West Nashville’s The Nations is a trendy neighborhood with lots of local shops and eateries. Back in college, it was mostly residential, and many of my musician friends rented houses there. While it’s still a residential area, it’s also bustling with cool places to hang out. Here’s our guide to spending a day in The Nations.
☕ Coffee, Anyone?
- Frothy Monkey is a great place to work remotely. Not only do they have excellent coffee and tea, their meals are delish.
- Rambln’ Joe’s Coffee is typically busy in the morning, but the good news is they have a drive-through! Their iced coffees and cold brews are especially good.
- White Bison Coffee has excellent coffee, and a snack area. Check out the second floor for a cozy work or meetup space.
🛍️ Shopping Break
This ‘n That is one of my favorite thrift stores in Nashville! It’s small but mighty, and I almost always find something there. Ensemble Consignment Nashville is on the expensive side, but has unique outfits for women. Able is in the same Stocking 51 shopping center (which has plenty of parking), and sells lovely women’s clothes and leather bags. They also have a cool mural outside.
A map of our The Nations’ favorites. (Google Maps)
🍽️ Back To Eating
- My favorite place to eat in The Nations is Nicky’s Coal Fired, home to Tennessee’s only coal-fired oven. The pizzas are delicious (with gluten-free options!), and they serve pasta and cocktails, including a spirit-free selection.
- Whenever my daughter craves a hot dog, we go to Daddy’s Dogs, which in my opinion has the best hot dog in Nashville.
- What I love best about Bringle’s Smoking Oasis is the huge fenced outdoor area. The BBQ is pretty darn good, too!
🚶 Take a Walk or Play
The Nations has two parks, West Park and England Park, which connect to the Richland Creek Greenway. West Park has a cute playground for climber kids, picnic shelters, and a community center. England Park is smaller, but also has a playground. There’s not a lot of parking there, though.
🍻 Grab a Cold One
- Nations Bar & Grill is a cozy, old-school dive bar with great live music and pub food.
- Southern Grist & Brewing is a bright, chill space with a pet-friendly patio.
- You can also bring your pets and kids to the huge outdoor area at Fat Bottom Brewing, a Nashville favorite.
