Day-by-day eating plans for Nashville. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Nashville hot chicken crawl: one day, three shops ★ 4.5

First-time visitor focused on hot chicken1 day

A focused one-day route through the three canonical hot chicken counters: Prince's for the original, Bolton's for the value pick, Hattie B's for the modern version.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: three hot chicken stops and a banana pudding closer

    Morning
    Start at Prince's Hot Chicken on Nolensville Pike at 11:00, when the kitchen has warmed. Quarter dark, Medium, white bread and pickles.
    Afternoon
    Drive to Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish at 624 Main Street in East Nashville for a hot chicken thigh and hot whiting fish. Smaller, darker, cheaper.
    Evening
    Finish at Hattie B's Midtown at 112 19th Ave S. Hot chicken at Hot level, pimento mac, and banana pudding for the closer.

Nashville classics weekend: meat-and-three to Michelin ★ 4.6

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A two-day route covering the canonical lunch counters, a hot chicken stop and one Michelin-starred dinner. Arnold's, Prince's, Husk, then Locust to finish.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: meat-and-three, hot chicken, Germantown wine

    Morning
    Biscuit Love in The Gulch at 08:00 for Bonuts and biscuits. Walk to Arnold's at 605 8th Ave S for an 11:00 meat-and-three line.
    Afternoon
    Prince's Hot Chicken on Nolensville Pike for a quarter dark at Medium. Coffee at Crema downtown to recover.
    Evening
    Dinner at Rolf and Daughters in Germantown at 19:30. Wine pairing with squid ink chitarra and wood-fired pork.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: brunch, East Nashville tacos, Michelin dinner

    Morning
    Margot Cafe Sunday brunch at 1017 Woodland in East Nashville, 10:00 seating. Wood fireplace, daily menu, French-Italian classics.
    Afternoon
    Mas Tacos Por Favor on McFerrin for fried avocado tacos and tortilla soup. Walk to Attaboy on McFerrin for an aperitif at 17:00.
    Evening
    Dinner at Locust in 12 South for Trevor Moran's Michelin tasting: pork dumplings in chicken broth, kakigori for dessert.

East Nashville: a day in the city's creative core ★ 4.5

Return visitor or local exploring1 day

A walking day through East Nashville: bakery, taco lunch, Japanese dinner, natural-wine after. All within a mile of each other on Woodland and McFerrin.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: bakery to kolache, taco lunch, ramen dinner

    Morning
    Yeast Nashville on Woodland for sausage-and-cheese kolaches and coffee from 08:00. Walk to Barista Parlor East on Gallatin for a pourover.
    Afternoon
    Mas Tacos Por Favor at 732 McFerrin for two fried avocado tacos and tortilla soup. Walk back via Margot for a glass of wine at the bar.
    Evening
    Dinner at Two Ten Jack on Eastland for tonkotsu ramen, then walk to Pearl Diver on Gallatin for tiki cocktails until close.

Itineraries in Nashville, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Nashville?

Peak food season in Nashville is year-round.

What time do people eat in Nashville?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Nashville?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Nashville?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Nashville rewards trust.

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