City Guide / Nashville

6 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Nashville

By Bri Hand | Sep 17, 2021
A woman feeding her dog at a dog-friendly restaurant in Nashville.

Come for the rich musical history and dancing but stay for the hospitable, homegrown nature of the city—Nashville welcomes visitors and new residents with the warmest bear hug you’ll find this side of the Mississippi. 

Nashville isn’t just opening its arms to two-legged explorers, however. From Corgis and Chihuahuas to poodles and pugs, breeds of all shapes, sizes, and fur colors can feel right at home here, too. 

And, when it comes to dog-friendly restaurants, Nashville sure doesn’t skip a beat. Dog owners and their furry friends will love the ambiance and flavors of the many eateries that are serving up tasty dishes and saving a spot at the table for your pooch. 

Looking to fetch a quick list of fun things to do in Nashville for dog-friendly locales? Bookmark these spots anytime you need a quick refresher: 

  • Tennessee Brew Works
  • Fido
  • Hunters Station
  • Sunflower Cafe
  • Edley’s Bar-B-Que
  • Nectar: Urban Cantina

Read on for more on why they’re the bark of the town and where you can find them. 

1. Tennessee Brew Works

For burgers, beers, and a bark-friendly outdoor patio, stop by Tennessee Brew Works. It’s located in the heart of the Pie Town neighborhood, Nashville’s home for craft breweries, renowned music venues, and even a cozy city winery. 

Whether you’re stopping in for a flight of their locally crafted beers, a live concert, or a meal with friends, dog owners will be happy to know that their paw pals can join in on the fun, too. 

If that’s not enough to get your tail wagging, check out their drool-worthy menu, complete with pot steamed mussels, southern grilled cheese, and a five-beer burger (yes, it really is as impressive as it sounds). 

Tennessee Brew Works gets two paws up for:

  • Its street-style tacos and spinach dip at Happy Hour: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Plus, Happy Hours are even happier when they include ear scratches and the occasional cold-nose kiss. 
  • Its commitment to the community: They source the grains needed for their beers from local farmers whenever possible. Not only does this provide tastier brews, but sourcing locally offers an extra green layer you can proudly cheer to.
  • Its impressive lineup of local musicians playing nearly every night of the week: Not to mention, there’s an opportunity for you to rock on too at their open mic nights taking place every Monday night. 

2. Fido

Head over to Hillsboro Village in Nashville for another pet lover’s paradise, Fido. It’s a sister dog-friendly restaurant to the popular Bongo Java, but the passion for pups in this particular cafe is woven into its very origin story. 

The space itself is adapted from an old pet shop that had previously been in business for over 50 years, and the name Fido was given in honor of a coffee-sniffing pooch credited with stumbling upon the plant for the first time centuries ago while helping his owner, Kaldi, search for food for his hungry herd of goats. 

Come on in with your two- and four-legged friends for all-day breakfast, a light bite for lunch, or a cup of coffee to go. While you’re there, be sure to ask about the viral story of the NunBun, a cinnamon bun baked at Fido that happened to bear a striking resemblance to Mother Teresa. 

Fido gets two paws up for:

  • Its inventive menu: Try the mushroom toast, made with local mushrooms and tomato marmalade, and avocado toast topped with fresh burrata cheese and a spicy grape and tomato salad. 
  • Its popularity among the locals: It earned a top spot as the Best Coffeehouse in Nashville for 14 years in a row. If that doesn’t say something about consistent quality, we’re not sure what does. 
  • Its homespun atmosphere: This cafe is known for its exposed brick walls, art displays from local makers, and spacious study tables to work from. 

Looking for a new spot for your pup to sniff along your walks? Check out our picks for the best outdoor activities in Nashville.

3. Hunters Station

Can’t decide which type of cuisine you’re in the mood for? Try a bit of everything at Hunters Station in Nashville’s Maxwell neighborhood. This bustling food hall has a diverse selection of dishes—from tacos and burgers to gourmet grilled cheese and Pho, there’s something to pique just about anyone’s preferred flavor palette. 

As an added bonus, all of the patio seating inside this casual eatery is dog-friendly. There’s even a dog park inside (across from Tacos Aurora), which is a designated off-leash area where your paw pal is free to roam and make friends with the other neighborhood pups. 

