By Abbey Brown
The Nashville Farmers’ Market is a melting pot of shops, restaurants, and merchants that offer local and international food and crafts. Open every day of the year, NFM is perfect for taking a quick lunch break or spending the afternoon touring the historic area. One of the many Rent-A-Bike stations throughout the city is outside the market, and a great option for those that want to expand their exploration of Nashville.
The Market House is the main building with an International Grocery Store and over sixteen restaurants to choose from. Under the farm sheds, the flea market is open on Friday to Sunday where you can find food trucks, fresh produce, and handmades.
The Gardens of Babylon, located at the south end of the farm sheds, is a year-round, downtown oasis that offers a wide variety of herbs, plants, and flowers. The staff is extremely knowledgable, and they offer workshops and landscaping services, which makes it an ideal gardening center for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
The Bicentennial Mall is a 19-acre state park located across the street from the market. The park offers visitors a look at Tennessee history with a 200-foot granite map of the state and Pathway of History, World War II Memorial, 95-Bell Carillon, and the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. There is a 2,000-seat amphitheater, designed after the Greek theater at Epidaurus, that provides a dramatic view of the Nashville skyline. A visitor’s center with a fountain area (great for kids on a hot day), picnic tables and restrooms are located under the train trestle.
Merchant Recommendations:
Individually-prepared pizza from a wood-fire stove that’s topped with local meat and vegetables. Try one of their creative house special pizzas and soda.
Breakfast and lunch Mexican food. Their special is a $5 burrito the size of your head, the most you can get for your money at the market. Also recommend the fish tacos.
Available on weekend days, this is the only juice that I’ve ever thought was worth spending $10. With raw ingredients, it’s delicious and great for digestive aid and anti-inflammatory.
Serves fifteen beers/ciders and a local picnic-fare menu, but you may bring any food from the market to pair with your craft beer. On select Wednesday and Thursday nights, they have Local Pint Night, where a select company will feature its new brews for $4 a pint.
Don’t take my word for it. See Nashville Farmers Market for a full list of the merchant days and hours, and try them all for yourself.
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