If you’ve just landed in Music City and have only a few hours to spare, or you’re here for the weekend and want to start things off right, let me introduce you to something truly unforgettable: a downtown Nashville food tour. Not just any food tour, but one that’s been described by guests as the best tour they’ve taken anywhere in the world.
Hi, I’m Christine Wheatley, founder of A Little Local Flavor, and I’ve spent the past seven years building what I believe is one of Nashville’s best experiences. If you only have 3 hours to get your bearings, eat the city’s most iconic and delicious bites, sip a cocktail or two, and learn more about Nashville’s rich and complicated history, there’s no better way than a walking food tour.
Let me show you why.
Why Start With a Food Tour?
When you’re visiting a new city, especially one like Nashville, with so many things to do and see, the choices can feel overwhelming. Everyone has an opinion: eat here, drink this, go there. But what if you could knock out a downtown history tour, 5+ food and beverage tastings, live music, 3 drinks, local insights, and personalized local recommendations for your trip all in one go?
That’s what our guests get every single day.
A food tour is more than just a meal. It’s your welcome committee. It’s a crash course in what’s worth your time. And it’s your best shot at getting off the tourist trail, without sacrificing comfort, fun, or flavor.
What Makes Our Nashville Food Tour Different?
We’re not a franchise. We’re not a bachelorette party on a pedal tavern. We’re a local, woman-owned company that partners with other locally owned restaurants and artisans to create something truly meaningful. In fact, through our tours we’ve invested more than $1.4 million into locally owned restaurants in downtown Nashville.
1. Every Guide Is a Storyteller
Our guides aren’t just there to herd people from stop to stop. They’re trained in public speaking, storytelling, and Nashville history. Some of them are also full-time musicians, writers, and creatives, and they bring their own flavor to every tour.
Guests consistently tell us things like:
“This was hands down the best tour I’ve ever taken. The guide had the perfect mix of historical knowledge, personal stories, and humor. I learned so much and left full and happy.”
Carly Becker · Official Google Review2. Locally Owned Stops with a Story
Every restaurant on our tour was chosen for its food and its story. We visit:
A 30+ year-old family-run ice cream shop that was displaced by Broadway redevelopment and now thrives on 2nd Ave.
A fourth-generation candy maker with handmade caramels and old-school hospitality.
An iconic downtown staple, one of the oldest buildings on Broadway, where you’ll sit at a 400-year-old heart pine table and eat their signature shrimp and grits.
A distillery with roots in the local bartending scene, serving up house-made whiskey infusions.
Each stop is a taste of Nashville’s food scene, and its soul.
3. We Include Drinks (And Not Just Sweet Tea)
Pick the ticket that fits how you want to drink. The $125 ticket includes two thoughtfully chosen non-alcoholic drinks, one is a craft mocktail. The $145 ticket includes three full drinks: a local beer and two craft cocktails, paired to the food. Either way, every stop is intentional, and we’re the only downtown tour that even offers an alcohol pairing.
4. A True Downtown Walking Tour (With Real History)
Our route is a thoughtfully paced 1.2-mile walk through historic downtown, from Printer’s Alley to the Riverfront. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of:
The Christmas Day bombing and its impact on local businesses
The evolution of Nashville’s food scene
Stories behind the music based architecture of the Country Music Hall of Fame
Broadway’s transformation (for better and worse)
It’s not a sugar-coated version of Nashville, it’s the real thing.
“I’m a firm believer that food tells the history and culture of an area. This story is beautifully told with A Little Local Flavor. The history that ties in with the tour, along wiht the truly delicious food pairings are stunning. Her mission is to support the locally owned restaurants, which is so important in such a historic town in Nashville. Too bad google doesn’t rate higher than 5 stars, because this would definitely break the scale.”
Jeffery Eshelman · Official Google ReviewThings to Do in Downtown Nashville After Your Tour
One of the reasons we recommend booking a food tour at the beginning of your trip is because guests always say:
We used your recommendations for the rest of our weekend. Every place you told us to try was incredible!
A frequent comment from our guestsAfter your 3-hour tour, you’ll know:
Where to get the best cocktails without a 2-hour wait
Where the locals actually eat hot chicken
Where to go for live music that isn’t packed with tourists
How to avoid overhyped spots that aren’t worth your time
Our guides personally recommend restaurants, bars, shops, music venues, and even local events based on your taste and your plans.
Who Is This Tour Perfect For?
Whether you’re solo, traveling with a partner, or bringing the whole family, our tour adapts to your group. It’s perfect for:
First-time Nashville visitors who want to get their bearings
Food lovers who want the best local food, not just tourist traps
Corporate travelers with a free afternoon downtown
Couples or friend groups looking for a memorable experience
Locals hosting out-of-town guests
We also accommodate food allergies and dietary needs, vegetarian, gluten-free, and the $125 ticket comes with non-alcoholic pairings if you’d rather skip the alcohol.
Guest Reviews: What People Are Saying
Here are just a few of the 2,700+ 5-star reviews we’ve received:
“We’ve done this tour a couple of times because of how much we love the experience. Each time we’ve had Lauren for our downtown tour and love having a familiar face, plus she is a great tour guide. Highly recommend all tours with this company.”
Seth Qualls · Official Google Review“The best food walking tour that we have done, and we have done many. The food is great and Mathew is an amazing guide with so much knowledge of Nashville which he eloquently shares throughout all of the stops. Take this tour!!”
Lisa Greenshields · Official Google ReviewWe went on this tour the first day of our trip and we were so glad we did. It set the tone for everything else. We knew where to eat, where to go, and learned so much about the city that we wouldn’t have otherwise.
Lindsey_M_NY · TripAdvisor
Book Your Nashville Food Tour
So if you’re asking, What’s the best way to explore Nashville in 3 hours? This is it.
It’s more than just food. It’s more than just history. It’s more than just a walk. It’s the first step toward falling in love with this complex, creative, and wildly flavorful city.
Book your spot today, whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, a birthday group, or a team of 100, and let us show you the Nashville that locals want you to see.
Visiting Nashville?
Our downtown Nashville food tour is the #1 rated culinary experience in the city, with 2,700+ five-star reviews. Three hours, six stops, live music, and every dish hand-picked by a local.
Book Your Food Tour