From the upbeat nightlife on Broadway Street to the trendy murals and brunch spots in The Gulch, Nashville is filled with tons of fun neighborhoods to explore with their own “vibe” and atmosphere. However, out of all the neighborhoods across the city, the neighborhood I always end up visiting at least once (if not more!) during my trips to Nashville is 12 South!
12 South is a small, walkable neighborhood in Nashville packed with fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, boutique shops, and colorful murals. Compared with many other neighborhoods and tourist spots in Nashville, 12 South has a more laid-back and local vibe, making it a can’t-miss spot to explore during a trip to Nashville. After visiting 12 South at least a dozen times (and counting!), I’ve collected a running list of the best things to do in 12 South. Here’s the full scoop!
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Where Is 12 South in Nashville?
12 South is three miles south of Downtown Nashville, and in good traffic, it generally takes 10–15 minutes to drive there from Broadway Street.
Staying in 12 South at The Gilmore, an AventStay Hotel, is one of my top picks for a trip to Nashville. In 12 South, you’ll be close enough to all the best things to do in Nashville without being too close to all the crowds, nightlife, and noise. 12 South is also home to several great places to eat (listed below) and offers ample free parking on side streets, making it a convenient “launch” and “landing” point after a day of exploring the city.
Best Places to Eat + Drink in 12 South
12 South is my favorite place to eat in Nashville (hands down!). This neighborhood is home to tons of great coffee shops and brunch spots, casual lunch and dinner restaurants, and even some “fancier” options for a nice dinner. Based on my trips to Nashville, here are my favorite 12 South restaurants I’ve visited at least once (and most of them more than once!).
Ladybird Taco
Ladybird Taco is a local Nashville coffee shop and breakfast spot that serves tacos for breakfast and lunch, modeled after the “taco scene” in Austin. Ladybird Taco has three locations in Nashville (12 South, The Gulch, and East Nashville), but the one in 12 South is my favorite!
Ladybird Taco is a “fast-casual” restaurant, so you order at the counter, but the food is brought out to your table. As far as tacos go, the #12 is my favorite (a lunch taco made with Roja pork, refried beans, Monterrey cheese, green onions, and cabbage), and the Carmadillo Latte (a salted caramel latte made with house-made caramel) is actually one of my favorite coffees in Nashville! I’ve also heard the queso at Ladybird is amazing, but I haven’t tried it yet — I’ll grab some on my next trip to 12 South and let you know what I think!
Frothy Monkey
Still in the mood for coffee? If so, head over to Frothy Monkey — one of the best coffee shops in Nashville! Like Ladybird Taco, Frothy Monkey is a local chain with locations in East Nashville, Downtown Nashville, Franklin, and 12 South, but I’ve only been to the coffee shop in 12 South for breakfast and coffee.
Frothy Monkey roasts its own coffee beans and offers a sit-down, all-day cafe serving made-from-scratch meals made with locally sourced ingredients. I’ve tried the Bacon, Egg & Cheddar Bagel, and it was delicious! My favorite coffee to order here is the iced Havana Latte (kind of like a Cuban coffee — it’s so good!).
Bartaco
Okay, it might feel like all I’ve recommended so far is coffee and tacos, but hang in there — I have one more taco recommendation for you in 12 South!
Bartaco is not a local spot, but it has such a good atmosphere and amazing tacos that I had to put it on this list of the best places to eat in 12 South — truly some of my favorite street tacos I have ever had. The pork belly tacos are the best (without question!), and the margaritas and sangria are also light and refreshing. I also tried the Berry Colada “aguas fresca” here, and it was such a good non-alcoholic option. I highly recommend Bartaco for lunch or dinner in 12 South!
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Okay, if you’re looking for something other than tacos in 12 South, I highly recommend heading over to Edley’s Bar-B-Que for the best barbecue in Nashville! Edley’s considers itself the “home” of Nashville-style BBQ and has at least half a dozen locations across Nashville. However, the original location is right here, in 12 South. This barbecue joint specializes in meats smoked “low and slow” and made-from-scratch Southern sides.
I’ve not yet been to Edley’s in 12 South, but I have been to the Franklin location, and the food was good. My husband and I shared a plate with brisket, pulled pork, baked beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, and cornbread. Despite sharing, we were both super full afterwards. I definitely recommend stopping in Edley’s during a trip to 12 South!
