Coming Soon to Nashville! 10 Exciting Additions
Nashville's momentum shows no signs of slowing. Here are some of the exciting new developments and events coming to town in 2026! Image: Facebook / Tennessee Vacation
When it comes to Nashville, it seems the only constant is change. Fortunately, much of this change is positive, in the form of new businesses, entertainment options, and the growth of many of the city’s neighborhoods. After a busy 2025, Nashville shows little sign of slowing down, with many new offerings in 2026 that we’re looking forward to. Here are 10 big developments to have on your radar!
New Restaurants in Old Spaces
While it’s a little sad when an old favorite restaurant closes, sometimes it’s a chance for something new to blossom. Tin Angel was a West End Ave. favorite for more than two decades, and neighborhood diners have been eyeing the space for almost seven years, hoping for something new to fill that Apple Blackberry Crisp-shaped hole in their hearts (and stomachs!).
They got their wish, thanks to the successful trio of hospitality professionals behind Noko and Kase x Noko in East Nashville. Jon Murray, Wilson Brannock, and Dung “Junior” Vo announced plans to open their newest venture, Noko Yaki, sometime in 2026.
The details have been a little vague, but we were able to confirm that “fire” will be a key component of the menu. Whatever it is, you can bet it will be another smash hit!
In Sylvan Park, the former home of the beloved McCabe Pub is barely recognizable as the building undergoes a remodel from cozy neighborhood bar and grill into Lion’s Share, an impressive multi-level restaurant designed to exude British colonial hunting lodge vibes.
Think “manor house in the Cotswolds,” complete with jewel tones, clubby leather furniture, custom lighting fixtures, and taxidermied animal heads.
The new restaurant is the latest brainstorm from Chef Robbie Wilson. The former culinary director of M Street Hospitality returned to Nashville last year after earning a semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation for his work on several California restaurants.
Expect dinner and entertainment, as the chef plans to showcase lots of dramatic live-fire cooking over an open hearth. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the buzzy bar. With its extensive wine list, creative cocktails, and shareable small plates (the chef is calling them “Pickables”), it’s destined to become a neighborhood gathering place.
Stay tuned to our New Nashville Restaurants series for monthly updates on the latest openings!
Dolly’s New Hotel!
If Dolly Parton ever wanted to run for mayor of Nashville, she would probably win by a landslide. She is well known for her investments in the city, as well as her charitable work with children, including her Imagination Library, and her million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help fund the research efforts that led to the development of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine.
This summer, Dolly is expanding her reach in downtown Nashville with the opening of SongTeller Hotel. Located at 211 Commerce St, the luxury hotel joins the popular Dollywood theme park and resorts, DreamMore and HeartSong, as part of the singer’s entertainment empire, which has, until now, been focused on her hometown of Sevierville, TN.
Parton calls SongTeller her “love letter to the city,” and promises that the creative spirit of Music City will weave through the 245 guest rooms along with the restaurants, bars, and intimate music venues.
The third floor will house the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, showcasing the largest collection of “Dollybilia” anywhere in the world.
Nashville also JUST welcomed its own outpost of an iconic New Orleans hotel in Hillsboro Village — The Chloe Nashville.
Officially open as of January 7, The Chloe is a 19-room boutique hotel situated in repurposed 1920s cottages. The property features a Creole-meets-Southern restaurant and three bars designed to serve as gathering spaces for locals and visitors alike.
Family Fun at Nashville Yards
Usually, kids wouldn’t want to get caught playing hooky, but at the Austin-based Hooky Entertainment’s new multi-use venue coming to Nashville Yards, playing hooky is a family affair!
Located at 931 Church St., Hooky Nashville Yards will feature bowling alleys, video games, and multiple dining and drinking options. The best part, however, is the 12-screen movie complex where guests can grab some popcorn and catch the latest blockbuster.
Downtown Distilling
The talented whiskey-makers at Leiper’s Fork Distillery have been crafting outstanding small-batch bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and rye on a farm outside of Franklin for more than a decade.
Now, in 2026, Nashville fans of the distillery’s offerings won’t have to drive to Leiper’s to get a fix — they can just head downtown! The distillery is relocating its original still to a new facility in Nashville Yards and replacing the old piece of equipment with a new one that is twice as big.
In addition to tripling manufacturing capabilities, the new downtown distillery will feature a restaurant and live music. It will be a great place to pre-game before a concert at Leiper’s Fork’s neighbor, The Pinnacle performance venue.