Hunters Station gets two paws up for:

  • Its parking perks: It’s right onsite and is free for guests for the first 90 minutes. 
  • Its vegan offerings: Plant-based patrons will love the Pho with tofu, mushrooms, jalapeño, and lime, or a hearty rice bowl with lemongrass tofu at Viu’s Vietnamese Kitchen. 
  •  The Picnic Tap: This spot offers hot dogs and growlers to-go!

4. Sunflower Cafe

For a spot that’s both paw- and plant-friendly, residents of Nashville shouldn’t hesitate to stop by the Sunflower Cafe. It’s located south of the downtown area, and it’s got one of the largest plant-based menus in the entire city. 

With nearly 10 different types of veggie burgers, flavorful rice, and quinoa bowls, and plenty of gluten-free options, it’s an appealing choice for health-conscious foodies. 

The back patio with outdoor seating is perfect for a sunny afternoon lunch, and it’s a charming place to refuel after a midday jog with your favorite four-legged running partner. Their sister restaurant, Sunflower Bakehouse in Donelson, specializes in gluten-free pastries and in making guests of all kinds feel welcome to their pet-friendly patio. 

Sunflower Cafe gets two paws up for:

  • Its fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients. These make for delicious yet healing and healthy meals!
  • Its a one-of-a-kind happy hour: From 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sunflower Cafe serves up $2 brews and $5 appetizers. Now that’s paw-sitively delicious. 
  • Its yummy treats: This cafe’s chocolate mousse and no-bake peanut butter cookies are both gluten-free and vegan! 

5.  Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Take traditional southern BBQ and make it a dog-friendly space. That’s what you get—and more!—when you walk into Edley’s Bar-B-Que. Despite having three locations in Nashville (East Nashville, 12th Ave South, Sylvan Park), this local favorite still manages to maintain a close-knit, family-owned vibe. Everything from the service to the rustic setting is brimming with comfort and hospitality. 

If you’re on the hunt for some doggone good food, Edley’s was voted the Best in Bar-B-Que by Nashville Scene Reader’s Poll for four consecutive years. All of their sides are made from scratch, and their meats are smoked slowly and with care using Southern White Oak. 

Edley’s Bar-B-Que gets two paws up for:

  • Its commitment to tradition: From fried pickles and catfish to baby back ribs and more, if you’re looking for generations-old recipes and quality you can count on, this is the place to find it. 
  • Its draft list: Edley’s IPA and Hap & Harry’s Tennessee Lager are just a couple of the locally-brewed pints you can find in the taproom. 
  • Its catering options: From weddings to corporate events, Edley’s is happy to come to you to ensure your celebration is a southern-style standout.

Tips From a Landing Member

Jess Goudreault

“A newer restaurant that has quickly become a Nashville staple is Edley’s BBQ. They won Best in Bar-B-Que four years in a row in the Nashville Scene Reader’s Poll. But if I ever needed to convince a friend to give them a try, then I just had to say two words: Brisket. Tacos.”

— Jess Goudreault, “How I Spent Three Months Living in Nashville

6. Nectar: Urban Cantina

What’s better than brisket tacos and spicy margaritas? Enjoying them both alongside your friends and furry companions. Nectar: Urban Cantina is the Mexican-inspired eatery in East Nashville that lets you do just that. Plus, it’s not far from the Stones River Bend Park, a city oasis ideal for dog-walking, yoga, or diving into a new book. 

Stop by Nectar after your stroll for some ceviche and churros, or plan a pup play date followed by live music on the patio with your friends. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured knowing that your pooch won’t be turned away at the door. 

Nectar: Urban Cantina gets two paws up for:

  • Its extensive menu: This spot serves far more than just your traditional Mexican cuisine. They’ve even got an abundance of smoothie bowls and espresso drinks to start your day off with something fresh. The local favorites include the Agave Maria Lavender Latte and the Almond Brothers Bowl, sprinkled with maca root and cacao nibs. 
  • Its patio lights and movie nights on the lawn: Name a better combination—we’ll wait. 

Put a woof over your head with Landing 

From dog parks to pet-friendly patios, Nashville is a city you can feel free to explore without worrying about leaving your best friend behind. Sink your teeth into the elaborate food scene and dance the night away to tunes sung by talented local artists—all with your paw pal by your side. 

And, when it comes to exploring Nashville like a local, you can count on Landing to help put a woof—ahem, a roof—over your head. We’ve got a robust network of fully furnished apartments in Nashville that you can call home—even just for a couple of months. Pack a suitcase, your appetite, and plenty of dog treats, and start living with Landing today.

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Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.