A man and woman smile for a selfie in front of the blue Loveless Cafe and Motel sign on a sunny day.

Our Nashville Overnight: A Foodie Adventure (with a Side of Shopping!)

If there’s one thing you should know about us, it’s that we are the biggest foodies. So when we decided to take a spontaneous overnight trip to Nashville, you better believe we made it a mission to eat our way through the city and squeeze in a little shopping too!

A man and woman smile for a selfie in front of the blue Loveless Cafe and Motel sign on a sunny day.

Music City Pizza, Bonuts, and Shopping Sprees

We rolled into Nashville with empty stomachs and big plans. We arrived at our first stopEmmy Squared Pizza in The Gulch. This was our first visit to this location, and honestly, I was already sold by all the adorable cat decor. (Cat people, you get me!) We kicked things off with some seasoned waffle fries that were hot, crisp, and just plain delicious. Then we savored a Margherita Pizza with extra pepperoni. Fresh, cheesy, and perfectly cooked. Emmy Squared was a big win and we would definitely visit again.

A painting of a cat wearing black glasses and a red bow, blowing a pink bubblegum bubble, on a gray background.
Painting of a cat wearing large red glasses and a blue hat with bear-like ears and a face, set against a plain background.
A painting of a cat dressed as a ninja, holding a shuriken and a katana, against a plain white background.
Square slices of pepperoni pizza topped with dollops of ricotta cheese and fresh basil leaves are served on a wire rack over a metal tray.
Waffle fries served in a brown paper tray with a small metal container of ketchup on the side.
A woman with long hair smiles at the camera, seated in front of a gray wall with three framed cat artworks.
A white vintage car is parked on a city street beside two modern vehicles, with buildings and greenery in the background.
A classic white Rolls-Royce is parked on the street in front of the Thompson Nashville hotel, next to a modern silver SUV.

But why stop at pizza? Dessert was calling our names, so we strolled over to Biscuit Love for their famous bonuts. If you haven’t had bonuts before, please try them. They’re little clouds of biscuit donut heaven, rolled in sugar and served with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote. Yes, please!

Five sugar-dusted doughnuts topped with cream are arranged on a white plate with a blueberry sauce beneath them; a person's hands are visible at the top of the image.

With our sweet tooth satisfied, we headed to the Mall at Green Hills for some retail therapy. We always love browsing here, even if it’s just window shopping. I still wish Z Gallerie was around. They always had such a stunning selection and the best deals on unique decor. It must have been because they were closing. Of course, we had to pop into the Apple Store because Rich needed his tech fix, and we hit up a few clothing stores for good measure. Don’t let the luxury stores intimidate you; there are deals to be found if you look! I compare it to trying on an outfit you wouldn’t typically wear. You may just be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Close-up of several beaded, leather, and metal bracelets displayed on a black stand, including one labeled "Good Work(s).
Several metallic and leather bracelets with engraved inspirational messages are displayed on a black stand, with tags and textures visible.
A framed sign titled "The Art of Marriage" displays a quote by Wilferd A. Peterson about the qualities that make a successful marriage, with key words artistically highlighted.
A shopping mall interior with two floors, featuring stores including an Apple Store on the lower level and a Microsoft Store on the upper level. Shoppers are visible throughout.
Interior view of a shopping mall showing two levels with various stores, including an Apple Store on the lower level and a Microsoft Store on the upper level. Shoppers are visible throughout.
A decorative metal panel with a repeating quatrefoil pattern is displayed in front of a wooden counter in a store.

After shopping until we dropped, it was time to check in at the Hilton Brentwood/Nashville Suites. This place is super nice and way more affordable than staying downtown. Plus, the rooms are spacious and comfy-perfect for kicking back after a long day of eating and shopping.

A smiling man and woman pose together indoors in front of a blue and white abstract painting, with sunlight illuminating the scene.

Nashville Southern Comfort and More Treats

No trip to Nashville is complete without a hearty Southern breakfast, so we made our way to The Loveless Cafe. If you’re craving mouthwatering, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, this is the place. We left absolutely stuffed and happy.

Three biscuits on a white plate with three small cups of various fruit jams, set on a blue and white checkered tablecloth.
A bowl of scrambled eggs topped with sausage gravy and a biscuit, with a plate of macaroni and cheese and an omelet in the background on a checkered tablecloth.
A close-up of a serving of cheesy hash brown casserole on a white plate, with parts of other plates visible in the background.
A yellow omelette on a white plate with a few small pieces of diced vegetables on the side.
Two people eat breakfast at a table with a blue checkered tablecloth; plates hold scrambled eggs, biscuit with gravy, biscuit halves, and hash browns, with sauces in small cups.

But apparently, one trip to the mall wasn’t enough for us, so we circled back to Green Hills for round two. This time, we made a beeline for the RH Courtyard Restaurant where I treated myself to a caramel oatmilk latte. It was creamy, sweet, and just what I needed. Rich even managed to snap the perfect photo of my little latte moment-Instagram-worthy, if I do say so myself! I could seriously live in this place. You feel like royalty here. No wonder we visit here repeatedly. It’s the perfect place to romanticize and daydream ya’ll. Treat yourself, even if it means appreciating the aesthetics and not spending a dime.

Two silver convertible sports cars are parked side by side in a parking lot on a sunny day, with shops and power lines visible in the background.
Two silver convertible sports cars are parked side by side in a nearly empty parking lot on a sunny day, with commercial buildings and power lines in the background.
A cup of latte with heart-shaped foam art sits on a table in a modern, well-lit lounge with chandeliers and contemporary furniture in the background.
A cup of coffee with heart-shaped latte art sits on a white saucer with a metal spoon, against a gold background.
Apple Store in a modern indoor shopping mall, with a large white Apple logo on the storefront and people inside browsing products.

For a midday pick-me-up, we stopped by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Their flavors are always so creative, and you can’t go wrong with anything you pick. Ice cream is basically a required food group on our trips.

A hand holds an ice cream cone in front of a Jeni's Ice Creams branded cooler bag on a marble countertop.

Dinner in Hendersonville

We wrapped up our whirlwind trip with dinner at Demos’ Restaurant in Hendersonville. It’s a little bit outside Nashville, but totally worth the drive. As always, Demos’ delivered with delicious food and friendly service. It was the perfect ending to our Nashville adventure.

A couple sits at a table in a restaurant, their reflection captured in a large framed mirror with hanging chandeliers visible above.

Final Thoughts & Foodie Tips

We had an amazing time in Nashville, as always. If you’re planning your own foodie adventure, here are a few tips from us:

  • Don’t be afraid to try new places-you might find a new favorite!
  • The Mall at Green Hills is worth a visit, even if you’re just browsing.
  • Make reservations if you can, especially at popular spots like Loveless Cafe.
  • And most importantly: save room for dessert. Always.

Nashville never disappoints, and we can’t wait for our next trip back. Until then, we’ll be dreaming about bonuts and pizza. If you have any Nashville favorites, let us know. We’re always looking for our next great bite! Plus, we have a never-ending list of places we still want to try.

Happy travels and even happier eating!

A framed sign listing positive life advice such as "Work hard," "Stay humble," "Dream big," and ending with "love always" in cursive at the bottom.

Work With Us

We’re thrilled that you’ve found Explore This City!

We’d love to help tell your destination’s story in a way that inspires real travel and drives measurable results.

Whether you’re launching a new campaign, hosting a press trip, or looking for long-term brand advocates, let’s create something authentic together.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Learn More About Us
This field is required.
This field is required.
Type(s) of Collaboration
This field is required.
Tell us more about your proposal, ideas, or questions.
This field is required.
Review Your Cart
0
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal