Paris may be the city of love, but Nashville is the city of … hot chicken? After nearly 20 years of dating here, I know how hard it can be to find a good date spot. Here are my favorites, from the perfect first date to sunset romance. And yes, I’m still single. I blame the hot chicken.
First dates can be ... awkward. With two locations (East Nashville and 12 South), Ladybird Taco checks all the boxes: Plenty of free parking, easy counter service, and inexpensive tacos. As a single lady, I like to get there a little early and grab my coffee and tacos before my date arrives, eliminating any awkward “Who’s paying?” moments.
One of the only reasons to brave Green Hills traffic is to catch the sunset from this hidden rooftop at Restoration Hardware (seriously.) Grab a glass of wine downstairs and head to the roof. It’s the perfect spot to ask those burning questions and find out if your date is a keeper.
Sometimes I need a low-stakes date with a high return. At answer. in Sylvan Park, even if the date is a dud, you’ll leave happy and full thanks to their $6 happy hour wine, cocktails, and small bites.
Cheekwood’s gorgeous tulips. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
I suggest carpooling to Cheekwood with your date since parking can get packed. Their special events add an extra touch of romance, whether it’s sipping cocktails under twinkling lights, or wandering through the vibrant tulip blooms in spring.
I recently read that you should introduce a potential new partner to your friends early to see if they vibe. Singing karaoke at The Lipstick Lounge is a great group hang. It’s also a litmus test for where your new bae stands on inclusivity: The Lipstick Lounge puts the “all” in “y'all” and welcomes everyone.
Sometimes, you just gotta bolt. Consider taking your future ex-partner to Bolton’s to let them down gently over the “medium” spice level. They’ll be too focused on the fire in their mouth to dwell on details.
Pretend you’re in Japan while eating at Kisser. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
With limited hours in the day to experience Nashville’s only 2024 James Beard Award finalist, why waste time coordinating with another human? Go to Kisser solo and thank me later. The QR code at the front door allows you to join their virtual waitlist and go shopping in the neighboring stores. My wait was about 30 minutes. I suggest the chirashi bowl!
