East Nashville rentals before you arrive. Start the trip right instead of spending the first night running errands. Shop the full catalog at musiccityweekend.co/shop, or learn more about Nashville grocery delivery and fridge stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Nashville worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. East Nashville is consistently rated one of the best neighborhoods in the city by both residents and visitors. It has the best combination of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, outdoor spaces, and local character in Nashville.
What is East Nashville known for?
East Nashville is known for its independent restaurant and bar scene, creative community, excellent Airbnb options, Shelby Bottoms greenway, and a local character that contrasts with the tourist-heavy downtown area.
How far is East Nashville from downtown?
East Nashville is approximately 1.5-2 miles from Lower Broadway — about a 5-10 minute Uber ride or a 30-minute walk across the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.
What are the best restaurants in East Nashville?
Lockeland Table and Margot Cafe are the top dinner restaurants. Mas Tacos Por Favor is the best lunch spot. Holland House Bar and Refuge is excellent for cocktails and small plates. Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden is a local favorite for burgers and craft beer.