Five Daughters Bakery
Ready for a sweet treat? Head over to Five Daughters Bakery for a delicious donut (or two!). This bakery chain is owned by a local family in Nashville (with five daughters!) and is known for its 100 Layer Donuts (think about a flaky croissant meeting a doughy donut… yum!).
I’ve been to Five Daughters Bakery many times, and my favorite donuts are The Purist, Chocolate Sea Salt, Vanilla Cream, and Boston Cream. The location in 12 South is my favorite to visit because the exterior is so bright and inviting — and it’s the original bakery! Be sure to snap a photo in front of the “I Heart Donuts” mural on the side of the bakery.
Jeni’s Ice Creams
Jeni’s Ice Creams is not a local establishment, but this ice cream shop does have locations all across Nashville, so it almost feels like a special Nashville treat. Jeni’s is always a staple on our trips to Nashville and my favorite spot for ice cream in 12 South (and all of Nashville, actually!).
I’ve been to Jeni’s Ice Creams at least two dozen times (if not more… what can I say, I love ice cream!), and my favorite flavors that are regularly in rotation are Gooey Butter Cake, Honey Vanilla Bean, and Lemon Bar (on a waffle cone — made fresh in-house!). The seasonal flavors are fun to try as well. If you can’t decide on one or two flavors, share an ice cream flight with a friend to sample ten signature flavors.
Other Great Restaurants in 12 South
Looking for more places to eat in 12 South? Here are a couple of spots I have visited elsewhere, or places I have not visited in 12 South, but would love to try on my next visit!
- The Butter Milk Ranch — The Butter Milk Ranch is one of Nashville’s most popular spots for brunch, specializing in made-from-scratch pastries with a grab-and-go window or a full-service dining room for breakfast and lunch. I have not dined at The Butter Milk Ranch yet (the wait is always so long!), but this restaurant is at the top of my list of places to try in Nashville during my next trip!
- Locust — Locust is a fine-dining restaurant in 12 South, only open on the weekends. Locust offers a seasonal menu, so you’ll have a unique experience each time you visit. Expect an intimate experience — there are only eight tables in the entire restaurant, and reservations are required, so snag yours in advance!
- The Henry — The Henry is owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts (a restaurant group based in my hometown, Phoenix) with several locations across the country. I’ve been to The Henry in Phoenix for brunch and on Coronado Island for coffee and also for dinner, and I love the ambiance and the food at both, so I am sure the location in 12 South is just as spectacular.
- Postino Winecafe — Postino Winecafe is owned by Upward Projects (another restaurant group that started in Phoenix!), which has recently been expanding like crazy! Postino is one of my favorite places to eat and drink in Scottsdale for bruschetta boards and wine, so I was so excited to see a location open up in 12 South. The happy hour is amazing, so be sure to give this spot a try if you’re a wine lover!
Best Places to Shop in 12 South
To be honest, I’m not a big shopper and usually don’t spend much time shopping while I’m traveling (I’d rather be hiking or sightseeing!). That said… take my shopping advice lightly.
However, if you do love shopping and want to shop in Nashville (particularly for clothing!), 12 South is the place to be. 12 South is filled with trendy boutiques and local shops (and a couple of big-name retailers, like Lululemon, Madewall, and Reformation). I think the best way to shop in 12 South is to walk up and down the street and pop into the stores that interest you most, but if you’re looking for a couple of recommendations, here are the shops you can’t miss in 12 South.
Made in TN
Made in TN is a Nashville shop that celebrates the makers and artists who call Tennessee home, making it a great place to shop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir! They have locations across Nashville, including at 12 South, the Nashville Farmers Market, and in Franklin.
I love knowing that we are supporting local artists and businesses every time we shop at Made in TN. We purchased a Christmas ornament at the Franklin location a few years ago, so I was super excited to see that a Made in TN had opened in Nashville in 2023 during my most recent trip!
Draper James
Draper James is arguably the most famous boutique in Nashville, with its flagship location in 12 South. Founded by Reese Witherspoon, this charming boutique carries feminine pieces that embrace Southern charm and the classic American style.
One of the reasons Draper James is so popular is that the store itself is so cute. After browsing the shop, be sure to take a picture in front of the blue and white striped wall on the side of the building — it’s one of the best photo spots in Nashville!
