Disclaimer: This post created after a press trip hosted by Visit Music Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. All opinions and photos are mine.
Nashville’s live music scene is the city’s number one draw for tourists, but the city’s restaurant and cocktail culture is a close second.
A food-obsessed traveler, I was delighted to visit a couple of the city’s newest eateries and cocktail bars, where Nashvillians celebrate their weekend with southern classic fare in good company.
With over 200 new restaurants opening in the last two years, finding an up-and-coming restaurant to enjoy is easy. But if you want to dine like a local, refer to my pocket guide of must-visit restaurants when visiting Music City.
I recommend checking ahead to see if you should make a reservation at most restaurants.
LUNCH OR DINNER DESTINATIONS
PEG LEG PORKER
Indulge in real-deal barbecue at Peg Leg Porker (903 Gleaves Street), where ribs are the most requested menu item. Owners Carey and Delaniah Bringle decided to open the restaurant in 2013 after running a successful catering business.
Their award-winning barbecue is served with southern hospitality, and if you’re lucky, Carey might swing by your table for a casual chat during the meal. Menu favorites include heaping BBQ Nachos, Memphis Sushi, and Dry Rubbed Ribs, but opt for the shareable Combo Platter when in doubt.
PRO TIP: Leave room for banana pudding or a drool-worthy fried pie fresh from the oven. View Peg Leg Porker’s Instagram to see what to expect.
MIMO AT FOUR SEASONS NASHVILLE
If you’re seeking a fine-dining, chef-prepared meal in the ambiance of a luxury hotel, reserve a table at Mimo (100 Demonbreun Street).
The Four Seasons Nashville restaurant serves meals all day, and it’s known for a rave-worthy Sunday Brunch menu, including live stations and a special beverage selection.
The food was exceptionally prepared and presented during our group’s family-style private dinner service. The Pre-Show Dinner menu, served from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., features Italian-inspired dishes.
PRO TIP: You do not have to be a hotel guest to dine at Mimo or imbibe at its bar, which serves local beers, wine, and creative cocktails. View Mimo’s Instagram to preview what you can expect.
JANE’S HIDEAWAY
Jane’s Hideaway (407 Gallatin Avenue) is an elevated honky tonk, where Southern classic food is served alongside a spirit-based cocktail menu in east Nashville. Known for their live music shows after 8:00 p.m., the “bluegrass supper club” welcomes guests at 5:00 p.m.
I joined others, tapping our feet to the sounds of live bluegrass music while indulging in various shareable appetizers. Skillet cornbread, deviled eggs, and crispy Brussels sprouts satisfied. The sandwiches, with a side salad, are a creative twist on burgers and chicken sandwiches.
PRO TIP: Arrive at 5:00 p.m. to enjoy weekly Happy Hour cocktail menu specials, beer discounts, and $5 snacks. View Jane’s Hideaway Instagram to see what you can expect.
SCOREBOARD BAR & GRILL
Do you plan to attend at show at country music’s biggest stage, The Grand Ole Opry? Pre-game at nearby Scoreboard Bar & Grill (2408 Music Valley Drive). Bite into hot Nashville chicken while listening to the sounds of local bands from an open-air patio setting.
The menu features Southern comfort classics ranging from barbecue meals, oysters, sandwiches, and steaks. Sit back with a deck drink or ice-cold beer as the sun sets. Hot chicken seasoning ranges from Sissy (perfect for me!) to Hiroshima levels, thanks to added cayenne paste.
PRO TIP: The deck gets crowded, especially on show nights at The Opry. It stays open until 3:00 a.m. Monday-Friday for post-show celebrations. View Scoreboard Bar & Grill’s Instagram to see what you can expect.
PRESENT TENSE
A Japanese Charcoal Grill restaurant, Present Tense (301 Hart Street), is where diners go when they’re seeking dinner entreés prepared with imported fresh seafood. Pork belly bao buns, ahi tuna toasts, and brown butter scallops were a few of our group’s preferred dishes.
Meals are artfully plated using traditional Japanese ingredients. Sesame, soy, and miso make recipe appearances. The bar menu showcases boozy and non-boozy drinks with names such as Viva Magenta (gin) and Matcha Limeade.
