Five Reasons You Need to Visit 12 South When in Nashville
When we touched down in Nashville for the very first time, we hit the honky tonks on Broadway that night (obviously!). The next day, Brady’s brother called to ask if we wanted to have lunch in “12 South.” While we had no clue what (or where) 12 South was, we agreed to check out a new part of town. After one visit, we instantly understood why it was such a hotspot that was worth checking out. And little did we know—it would become our temporary home a few months later!
12 South is a charming, ultra-photogenic neighborhood packed with restaurants, shops and bars that is less than ten minutes from downtown. The main street is located on 12th Avenue South (hence its name!), and a must-visit for anyone coming to Music City. During our first four months of living in Nashville we lived in a 12 South Airbnb, and came to know and love every inch of this beloved neighborhood.
Here are five reasons why everyone who visits Nashville needs to take a break away from Broadway and make the quick Uber drive to explore this charming area!
1. The Amazing Bars & Restaurants
We really hit the jackpot for a unique Nashville experience when we first moved to town. While our bank account took a big hit with all the amazing restaurants within walking distance, it was completely worth every single penny! For as small as 12 South is, they have an incredible variety of restaurant options. Our favorite causal spots are Edley’s BBQ, Martin’s BBQ, Burger Up, 12 South Taproom, bartaco, Ladybird Taco and The Bottle Cap. For nicer occasions, we love going to Urban Grub for dinner, and we’ve heard great reviews of Epice and Josephine. The Filling Station is a fun place to buy unique brews, either to take home or to sip while people watching from their patio. We still have yet to hit all the restaurants, but as we do I will be sure to add more favorites to this list!
2. The Trendy Coffee Shops & Bakeries
I can’t tell you how many mornings I spent on my laptop at coffee shops in 12 South! In addition to their trendy ambiance and coffee, Frothy Monkey has a great breakfast and lunch menu. White Bison Coffee sits inside a Twice Daily that has a great second story with comfy chairs and a nice outdoor patio to look out onto the street below. Portland Brew is another fan favorite (but a spot I have yet to hit!). If you are limited on time, money, or calories, a visit to Five Daughters Bakery is a MUST for one of their 100 layer cronuts (Chocolate Sea Salt is my favorite!). Another new spot is The Butter Milk Ranch, which opened in 2022. We have yet to try their brunch, but their pastries and lattes are amazing! And while we are still on the topic of breakfast, Wanna Spoon is a trendy, instagrammable cereal bar that opened in 2022. Last (but definitely not least) – Christie Cookie and Jeni’s Ice Cream are also great stops to satisfy your sweet tooth!
3. The Great Shopping
This main drag is the ultimate spot for a shopping spree, and there is literally something for everyone. From girly boutiques and high-end clothing stores, to home décor, jewelry shops, and even a seasonal outdoor nursery, it’s easy to spend hours bouncing from shop to shop (maybe even having a cocktail in between!) My favorite places are White’s Mercantile (owned by the granddaughter of Hank Williams Jr.), Finnley’s and Serendipity. For the Reese Witherspoon fans, Draper James’ flagship store sits smack dab in the middle of 12 South, easily recognized by the famous blue and white striped mural and awnings. On the weekends, there are plenty of really unique pop-up shops that set up on the sidewalks, selling jewelry and vintage clothing. Another favorite of mine is Amelia’s Flower Truck, where you can pick your own bouquets. A perfect photo op…which leads me to my next point!
4. There are Murals & Photo Ops Galore
Everywhere you turn in 12 South, you’ll find a beautiful mural or a photo op worthy of your Instagram feed or gallery wall. Every time we visit, there seems to be a new mural being painted on the side of a building (which I love!). Two of the most famous spots are right next to each other: the Draper James stripes and the I Believe in Nashville mural. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line to take a photo in front of these famed murals, but the lines go pretty fast and make for great momentos! I also love the Nashville Looks Good on You and Looking Pretty Music City murals. In addition to the murals, each restaurant seems to have adopted the instragrammable trend, so be on the lookout for creative vignettes, fun phrases, or downright beautiful desserts, cocktails and lattes. Happy hunting!
5. It’s Completely Walkable
While it isn’t walking distance from downtown, 12 South is just a short ten minute Uber drive away. Once you make it, you can spend the whole day walking up and down the main drag, hitting shops, restaurants, bars, and even a nursey! It’s also a great way to spend an afternoon during a bachelorette weekend or with friends (it would be unusual to NOT see groups of girls in flat-brimmed hats and white cowboy boots on every block). If you’re looking to get away from the crowds (12 South can get pretty congested in the summer months), I suggest taking a stroll through Sevier Park. Here, you can find playgrounds for the kids, and an 1800’s mansion at the top of the hill in a park that witnessed a lot of history during the Civil War. From May to October, Sevier Park hosts 12 South’s farmer’s market which is extremely popular. I also love walking through the neighborhood streets, seeing all of the beautiful craftsman homes lined up next to one another. My husband Brady and I took strolls with our dog Lady through these beautiful streets three times a day, and wow do I miss it!
As you can probably tell, 12 South will always have a special place in my heart, and it’s pretty easy to see why! Those first four months exploring our new city from our home base in 12 South will be memories that I will cherish forever. Hopefully I have conveyed how much you need to visit this incredible neighborhood. While I know firsthand how hard it can be to break-away from the honky tonks on Broadway, I can guarantee you it will be worth it (and your friends will thank you too!)
I hope you love 12 South as much as I do!
