My Favorite Thing to Make for Dinner? Reservations.

There’s a time and place for home-cooked meals… and my husband, Kollin, loves to cook so it works out well, but some nights, you just need to get out of the house and dress up. Whether it's a spontaneous Tuesday night or a carefully planned date, nothing beats being seated, handed a menu, and sipping a glass of wine feeling.

Nashville has no shortage of restaurants, but these are the ones we keep coming back to. The vibes? Immaculate. The food? Even better. Here’s a running list of go-to spots around town—and our favorites from the meals.

@presenttensenashville
Great atmosphere and cocktails. Their menu changes often, but get the burger. It’s a staple menu item for a reason.

@postinowinecafe
Such a great vibe and perfect lunch spot to grab a glass of wine and chat all afternoon.

@mimonashville
Our go-to Italian spot downtown in the Four Seasons. It’s the perfect balance of bougie and approachable. Great wine selection and impeccable service.

@sauced.nash
There’s no drink menu—you tell the bartenders what type of wine you like and talk it out as you try some to decide on. Great food and would be a great first date spot! They have a DJ on Friday nights too.

@sinatrabartn
It’s like you stepped back into 1950s New York and Frank himself is playing the piano. Order a martini and splurge a little on dinner. It’s worth every penny.

@limoeatery
If you’re looking for a casual spot but exceptional food, you have to try this place in East Nashville. Order some mojitos, the lomo saltado, and the ceviche.

@the_catbirdseat
You’ll definitely need to plan ahead for a reservation, but this has been our favorite meal in Nashville. Experience a chef’s tasting menu in an open kitchen, and have an intimate meal you’ll never forget.

@luogorestaurant
Another Italian spot we love, whose sister restaurant, Pelato, you may have heard more about—but we prefer Luogo for the atmosphere, more Mediterranean menu, and of course, the wine.

@biteabit.nashville
Another East Nashville favorite of ours and the best Thai food we’ve found here. We haven’t had one bad thing: our favorites being the Panang Curry, Gyoza, and Pad See Eiw.

@sundanewasian
Our “we don’t feel like cooking” date night that is consistently so good. Their cocktail, Peared Sake, is one of my favorites in Nashville, and you can’t go wrong with the oxtail pot stickers, wagyu crispy rice, crispy Brussels sprouts, and pad thai.

@carnemare
We aren’t huge steakhouse people, but this Italian steakhouse perfectly blends traditional steak favorites with Italian touches. Order a glass of champagne, the caviar mozzarella sticks, and your favorite pasta.

There are so many more places we would recommend, but we love these for an intimate, dreamy, and romantic date night. Now that we’re through the spots to try, how about what to wear? Linking some of my favorite date night pieces below!

Spring in the south is one of my favorite times of the year. The flowers and trees are blooming, the sun is shining consistently, and there are so many great spots to enjoy the city and nature. Whether you’re a local or visiting Nashville, these five spots are great for a Spring visit.

Arrington Vineyards

Head 25 minutes south of Nashville to Arrington Vineyards. This is one of our favorite spots to enjoy the weather and relax. Spend an afternoon enjoying a wine flight (or our favorite, a frose!) and take in the beautiful views. The 95-acre property has five tasting rooms, gorgeous views, live music on Saturdays and Sundays, and shaded picnic areas. You can bring your own food for a picnic or grab something from the winery like charcuterie, chips, etc. Every weekend in April through November, the gourmet food shop “Simply Living Life” serves freshly prepared take-out food at the Pavilion and Barn areas. Fridays are Food Truck Fridays where you can enjoy some of Nashville’s best food truck offerings (The Mac Shack is our favorite, but they’re all great!). Pro-tip: while there, be sure to look for the tree swings for cute and more private areas to relax. So, grab a picnic blanket, friends, and some wine for a memorable weekend.

Frist Art Museum

Located in the Gulch, the Frist Art Museum is an award-winning museum in Nashville. It’s housed in an Art Deco building from the 1930s and exhibits change frequently. The museum does not have any permanent collections which means that the experience is different every time that you visit. The size of the museum is great, but doable so you aren’t getting lost in galleries for hours on end. They also offer programs like drop-in drawing, architecture tours, multisensory gallery experiences, and member-only events.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood is a favorite for both locals and visitors. The property contains botanical gardens, an arboretum, and a museum. The mansion on the estate was built for the Cheeks in 1929 and now houses world-class art exhibits. Enjoy strolling through the 13 gardens. During the spring, over 250,000 bulbs are on display - Cheekwood in Bloom - is open from March 11 – April 9. Grab tickets and take in the beautiful scenery. They also have a cafe serving a casual, made-to-order menu including soups, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, baked goods, a children’s menu, snacks, coffee selections, and alcoholic beverages. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday 9 am - 4 pm.

12 Avenue South

Located in the 12 South neighborhood, 12th Avenue South is a street featuring some of the best shopping and dining destinations in Nashville. Whether you want gourmet restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, or boutiques, you’ll find it on 12th Ave. Favorites like Five Daughters Bakery, White’s Mercantile, and Stoney Clover Lane are all located here. For upscale dining, try Urban Grub or Josephine, and for a great burger head to Bottle Cap. Some other favs: Bar Taco, Edley’s BBQ, and The Frothy Monkey. Reese Witherspoon’s flagship clothing stores Draper James, LoveShackFancy, Emojene + Willie, and Gorjana are also great stops for shopping.

Franklin Farmer’s Market

During the Spring and Summer months, we love visiting the Franklin Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Filled with fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, food trucks, and baked goods, it’s such a fun way to start the weekend. The Franklin Farmers Market is located behind The Factory, at the corner of Franklin Road and Liberty Pike and hours are 9 am - 12 pm. Take my word for it when I suggest you go early. The farmer’s market is very popular and can get crowded closer to the afternoon hours.

Grab some donuts from Ellie’s Old Fashioned Donuts, walk around the produce sections, and be sure to grab some fresh flowers for the week ahead while supporting the local vendors. Once you’ve grabbed your goods, head inside The Factory and check out more local stores, great tacos at Mojo’s Tacos, and a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream. If you’re looking to extend your day a bit more, head south on Franklin road and walk around the heart of downtown Franklin for cute shops, restaurants, and charming stores.

Spring is such a great time to visit Nashville so check out some of the best spots in town and comment below any other favorites the TCB community should try! Thanks so much for reading!