The Brooklyn
of Nashville is
East Nashville.

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The case for East Nashville

East Nashville is the coolest neighborhood in Nashville for natural wine bars, non-touristy honky-tonks, and record shops like Grimey's.

Woodland Street runs through the center of East Nashville, lined with restaurants that care more about the food than the Instagram. Tattoo shops sit next to natural wine bars. Saturday mornings start slow at a coffee shop on Gallatin Ave, and Sunday nights end at a honky-tonk that doesn't feel like a tourist trap. The songwriters live here. So does everyone else worth knowing.

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway runs 9.7 miles through East Nashville's Cumberland River floodplain, putting riverside trails, wetlands, and wildlife within walking distance of front porches across the neighborhood.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in Nashville.

Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo)

Wedgewood-Houston is Nashville's gallery district with concrete floors and serious cocktails. Old warehouses now hold contemporary art spaces and some of the city's best new restaurants.

Germantown

Germantown has the architecture and the brunch crowds to prove it. Gorgeous brick row houses, a solid farmers market, and restaurants that book up weeks out.

The Nations

The Nations is quieter and more residential, with a few excellent breweries and taco joints scattered along Charlotte Ave. New mixed-use developments along the corridor are about to change the math entirely.

See the full shortlist, ranked →
Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in East Nashville.

01
Stay in East Nashville

Woodland Street is the address that matters in East Nashville.
02
Eat & Drink in East Nashville

East Nashville eats refined Southern at Lockeland Table, drinks prohibition-era cocktails at The Fox Bar, and ends up at Folk when the wood-fired ovens are humming.
03
Do & Shop in East Nashville

Ugly Mugs on Eastland for the songwriters' vibe, then Grimey's for vinyl - the used jazz shelf alone justifies the trip.
All 24 spots mapped out

East Nashville, corner to corner.

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Our 24 top picks

The East Nashville guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyUSD
LanguageEnglish
Cost level $$$Moderate to expensive
Best monthsOctober, with April and May close behind
Local time UTC-5
Plug type US plug · 120V/60Hz
Emergency911
Local tip
The Shelby Bottoms pedestrian bridge from the greenway gives you the best skyline view in Nashville, and almost nobody's there at sunset.
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Head to head

How does Nashville stack up?

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Common questions

Things to know about East Nashville.

What is the Brooklyn of Nashville?
The Brooklyn of Nashville is East Nashville. Woodland Street runs through the center of East Nashville, lined with restaurants that care more about the food than the Instagram. The Shelby Bottoms Greenway runs 9.7 miles through East Nashville's Cumberland River floodplain, putting riverside trails, wetlands, and wildlife within walking distance of front porches across the neighborhood.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Nashville?
East Nashville is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Nashville. Woodland Street runs through the center of East Nashville, lined with restaurants that care more about the food than the Instagram. Tattoo shops sit next to natural wine bars. Saturday mornings start slow at a coffee shop on Gallatin Ave, and Sunday nights end at a honky-tonk that doesn't feel like a tourist trap. The songwriters live here. So does everyone else worth knowing.
Where should I stay in East Nashville, Nashville?
The best boutique hotels in East Nashville include The Russell, Urban Cowboy Nashville, and Waymore's Guest House. The Russell is the one to book first. A boutique hotel on Russell Street with only a handful of rooms, each one designed with real intention. Feels like staying at a wealthy friend's place who happens to have impeccable taste.
Is East Nashville in Nashville safe at night?
East Nashville is generally safe in the corridors most visitors use, with walkable strips along the main avenues running east from the river. Stick to lit streets at night, and use a car or rideshare for longer stretches between commercial blocks. Side streets get residential and dark quickly. Standard city awareness applies; it's calmer than the downtown bar district.
Is Nashville expensive?
Expect to pay top-tier prices in East Nashville, though you can soften the hit. Rideshare from the airport runs $20-30, and rooms drop 30-40% on Sunday through Tuesday nights. Tip 18-22% at sit-down restaurants. January and early February bring the cheapest hotel rates, sometimes half of peak.
When is the best time to visit Nashville?
October is the clear winner: highs around 70F, low humidity, and fall color along the greenways. April and May are nearly as good but pack in thunderstorms. Avoid June through August, when 90F heat and high humidity push you to morning walks only. Winter stays mild but wet, with the odd ice storm that can shut the city down for a day.

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