I’ll level with you — Nashville was never really on my must-visit list. Although I was told there was more than tear-jerking guitar ballads and pointy cowboy boots, I struggled to see past it.
But, the more I pushed it away, the more times people would ask, “Have you been to Nashville yet?” I guess the universe was trying to tell me something. Then I had an opportunity to write a one-day vegan itinerary to Nashville and was blown away by all the options.
It was nothing like I excepted!
I share that tidbit to say if you’ve thought maybe a place wouldn’t be vegan-friendly, you should do a little research before you move it to your B or C travel list. You could surprise yourself — cities that once had minimal options are now blossoming into little vegan paradises.
Nashville is no exception; it is full of great vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants serving everything from biscuits for breakfast to Nashville hot chick’n for lunch or dinner!
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Is Nashville Vegan-Friendly?
To my surprise and delight, Nashville is vegan-friendly! I assumed it would just be BBQ city. While that is an option, there are also many options for veganized versions of traditional fare. There are a ton of vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants throughout the city serving everything from Southern comfort to raw cuisine! And aside from restaurants, there are also many pop-ups trying to get into the vegan food scene that are either fully vegan or have great options.
The only thing I couldn’t find for this vegan guide is where to find vegan cowboy boots! So, if you want to get in the spirit, bring your own.
Bookmark These Other Tasty Nashville Articles!
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Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Nashville
Succulent Tacos
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
This is the spot for delicious plant-based tacos, Esquites (creamy Mexican corn), and maybe even a flavorful soda from Mexico!
AVO
3 City Ave #200, Nashville, TN 37209
A creative little spot tucked back into a village of businesses made of shipping containers! Their whole-foods menu features many raw dishes (cooked ones too) that are globally inspired.
Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
3415 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
The lineup of vegan options at this Indian restaurant is fantastic! You’ll have trouble deciding — make sure you get an order of Pakoras!
Graze
1888 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
An excellent spot for a spicy hot tempeh sandwich, nachos supreme, or even a green salad — their menu has something everyone can enjoy.
The Wild Cow
1100 Fatherland St Suite 104 11/22, Nashville, TN 37206
This long-time vegan restaurant has been pushing the power of plants for over 13 years! Their menu features a mix of dishes; many are created with various local ingredients, from tofu to greens.
The BE-Hive Deli & Market
2414 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
This might be the best spot for vegan junk food in Nashville! Indulge in loaded tater tots, a hot Italian sub, Nashville hot chick’n, plus so much more! Many of their dishes are made with their own house-made meats.
The Southern V
1200 Buchanan St, Nashville, TN 37208
They are cooking up traditional Southern comfort favorites here — tender collard greens, mac-n-cheese, fried chick’n, and more!
Copper Branch
601 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219
This plant-based Canadian chain bridged the gap between health and flavor with its lineup of bowls and burgers. Copper Branch is also home to Nashville’s only vegan pizza spot, Serenity Pizza. The pizzeria has a variety of traditional and creative pies topped with everything from Pepp’roni to Korean kimchi!
Vegelicious
513B Fisk St, Nashville, TN 37203
Another spot for comfort food — Po’Boys, gyros, lasagna, and more!
Sunflower Café
2834 Azalea Pl, Nashville, TN 37204
You can find just about everything at this cheery little café — burgers, wraps, bowls, nachos — it’s also soy and gluten-free friendly.
Grins Vegetarian Cafe
2421 Vanderbilt Pl, Nashville, TN 37212
You’ll find Nashville’s oldest vegetarian (and kosher) restaurant in the heart of Vanderbilt University’s campus. The quaint cafe is open to students and the public and is well loved for its house-made sandwiches, soups, and cookies.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Nashville
Jamaica Way Restaurant and Catering
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd Suite 120, Nashville, TN 37208 (Inside the Farmer’s Market)
This spot is tucked into the back of the farmer’s market, making it easy to miss! Their vegan-friendly menu features traditional Jamaican flavors — spicy jerk chick’n, veggie stew, curry tofu, and more.