Of course, Sapporo and a long list of sake are available for meal pairings.
PRO TIP: Reserve a spot at the six-seat sake bar. View Present Tense’s Instagram to see what you can expect.
SIP A CRAFT COCKTAIL, HARD CIDER, OR WHISKEY
THE FOX BAR & COCKTAIL CLUB
The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club (2905B Gallatin Pike) is a dimly lit, speakeasy-style bar behind Nicoletto’s Italian Kitchen in East Nashville. Cocktail connoisseurs peruse rotating seasonal drink menus, and if they prefer a classic concoction, the bartenders are happy to mix it.
PRO TIP: Park in the rear of the building and walk up the back stairs. View The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club’s Instagram to see what you can expect.
BOBBY HOTEL ROOFTOP LOUNGE
Enjoy panoramic skyline views from the Bobby Hotel Rooftop Lounge (230 4th Avenue North), known to host thematic parties. During my visit, the rooftop was transformed into a winter wonderland with fire pits, thematic cocktail drinks, and twinkling Christmas trees.
Referred to as Camp Bobby, the pop-up holiday bar was decorated down to every detail. Live bands play during summer’s Backyard Sessions, and it’s a fantastic place to soak of downtown views or play yard games any time of year.
PRO TIP: View Bobby Hotel’s Instagram to see what you can expect at the rooftop bar.
DISKIN CIDER
Diskin Cider (1235 Martin Street) is a craft hard cider tasting room in a trending industrial neighborhood. It’s Nashville’s first and only craft cidery, producing “dangerously good” flagships, seasonals, and imperials.
The cidery rolls out a new seasonal selection every three weeks, so consider adding it to a tasting flight of four pours.
PRO TIP: They love four-legged customers. Ask about monthly dog-friendly events. View Diskin Cider’s Instagram to see what you can expect.
NASHVILLE BARREL CO.
Since 2018, Nashville Barrel Co. has served crafted and bottled whiskey tastings to fans of quality spirits. The downtown tasting room location (425 Church Street) includes a walk-in tasting bar serving small pours and adult slushies.
We enjoyed tastings of four single-barrel bourbons of our choice during a group reservation. Their Small-Batch Cask Strength and Tennessee Single Barrel Whiskey, two of my preferred selections, went down like a warm hug.
PRO TIP: Are you feeling brave? Ask if you can sample Wooshine. View Nashville Barrel Co.’s Instagram page to see what you can expect.
BONUS BRUNCH SPOTS
Forget basic pancakes or waffles with eggs. Nashville chefs serve inventive southern-inspired meals, elevating the typical early morning meal to gourmet status.
OPHELIA’S PIZZA + BAR
Don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s name. Ophelia’s Pizza + Bar (401 Church Street) may be known for its late-day menu of Italian food and handcrafted drinks; its recently added brunch menu is reservation-worthy.
I was impressed by the attention to detail in the restaurant’s cohesive design, which induced a feeling of Europe. The restaurant, named after Shakespeare’s character Ophelia in the drama Hamlet, delivers sophistication. The menu is equally impressive, with breakfast selections incorporating imported ingredients into Southern recipes.
Available for brunch service Friday-Sunday from 11:00 am-4:00 pm, the menu’s starting line-up includes entrees easily shareable amongst friends, such as Prosciutto Di Parma & Melon prepared with whipped ricotta, chili honey, and thyme spreadable on crostini.
Ophelia’s French Toast turns the standard classic on its head. Fresh berries sit atop a perfectly crusted piece of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped butter, and drizzled with Tennessee Honey. The Breakfast Pizza, a two-person pie topped with cream, onion, spinach, Gifford’s bacon, and sunny side eggs, delivers rich, satisfying flavor.
PRO TIP: Diners seeking to pair their meal with a boozy bevvy, will appreciate the restaurant’s short list of cocktails including the Sangria Bianca. View Ophelia’s Instagram to see what you can expect.
SWEETMILK
SweetMilk (329 Donelson Pike #201) is another new-on-the-scene restaurant attracting brunch-goers for its modern interpretation of Southern classics. Judging by the guests waiting for an open table when we arrived by 9:00 am, the restaurant is a popular place to fuel up before exploring Nashville on the weekend.
