A walkable retail strip with Locust, Edley's BBQ, Five Daughters donuts and Bartaco. Sunday brunch lines stretch around the block.
Irish chef Trevor Moran's 12 South dumpling and kakigori counter in Nashville earned a Michelin Star and 20th place on North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
Order: Pork dumplings in chicken broth and the seasonal kakigori shaved ice.
Tip: Friday through Sunday only, lunch and dinner. Moran wants his team to have weekends; midweek bookings are not an option.
Edley's 12 South barbecue counter in Nashville smokes pork shoulder over hickory and serves the city's reliable BBQ-and-beer lunch since 2011.
Signature: Pulled pork sandwich, Tuck Special
Order: The Tuck Special: smoked brisket with pimento cheese and bacon on Texas toast.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs Friday and Saturday until 22:00; patio gets the runoff from 12 South strolling.
Five Daughters Bakery's 12 South flagship in Nashville opened 2015 with its 100-layer three-day doughnuts, expanded to four city locations and Goldbelly shipping.
Tip: 100-layer doughnuts are the order; classic glaze is the marquee. They run out by 13:00 most weekends.
Worth the queue: Original glaze cronut
12 South Farmers' Market sets up in Sevier Park each Tuesday from May through October with a tight roster of Tennessee growers and a few prepared-food stalls.
Tip: Smaller than the Nashville Farmers Market but easier to navigate; peach season July is the peak draw.
Edley's 12 South barbecue counter in Nashville runs Friday and Saturday until 22:00 with pulled pork, the Tuck Special and a patio off 12th Avenue South.
Try: Brisket with pimento cheese (the Tuck)
Tip: Order at the counter; the patio gets the runoff from 12 South nightlife. Late-night kitchen Friday and Saturday only.