Now that warm weather is on its way, it’s the perfect time to shut off your oven and explore some of Nashville’s coolest outdoor dining spots! Just because you’ve got small kids in tow doesn’t mean you’re relegated to a fast food picnic table or stuck inside at the mall food court. With a little pre-planning, you can have an enjoyable, al fresco dining experience at some of the city’s top dining destinations with the whole family.
If you need a high chair or booster seat, you might want to call and confirm that the restaurant has them. Most of the places listed do not take reservations, but some have call ahead seating preference for large parties, so it may be a good idea to double check before you head out.
Patio Dining in Nashville For Families
Downtown:
Assembly Food Hall
This list couldn’t begin without mentioning downtown’s newest shopping/dinning/entertainment experience. Fifth + Broadway has an amazing dining hall, called the Assembly Hall, that is a family’s dream come true! When you have kids, you know you can usually never agree on what is for dinner. Bring the entire family here, and you can all have whatever you want, and still eat together! There is indoor and outdoor seating available throughout. Food choices include burgers, pasta, pizza, tacos, ice cream, dessert and SO much more!
5055 Broadway, Nashville
(615) 900-5395
12 South/Belmont/Edgehill:
Bartaco
12 South’s Bartaco is an easy win for everyone in the family. Settle into a cushioned nook on the outdoor patio and get your little one situated with the children’s menu, which includes “not spicy” guac, mini tacos, and a tray with a quesadilla, taco, corn wheels, and a fruit skewer.
2526 12th Ave S., Nashville
(615) 269-8226
Bella Napoli
You can imagine you’re in Little Italy—or perhaps even the real Italy—sitting at one of the tables lining the quaint open-air brick courtyard with strings of white lights dangling overhead. Brick oven pizza, wine, good times for the whole family.
1200 Villa Place Suite 206, Nashville
(615) 891-1387
Edley’s
The bbq is cooked slow and low, and the sides are not an afterthought here. Large patios at both locations (12 South and East Nashville). You can order a rack of ribs and a “moonjito” (moonshine, lime, mint, soda), and the kids can get a meal for under $6. Win-win!
Edley’s 12South
2706 12th Ave S, Nashville
(615) 953-2951
Edley’s East
908 Main Street, Nashville
(615) 873-4085
*Additional location in Sylvan Park
Frothy Monkey
This neighborhood coffee shop, an anchor of the revitalized 12South district, has become a favorite place to take the family for a meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Your “Little Monkeys” will certainly find something to their liking any time of day.
2509 12th ave. South, Nashville
615-292-1808
*Frothy Monkey also has locations in in downtown Franklin, Nashville, The Nations and East Nashville
Burger Up
Locally sourced beef, communal tables, and crayons for the kids.
2901 12th Avenue South, Nashville
(615) 279-3767
East Nashville:
The Pharmacy
Locally sourced beef, old fashioned sodas, and a pretty awesome (and awesomely popular) biergarten—which is great for craft beer lovers and families alike. (It has room to move around and even some leftover playground equipment!) Plan to go at off-times because if the weather’s nice, there will be a line wrapping around the building with wait times up to 2 hours. They are first come, first serve and do not accept reservations.
731 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville
615-712-9517
Rosepepper Cantina
Their popular patio/porch attracts party people and families alike, drawn by the wide selection of tequila and the super cheap kids menu, respectively. Go early because—like most restaurants with decent patios in this neighborhood—it fills up fast!
1907 Eastland Ave. Nashville
(615) 227-4777
Joyland
A fun new concept restaurant, designed to spread JOY! This menu offers burgers, fried chicken, biscuits, shakes and fries! Don’t miss the house-made soft serve ice cream with sprinkles — the perfect treat to enjoy on the patio outside.
901 Woodland Street, Nashville
(615) 922-4934
El Feugo
East Nashville’s El Feugo is the spot for family dining if you are looking for a large outdoor area for dining and for the kids to play. Their menu is great for adults and kids, boasting great Latin flavors, and made from scratch margaritas!