Known for breakfast service all day (7:00 am – 3:00 pm), the restaurant serves hefty portions of southern favorites, often including a biscuit or a side of grits. Our group shared the Big Ol’ Cinnamon Roll, and each cream cheese-covered bite coated with pecans curbed my morning hunger until my meal arrived.
A massive platter, aka Country Breakfast, arrived with two perfectly cooked eggs, steaming grits, bacon or sausage, and a biscuit-like Grandma used to make. How in the world was I going to eat all of this food? It was easy to devour every down-home delectable bite.
PRO TIP: If you’re hungry after a flight to Nashville International Airport, SweetMilk is less than a 10-minute drive northeast of downtown. View SweetMilk’s Facebook to see what you can expect.
Of course, each of these restaurants serves delectable meals later in the day, but Nashville’s brunch menus beckon people out of bed. If you only have a weekend in the Music City, these additions to Nashville’s thriving culinary scene serve satisfying meals.
I’m betting you’re a fan of live music? Read my blog post, Nashville Blues & Barbecue: A Soundtrack for a Savory City to learn where to indulge in rhythm and blues sound while in Music City.
Historically known as the birthplace of female aviator Amelia Earhart, Atchison is a thriving town once home to Kanza Indians. Lewis & Clark explored the area in 1804. Later, it became a hub for steamboats, railroads, and manufacturing.
In 1870, the Atchison railroad served as a learning rail town in the state, but times changed. The last Santa Fe train left town in the early 1990s, but the museum’s inventory of authentic artifacts keeps history alive.
I started the self-guided tour by watching a computer-generated video of Amelia Earhart welcoming guests. The life-like pilot spoke in quotable phrases inspiring museum-goers to go after their dreams.
The Virtual Reality Flight experience was worth the added time and ticketed cost. Donning a headset and using an airplane’s yoke, I attempted Amelia’s historic 1932 flight across the Atlantic Ocean. I didn’t make it to Paris, but I did land the plane safely in a farmer’s field.
A gift to his wife, Evah, the mansion features 25 rooms filled with period antiques, including an 1893 World’s Fair bedroom set, elaborate stained glass windows, and high-quality furnishings.
Walking the rest of the home’s interior, you’ll discover a 200-year-old walking wheel winder used to spin yarn wool. The parlor’s upholstered, open-arm couches with dark wood and framed artwork showcase the luxury the Hetherington family enjoyed.
Outdoors, an elaborate driveway leads to a restored carriage house that begs to be photographed.
The Evah Cray Museum is more than another stunning home in Kansas. It’s a time capsule from the past when a family decided to settle in Atchison and live in the home for 80 years. Given their wealth, they could have chosen to reside anywhere. They chose Atchison.
My tour, led by the museum’s docent, was exceptional. Expect to pay a moderate admission if you go, and you’ll want to plan to spend at least an hour touring the home.
PRO TIP: Ask about the home’s small theater, where you can watch a film about Atchison architecture. Visit the gift shop in the carriage house.
The 14-room home served as a showroom to display the types of wood his business provided and the intricate ways it could be used. You’ll notice he combined oak, walnut, and mahogany into its design from floor to ceiling. He incorporated non-traditional wall materials like leather into the wallboard design.
The cafe is where locals meet to catch up about the latest happenings in town. Where travelers like me enjoy quiet time and peruse the internet using free Wi-FI. And where you can shop for gift items from kitchen towels to home decor.
You’ll find the comfortable cafe is just what you need to set the tone for the day. The menu features freshly baked pastries and specialty coffee drinks. Return mid-day for a Signature Cocktail like The Atchison Mule of Amelia’s Final Flight.
Between bites, I enjoyed learning about Ann’s heritage, which included the Lopez & Vallejo families’ tradition of serving the community delicious food and treating customers “like a part of the family.”
I took my friend’s advice and chose the carbonara prepared with a garlic Parmesan cream sauce over spaghetti. You can expect Italian pasta dishes, shareable plates (crab cakes, anyone?), and chef-inspired main dishes ranging from Steak Diane to Chicken Madeira on the menu.
PRO TIP: The restaurant does accept walk-in diners, but the restaurant is a popular place, so consider making a reservation.
