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/The Gulch:
Assembly Food Hall
5055 Broadway, Nashville
(615) 900-5395
This list couldn’t begin without mentioning downtown’s coolest 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!
Pins Mechanical Co.
1102 Grundy St, Nashville
*All ages before 9pm
Outdoors, you’ll find ample seating, cozy fire pits, giant beer pong, and occasional food trucks. If the kids want to venture inside, they will find arcade games!
12 South/Belmont/Edgehill:
Bartaco
2526 12th Ave S., Nashville
(615) 269-8226
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.
(Additional location: East Nashville 1000 Woodland St.)
Bella Napoli
1200 Villa Place Suite 206, Nashville
(615) 891-1387
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.
Burger Up
2901 12th Ave S., Nashville
(615) 279-3767
Locally sourced beef, communal tables, and crayons for the kids.
(Additional location: Franklin/Cool Springs 401 Cool Springs Blvd # B, Franklin)
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
2706 12th Ave S., Nashville
(615) 953-2951
The bbq is cooked slow and low, and the sides are not an afterthought here. Large patios at several locations (12 South, the Factory at Franklin, Berry Farms 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!
(Additional locations: East Nashville, The Factory at Franklin, Berry Farms Franklin, Sylvan Park, Lenox Village)
Frothy Monkey
2509 12th Ave S., Nashville
615-292-1808
This neighborhood coffee shop, an anchor of the revitalized 12 South 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.
(Additional locations downtown Franklin, Nashville, The Nations and East Nashville)
The Henry
2803 12th Ave S, Suite 105, Nashville
(629) 895-0600
This fancy restaurant located in 12 South has a gorgeous rooftop patio complete with hanging plants, string lights and a retractable rooftop making it a perfect spot year-round. Besides the perfect patio, another great feature of The Henry: kids are always welcome! Their kid’s menu is only $10 featuring faves like mac & cheese, buttered noodles and french fries.
East Nashville:
BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse
1003 Russell Street, Nashville
(615) 505-3217
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.
(Additional locations: Murfreesboro, Bellevue and Spring Hill)
East Nashville Beer Works
320 E. Trinity Lane, Nashville
(615) 891-3108
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 serve pizza, and what kid doesn’t love pizza!
(Additional location: Lebanon)
El Feugo
3917 Gallatin Pike, Nashville
(615) 928-7897
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!
Joyland
901 Woodland Street, Nashville
(615) 922-4934
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.
(Additional location: Sylvan Heights)
The Pharmacy
731 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville
615-712-9517
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.
Rosepepper Cantina
1907 Eastland Ave. Nashville
(615) 227-4777
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!
Sonny’s Patio Pub & Refuge
1322 6th Ave N, Nashville
(615) 953-7846
Sonny’s spacious patio is perfect for families and offers fun vibes, games, plenty of seating and even private cabanas! Their menu is super kid friendly (hello, twinkie tots and nachos!!) and they’ve got great drink specials for mom and dad. Check out their Pancake Social happening every Saturday and Sunday featuring a fun brunch menu and “day” drinks.
Hillsboro Village/Vandy/Midtown:
Avo
4 City Blvd #104, Nashville
(615) 329-2377
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.
McDougal’s
2115 Belcourt Ave., Nashville
(615) 383-3005
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?
(Additional location: Brentwood)
Sylvan Park/West Nashville/The Nations
Bringle’s Smoking Oasis
4901 Centennial Blvd, Nashville
(615) 583-8886
This spot features a vast outdoor area with turf, lawn games, and picnic tables, all paired with top-notch smoked meats. Its fully enclosed space makes it an ideal hangout for the entire family, even the four-legged family dog!
Fat Bottom Brewing
800 44th Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 219-4589
Fat Bottom is a great place for families. They have a large outdoor area with cornhole, green spaces, tables and areas for the kids and dogs to play!
Hugh Baby’s
4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville
(615) 610-3340
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.
(Additional locations: East Nashville and Berry Hill)
M.L. Rose
4408 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 750-2920
M.L Rose is a great place to grab a burger and enjoy the outdoor space. They also feature a putting green for some family entertainment!
(Additional locations: Downtown Nashville, Franklin, Gallatin, Inglewood, Melrose, Mt. Juliet, and Murfreesboro)
Nicky’s Coal Fired
5026 Centennial Blvd., Nashville
(615) 678-4289
Everybody likes pizza so Nicky’s is the perfect spot for an al fresco family dinner. They offer plenty of outdoor and indoor seating and don’t miss their awesome Family Nights every Monday! Kids 12 and under eat free and parents get special cocktails at seriously low prices. It’s win-win for everyone!
Sandbar
3 City Avenue, Suite 500, Nashville
Sand and outdoor volleyball! Enjoy outdoor air, tasty drinks, and sand volleyball. Kiddos and leashed four legged furry friends are all welcome.
Tailgate Brewery
7300 Charlotte Park, Nashville
(615) 861-9842
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.
(Additional locations: Music Row, East Nashville, Germantown, South Nashville and Hendersonville)
Lenox Village:
Burger Republic
6900 Lenox Village Dr. Ste 22, Nashville
(615) 499-4428
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.
(Additional locations: The Gulch, Murfreesboro and Mt. Juliet)
On the Edge of the City:
Blue Moon Waterfront Grille
525 Basswood Avenue, Nashville
Cumberland River Mile Marker 175 (if you’re coming by water)
(615) 356-6666
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.