3917 Gallatin Pike, Nasvhville
(615) 928-7897
BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse
BoomBozz is the perfect place to grab pizza with the family! They also have a menu full of appetizers, salads, pastas and sandwiches, and a kids menu! They have massive televisions to enjoy sports, and a fenced in playground area (and outdoor dining tables) for the kids to run, play and burn off energy. On the other side, there is a putting green for you to enjoy.
1003 Russell Street, Nashville
(615) 505-3217
Locations in Murfreesboro, Bellevue and Spring Hill
East Nashville Beer Works
This is one of Nashville’s most family-friendly breweries. In 2021, East Nashville Beer Works expanded its beer garden to include a playground so parents can kick back and let their kids play. Fur babies are also allowed. They also serves pizza, and what kid doesn’t love pizza!
320 E. Trinity Lane, Nashville
(615) 891-3108
Hillsboro Village/Vandy/Midtown:
McDougal’s
This fun establishment serves up delicious chicken fingers, wings, French fries, and cold draft beer. What’s not to love for grown-ups and kids alike?
2115 Belcourt Ave., Nashville
(615) 383 – 3005
(Second location in Brentwood)
Avo
Midtown’s Avo fulfills all the vegetable requirements for the vegan lifestyle while leaning into mushrooms, nuts, and lentils rather than fake meats. There is a kids menu and they also have free rein of the grassy turf outside, which includes a sandy beach volleyball court and picnic tables.
3 City Ave #200, Nashville
(615) 329-2377
Pastaria
This is popular spot amongst the kiddos. Crayons are available for scribbling on butcher paper-covered tables and there’s an outdoor area with a bocce court with room to roam. The kids menu includes spaghetti with meat or tomato sauce, cheese pizza, butter noodles, and gelato!
8 City Blvd, Nashville
(615) 915-1866
Sylvan Park/West Nashville/The Nations
Tailgate Brewery
Tailgate is open to visitors of all ages, has tons of indoor space and outdoor patios at taprooms throughout the city, serves crowd-pleasing pizza, and offers plenty of family-oriented events, and you’ll even find a children’s menu.
7300 Charlotte Park, Nashville
(615) 861-9842
McCabe Pub
McCabe’s describes their patio as a “lush secret garden,” surrounded by umbrellas and leafy green plants. This restaurant, sometimes referred to as the “Cheers” of Nashville, is a family-owned establishment serving unpretentious burgers and classic American dishes.
4410 Murphy Rd, Nashville
(615) 269-9406
Local Taco
A new favorite neighborhood taco joint that serves up fresh fare and includes a kids menu with several items for $5-6.
4501 Murphy Rd, Nashville
(615) 891-3271
Additional locations in East Nashville and Brentwood.
Hugh Baby’s
This mini fast-food chain serves scratch-made burgers, barbecue sandwiches, and hot dogs at three locations. Kids love the patio play area at the Berry Hill and Charlotte Avenue locations, along with the roster of creamy old-school milkshakes with house ice cream.
4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville
(615) 610-3340
Other locations in East Nashville, and Berry Hill
Lenox Village:
Burger Republic
Gourmet burgers! Nutella milkshakes! Tater Tot fondue! Draft beer! If that doesn’t sound like fun for the whole family, I don’t know what does.
(615) 499-4428
6900 Lenox Village Dr. Ste 22, Nashville
Other locations in the Gulch, Murfreesboro and Mt. Juliet
On the Edge of the City:
Blue Moon Waterfront Grille
Located on the Cumberland River at Rock Harbor Marina, the setting is perfect to keep restless kids entertained by watching the boats while you’re waiting for your food.
525 Basswood Avenue, Nashville
Cumberland River Mile Marker 175 if you’re coming by water
(615) 356-6666
What family favorite did we miss? Be sure to check out these yummy ice cream spots too!
