DERUSHA’S GUIDE TO NASHVILLE

DeRusha Guides
Written By Jason DeRusha

Nashville has changed. A lot of it is great! A lot of it is… well, if you’re in the hard-partying, woo-girl, Bachelorette party rolling down Broadway crowd you know what to do. If not: there are great parts of town for you to explore. A few recommendations based on our last visit - none of this is sponsored or hosted, all just my opinions!

EAST NASHVILLE FOOD

  • FOLK: Great vibe, seasonal menu, naturally leavened pizzas. Guided by acclaimed chef from another favorite of mine, Rolf & Daughters‘ Philip Krajeck. In the growing, trendy, East Nashville area.

  • AUDREY: Wow – this restaurant is gorgeous. Also in East Nashville from Chef Sean Brock (HUSK). Think cornmeal fried morel mushrooms with ramps, chicken & dumplinks – this is Southern meets Appalachian done at a very high level.

  • S.S. GAI: Thai fried chicken from a stall in an outdoor food hall called The Wash. We randomly ran into a bunch of friends in town for the same wedding here, which is a good sign. Christina Nguyen and Birk Grudem (Hai Hai/Hola Aprea) and Colin Stumbras (Smack Shack) also here.

  • Maiz de la Vida taco truck: When a taco truck chef is a finalist for James Beard’s emerging chef award, you know it’s special. Reminds me of Nixta in Minneapolis.

  • CHOPPER TIKI BAR: a robot-themed tiki bar, drinks are served in Star Wars or Robot ceramic mugs. More than a schtick, it’s quality tiki too.

MUSIC / FUN

The Listening Room

  • THE LISTENING ROOM: We paid $12 for a show to see three songwriters tell stories and play their songs. Some brand new, some #1 hits, just an amazing experience.

  • RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Tour it. You get to be backstage, experience the dressing rooms, hear great stories – fun even it you’re not a country music fan

  • ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD: Get the $6 fried bologna sandwich with chips and a PBR and enjoy the most authentic old-school Nashville place on Broadway.

COFFEE

Crema Coffee, Nashville

  • CREMA COFFEE: The top coffee roaster in Nashville, absolutely beautiful beans and coffee shop.

  • FROTHY MONKEY: Cute cafe with brunch all day

  • 8th & ROAST: Great beans and a nice shop in the airport too!



SHOPPING

  • THE GULCH: Trendy, touristy, fun to walk around. Faves: e.Allen clothing boutique, Rustler Hat Co., grab a coffee at Killebrew.

  • HATCH SHOW PRINT: Letterpress shop with incredible history of printing concert posters. Inside the Country Music Hall of Fame building by the convention center.

  • GIBSON GARAGE: Gibson Guitar’s flagship store with hundreds of guitars, awesome design, go test and play this icon.

HOTEL

Jason DeRusha
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