East Nashville

Margot Cafe 1017 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
Margot Cafe is a rustic and cozy establishment applying French techniques to American and Southern food. Established in 2001, Margot has become critical to the heart and soul of East Nashville. The brick walls, open kitchen, and constantly changing menu make Margot more of a curated dining experience than a routine restaurant. This is a beacon of great dining for Nashville; top to bottom, one of the best meals in town.

Pharmacy Burger 731 Mcferrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
The Pharmacy is Nashville’s burger parlor and German beer garden. Sit inside for burgers, wurst, and beer at the big wooden bar, or head to the biergarten to hang around the long picnic tables out back under the string lights.

Mas Tacos Por Favor 732 Mcferrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
Directly across the street from The Pharmacy is Mas Tacos Por Favor. Fried avocado tacos, carne molida, pulled pork, cast iron chicken, and more; these are Nashville’s best tacos. There is no wait staff at Mas Tacos; just step up to the window and put your order in, then wait on the patio or at the tables inside. Don’t miss out on the soups! While the tacos are truly phenomenal, the pozole and the tortilla soup should not be overlooked.

Rosepepper 1907 Eastland Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
Festive and quirky, Rosepepper cantina is a lively and warm spot for Mexican fare in East Nashville. Yummy margaritas and a bustling dining room make for a fun group dinner destination. After dinner, head across the street for ice cream at Jeni’s or cronuts at Five Daughters Bakery!

Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish 624 Main St., Nashville, TN 37206
Nashville is famous for hot chicken, and there are plenty of good options in town. One still-somewhat-hidden gem, however, is Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish in East Nashville. Bolton’s is in a small building with hand-painted signage; make no mistake, this is a local joint, but the food is consistently fabulous every single day. When celebrity chef David Chang visited Nashville for his Netflix show Ugly Delicious, he went to Bolton’s to get hot chicken.

Attaboy 8 Mcferrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
East Nashville’s favorite speakeasy is Attaboy. With just a couple dozen spaces for patrons at their tables and bar, Attaboy is a very cozy and discreet place for a nightcap if you can find your way in. The mixologists here are some of the most talented in the city; just tell them what beverage you’re in the mood for or what you typically prefer, and they will consistently create surprising and satisfying drinks just for you. Don’t forget to ask them about what they’ve made! When you arrive, just knock on the door and wait for someone to retrieve you.

Chopper 1100 B Stratton Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
Relatively new on the East side, Chopper is a colorful tiki bar that has quickly established itself as a fun tropical hangout. Chopper’s strength is its beverage program; mastery of beachy concoctions is evident in the brightly colored cocktails and fun presentations that make for a delicious and Instagram-worthy experience.

Mickey’s Tavern 2907 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
Leather jackets, beers, beards, and the dim smell of smoke in a neon room; Mickey’s on Gallatin is a staple for East Nashville locals. Hang inside for pool, darts, or a table with friends, or head outside to the covered patio when the weather is nice. If you’re looking for a divey Nashville spot, head to Mickey’s.

The Turnip Truck 701 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
If you’re looking to pick up your groceries, find The Turnip Truck. With three locations now across Nashville, The Turnip Truck is Nashville’s locally-owned and sourced outlet for quality natural foods. This is our Whole Foods, but better!

Vintage Clothing Trail All over East Nashville!
Dolly Parton tees, Tim McGraw tour shirts from the late 90s, broken-in cowboy boots, and more; vintage fashion has never been more in style, and East Nashville is the place to find genuine articles. Fortunately for shoppers, several of the best vintage clothing shops have formed the “Vintage Clothing Trail!” Start at Music City Vintage, The Hip Zipper, Star Struck Vintage, or the others and pick up a map that outlines all the stores and addresses along the Trail.

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway 1900 Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Nashville, TN 37206
If you’re wanting to take a long bike ride or a nice walk through the park, hop over to Shelby Bottoms on the east side. Cutting through the trees, you’ll forget that you’re just a couple of miles from downtown! The main trail is about 4.5 miles long, but you can cut down the length or increase it to about 6.5 miles with the additional loop.

The Basement East 917 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
The Basement East is one of Nashville’s most precious local music venues. Known to feature acts from indie music, pop music, country, alt-country, and hip hop, The Basement East is a local center for what’s cool in music today. The tornado in March of 2020 destroyed The Basement East, but robust support from the community helped resurrect the venue to its original spirit. Take a picture with the “I Believe in Nashville” mural out front!

The 5 Spot 1006 Forrest Ave., Nashville, TN 37206
Visit one of Nashville’s institutions. Musicians love to hang at this little but lively music venue on the East side, and given its location right around the corner from Five Points, The 5 Spot is a great place to start the night before heading to the surrounding bars and hangouts (Rosemary, 3 Crow, Red Door Saloon). Check the calendar for who’s playing, and dance the night away!