From your college BFF to your coworker and even the person checking you out at Trader Joe’s, everyone seems to be moving to The Nations — for good reason. It’s no secret that Nashville has experienced exponential growth and transformation in the past few years, and the West Nashville pocket of The Nations continues to undergo an evolution unlike any other. While areas like 12South and The Gulch have become go-to destinations for out-of-town visitors, The Nations remains pleasantly local. Drive through the area, and you’ll spot joggers, alfresco diners, young families on a sunset stroll, and neighbors greeting each other as they walk their dogs.
Keeping watch over the burgeoning neighborhood is a 200-foot mural painted by Australian artist Guido van Helten, which has become a hallmark of the area. The painting depicts Lee Estes, a longtime resident of The Nations and active volunteer in the community, alongside two children from the St. Luke’s Community House in The Nations, representing the past and future of the neighborhood.
The future is brighter than ever in this historically rich area. Check out some of our favorite places to eat, drink, play, and pamper in this vibrant corner of Nashville!
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Mac Watson leads The Nations Business Committee, a collection of business owners and nonprofits that exists to support each other and the neighborhood. Mac has served as committee chair for almost five years, where he’s had a front-row seat to the area’s metamorphosis.
“We’ve come a long way in a short amount of time. The biggest change has definitely been the number of businesses that have popped up,” Mac says. “With hundreds of residential homes within walking distance, The Nations’ proximity to customers, as well as to downtown and the interstate, continues to draw business owners into the area.”
One of those business owners is Kristen Nicholson, a former healthcare worker who decided to pivot careers and open UrbanSweat, a boutique sauna studio that opened earlier this year. She said that when choosing the location for her new venture, The Nations was a no-brainer.
“The neighborhood is booming, and the demographic of smart, professional, active residents made it the perfect spot because they are at the forefront of taking their health into their own hands,” says Kristen. “I am especially proud because the new business owners are mostly women on their first entrepreneurial journey, like me. This community has absolutely blown me away!”
WHERE TO EAT
If you prefer casual dining over one-bite hors d’oeuvres and white tablecloths, The Nations has plenty of restaurants and delis that are sure to be right up your alley. Near the corner of Centennial Boulevard and 51st Avenue North, nestled adjacent to longtime neighborhood staple (and SB favorite!) 51st Deli, is Midnight Oil, a laid-back pizza joint featuring a menu of NYC-inspired recipes and an array of frozen drinks. We highly recommend the frosé!
If you’re in the mood for a more upscale, romantic-yet-unfussy Italian dinner, cross Centennial Boulevard and head over to Nicky’s Coal Fired. Since 2016, Nicky’s has been serving sensational, seasonal pizzas and pasta inspired by acclaimed chef Tony Galzin’s family recipes. Their gourmet goods have earned the unassuming neighborhood spot coverage in outlets like Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, and Bon Appétit, to name a few. While the main menu offerings are delicious, Nicky’s Coal Fired Bagel Shop, available on Saturdays and Sundays, is not to be missed. You can soak up the weekend on the restaurant’s inviting patio while gorging on breakfast sandwiches and bagels made to perfection in the restaurant’s coal-fired oven.
If Nicky’s didn’t satisfy your carb craving, you MUST visit Brightside Bakeshop on Indiana Avenue – it’s a small-batch artisan bakery with a menu of rotating pastries like the Sausage & Cheddar Brioche, Churro Croissants, and Salted Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns, all made from scratch with the mission of bringing joy. And bring joy, they do! You’ll feel it from your first bite.
Daddy’s Dogs is a city favorite known for its mobile late-night bites that delight hungry partygoers on Broadway and Demonbreun. The brick and mortar serves an expanded menu of creative hot dogs such as the Elote Dog, which features bacon, grilled corn, cotija cheese, lime, and a secret sauce. You can also partake in the Mac Daddy Dog topped with … you guessed it … mac and cheese. It’s also served alongside loaded tots, chips, slaw, and more.
Across the street sits Oscar’s, a family-founded So-Cal taco shop with locations in Tennessee and Arizona. The fast-casual spot features a lengthy and affordable menu of all-day breakfast plates, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more.
A recent addition to the neighborhood is Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, a new dog and kid-friendly spot from acclaimed pitmaster Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker. The beer is cold, the TVs are plentiful, and the cafeteria-style menu is stocked with Texas-inspired items, including smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and mouth-watering Southwestern homemade sides. Walk across the street to one of the many Nashville outposts of Jeni’s Ice Cream, featuring inventive and classic choices to satiate any sweet tooth. If cooking at home is more your thing, stop by Bare Bones Butcher to choose from a selection of high-quality, dry-aged beef and pork to throw on the grill, in addition to regionally-sourced pantry items, fresh produce, and dairy.
