Nestled between I-440 and The Nations, just a few minutes southwest of Downtown, you’ll find Nashville’s coziest neighborhood. Sylvan Park combines “old meets new” 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.

“Residents here share a strong sense of neighborhood pride. Neighbors love to get together — at holiday celebrations, volunteer events, casual porch concerts, backyard get-togethers, happy hours, or at our local Richland Park Farmer’s Market,” said Jenny Komoll, president of the Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association. “Some 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.”

Local business owner Victoria Rothberg chose Sylvan Park to open her restaurant, answer., because of the tight-knit community feel. “Sylvan Park is an extremely ‘front-yard’ 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,” she said. “The name ‘answer.’ 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.”

Serving taking orders on answer.'s patio in Sylvan Park
Sylvan Park’s answer. offers a gathering place for great food and community. Image: answer.
Tartare appetizer at answer. restaurant
From tuna tartare to bucatini pasta with lamb and pork ragu, answer. ’s menu delights. Image: answer.

If you’re feeling energetic, start your morning with a peaceful stroll through McCabe Park at the end of Murphy Road, the neighborhood’s 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.

View of creek in McCabe Golf Course
McCabe Park offers a scenic landscape, complete with a creek. Image: Alli Bridgers

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 there’s a bit of a line. Dose., another winning coffee and breakfast option located on the opposite end of Murphy Road, serves up some of Nashville’s most delicious caffeinated beverages. You can also grab tasty bites such as the mouth-watering Rosemary Biscuit Sandwich or delicious breakfast avo toast.

Breakfast sandwich from dose. in Sylvan Park
Dose. and Star Bagel are fantastic options for breakfast and coffee in Sylvan Park! Image: dose.

Once you’re adequately fueled, stop by The Produce Place, where you’ll find a variety of natural groceries and seasonal produce supplied by local farmers and purveyors. Take one step inside, and you’ll 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.

You’ll find Import Flowers, Nashville’s best source for all things budding and blooming, just a few streets over. Although it’s the “go-to” 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.

Juices and salads on a shelf at The Produce Place in Sylvan Park.
Find prepackaged foods from local vendors as well as fresh salads and sandwiches at The Produce Place.
Flowers from Import Flowers.
Import Flowers carries everything from daisies to dahlias and everything in between! Image: Instagram

While Sylvan Park isn’t necessarily known as a shopping destination, you don’t want to miss Elle Gray. Located just steps from McCabe Park on Murphy Road, this boutique offers trendy clothing, accessories, and gift options.

When you’ve worked up an appetite again, this charming neighborhood offers a multitude of dining options to choose from. The Sylvan Park outpost of Edley’s, 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, Edley’s is a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the day. Neighbors, aptly named, is another local watering hole and gameday destination. Next door, you’ll find Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina, known for their signature margaritas and tacos that have consistently been voted the best in the city. Nearby, Caffé Nonna, a Sylvan Park institution, claims the title of Nashville’s oldest Italian restaurant. Since 1999, Caffé Nonna has been serving pasta, seafood, bruschetta, and more, all inspired by family-favorite recipes from chef Dan Maggipinto’s grandmother. The restaurant is open for dinner from Monday through Saturday. Continue down the street, where you’ll run into Park Cafe, a longstanding bistro with one of the city’s 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, don’t forget to dine at answer., where you can enjoy inventive cocktails on the patio or shareable dishes from the eclectic, seasonal menu.

Exterior of Elle Gray boutique in Sylvan Park.
Find Elle Gray in the space formerly occupied by The Willow Tree.
Exterior of Edley's BBQ in Sylvan Park.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que honored the former Sylvan Park Restaurant by replicating its original sign in a blown-up mural that peeks out.
Interior of dining room in Lola.
Relatively new to the Sylvan Park restaurant scene, Lola brings Spanish tapas and a superb wine selection. Image: Lola
Spread of food from Lola in Sylvan Park
From eggplant dip and crispy artichokes to prawns and bacon, Lola offers a memorable menu. Image: Lola

Just a short drive north of Sylvan Park’s 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. You’ll 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 “secret” 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.

Two bowls from Radish Kitchen
Amanda Fredrickson delivers insanely good fast-casual fare at Radish Kitchen. Image: Radish + JM Collective
Bowl from Radish Kitchen against a pink background.
Healthy and delicious? We’re in! Image: Radish + JM Collective

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, ElàMar, 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 — a place where everyone feels like a neighbor. Spend some time here, and you’ll see why Sylvan Park continues to be one of Nashville’s favorite neighborhoods!

**********

For more local neighborhood guides, click here!

Alli Bridgers
About the Author
Alli Bridgers

Originally from Oxford, MS, Alli Bridgers moved to Nashville after graduating from The University of Mississippi. She works in marketing and brand management, and in her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, getting lost in a good book, and traveling with friends and family.