Imogene + Willie
Imogene + Willie is a boutique with its flagship store in 12 South that specializes in high-quality denim for men and women, and also sells t-shirts, tank tops, jackets, pants, shorts, and accessories. Imogene + Willie even has a tailor shop where you can bring your jeans back if a button breaks, a zipper snaps, or a knee tears — super convenient for locals!
White’s Mercantile
White’s Mercantile calls itself a “general store for the modern-day tastemaker.” They have four locations in Tennessee, including a store in 12 South! At White’s Mercantile, you’ll find a little bit of everything — from cocktail mixers and organic dog treats to soap bars and home décor. Like Made in TN, White’s Mercantile would be a fun place to shop for a souvenir to bring home from Nashville. Though I haven’t visited the 12 South location yet, I have visited White’s in Franklin, and it’s one of my favorite places to shop in Nashville!
Tip by Brit: Amelia’s Flower Truck is often parked outside of White’s Mercantile — this is a super popular Nashville photo spot, so be sure to look for this iconic flower truck during your shopping trip!
Vinnie Louise
Vinnie Louise is a popular boutique in Nashville with two locations in East Nashville and 12 South. This trendy boutique sells women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories that have a feminine “Nashville” look, making this spot the perfect place to visit to pick up some clothes to wear during your visit to Nashville — and the staff is so helpful and friendly!
Fun Things to Do in the 12 South Neighborhood
Even though dining and shopping are two of the most popular things to do in 12 South, there are a couple of other things to do in this charming neighborhood, including:
12 South Farmers Market
If you’re visiting 12 South on Tuesdays from 4 PM to 7 PM from May to October, you can’t miss the 12 South Farmers Market. This community market features locally grown produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, food trucks, and much more! You can stop here for dinner or even pick up some groceries to snack on during the rest of your vacation in Nashville.
Mural Scavenger Hunt
Nashville is filled with colorful street art and murals (in fact, I have a whole guide dedicated to Nashville’s best murals), and many of my favorites are found in 12 South. Some of the most iconic murals in 12 South include “Flowers,” “Nashville Looks Good on You,” “Looking Pretty, Music City,” and “Make Music, Not War.”
Want to see Nashville’s most popular murals, including many of the iconic murals in 12 South? Consider joining a guided mural tour! This top-rated Street Art & Instagram Golf Tour will take you past some of Nashville’s most iconic murals in a golf cart (with photo stops, of course!). And this Nashville Murals and Mimosas Tour includes stops at 10+ murals on an air-conditioned bus with complimentary mimosas (this would be fun for a girls’ trip or a bachelorette party!).
Tip by Brit: Sadly, the iconic “I Believe in Nashville” mural in 12 South (my absolute favorite mural in Nashville) was vandalized and painted over in April 2025. I hope this mural is repainted soon because it was a well-known photo spot in Nashville and a symbol of the city’s vibrant spirit!
Where to Stay in the 12 South Neighborhood in Nashville
For years, the only thing I didn’t like about 12 South was the lack of nearby hotels. Well, with the recent opening of The Gilmore, an AventStay Hotel in May 2025, that has totally changed!
The Gilmore is located in the heart of 12 South, right across from Frothy Monkey, so it’s within walking distance of all the best places to eat, shop, and things to do in 12 South. This brand-new hotel offers gorgeous studio rooms and one- to four-bedroom units, making it an exceptional place to stay for a cozy couples’ getaway or a big event with a larger group, such as a multi-generational family vacation or a bachelorette party. The rooms are gorgeous (and dog-friendly, if you’ll be bringing your furry friend to Nashville!).
This highly-rated boutique hotel also offers a rooftop terrace, a courtyard, and in-room spa services. During my last trip to Nashville, I stayed in an Airbnb with my family, but if I were booking a trip to Nashville right now and was looking for a hotel, The Gilmore is where I would choose to stay. This new hotel is going to quickly become one of the best places to stay in Nashville, I guarantee it!
Experience Some of the Best Dining & Shopping in Nashville While Exploring 12 South
12 South might just be one small neighborhood in the big city of Nashville, but it certainly has a lot to offer!
I think 12 South is a fantastic place to stay in Nashville (especially since the addition of The Gilmore, an AventStay Hotel!), but even if you don’t stay in 12 South, spending a morning and afternoon brunching, shopping, dining, mural hunting, and perusing the local markets is one of the best ways to spend a day in Nashville. What do you think?
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Looking for more things to do during your trip to Nashville? Check out my other blog posts about Nashville for more insider information!