Nestled between I-440 and The Nations, just a few minutes southwest of Downtown, youâll find Nashvilleâs coziest neighborhood. Sylvan Park combines âold meets newâ Nashville with plenty of lush nature, locally-owned restaurants, and casual happy hour spots. Residents and businesses alike have long been attracted to the highly sought-after real estate, which offers proximity to the city with a nostalgic neighborhood feel. The quiet, quaint area stands in stark contrast to the honky tonks and party buses of Broadway. Although just ten minutes away, it feels worlds apart. Sylvan Park is the perfect respite, where plenty of local gems and friendly faces await you.
âResidents here share a strong sense of neighborhood pride. Neighbors love to get together â at holiday celebrations, volunteer events, casual porch concerts, backyard get-togethers, happy hours, or at our local Richland Park Farmerâs Market,â said Jenny Komoll, president of the Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association. âSome neighborhood traditions have been carried forward for decades, but new neighbors and neighborhood places to gather continually bring fresh ideas and activities to the area.â
Local business owner Victoria Rothberg chose Sylvan Park to open her restaurant, answer., because of the tight-knit community feel. âSylvan Park is an extremely âfront-yardâ neighborhood, in the best way. There are families just starting to raise kids, empty nesters, and everything in between. Some nights, the hardest thing to do is seat guests at their tables because everyone knows each other,â she said. âThe name âanswer.â is meant to represent a dinner table where friends and families come to connect and hopefully find their answers. I think we have created an environment in which to do this, and this incredibly supportive community has made it possible.â
If youâre feeling energetic, start your morning with a peaceful stroll through McCabe Park at the end of Murphy Road, the neighborhoodâs main thoroughfare. Dog and bike-friendly, the 2.8-mile loop circles the golf course with several points that connect to the larger Richland Creek Greenway. Shaded, paved pathways meander through dense woodlands and cross scenic bridges, providing solitude. Be prepared to be transported far from the rush of the city.
From there, mosey on over to the beloved neighborhood mainstay, Star Bagel Cafe, where you can grab a coffee and freshly baked bagel or breakfast sandwich. The longstanding spot is a local favorite, so give yourself some extra time on the weekends if thereâs a bit of a line. Dose., another winning coffee and breakfast option located on the opposite end of Murphy Road, serves up some of Nashvilleâs most delicious caffeinated beverages. You can also grab tasty bites such as the mouth-watering Rosemary Biscuit Sandwich or delicious breakfast avo toast.
Once youâre adequately fueled, stop by The Produce Place, where youâll find a variety of natural groceries and seasonal produce supplied by local farmers and purveyors. Take one step inside, and youâll immediately understand why this tiny grocery store has stood the test of time. Opened in 1988, The Produce Place is a spot where everyone is greeted with a smile and treated like a neighbor. In addition to fresh produce, the shop also sells coffee, baked goods, prepared foods, cheeses, and bulk items like dried fruit and nuts.
Youâll find Import Flowers, Nashvilleâs best source for all things budding and blooming, just a few streets over. Although itâs the âgo-toâ for local weddings and events, Import offers retail fresh-cut flowers in addition to wholesale, so you can build a beautiful bouquet to bring home. While you may be a bit overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of options, the friendly staff is eager to help.
While Sylvan Park isnât necessarily known as a shopping destination, you donât want to miss Elle Gray. Located just steps from McCabe Park on Murphy Road, this boutique offers trendy clothing, accessories, and gift options.
When youâve worked up an appetite again, this charming neighborhood offers a multitude of dining options to choose from. The Sylvan Park outpost of Edleyâs, a Nashville BBQ staple, provides patio seating with plenty of TVs, beers on tap, and delicious Southern dishes. Whether watching a game with friends or grabbing a quick meal, Edleyâs is a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the day. Neighbors, aptly named, is another local watering hole and gameday destination. Next door, youâll find Pancho & Leftyâs Cantina, known for their signature margaritas and tacos that have consistently been voted the best in the city. Nearby, CaffĂ© Nonna, a Sylvan Park institution, claims the title of Nashvilleâs oldest Italian restaurant. Since 1999, CaffĂ© Nonna has been serving pasta, seafood, bruschetta, and more, all inspired by family-favorite recipes from chef Dan Maggipintoâs grandmother. The restaurant is open for dinner from Monday through Saturday. Continue down the street, where youâll run into Park Cafe, a longstanding bistro with one of the cityâs best happy hours, and Lola, a chic Spanish restaurant and wine bar open for dinner on weeknights (except for Tuesdays) and weekend lunch. And, of course, donât forget to dine at answer., where you can enjoy inventive cocktails on the patio or shareable dishes from the eclectic, seasonal menu.
Just a short drive north of Sylvan Parkâs primary hub, where it meets Sylvan Heights on Charlotte Avenue, is Sylvan Supply, a bright re-use development featuring a mix of creative office spaces, retail, and dining concepts. Opened in 2020, this former home of an industrial mill is a welcome addition to Nashville, offering a carefully curated collection of local businesses. Youâll find many dining destinations, including Radish Kitchen, a fast-casual health food spot; two Ramen destinations, Otaku Ramen and Black Dynasty (the brick-and-mortar of a formally âsecretâ pop-up); Red Perch, a seafood restaurant with Australian roots; and Punk Wok, a rocker-themed izakaya-style concept. On the beverage front, Sylvan Supply is also home to Woodland Wine Merchant and Bearded Iris, the second location of the local craft brewery.
For those seeking self-care, the choices are alluring. Two salon favorites, Green Pea Salon and Beauty School Salon, are sure to please. Set in a lovely location, Elà Mar, an aesthetics boutique, features an array of skincare treatments. The newly-opened Pure Barre West provides low-impact workouts for strength and toning, and the Nashville outpost of Row House increases fitness and stamina through vigorous rowing workouts.
Sylvan Park offers the perfect backdrop for a leisurely Saturday afternoon spent on a patio, happy hour with friends, or a long morning walk. This is an area that has managed to grow while remaining true to its roots â a place where everyone feels like a neighbor. Spend some time here, and youâll see why Sylvan Park continues to be one of Nashvilleâs favorite neighborhoods!
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