Welcome to Nashville - A Nashville Guide for Boudoir Clients
by Nashville Boudoir Photographer Caley Newberry
With about 40% of my boudoir clients coming to Nashville from out of town, I wanted to create a quick little guide to tell you more about this amazing city so you know where to stay and, my personal favorite, where to eat! Enjoy this “Welcome to Nashville” guide to make the most of your trip!
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CAR OR JUST DON’T WANT TO DRIVE:
I recommend using Lyft to get from place to place. Use code CALEY090504 to get your first ride free!
WHERE TO STAY IN NASHVILLE:
Our studio is located at 1201 5th Avenue North in a neighborhood called Germantown, just a mile north of downtown Nashville. Germantown is Nashville’s oldest neighborhood (thanks to the Werthan Bag Company, now loft condos, and also the story behind Driving Miss Daisy!) ANYWAY, I clearly adore this little part of town, and you won’t go wrong finding a place to stay here. It can be a pricier neighborhood, but it’s quiet and close to downtown and well worth it, in my opinion.
All that said, if you want to stay near the studio and great restaurants in a little quiet, walkable neighborhood close to downtown, here are some places to consider.
Our 12-year anniversary in our room at Noelle Nashville, taken by our dear friends Jordan & Alaina
Germantown Inn - Everything about this cute little inn is perfect for coming in town for a boudoir session. It’s literally a block from the studio with chic, colorful rooms. Originally a home build sometime pre-Civil War, it’s been beautifully renovated and also has adorable outdoor spaces to relax.
Holiday Inn Express Metro Center - If you’re looking for a budget pick that’s still close to downtown, this Holiday Inn Express is new, about a mile from the studio, right by a Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A and an easy Lyft to downtown.
Noelle Nashville - This is a bit of a splurge but my very favorite hotel in the city. We stayed here for our 12-year anniversary, when we had a friend getting married in town the next day, so we couldn’t leave town. The restaurants (Makeready and Rare Bird) are popular even for locals. There are two bars on site — Trade Room, just off the lobby, and Hidden Bar the secret, not-so-secret bar that is fun to dig around for. There’s also a Barista Parlor, one of Nashville’s best coffee shops, in the lobby. As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s still and sparking water on tap on each floor, and fresh Barista Parlor coffee is delivered to your room each morning . The aesthetics for this renovated 1930s downtown building can’t be topped. You’ll easily be looking at $250 a night, so if that’s outside your budget, just be aware before you click the link and fall in love.
If an Airbnb is more your style, my friend and your fellow boudoir subject Cass has some adorable Airbnbs in East Nashville. Check out their list of adorable spaces here and tell them I sent you! If you’re hooked on Germantown already, this sweet little house has caught my eye for years, and it has a couple of units so there’s also this one. If you choose one of those two, message them before booking and mention me for a 10% discount!
If you’re looking for something specific that isn’t listed here, let me know and I’ll be happy to help further!
WHERE TO EAT IN NASHVILLE
This is my favorite thing to talk about. Nashville has an amazing food scene, and I’ll try not to overwhelm you.
Super Casual
Martin’s BBQ - Especially if you aren’t from the South, this authentic BBQ is as good as it gets (shhhh, don’t tell my mom, who owns a BBQ restaurant in Alabama). There’s one downtown and one in the Belmont area.
Mas Tacos Por Favor - This place is a tiny hole in the wall in East Nashville was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives back in the day and is absolutely worth a visit. It is CASH ONLY, and there’s an ATM inside if you forget. It’s totally worth the hassle because that tortilla soup, elote and skillet chicken taco are to die for.
The Nashville Farmer’s Market is also in Germantown and along with the fresh veggies you’d expect at a Farmer’s Market, it has a food court of great little local restaurants inside ranging from Greek food to Jamaican to pizza. There’s also a food truck outside every day called Caracasville that’s really great.
Grillshack - If you just want a grass-fed burger and hand cut fries to go, this little spot has a location almost literally in my back yard in Germantown and another in East Nashville.
Joyland - This upscaled fast food joint is founded by celebrity chef Sean Brock. It’s in East Nashville and has great burgers, fried chicken, fries, etc., and lots of gluten-free options!
Other favorites are Mother’s Ruin, Bangkokville, Vui’s Kitchen, Redheaded Stranger, and, the Nashville classic, Arnold’s Country Kitchen.
Casual
Butchertown Hall - This restaurant is in Germantown and has a great happy hour fro 2pm-6pm with the most amazing chorizo quest you’ve ever had and incredible margs. If the weather is nice, their patio is also fantastic.
Steadfast Coffee - If you’re looking for a pre-noon brunch (because for some ridiculous reason, they close their kitchen at noon), this is a go-to spot for me. They have great breakfast tacos and delicious fresh salads. And, of course, amazing coffee.
Burger Up - This Nashville staple has gourmet burgers and truffle fries. There’s one in East Nashville and one in 12South.
Slim + Husky’s - I’m not going to lie — I’m gluten-free so I’ve never eaten here, but I’ve heard rave reviews from my husband and practically everyone else I know. This is the next neighborhood over from Germantown.
City House - chef-made pizza that’s to die for. They’re more prominitely known for their belly ham pizza. I hear you shouldn’t skip the egg on top.
Germantown Cafe - This is right across the street from the studio and a great stop in for traditional dining. I honestly really love the burgers here, but they have great salads and lunch plates as well.
Assembly Food Hall - This is located in the new 5th and Broadway building, and it’s a nice food court with tons of options!
Pinewood Social - This trendy little downtown hangout has become quite popular, but they have a great menu, cocktails, coffee, and um, yeah, bowling.
Nice Night Out
If you’re looking for a treat yourself date night spot, whether it’s with a partner, friend, or taking yourself out, these are my personal favorites.
Rolf and Daughters takeout during the quarantine in our back yard. Cocktails by me. :)
Henrietta Red - The most incredible, James Beard nominee fresh seafood. They fly in oysters from all over the country with a literal menu of tasting notes and $5 cava during happy hour from 5-6:30.
Rolf and Daughters - The menu can sound intimidating, but I promise it’s just fancy words for ingredients you know, and the servers are super helpful. I recommend the roasted chicken or the rigatoni if it’s your first time. The rest of the menu is seasonal, and those are their two permanent items.
Audrey - This is Sean Brock’s new upscale restaurant near downtown. It’s the most expensive meal I’ve ever paid for, but gosh it was phenomenal.
Butcher & Bee - This wonderful little spot is located in East Nashville and usually pretty easy to get into. I recommend reservations, but they have a large dining room that accommodates a lot of tables. You 10000% must get the whipped feta if you go.
Tailor - This South Asian restaurant has a preset menu and does two sittings each night — 6pm and 8:30pm. It’s like a little intimate dinner party if you’re best friends with a renowned chef.
Dessert
Jeni’s - There are locations in East Nashville, Hillsboro Village, 12South, Brentwood, and technically the Farmer’s Market in Germantown, but I think they close at 5pm. They let you try unlimited samples, and they’re all fantastic.
Five Daughters Bakery - Regular and paleo doughnuts in 12South and East Nashville that are mind blowingly good.
The Cupcake Collection - Step into this longtime Germantown business for delightful cupcakes. You can buy 1 or a dozen different flavors. I won’t tell.
COFFEE
Steadfast Coffee in Germantown
Barista Parlor - If you know coffee, Barista Parlor makes exceptional coffee. They’ve been accused of being on the snobby side. I was once told, when asking for a to go cup even though I was starting my coffee inside “We prefer to serve our coffee in porcelain so we don’t altar the tannins” at the East Nashville one. BUT, to their credit, I sucked that delicious bourbon vanilla latte down so fast I didn’t have any to take with me. There are locations in East Nashville, Germantown, and downtown.
Crema - Man, so good. This is probably my favorite coffee shop in town, and it’s right downtown.
Red Bicycle - Literally across the street from the studio, Red Bicycle is a great place to eat and get an approachable cup of coffee. They’re great people and the owner, Dave, is who taught me how to like coffee in the first place.
WHAT TO DO
I’m not an expert on nightlife. I’m a little bit of a homebody and prefer a back yard night with friends over anything exciting. But, I’ll list what I know. :)
Broadway - If you love loud music and not being able to hear the person next to you and huge crowds and woo girls and pedal taverns that clog traffic and generally stressful things, I mean, have at it. Locals avoid it like the plague.
Poppy & Monroe - If you’re looking for a facial or pedicure or manicure, I just love this place. They use all natural products and do dry pedicures to save water and be more sanitary. It’s a beautiful renovated historic home a block up from the studio. Just the best. I have a code that gets you a 20% discount on your first service here!
Shopping - Germantown has several great little shops like Abednego, Alexis and Bolt, and Pieces Boutique. You could also head to Hillsboro Village or 12South. If you want the traditional high end mall, head to the Green Hills Mall.
Hatch Show Print - It’s super cool to take a tour of Hatch and see the history of letterpress and all the cool things they’ve been a part of over the years.
The Belcourt - See an independent film at Nashville’s oldest theater, that’s been around sine 1925.
The Frist - Nashville’s, like, only art museum is near downtown and actually gets some legit art collections sometimes. Take a look online and see what’s there!
Attaboy - This is the one crowd I’ll fight. Attaboy recently won a spot in one of the top bars in the world, and it’s well deserved. They don’t have a menu. You go to the “secret” door, and when they seat you, you tell them what you like in a cocktail, and they make something just for you. I’ve never had a bad one, and honestly, they typically kind of blow my mind.
That’s all for now! If you come up with anything I should add to the list while I’m here, please let me know!