Blue Sake Sushi Grill
5036 Broadway Pl Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37203 (Inside the Assembly Hall)
Forget about basic cucumber avocado rolls! This sushi spot has a full vegan lineup featuring plant-based tuna, sweet potato tempura, BBQ eggplant eel, and more!
The Pharmacy Burger
5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203 (Inside the Assembly Hall)
This fast-casual restaurant is an off-shoot of their main location in East Nashville, but this spot has an entire vegan-friendly burger and sandwich menu featuring fried chick’n, Impossible, and falafel.
Mellow Mushroom
731 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
212 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN, 37203
This pizzeria can make many of their fan-favorite pies vegan — just make sure you tell them vegan because their regular pizzas are brushed with garlic butter.
Vegan Pop-Ups in Nashville
Radical Rabbit
Richland Park Farmer’s Market on Saturdays
Local delivery is also available
If you love Soul Food but prefer to skip the fake meat versions, then you need to find Radical Rabbit!
Deep Sea Vegan
975 Main St Suite 4, Nashville, TN 37206 (Inside Hunter’s Station)
Track down this spot for traditional seafood and junk food favorites — calamari and fish sandwiches, to name a couple.
Lucky Vegan
Richland Park Farmer’s Market on Saturdays
You’ll be lucky (and happy) to get your hands on this Asian spot’s chick’n satay skewers, curry noodle soup, or mango sticky rice!
Vegan Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Nashville
Guerrilla Bizkits
1006 Fatherland St Suite 207, Nashville, TN 37206
Biscuit lovers can’t pass up a visit here! This punk rock spot has created three knock-out biscuit flavors that can be enjoyed on their own or as a breakfast sandwich.
E + Rose Wellness Café
Multiple locations throughout Nashville
This chic juice bar is an excellent place for a quick order of toast, superfood smoothie or smoothie bowl! Not all locations have the same menu so check before you go.
Graze
1888 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Seven days a week, you can waltz in here for a stack of sweet blueberry pancakes or savory sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit! Breakfast is served from 10 AM – 3 PM, Monday – Friday, and 9 AM – 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Copper Branch
601 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219
No matter what time it is, you can pop in here for a tempeh bacon and Just egg sandwich, avocado toast, or overnight oatmeal — breakfast is served all day!
AVO
3 City Ave #200, Nashville, TN 37209
Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays until 3 PM and features a mix of savory and sweet options!
Vegan Bakeries & Ice Cream in Nashville
KOKOS Ice Cream
3 City Ave STE 700, Nashville, TN 37209
The only vegan ice cream shop in Nashville! They are scooping up a selection of house-made ice creams created with seasonal inspiration.
Hattie Jane’s Creamery
5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203 (Inside Assembly Food Hall)
You’ll always find one or two vegan ice cream flavors and vegan cones at this local spot! The flavors rotate to include seasonal flavors; a couple of options include cotton candy coconut and toasted coconut.
Sunflower Bakehouse
2414 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
The Bakehouse is hands down the best spot in Nashville for a sweet treat that is vegan and gluten-free. Their cupcakes have won multiple awards, and you’ll know why with one bite!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Multiple locations throughout Nashville
This national ice cream chain almost always has a few creamy vegan options on the menu like caramel sticky bun, Texas sheet cake, and dark chocolate truffle — no boring options here!
NoBaked Cookie Dough
Multiple locations throughout Nashville
Who doesn’t love eating cookie dough!? And, because it’s vegan, you can (most of their bases are vegan)! This spot creates unique cookie dough sundae creations starting with the dough and then a myriad of sweet toppings.
Vegan-Friendly Markets in Nashville
If you decide you just don’t want to eat out, or maybe you forget something at home, you have a couple of great market options in Nashville.
The Turnip Truck
Multiple locations throughout Nashville
This local, natural foods store has a great selection of vegan products, including some made in Nashville! Each market also has a juice bar and prepared foods.
Whole Foods Market
1202 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
4021 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215
This national natural foods grocery store has everything from vegan cheese to deodorant.
Eco-Friendly Hotel in Nashville
Although Nashville is vegan-friendly, there isn’t a vegan hotel option just yet! Instead, I found this hotel that is very eco-friendly and gives back to the local community.
