gonna try not to repeat anything that lucius rec'd
Coffee:
Matryoshka: except this one i will repeat because it is that great. i'm a regular here because the folks there are lovely, the vibe is very cozy and fun, and the drinks are AMAZING. like the coffee alone is just solid but they also make the wildest specialty drinks.
Retrograde: Shagbark latte>>>
Weak Coffee: lil coffee cart hosted in a drum store in east, there's also All or Nothing Bagels in the parking lot which slaps IMO but east coasters may be underwhelmed
Restaurants:
Tempo: Texas style breakfast/lunch place with great coffee too
Bill's Sandwich Palace: their french onion shroom sandwich i would do terrible things for
Jerusalem Reebar Restaurant: slept on palestinian food place, great schwarma and best pita & hummus in town
Hearts: gotta disagree with lucius here, this place has the best sprouts.
Dicey's: fun pizza restaurant with a nice outdoor area
Soy Cubano: mojo pork and plantains go crazy, also good coffee!
Bars:
Dino's: classic spot, good dive bar vibes with solid food as well. perf for after a night out since they're open late
Bearded Iris Sylvan Supply: if you're into craft beer, they got nice draft cocktails too
Bay 6: tiny lil microbar with excellent cocktails in east but they have good outside space so make sure to go when it's nice out
Stores:
East Nashville Antiques: antique mall with a great selection of vintage
Starland Vintage: they got some wild stuff here
Rooted: if you're into sneakers/streetwear
Parks:
Warner Parks: if you want a place to hike they got miles of trails twisting through here
Shelby Bottoms: lovely park along the Cumberland, if you take the trail along the river there's a pedestrian bridge that crosses it
Others:
Belcourt Theater: for all your indie movie needs
Play Dance Club: only place i've found with a decent DJ in town
Howdywood/Soft Junk: if you're into punk/noise and there's a show on while you're here you GOTTA experience this place