Vanderbilt/Music Row

There are two main strips of restaurants and bars in the Vanderbilt/Music Row area. One strip runs along West End on the west side of the Vanderbilt campus. The other strip runs along 21st Avenue along the east side campus and on through Hillsboro Village.

There are many more places to eat and drink than listed here. Many of the standard chains have franchises along the West End strip, and there are fast food franchises along both West End and 21st Avenue. The places listed here are those suggested by local fans. The fact that a restaurant isn't listed here doesn't mean it's bad; it just means no one suggested it. If it looks interesting to you, go for it -- then let us know what you thought.



The first set of suggestions are on the 21st Avenue/Hillsboro Village Strip, nestled between Music Row and the Vanderbilt campus

1 South Street Original Crab Shack & Authentic Dive Bar. DevilDore sez, "Best Keep Secret in Vandyland...collection of pseudo-cajun, deep southern cuisine. Neat atmosphere, right next door to the Bound'ry for after dinner cocktails. I highly recommend their Steak & Biscuits or their Catfish Platter." The streets in this area are a maze, complicated by major utility construction. The surest way is to get there is to go the back way down Music Row. Coming from downtown, turn right at Grand Avenue. Go a couple of blocks to 20th Avenue. Take a right. First you'll past the Bound'ry, then you'll see South Street. 907 20th Avenue South. 320-5555

2 Bound'ry. DevilDore sez, "Very trendy place to see and be seen. Next door to the South Street Grill. Some unique Architecture...but somewhat expensive." See directions to South Street Grill, above. 911 20th Ave S. 321-3043.

3 Mario's. DevilDore sez, "Classic Nashville Favorite for gourmet Italian. Mario's I believe holds the distinction of being Nashville's longest running 5 Star Restaurant. You will likely need a reservation."2005 Broadway. 327-3232.

4 SATCO. Officially named "San Antonio Taco Company," but to the locals, it's "SATCO." Founded by a couple of Vanderbilt students, it's got a great deck for hanging out. Specialty is "build your own" fajitas and soft tacos and buckets of beer. In nice weather, it's packed with Vandy students. There's a second site downtown on Commerce Street, but the 21st Avenue location is the fav among the locals. 416 21st Ave S. 327-4322 .

5 Ben & Jerry's. The Nashville area's first full Ben & Jerry's ice cream store opened in January right next to SATCO. It's a perfect combo -- if you're a beer person, so to SATCO's, and if you're a chocolate person, how can you top New York Super Fudge Chunk?

6 Pizza Perfect. Always in the running for "best pizza in Nashville." It gets VandyWhit's vote. All fresh ingredients. Also has calzones, subs, etc. Very casual atmosphere. 1602 21st Avenue South. 329-2757 .

7 Sportsman Grill. Pleasant, dark, woodsy atmosphere. Good food. 1601 21st Ave S. 320-1633.

8 Pancake Pantry. It's a Nashville institution. As the Nashville Scene said, "You're so Nashville if . . . you spend at least 26 hours a year standing in line at the Pancake Pantry." Year after year, it's voted "Best Pancakes in Nashville" and "Best Breakfast in Nashville." If you get there before 7:30, you probably won't have to wait long, but after that, if you go on the weekend, you'll probably wait an hour or more. After lunch, the crowds thin out, so if you go around 2 in the afternoon (they close at 3 weekends, 4 weekends), you can usually get seated right away. Everything is good. 1796 21st Ave S. 383-9333.

9 Sunset Grill. Contemporary nuevo-American cuisine. Trendy, even though it's been around for years now. Might be the best restaurant in the area. Upscale atmosphere . . . you'll feel out of place if you go in jeans and sweatshirt. Usually crowded. 2001 Belcourt Avenue. 386-3663.

10 La Provence. French-style bakery and cafe. Salads, sandwiches, pastries, soups, desserts, bread and cheese plates. 1705 21st Ave S. 386-0363.

11 The Villager. DevilDore sez, "Best place for Darts...have a league that plays throughout the week. Small little bar wedged in between the business of Hillsboro Village. Great hot sandwiches and cold domestic beer."

12 Bosco's Nashville Brewing Company..DevilDore sez, "Great place for food and drink...nice atmosphere. " 1805 21st Avenue S, 385-0050.

13 Basante. It adjoins the Day's Inn on West End. Italian. Just got an absolute rave review in the City Paper. 1800 West End. 320-0534.

14 Blackstone. DevilDore sez, "Great line of custom home brews, usually 4 standards and 1 or 2 seasonal brews. Much like an English Pub with its menu selections...but many American favorites as well. I recommend that the true Beer Conniseur try the sampler, all 6 beers in 3 ounce glasses for under $10." 1918 West End 327-1344

15 Amerigo's. Italian. Good food, moderately expensive. 1920 West End 320-1740

16 The Longhorn. Squeezed in between 21st Avenue and West End on Lyle Avenue, the Longhorn is a good way to get a good steak without getting dressed up. Comfy atmosphere, friendly servers. 110 Lyle Avenue 329-9195

17 Valentino's Ristorante. Expensive, very nice restaurant. VandyWhit sez, "The only time I've eaten there was the leftovers my daughter brought home from her prom date -- AND THEY WERE GREAT". 1907 West End. 327-0148.

18 Ruth's Chris. DevilDore sez, "Best Steaks in the COUNTRY...very expensive, but if you have never been, you owe it to yourself to go at least once. You can drool over the $50/glass Coniac they keep in a glass case at the bar. Usually a wait, but I never needed a reservation." 2100 West End. 320-0163.

19 Borders. Besides the humongous Border's bookstore, in the same plaza, there's a new location of Bread and Co. (breads, sandwiches, pastries, desserts, etc.). When you go, if you see a really tall attractive woman with dark hair, it's probably Katie Janky, former Commodore.

20 Houston's. - DevilDore sez, "Wonderful food, great variety, something to please everyone, good steaks, soup, chicken, salads, all of it. Very expensive, but well worth it. On West End Ave across from Dudley Field. Was a Favorite of Coach Fogler when he was here...I went three times in the early 90s and he was there each time. Usually has a very long wait." circumfrito adds, "Houston's on West End Avenue-excellent!" 3000 West End. 269-3481.

21 Tin Angel. DevilDore sez, "has some of the most original food I have ever had (very trendy)." VollyParton concurs, "Trendy, pricey, but always good." - 3201 West End 298-3444

22 Krispy Kreme. You know 'em. Admit it, you love 'em. It's always good to know where to find the Krispy Kreme donut shop. 2103 Elliston Place. 329-1100.

23 Sherlock Holmes. DevilDore sez, "Quiet little pub about a mile from Vanderbilt. Great place for Darts and English Ale's." 2206 Ellison Place. 327-1047.

24 Obie's. Another contender for "Best Pizza in Nashville." 2217 Elliston Place.

25 Rotier's. DevilDore sez, "Best deal in Vandy Land. Best cheap burgers, meat and Three, milkshakes, and my favorite, Meatloaf and Fried Okra (I know...I know). Should go just so you can understand what Jimmy Buffet was talking about when he wrote "Cheeseburger In Paradise." On Elliston Place across the street from main Vanderbilt Entrance on West End. 2413 Elliston Place. 327-9892.