Now that Lower Broadway is dotted with rooftop bars, Nashville bustles with outdoor dining and drinking destinations. Even with all the sky-high hangs around town, sometimes staying bit more grounded holds the most appeal. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite patios for outdoor dining around Nashville, sorted by neighborhood. Peruse this guide, then prepare to sit, sip and savor the rest of the summer away!
East Nashville
East Nashville is an art-driven antithesis to the neon buzz of Downtown, and offers visitors and locals alike a respite from the crowds. If palm leaves and laid-back vibes are what you’re after, check out Pearl Diver (1008 Gallatin Ave.), a tiki-bar with inventive cocktails and a vast selection of small bites showcased best on the PuPu Platter.
Lockeland Table (1520 Woodland St.) features an intimate patio that anchors the Lockeland Springs neighborhood, and is brimming with locals during the daily Community Hour from 4-6 p.m.
If you don’t manage to snag at table at Lockeland, try Lyra (935 W. Eastland Ave.), which serves fresh Middle Eastern fare and has a bit more room outside to accommodate the happy-hour influx.
Don’t forget about the secret patio at Butcher & Bee (902 Main St.), tucked out back in an enclosed courtyard that makes you feel miles away from Main Street. Serving a menu of seasonal small plates known as mezze, this is a perfect spot for the indecisive among us—for $20 at lunch and $35 at dinner you can sample all mezze, or opt for a Chef’s Choice tasting menu at dinner for just $45.
On the smaller outdoor-space side is Margot Cafe & Bar (1017 Woodland St.), whose patio feels plucked from a European street cafe and dropped in the heart of the Five Points neighborhood. Charming red-and-white striped umbrellas offer a shield from the sun, making this sidewalk cafe the perfect spot to do some people watching on the East Side.
Photo: Butchertown Hall on Facebook
Germantown
Quaint streets where fashion-forward boutiques and nationally renowned restaurants blend among historic homes and brick sidewalks make Germantown a unique and picturesque neighborhood to explore.
Patios like Silo (1121 5th Ave. N.) and Tempered (1201 5th Ave. N.) are both great spots to people watch, while 5th & Taylor (1411 5th Ave. N.) and Geist (311 Jefferson St.) offer secluded hideouts from the bustle of Germantown. Butchertown Hall (1416 4th Ave. N.) boasts a beautifully decorated outdoor space that peaks with “Fresh AF Friday” every week, from 4-8 p.m., featuring a live DJ along with food and drink specials.
For a more casual evening out, swing by the beer garden at Von Elrod’s (1004 4th Ave. N.) and order a stein off the 36 rotating taps.
Photo: Liberty Common on Facebook
Downtown Nashville
Broadway anchors a vibrant Downtown district in Nashville, now stretching as far south of Broadway as it does north. Located off Historic Printers Alley sits prohibition-era cocktail lounge Black Rabbit (218 3rd Ave. N.), and its weekday happy hour offers one of the best deals downtown, with $5 cocktails that are a far cry from your average spirit/mixer combination. Swing by the alley to sip and dine among bourbon barrels and strings of Edison bulbs, which extend the speakeasy vibe outside.
On the South end of Downtown, across the street from Ascend Amphitheater, sits Liberty Common (207 1st Ave. S.), a bright and airy Southern brasserie with an exquisite sidewalk patio that harkens to Parisian street cafes. The interior bar features windows opening to the patio, offering both bar and cafe-style seating outside where you can enjoy Champagne and fried chicken specials every Monday night, plus a daily happy hour that sings odes to Spritz cocktails.
Photo: Epice on Facebook
12South
A spot The New York Times called “one of the hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods in Nashville” in 2003, 12South has grown with Nashville to become the shopping and dining destination it is today. Urban Grub (2506 12th Ave. S.) opened its doors there in 2012, and has one of the most elegant and sequestered patios on our list, transporting diners to a Napa Valley-garden vibe.
Epice (2902 12th Ave. S.) spices up the Nashville dining scene with Lebanese cuisine, delicately introducing diners to a variety of flavors, some completely foreign and others more familiar. Out front is a sleek, modern patio where guests can enjoy both lunch and dinner. For a fresh take on the familiar, we recommend the Epice Old Fashioned, a sultry mix of bourbon, vanilla, orange, cinnamon and bitters.
Nearby, Bartaco (2526 12th Ave. S.) has earned fans in 12South by consistently cranking out one of the best margaritas in Nashville on its lively patio. The bright and airy space offers ample seating, plus roll-up garage doors that turn the entire coastal-inspired restaurant into an indoor-outdoor escape. While the focus is inevitably on the tacos, don’t skimp on the sides: spicy cucumber salad and grilled corn, or elote, are two of our favorites.
Looking for a way to explore the best food in Nashville? Walk Eat Nashville walking food tours make it easy — covering East Nashville, Midtown and SoBro/Downtown, each tour includes tastings at multiple restaurants/shops and behind-the-scenes interactions with chefs and owners. Learn more about Walk Eat Nashville food tours.