Like many Nashville neighborhoods, The Nations has transformed over the last decade, with a significant uptick in new residents and construction in the last five years. Watched over by a now-iconic 200-foot mural by Australian artist Guido van Helten, this pocket of West Nashville somehow manages to offer a cozy residential feel, even with its industrial backdrop.
From authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Nashville’s first dog park bar, check out what’s new in this updated guide to The Nations.
Table of Contents
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK
- 51st Deli: A longtime neighborhood favorite, 51st Deli serves up an extensive breakfast menu (think breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches), deli sandwiches (just about any combination you can dream up), Mexican comfort foods (queso and street tacos), and the most stunning selection of non-alcoholic beverages you’ve ever seen.
- 51 North Taproom: Beyond a wide variety of beers on tap, 51 North offers elevated comfort fare — burgers, seafood appetizers, and one of the best Cobb salads in town!
- Bare Bones Butcher: True to its name, this spot offers locally sourced meats and a menu of hearty sandwiches and sides. You can’t go wrong with any of their deli sandwiches, but the cheeseburger is a neighborhood gem.
- Betty’s Grill: A true Nashville dive, Betty’s is a “hole in the wall” in the best kind of way. It’s a small space with a limited selection of food and drinks, but Betty’s is a fun stop to play a round of darts and take in some live music.
- Brightside Bakeshop: With one location in The Nations and one in East Nashville, Brightside serves up scratch-made pastries Wednesday through Saturday — croissants, brioche, monkey bread, and more.
- Bringle’s Smoking Oasis: One of the best spots in the neighborhood for watching sports, Bringle’s boasts a menu of BBQ and sides, a full bar, cornhole, and plenty of TVs. Dogs are welcome, too!
- Brotherly Love Cheesesteaks: Tucked away at the back corner of the Silo Studios building, you’ll find Brotherly Love Cheesesteaks — and we don’t need to tell you what their specialty is. Beyond traditional cheesesteaks and Buffalo chicken cheesesteaks, they offer fries, salads, and a full bar. Visit on Thursday nights for team trivia!
- Carlsbad Pizza: Enjoy your order on Carlsbad’s patio, or take your pizza next door to Urban Dog Bar for some dog-watching! (More on Urban Dog Bar later.)
- Chex Grill & Wings: The most recent addition to the neighborhood, Chex Wings has an unassuming exterior, but this North Carolina-based chain churns out some serious wings along with sandwiches, salads, and quesadillas.
- Coco’s Italian Market: A family-owned Italian restaurant and market, Coco’s has been serving traditional Italian fare since 1964. Complete with an outdoor bocce ball court, this cozy spot is friendly for everything from date nights to family outings.
- Daddy’s Dogs: The Nations is home to the Daddy’s Dogs flagship location, with ample parking and outdoor seating. The menu includes a wide variety of creative toppings, plus a few sides, Mexican Coke, and a couple of domestic beer options.
- Fat Bottom Brewery: This spacious neighborhood brewery serves up hearty fare that pairs well with its craft beers — burgers, pizza, nachos, and more. Fat Bottom hosts SINGO every Tuesday (a musical twist on bingo) and team trivia on Thursdays.
- Frothy Monkey: A favorite spot for friend groups and remote workers alike, Frothy Monkey is always buzzing with people. Order from their extensive menu of coffee, tea, breakfast, brunch, and lunch offerings.
- Headquarters Coffee: This tiny coffee shop at the corner of Charlotte Avenue and 49th boasts only a couple of tables, but what it lacks in seating, it makes up for with the drink selection.
- Jeni’s Ice Cream: Depending on the time of day, you might smell Jeni’s before you see it. They offer up the most delectable housemade waffle cones and a rotating selection of creative ice cream flavors. Our favorite for spring is the ‘Tropical Bloom’ flavor.
- Maru: If you’re craving sushi in The Nations, Maru is your spot. They also offer a variety of hot apps and entrées like gyoza, ramen, and bibimbap. Do not skip the fried garlic edamame!
- Midnight Oil: This neighborhood favorite offers delicious pizzas and reasonably priced drinks in a casual sports bar atmosphere.
- M.L. Rose: The West Nashville location of M.L. Rose is right where The Nations meets Sylvan Park and Sylvan Heights, but according to Google Maps, The Nations gets dibs. This spot serves up delicious burgers, waffle fries, salads, and an impressive selection of beers.
- Nations Bar & Grill: Another of the area’s well-known dive bars, this spot is nothing fancy, but it’s fun for unfussy food and drinks.
- Nicky’s Coal Fired: Nicky’s is known for coal-fired pizza, pasta, and delicious salads in a family-style atmosphere. Monday through Friday, they offer a fabulous “5 & 10” happy hour with a selection of food and drinks, all listed at either $5 or $10.
- Otto’s: A fun spot located in a repurposed auto shop, Otto’s is a local favorite for cocktails, tacos, and happy hour Monday through Friday.
- Pepperfire Hot Chicken: Is it really Nashville without a hot chicken option within shouting distance? Pepperfire offers “a mix of traditional hot chicken and adventurous adaptations.”
- Perfectly Fine: The newest watering hole in The Nations, Perfectly Fine is a craft cocktail bar with a friendly neighborhood vibe. (Fair warning: This spot can get pretty busy in the evenings, especially around the weekend. The music will be on and UP.)