Virgin Hotels Nashville
1 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203
This hotel is in a great location to enjoy downtown Nashville and easily get around the rest of the city. It also has many eco-friendly programs to protect Mother Nature and the community — guests can “green their stay” with carbon offsets, EV charging stations, energy conservation programs, and much more. In addition, the hotel provides vegan and cruelty-free toiletries in the rooms.
What To Do & See in Nashville
#1 Take a walking tour or trolley tour to learn a little about Nashville
I know this probably sounds super touristy, but I promise tours with locals are always the best way to learn about the city you’re visiting! I initially booked a walking tour because I prefer walking and enjoy the interaction with the guide, but it was canceled due to the weather, so I booked a trolley tour.
The trolley tour covers many popular spots, making it easy to get around the city (perfect if you’re short on time), but the other benefit is that it is guided. The trolley driver provides diverse information about the city and its history. For instance, I didn’t know Nashville was considered the Athens of the South or that Little Richard spent the last 10 years of his life living at the downtown Nashville Hilton!
One other note, if you decide to go with the trolley tour, book it online, as you will save a couple of bucks.
#2 See a show at The Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium, “The Mother Church of Country Music,” has a long and celebrated history in Nashville. The nickname probably gave it away, but The Ryman initially began as a church; to keep the doors open, it began to host community events and musical performances. Countless stars like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, James Brown, and others have graced its stage!
You can take a self-guided tour of the building, which is interesting and informative, but I think a more unique way to see the space would be to come for a show. Many tour exhibits are accessible during a performance; just make sure you wander around to check them out. This way, you get to experience the venue in action.
If you’re really into music, you might also want to check out The Grand Ole Opry.
#3 Check out the Farmer’s Market
The farmer’s market is open all week but to see it in action, make sure you stop in Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. During the week, the main part of the market is home to various restaurants, including vegan options, and little shops you can check out. It’s a nice place to grab lunch, and if the weather is nice, take it across the street and sit in Bicentennial State Park.
On the weekend, the market expands to include a variety of local farmers and artisans selling everything from tomatoes to pottery. There is also a small plant shop at the end of the market.
#4 Shop in East Nashville
The hip and quirky East Nashville neighborhood was one of my favorite spots. There are two shopping areas to check out: the Fatherland Shops and Five Points Alley Shops. The unique shopping areas are home to great gift shops (don’t miss Gift Horse), a zero-waste store, vegan biscuits, clothing, and much more.
This area is also near multiple vegan restaurants in case you get hungry!
#5 Take a line dancing lesson
There is no better way to get into the honky-tonk spirit than with line dancing! There are a few places where you can book lessons online, but if you want to do it for free, head downtown to The Wildhorse Saloon. The lessons are offered on their second floor, Wednesday – Saturday, multiple times throughout the day (you can check their online calendar for times, no reservations are needed).
Do I Need a Car in Nashville?
Whether or not you need a car will come down to exactly what you want to do. Nashville does have a bus system, but it’s not the most efficient. It does work well for straight shots into
popular areas (like downtown), but if you want to get into some of the neighborhoods, it’s going to eat up quite a bit of your time.
You can use Uber or Lyft, but Nashville was recently rated as one of the most expensive for rideshare — I kept that in mind when I made my decision. I ended up using the bus for my first couple of days because the things that I wanted to see and do were concentrated in more of the downtown area, but after that, I ended up renting a car to head to East Nashville and to do some hiking.
On another note, if you’re spending a lot of time downtown, especially on the weekend, you will want to ditch the car. Finding parking can be a struggle; when you find it, it’s super expensive!
Nashville Wrap Up: More Vegan Adventures!
Now that your Nashville getaway is all planned, you might be looking for some other inspiration! Don’t miss these other vegan travel guides and articles for even more delicious fun!
The Perfect One-Day Vegan Itinerary to Memphis
The 6 Best Spots for Vegan Food in Memphis
Vegan Travel Guide to New Orleans
The Best Washington DC Vegan Travel Guide
8 Things to Do & See in Philadelphia
Must Book Vegan-Friendly Resorts in Mexico