Are you searching for something quick that’s a bit lighter than barbecue or ice cream? Don’t fret! The Nations has you covered with grab-and-go options at Tinwings, a gourmet market and catering company, and at Frutta Bowls, where you can pick up smoothies, bowls, or toasts from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
WHERE TO DRINK
For a post-work happy hour or a weekend patio hang, The Nations offers more than a few local watering holes, dive bars, and breweries to choose from. Starting at the bottom of 51st Avenue N, you’ll find 51 North Taproom, a sister concept of the beloved 12 South Taproom and Grill, serving up craft beers, cocktails, and a tasty food menu. Across the street, you’ll see the neighborhood landmark sign for The Nations Bar and Grill, a retro spot where bartenders you’d expect to know everyone’s name sling beers and classic cocktails served alongside a menu of Southern diner-inspired fare.
As you keep moving up 51st, you’ll come to Harding House Brewing Co., a nano-brewery with an inviting atmosphere and dog-friendly patio. It’s the perfect spot for sipping on seasonally-inspired brews. Continue the craft beer tour at Southern Grist, the second location of the popular East Nashville spot, and finish up at The Hop Yard at Fat Bottom Brewery, a 33,000-square-foot space featuring a full restaurant and fun outdoor area that’s host to regular concerts and events. If a dive is more your vibe, definitely check out The Centennial. You’ll know it by the mural on the side of the building of the bar’s self-proclaimed spirit-animal, Patrick Swayze.
SB Tip: If you’re around on Saturday, August 13, 2022, be sure to stop by for the annual Patrick Swayze Day at The Centennial in celebration of the actor’s birthday (which is on August 18). Baby would definitely approve.
Beers and cocktails aren’t the only drinks flowing in this neck of the woods. The Nations is home to several of the city’s favorite coffee shops. Located in Stocking 51, the former Belle Meade Hosiery Mill, alongside shops and other restaurants, Frothy Monkey serves its signature locally-roasted coffee (as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and wine) to the caffeinated clientele. Another coffee shop with several locations sprinkled throughout Middle Tennessee, Red Bicycle is a local favorite where you can pair your caffeine high with a sugar rush, thanks to their indulgent crepes. Try the Nutella topped with chocolate sauce, strawberries, and whipped cream, and thank us later! Other nearby coffee destinations include White Bison and Ugly Mugs, where coffee lovers in a pinch can grab a latte served from the drive-thru with a smile.
WHAT TO DO
Businesses of all sorts have been flocking to the former mostly-residential neighborhood to set up shop. Whether fitness, shopping, or beauty is your thing, The Nations has plenty of options. For a healthy dose of competition, check out Tee Line, located on the outskirts of the neighborhood on Duluth Ave. Tee Line is the city’s first curling venue (yes, we said curling), but they also offer bowling, live music, and a full menu of food and drink.
If you want to get a good sweat, F45 Training offers high-intensity workouts in the new Silo Studios development — a former lumber mill that has recently been transformed into a community of offices, storefronts, restaurants, and fitness spaces, complete with a courtyard and outdoor gathering spaces.
Also located in the building is UrbanSweat, offering individual sauna pods for a serious sweat, red light therapy, and a cold plunge option — perfect for a post-workout dip. (Never tried a cold plunge? Trust us. You’ve never felt more alive.) If pilates is more your speed, check out Studio Pilates or Well Body Pilates for instructor-led classes on the Reformer machine.
For those who prefer shopping for cardio, The Nations features a vast range of options, from eco-friendly home goods to vintage treasures. One local gem in Stocking 51 is ABLE, an ethically-sourced clothing and accessories shop that features handmade wardrobe pieces like incredible denim jackets and leather goods (while providing jobs to women survivors of violence and trafficking).
For more products you can feel good about, head a few doors down to The Good Fill, where you’ll find eco-friendly items from cleaning supplies to hair care. Even better, you can refill the containers when you run out, eliminating unnecessary waste. Check their Instagram page for special events like composting and recycling workshops. Denizen is another must-visit in Stocking 51, offering quirky household goods, gifts, and plants. If you’re looking for home refresh, consider consulting with interior designer Marcelle Gilbeau — her studio is nestled in the heart of The Nations on Centennial Blvd.
Finally, mosey down 51st Ave N. to This-N-That for a thrift shop adventure. You may have to do some digging, but you can snag some great vintage finds, from clothing and books to home furnishings and art.
After all the shopping, eating, and drinking, it’s time for a bit of R&R! Head over to Luster Nail Parlor for a boutique luxury nail experience, but be sure to book an appointment in advance. It’s worth planning ahead because the aesthetic and service are unparalleled.
For a full-service glow-up, check out The Glam House, a one-stop shop offering services for brows, lashes, makeup, facials, and spray tans. Continue your beauty journey at Haven Hair Co., an aptly-named airy salon space with stylists specializing in everything from base color to balayage. Nearby, Bea Rose Salon is another stylish spot offering hair and makeup services.
If you want more of a day spa experience, check out Luxe & Luna, where you’ll find an extensive service menu consisting of facials, massages, body treatments, and waxes, as well as packages that include a combination of services with wine and charcuterie. (Yes, please!) The Nations area also boasts several notable medspas, including Indie RX and Hi, Finch, offering customizable medical-grade skin treatments like injectables, peels, microneedling, and more.
The ever-evolving Nations area promises something for everyone. We can’t wait to see what comes next to this booming neighborhood!
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