Nov 2023

Things to do in South Nashville

South Nashville is a popular tourist destination for those who enjoy history, just as it’s a wonderful region of the city for residents to explore local restaurants and small businesses. With endless opportunities to explore restaurants, take city tours, and visit local landmarks, it can be challenging to narrow down an itinerary for a weekend in the city.

To guide your next visit or upcoming move to the city, we’ve outlined the best of South Nashville! Explore some of the most highly rated local restaurants, things to see, and the most exciting city tours to sign up for.

Best Food and Drink in South Nashville

Nashville is known for good food and great music. South Nashville is no exception to the great food and drinks throughout Music City! Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time visiting Nashville, check out some of these top nine local restaurants.

Top 7 Restaurants in South Nashville

  • South Side Kitchen and Pub offers a casual environment to enjoy their homestyle southern cooking. With an extensive whiskey menu, South Side Kitchen is a popular local spot to enjoy drinks and appetizers.
  • Brothers Burger Joint has an outdoor seating area, a large beer menu, and incredible burgers. Brothers Burger Joint is praised by locals for having the best burgers in the area!
  • OSH Restaurant and Grill specializes in Uzbeki food, making it an incredibly unique spot to try in South Nashville! OSH’s menu includes items like dumplings, pilaf, and combo plates with grilled meats.  
  • The Smiling Elephant is a Thai restaurant that makes classic authentic Asian cuisine. The Smiling Elephant is a healthy choice as the restaurant prioritizes using healthy and local ingredients in its dishes.
  • Mangia Nashville is a traditional Italian restaurant with specialty cocktails served alongside Italian classics like pasta and pizza.
  • Peachtree Neighborhood Grill not only serves classic Southern comfort food but also Middle Eastern specialties like stews and kabobs. Peachtree is a great spot to enjoy on a sunny day, thanks to its picnic table-style outdoor seating.
  • Baja Burrito is a must for a quick bite or easy meal on the go! Baja Burrito has been established as the local burrito joint in town since 2000. Both locals and tourists keep returning to Baja Burrito because of their fun indoor decor and pleasant outdoor seating.

Review our complete guide to Nashville restaurants to explore more of Nashville’s best eateries. This guide covers top-rated restaurants in the city that feature delivery, outdoor seating, local cuisine, and vegan food. To stay mindful of budget and occasion, the guide also includes top-rated high-end and top-rated budget-friendly restaurants in Music City!

Best Things to do in South Nashville

South Nashville is rich in culture and history. From an old Civil War Fort to one of the most impressive car collections in the country, there is no shortage of unique sites to see in the area. For first-timers in South Nashville, be sure to hit some of these popular locations:

  • Tennessee State Fairgrounds
  • Geodis Park
  • Fort Negley Park (this old Civil War Fort features a visitors center with film showings, tours to see the ruins, and interactive exhibits to learn more about the U.S. Civil War.)
  • Lane Motor Museum
  • Nashville Zoo
  • The Escape Game Nashville
  • Nashville Flea Market

If you’re more comfortable taking guided tours than meandering around the city on your own, check out some of South Nashville’s tour companies.

Best Tours in South Nashville

Consider one of these South Nashville tours to familiarize yourself with the region and historic locations in the neighborhood. If none of these tours fit your agenda, contact one of our agents, and we will create a tour package that hits all of your desired locations!

  • Jack Daniel’s Distillery Day Trip
  • Party Bus Music City
  • Honky Tonk Party Express Bus
  • Barrels of Fun Nashville

For more personalized tips on navigating Music City, book a city consultation with one of our city experts! All of our Nashville Apartment Locators® agents are locals and know the ins and outs of each neighborhood. If you need more customized advice based on your exact location in the city, an area you want to move to, or how to plan the perfect weekend trip to Nashville, we can help.

Before your consultation, our agents will research the answers to your questions to deliver the most thorough responses to help guide you through Music City. We love Nashville and hope that after our consultation, you’ll see all the city can offer you, too!