- Ramblin’ Joe’s: This neighborhood coffee spot is beloved for its cozy interior, friendly staff, and especially its drive-through window — a rarity in residential areas!
- Southern Grist: Boasting two Nashville taprooms, this location of Southern Grist serves up craft beer and a small rotating selection of batch cocktails and comforting fare like queso, Caesar salad, and seriously delicious burgers. They also have a covered patio and cornhole!
- Streetcar Taps & Garden: The beer garden at Streetcar just may be one of the best-kept secrets in West Nashville. Streetcar offers a delicious food and drink menu, plus team trivia every Wednesday night.
- Stay Golden: A coffee shop that recently relocated from the Berry Hill area, Stay Golden has plenty of caffeinated options on offer, plus brunch-y cocktails and breakfast items galore.
- The Centennial: Perhaps best known for the Patrick Swayze mural that adorns the front of the building, The Centennial is a beloved neighborhood dive bar, great for catching an afternoon game or a nightcap. If you’re hungry, go for an order of wings and thank us later.
- Tinwings: This local favorite spot specializes in catering and prepared meals, but they also offer a market with a rotating selection of refrigerated and frozen options that are great to grab and go!
- White Bison: A rapidly growing Southern chain, White Bison is a coffee shop meets convenience mart. Neighborhood residents love to pull up a chair and work while they enjoy their coffee or just pop in for a soda or a six-pack.
Looking for The Centennial? Just keep your eyes peeled for the Patrick Swayze mural out front. Can’t miss it! Image: Facebook
WHERE TO SHOP
- ABLE: This Nashville-based brand offers high-quality leather goods, clothing, and accessories.
- Ensemble: This consignment boutique carries high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- Glitz Nashville: Ideal for prom and wedding season, Glitz carries women’s formalwear and accessories.
- The Good Fill: Here, you’ll find eco-friendly options for everything from cleaning supplies to hair care. Even better, you can refill the containers when you run out, eliminating unnecessary waste.
- Silo Market: Though Silo Market is primarily a grocery market, it also offers a wide variety of wines, locally sourced gift items, and greeting cards — perfect for picking up last-minute items on the way to a celebration.
- The Modern Dog: Toys, accessories, treats, nutritional supplements, and more for your furry friends. Dogs, yes, but cats and humans, too!
- Marcelle Guilbeau: If you’re looking for a home refresh, consider enlisting the services of celebrated Nashville interior designer Marcelle Guilbeau, whose office is located in The Nations. While this isn’t a retail location, Marcelle can help you source anything you need for your space.
WHERE TO PLAY + EXPLORE
- Tee Line: Tee Line is technically in the up-and-coming Charlotte Park neighborhood, but it sits right on the brink of The Nations’ neighborhood borders, and it certainly bears mentioning! Tee Line offers curling, bowling, and an impressive menu of elevated pub fare and cocktails — a great option for groups.
- Urban Dog Bar: Nashville’s FIRST (and still only) dog park and bar, Urban Dog Bar offers ample indoor and outdoor space for both humans and pups, along with a full bar and tasty food menu. Entry for humans is free, while owners can pay for daily guest passes or membership options for dogs. (Be prepared with your dog’s vaccination records!)
WHERE TO PAMPER
Nashvillians come from all over town to see experts in The Nations for skincare, hair treatments, medical aesthetics, and beyond.
- Bea Rose Salon: Full-service salon offering cuts, color, keratin treatments, and makeup application
- Culture Nashville: The Nations’ very own upscale barbershop!
- Haven Hair Co.: Full-service salon offering cuts, color, and extensions
- Hen House Salon: Full-service salon offering cuts, color, and extensions
- Hi, Finch: Medspa offering microneedling, chemical peels, Botox/Dysport, Kybella, an in-house skincare line, and more
- Indie RX: Medspa also offering microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox/Dysport, dermal filler, and more
- Luxe & Luna: Luxe & Luna is the only full-service spa in The Nations, offering facial treatments, medical aesthetics, lashes and brows, waxing, AND massage therapy — perfect for a full-on spa day with friends!
- Relive Health: Hormone optimization for men and women, IV therapy, medical weight loss, aesthetic services like Botox and filler, and more
- SLK: An extensive selection of skincare and aesthetics services, including microneedling, PRP, laser hair removal, Botox, filler, and more
- The Glam House: Brow and lash services, fine-line tattoos, lip blushing, HydraFacial, and spray tan!
WHERE TO SWEAT
The Nations continues to add fabulous amenities for area residents, including a variety of gyms, fitness studios, and even a sauna boutique. If you like high-intensity interval training, you’re spoiled for choice in The Nations.
- Carbon Performance: A full-service gym with state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes, and personal training services
- Crossfit Nashville: High-intensity interval training in a group fitness setting
- ISI Elite Training: 50-minute training sessions that allow you to go at your own pace
- F45 Training: Another high-intensity circuit training option — done in 45 minutes!
- Studio Pilates: Beginner pilates classes, reformer pilates, and physical therapy
- UrbanSweat: Infrared sauna beds, sauna cabins, cold plunge facilities, and red light therapy
COMING SOON
Set to open this spring, Living Waters Brewing has announced that it will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Czann’s Brewing Company. Living Waters served craft beers and coffee at its former locale, but it is TBD whether it will offer food at The Nations location. Stay tuned.
Happy exploring!
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About the Author
Alissa Harb