Whether you are just in town for the day, live here and have friends/family coming for the day, or are a college student who is just sick of campus food, here is the best way to eat through a day in Nashville.
Let’s start with the most important meal of the day: breakfast. The Pancake Pantry is a Nashville classic. However, be ready to get there early or wait for a while, as the line can be extremely long. I had to wait over an hour (in the rain), but it was worth it for the fluffy, cloud-like pancakes.
Protip: The Pancake Pantry’s website has a live camera showing how long the line is at all times!
Once you finish up your breakfast and proceed to shop and walk around the cute village of Hillsboro, you may need a little pick me up. Fido is the place to hit. You can’t go wrong with any of their signature drinks, but Fido’s iced Butter Beer with butterscotch schnapps, brown sugar, cream soda, coconut milk, and espresso is something special. Taylor Swift claims Fido as her favorite Nashville spot!
After you’re energized and ready for lunch, when in Nashville you have to try some Hot Chicken. While Hattie B’s is a solid option, at almost 100 years old, Prince’s Hot Chicken is a Nashville staple. It is the “original authentic Nashville Hot Chicken” (according to their website at least). The chicken comes in spice levels: XXX HOT, XX HOT, XHOT, HOT, MEDIUM, MILD, PLAIN. I’m a wimp and stuck with mild, but, nevertheless, it was delicious. The iconic chicken joint was even featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and if Guy Fieri approves, it must be good.
Protip: Order online ahead of time to skip the wait!
Make sure you wear your stretchy pants. Since your time in Nashville is limited, you can’t afford to waste any time. A nice mid-afternoon stop is Five Daughters Bakery, famous for their 100 layer donut. They offer 5 staple flavors and have a rotation of seasonal ones. My go-to is the The Purist, a plain, glazed donut, but if you’re planning on going while they still have it, the Samoa donut made me wish I was still a girl scout with an endless cookie on supply.
It’s finally dinner time and, when in the Nashville, you just need to eat some good ole, down-home, southern barbecue. Edley’s Bar-B-Que is the perfect place to get it. Their menu offers classic BBQ dishes with generous portions at amazing prices. You can’t beat a plate of pulled-pork, coleslaw, cornbread and your choice of two sides (I get mac-n-cheese and cream spinach) all for 10 dollars. With all it has to offer, it is no surprise it’s a top Nashville dining spot for tourist and locals.
If you have any room left in your stomach, Mike’s Ice Cream is a perfect way to end your day. It is primly located in Downtown Nashville and has delicious homemade ice cream. A nice scoop, or two, of fudge covered oreo with whip cream and a cherry on top sounds pretty good right about now.