You can count on our favorite bar and grill menu items. The list includes burgers and sandwiches to chicken wings and sirloin steaks.
I chatted with the manager, Steve, while enjoying a Chicken Club Salad. This restaurant location is one of two Willie’s Sports Pub restaurants in Kansas; the second is located in El Dorado.
Whether you are shopping for blue and white ginger jars, holiday decorations, or faux botanicals, you’ll find them at Presley Pierce Interiors. Every corner of the shop draws the eye, and the window displays inspire one’s creativity.
Shoppers so appreciate the store’s merchandise that the owner often hosts pop-up events off-site in people’s homes. To track new inventory arrivals and learn about upcoming events, follow the store’s 
PRO TIP: Collectors will appreciate Thorne’s House Hot Packs containing budget-friendly starter packs. View the store’s 
I was pleasantly surprised the store’s jewelry collection was reasonably priced for its quality. A decent inventory of hats, handbags, and shoes rounded out the accessory options.
To call the Backroad Atlas a store would be to underrepresent its size. It feels more like an antique mall. Staff members are eager to assist you if you’re hunting for a particular item.
Shopping for a unique item is all the more charming thanks to the store’s cat, who occasionally visits customers to say hello.
A physician and the front rooms once owned the house were his examination rooms. As the story goes, the doctor operated on a 6-year-old child, Sallie, before the anesthesia took effect, and she died in the house. Years later, renters reported mysterious happenings, and the man felt as if he was scratched.
You can tour or stay overnight in the home known for its paranormal activity. Items sometimes crash to the floor. Figures are seen in the windows. Doors slam in the night.
A highlight of my visit was standing in the shade of the Moon Tree, a Sycamore grown from a seed taken to the moon on Apollo 14. Underneath, the names of 17 astronauts who gave their lives are recognized in the memorial.
Manicured gardens and tree spaces dot the landscape. Find the gazebo to enjoy a shaded space of solitude. 
PRO TIP: Take note of Memory Lane inductees’ names paying homage to aviation greats such as the Wright Brothers and Eileen Collins.
Families with young kids will appreciate the state-of-the-art playground, then walk to nearby horseshoe pits to teach them how the game is played.
PRO TIP: On-street parking is available at no cost.
My visit was peaceful as I scanned the horizon made up of trees overlooking the Missouri River running from St. Joseph, Missouri, through Atchison, and toward Leavenworth, Kansas.
The dedicated marker remembers the Atchison man who was the victim of violence after accidentally injuring a white man while hunting.
PRO TIP: Earhart created her own fashion line, often wearing clothing from it. Learn more from 
PRO TIP: Visit the 
Final Thoughts
You can’t miss it as you drive down the street. The tall white columns, brick architecture, and sheer size capture the attention of passersby. I was the first guest to check in on the day of my overnight stay, so I was able to peek inside each of the themed bedrooms and tour the home’s main level.
My accommodations in the German Room included private access to a newly remodeled bathroom with modern amenities. The queen bed was comfortable, and the room’s antique vanity and large closet provided ample space to store personal items.
In the morning, I enjoyed a complimentary breakfast of frittata, potatoes, berries, and hot coffee in the company of other early-morning risers in the formal dining room.
To reserve a room at Gufler Mansion Bed & Breakfast for a single night or overnight stay, visit the 
Popular with residents, including college students, it also serves as a retail space selling whimsical gifts. Shoppers in search of puzzles and uniquely crafted artwork are in luck.
PRO TIP: Before walking into the cafe space, stop at the 
Stacked burgers, Philly sandwiches, po’boys, and hot wings dominate the 
The restaurant was packed with diners, and seating at times was limited. Thankfully, they also offer outdoor patio seating, and you can order via drive-up or by phone for carry-out. An employee behind the counter busily blended shakes while others flipped burgers on a flat-top grill. The local hangout sign in the background read, “Come In. We Are Awesome.”
As I munched on my sandwich, I watched the movie “Popeye” on the dining room’s flatscreen TV. A wall of bottled sauces and locally made beef jerky sat for sale nearby. Just as I was about to finish my meal, the owner stopped by to visit.
I learned from him that The Reaper Burger Challenge attracts brave customers willing to endure the super spicy sandwich to make a name for themselves and win a free t-shirt. He confessed it was such a daunting task to finish the budget that not even he could finish the burger.
