East Nashville's Best, IMO

The once upon a dangerous neighborhood turned gentrification station. For those from out of town, East Nashville really has many neighborhoods within it; each with their own coffee shops, dive bars, and eateries. You could really spend a whole weekend on just this side of town, and you’d have a really good time. East Nashville is filled with all things unexplainable and quirky, starving and not-so-starving artists, and some real good restaurants. Since I live in these parts, I eat in these parts… a lot. Here’s a list I plan to update frequently to keep up with the times and my own opinions. :)

Lou Nashville, @lounashville

Brunch, dinner, natural wine, patio seating, tiny bar

An actual must. Drink all the natural vino, dress like a french girl with street style, curate your own cheese plate and walk through dinner with a small plate from every category to your entree and yes, you’ll want dessert. Inside this little charmer craftsman home is straight kitchen magic. Herby, local, California-Euro magic.

Cafe Roze, @caferoze

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, bar bar, coffee bar

The perfect shade of pink. Your neighborhood all day cafe with bangin’ elixirs, lattes, cocktails, plus a meal for any hour of the day. Mostly healthy, definitely not boring, and stunning to look at. They have everything from adventurous toasts, the perfect salad, raw oysters, and one heck of a cheeseburger. Yum.

Folk, @goodasfolk

Dinner, bar seating, wine

*Hours and dining options vary during Covid-19

Ah, Folk, my love. Bringing the new style Italian small plate dinner into a neat ole re-birthed brick space. As of today (1/5/2020), they are only open for curbside and takeout. So do oneself a favor and grab a few of the sourdough crust pizzas amongst other things and have a little shindig at home.

Redheaded Stranger, @redheadedstrngr

Breakfast tacos, lunch, dinner, drinks, tasty Texas delicacies, patio seating

If you’re into tater tots, fresh tortillas, reeeal good meats, and Dr. Pepper hot sauce… you might just want to find yourself here. This Texas-state-of-mind-diner-energy restaurant is one of my favorite places to grab a taco, specifically the tater tot taco, and then I basically drink all the house-made hot sauces. It’s fine, it’s fine. They also have some pretty cute pastelly cactus murals for all you visiting folks.

Margot, @margotcafe

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, patio seating, tiny-ish bar, wine

Eep! I love Margot. Makes me want to move to a farm in France. This East Nashville OG restaurant is the most darling and the food does not stop short. The menu changes daily, but you can expect things like croque madame with bechamel, a seasonal butter lettuce salad, steak and frites, and perhaps a duck for dinner.

Two Ten Jack, @twotenjack

Dinner, izakaya, patio seating

BIG BOWLS OF RAMEN. That’s the main biz. Two Ten is a straight VIBE. Cocktails that wouldn’t dare be too sweet, fresh fresh fish options, Japanese small plates like takoyaki; an octopus hushpuppy with miso butter, and plenty of noodles and greens to choose from. Another fun way to dine is to try out a bunch of different yakitori AKA little skewers of perfection.

Five Points Pizza, @fivepointspizza

Lunch, dinner, take out

*Dine in options may vary during Covid-19

It wouldn’t be a true round up without Five Points Pizza. The New York styled pizza joint is an East staple that’s been a true blessing to the south. Grab a slice of prosciutto and basil or get a little crazy with the hot Hawaiian. Or, another personal favorite, the rocket pie with arugula tossed in lemon vinaigrette, oven-roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, cracked black pepper, and fresh and shredded mozzarella.