Sometimes, the best secrets in life are just too important not to share. Here’s why I feel this way with some of the hidden gem dives and restaurants in Nashville, TN.
I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t live in Nashville, but I am a local guide that frequents there often. I live about 30 minutes north of the metro, and I drive for Uber, Lyft, and Postmates. Many times in the smaller communities, people want rides that lead into Nashville, and I am glad to give them the rides to their dates and many adventures. It’s quite exciting!
Because I work for these companies, I happen to come across many amazing restaurants like Fenwicks 300 and Wild Wasabi that most people may have no clue that even exist. I know I didn’t until I happen to go into these establishments for lunch rushes.
Caption: A photo of an espresso machine with coffee pouring into cups.(Getty Images)
More than just rideshares
But I don’t just go into these establishments for rideshares or delivery services. Sometimes, my friends and I stumble across a great place all on our own like Bob’s Steak & Chop House and Bongo Java. I will never forget the night my friend Jodi and I stumbled into Bob’s.
We were going to see Bon Jovi in concert at Bridgestone Arena. We had no idea where to eat, and we were starving. We literally did a quick search and stumbled across Bob’s knowing it was close to Bridgestone. That’s all we knew.
When we walked into the restaurant, we had no idea it was reservation only and that they were booked for the night. Luckily, the hostess gave us the option to dine at the bar and invited us into the restaurant.
It was amazing! I felt like I was in a time warp to retro radio back in the 1930s and 40s. It was decorated with a flair of the rat pack from Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Sammy Davis, Jr. and all the others.
We grabbed the menu, but when we saw the prices, we were in for a bit of a sticker shock (guess we didn’t plan that one very well, eh?). We opted for appetizers hoping that it would get us through the concert, and we’d find something more affordable later.
Jodi ordered the wedge salad, and I ordered the lobster bisque. We decided to share a plate of shrimp together. We were in for the surprise of a lifetime. Jodi’s salad was a decent size, and my bisque was in a very large bowl. But nothing prepared us for the size of the shrimp we had. Honestly, I’d call them prawns (knowing they’re the same thing), but these suckers were huge! I felt like I could beat someone to death with these things!
The prawns were so meaty and flavorful, I felt I could honestly shed tears of joy. The bisque was delightful, and my friend relished her salad. We had so much fun!
After our delightful meal, we hopped across the restaurant to an amazing coffee shop called Bongo Java. The coffee smelled heavenly, and we had to have a sip of some delicious joe to end our amazing meal.
Our adorable barista gave us such cute leaves in our coffees with our milk. It was hard to stir it up since it looked like a work of art. But we became brave and took a sip, and it was such a smooth, velvety finish to our entire experience. We didn’t want our night to end!
We had so much fun with the concert, too! But it was the starter that really gave us the greatest night.
The Takeaway
You may have been to Nashville in the past, but if you haven’t been back in the last 5 years, you’re really missing on exactly how amazing of a city it has become! Summer nights can be so enchanting with free dance lessons in the park with live music.
Caption: A photo of African musicians playing bongo drums.(Getty Images)
My husband and I went to one of the parks and learned the Jitterbug with live swing music. It was so enchanting and fun being out there with other locals. Food trucks adorned the perimeter literally giving you no reason to leave and enjoy your entire evening.
And don’t forget many other free or affordable events that are always happening. And if you happen to be in a local place like Hatti B’s, grab yourself a copy of the Nashville Scene to find out what’s happening that week (I always wish I had these for my rideshare passengers).