The hipster ambiance meets mid-century modern, with areas of the restaurant devoted to lounging or sipping on a cocktail while listening to live instrumental music. A gas fireplace is a focal point flanked by jewel-tone velvet couches giving off a speakeasy vibe.
Negronis (pick your adventure) are their specialty. I chose Underwood Rose Bubbles served in beautiful glassware. After dinner, coffee drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are available.
Shared plates, appetizers, and the soup of the day rotate. I chose the Smoked Salmon Salad with perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs, and warm bacon dressing served over micro greens and spinach. Ordering dessert wasn’t up for debate. The owner baked cheesecake while I was there, so I ordered a peanut butter & chocolate cheesecake slice to go. HEAVEN. You can expect big-city style, eclectic design, and attentive service.
You can expect to find at least a half dozen craft beers on tap at any time. After ordering a flight (6, 5oz pours $12), I can attest to the quality of the selection. When it comes to craft beer, I typically like IPAs, but I fell hard for Chile Margarita Gose and Mojito Hard Seltzer. Each was uniquely flavored and refreshing.
After working up an appetite, I order the Chicken Bacon Avocado sandwich with a side of broccoli salad. Seated at the bar, 90s rock music played while I chatted off and on with the friendly bartenders. The food was freshly prepared by Chef Bays, and it showed in its flavor and presentation. Before leaving, I ordered a Meat Eater 12″ pizza and a homemade dill ranch for the road. It sounded too delicious to resist, and it met my expectations.
White and his family hosted friends and dignitaries (5 presidents visited) in the red Colorado sandstone home. The newsman declined Frank Lloyd Wright’s design drawings for the house, but upon touring, you’ll recognize some of his design style in its interior.
Six bedrooms and three full baths are furnished with many of the family’s prized possessions. Look for White’s infamous top hat next to the bed and the jaguar rug gifted to him by President Theodore Roosevelt. My favorite artifact is White’s original typewriter in the upstairs study.
Generations of the White family carried on the father’s legacy of running the 
PRO TIP: Admission to the home is reasonably priced at $6 for adults and $3 for children. Start your tour experience inside the Visitor’s Center. Watch the introductory film about White’s life and career and peruse the artifacts.
I appreciated the prairie dogs’ exhibit the most because they were interactive with one another. Two males played joyfully while the others zoomed to and from their underground holes in between lunchtime bites.
Other areas of the zoo facility include a children’s play area and Zoo Education Center. The park is open Sunday-Saturday, 10 am-4:30 pm.
During my park tour, I stumbled upon Monkey Island, which once was surrounded by a moat and housed rhesus monkeys. As you stroll across the park, you’ll find aquatic birds and turtles enjoying the four-acre lake
The well-established trees provided ample shade in different areas of the park. Picnic tables invite you to bring your lunch and enjoy the beautiful setting.
PRO TIP: Take a selfie with the bronze Peter Pan statue. The land was donated by the town’s most famous resident, William Allen White, and named after his daughter’s nickname.
Serious disc golfers travel from afar to compete in the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Champions in late summer/early fall. The park includes two courses providing golfers a chance to showcase their athleticism.
The receptionist was happy to give me a casual tour of the warehouse which started in the employee lounge. If ever there was a place you would want to work as a disc golfer, it would be there. The employee kitchen included a kegerator, a smoothie station, and copious snack options. Visiting tournament golfers can watch the competition from a flatscreen TV in the lobby.
PRO TIP: The facility doesn’t include a retail store. However, you can purchase discs at the 
As you walk the downtown corridor, keep your eyes peeled for 
Cycling for long distances on Kansas gravel roads is a popular endurance sport in the Emporia area. 
The 
PRO TIP: Walk into the 
Today, it is a tasting room where guests can sip on moonshine while appreciating the building’s historical photographs framed on the walls. If you need help deciding what to order, ask for a sample sip (free) and then select from the distillery’s cocktail menu. The King ($7) made with peanut butter moonshine, banana liqueur, and chocolate bitters go down smooth.
PRO TIP: Take home a bottle of moonshine available for sale in the merchandise area of the tasting room.