Breads & Groceries from Tasty New Bakeries
Ever since bakers Aubrey and Tyler O’Laskey moved to Tennessee from Nevada, the culinary duo behind the popular Perenn bakery, cafe, and bistro in Franklin (and a large commercial bakery and retail outlet in Berry Hill) hasn’t slowed down for a minute. In the spring of 2026, the talented team will add to their collection with the opening of Perenn Grocery in Wedgewood-Houston.
Part of the new 18-acre Wedgewood Village development at 515 Houston St., the quaint grocery will offer treats baked daily in-house, along with a curated selection of grocery items. The O’Laskeys intend to select locally sourced meats, produce, and pantry goods for shoppers — like a one-stop visit to a year-round neighborhood farmers’ market.
The Nations is also anxiously awaiting the opening of Savi Provisions for specialty groceries, wine, bowls, smoothies, and more!
A Showstopper of a Bar
The next major addition to the revitalized Arcade downtown will be a showstopper — literally. From singer-songwriter Daniel Walker (who was previously involved with the popular Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison) comes the Show Stop elevated bar and music venue.
After years of permit and construction delays, the intimate, 110-seat venue is finally slated to open at 217 Arcade Alley in the former home of Back Alley Diner.
Show Stop will showcase both established and up-and-coming acts, alongside an extensive food and beverage program. Walker promises “an unparalleled sonic experience” courtesy of a state-of-the-art sound system. Sounds like it will be worth the wait!
New East Coast, West Coast & Italian Fashion Retailers
Middle Tennessee is going to get a lot cozier once LL Bean opens its first retail store this summer at CoolSprings Galleria. After decades of shopping from catalogs or online, shoppers can browse through actual racks and shelves for the finest in outdoor clothing, luggage, home goods, and footwear, such as the popular Bean Boots or the legendary “Wicked Good Slippers.”
Johnnie-O will bring “West Coast Prep” to 12 South this spring with its second Tennessee store at 2212 12th Ave. South. You may already be familiar with the brand from its association with the Nashville Predators as the team’s official travel wear partner.
Now, Nashville shoppers will be able to discover the brand’s signature line of golf shirts and button-ups, featuring Johnnie-O’s unique “tweener button,” an extra button that allows you to choose how much neck you show.
Rome, Milan, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice, and … Nashville? You know we’ve arrived as a fashion city when Brunello Cucinelli brings its brand of Italian style to town, specifically to 507 Houston St. in Wedgewood-Houston. The multi-generational Italian fashion brand designs men’s and women’s clothing, as well as footwear, fragrances, home decor, and eyewear.
A Music Festival Celebrating the Freedom of Speech
On April 8, Nashville will come together at Bridgestone Arena to stand up for the freedom to speak out and be heard, especially in the form of music. The Freely Fest is organized by the nonpartisan Freedom Forum, which works to protect the five freedoms guaranteed under the First Amendment: religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government.
Performing at the first-ever Freely Fest will be T-Pain, Dominic Fike, Janelle Monáe, Avery Anna, and headliners The Killers. As a town that supports intellectual property and creative expression for songwriters and performers, Nashville is the perfect spot for the inaugural edition of this music festival.
Additional Direct Flight Destinations from Nashville International Airport
You can already fly non-stop to more than a dozen international destinations from Nashville International Airport, and new routes between Music City and exotic destinations like Iceland, Punta Cana, Los Cabos, and Dublin have proven very popular with travelers. So popular, in fact, that Southwest Airlines has plans to add Saturday-only flights to Montego Bay (Jamaica) and San Jose (Costa Rica), starting next March.
Not all the new available destinations are international, though. Domestically, Saturday-only service to Montrose, Colorado, will open up easier access to popular Western Colorado ski resorts like Telluride, Crested Butte, and Aspen Snowmass. Southwest is also adding twice-daily flights to Little Rock and Knoxville. Pack your bags!
An Impressive New Music Venue
Iconic Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard once said, “Country music ain’t nothin’ but three chords and the truth.” That’s the philosophy behind an upcoming Wedgewood-Houston music hall named The Truth, opening in Fall 2026 as part of the new Wedgewood Village complex.
Live Nation Entertainment will book the acts and operate the 4,400-seat venue that will accommodate both seated and standing shows.
At The Truth, a whiskey bar named Harlan’s will honor the hitmaker, and a rooftop listening room called the Vinyl Room will pay homage to the record-pressing plants that have long operated in the neighborhood.
Get excited, Nashville!
**********
To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to StyleBlueprint.
Chris Chamberlain
A rare Nashville native, Chris Chamberlain has been writing professionally for over 16 years. Chris loves to write about food, bourbon, and quirky history — especially in the South. Find more of Chris's work at the Nashville Scene, Resy, Fodor's, Tennessee Visitors Guide, Bourbon Plus, NFocus, Thrillist, and Eat This, Not That.