If you want to see a city quickly—really see it—come walk and eat (and drink) with me.
Nashville is one of those cities everyone thinks they know. You know: bachelorette parties on Broadway, honky-tonks blasting music from morning to night. And sure, that has its place. But Nashville is so much more now, rich with history, and increasingly exciting on the food and cocktail front.
Nicknamed the “Athens of the South” (yes, that Parthenon—don’t judge my wobbly cartwheel), Nashville really does blend its deep musical roots with its famous, classic Southern hospitality.
I was only in town for 48 hours, but boy did I get a taste.
I landed in Nashville for a very specific reason: to see Holly Graham of World’s 50 Best Tokyo Confidential at a pop-up at Silo in the Canopy by Hilton Nashville in The Gulch (perfectly located). The lobby was transformed into a disco-ball–decked, Tokyo vibe. Award-winning bartender Holly Graham brought her Tokyo Confidential knowledge and techniques. The standout for me? A Kara-gerita—a blend of tequila, mezcal, jalapeño, shio koji, and washed in chicken fat (yes, chicken fat).
Dinner that first night was at Etch Nashville with Chef Deb Paquette, a true national icon and one of the first women in Tennessee certified as an executive chef. And of course, it was my first night, you know I was going to Broadway. I am not a total snob! You have to. Everyone has their honky-tonk of choice. We went to Friends in Low Places, started upstairs in the private club, and the beat of Frankie Rae & the Canyon Band brought us down to the main floor for a night of great music.
Day 1: Put on Your Walking Shoes!
8 miles | 24,000+ steps
After a fitful night of sleep (those Canopy beds are so comfortable!) out on the town we went. Breakfast was a choose-your-own-adventure situation: Five Daughters Bakery (those donuts) and a stop at the Goo Goo Shop to make my own Goo Goo Cluster. If you know, you know. We walked down to Vanderbilt University and wandered our way around the gorgeous campus.
I toured the historic Hermitage Hotel, because if you’re going to understand Nashville, you need a visit to this classic.
Late lunch and much-needed hydration came courtesy of SS Gai Street Thai—grilled peanuts, pounded charred eggplant, and that Southern fried chicken. Also, fresh coconut water straight from the coconut. Exactly what my body needed.
Back to the hotel for a quick costume change, then we kicked off the evening with a stop at Bad Idea, and let’s be honest, starting with a Bad Idea is always a good idea. Gorgeous cocktails, smart wine list.
I was thrilled to finally sit up at the bar at Peninsula. The Iberian-leaning menu is thoughtful and playful, and that Spanish tortilla? So creamy, sitting under a brûléed top. Chef Jake Howell’s James Beard award so well-deserved.
Day 2: Not as Much Walking, but a Whole Lot of Eating - 20,000+ steps
We woke up bright and early and walked our way over to Baby Chan for a variety of their baked goods. Obsessed with the curry egg tart with Japanese curry chili crisp and the chocolate cookie with seaweed and sesame.
Knowing we had a 2 p.m. lunch, we rushed back to the Canopy for a quick wardrobe change and headed to the 12 South neighborhood. It’s one of Nashville’s most charming areas, dotted with boutiques, murals, coffee shops, and great restaurants... like... Locust by Chef Trevor Moran, where we had lunch and truly one of the best meals I had in 2025.
The intimate dining room is situated around the open kitchen. It’s almost dinner (lunch) and a show as you marvel at the chef and team deftly taking care of each table with incredibly smart dishes. Bubbles (a Crémant) started our meal, followed by house-canned sardines, caviar with anchovies, and a playful beef tartare where you made your own hand roll. All dishes were precise but not precious. Dessert sealed it: it looked like a soufflé, but milk + egg + ice— the perfect finish.
Later that evening, we started with a pre-dinner cocktail at Four Walls, followed by bubbles at Geist (holiday market vibes were everywhere). You can’t go to Nashville and not stop at Henrietta Red, which we did for another snack before being spoiled rotten by Chef Matt Atkinson & the team at the gorgeous The Patterson House.
Before jetting out of town, we snagged a cappuccino from Frothy Monkey and made our way to the airport.
Nashville isn’t one thing anymore—and that’s what makes it exciting. In 48 hours, I walked more than 44,000 steps, ate incredibly well, had a drink or two, and barely scratched the surface.
If you want to see a city fast?
Walk. Eat. Drink. Repeat. — With me.
