Nashville 12South Food Tour: 7 Tastings & Secret Dish Walk

Summary

Stroll Nashville’s 12South for tacos, cookies, brisket & a secret bite

You’ll taste your way through Nashville’s lively 12South neighborhood—starting with breakfast tacos, then digging into hot pork & grits casserole, cookies, brisket quesadillas and more. A local guide leads you between stops (with plenty of stories), ending with a surprise secret dish. Expect laughter, new flavors, and maybe a little Southern hospitality sticking with you afterward.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I knew what “Southern food” meant until we started this 12South food tour in Nashville. The first stop was this tiny spot with breakfast tacos—honestly, I didn’t expect much, but the salsa had this smoky smell that hit me before I even sat down. Our guide, Jamie (born and raised here), told us how the neighborhood used to be mostly old houses and now it’s all these bright murals and shops. She waved to someone across the street like she’d known them forever. It felt like walking around with a friend who just happens to know where to get the good stuff.

We wandered along the avenue past coffee shops and people out with their dogs—one guy was playing guitar on his porch, which just seemed so… Nashville. Next up was this place famous for hot pork and grits casserole. It came out bubbling, with a crust that cracked when you tapped it with your fork. The heat from the pork wasn’t shy, but it kind of grew on me. Jamie said locals argue about whose grandma makes it best—she swears by her own family’s recipe, obviously.

After that came something sweet—a cookie that somehow managed to be crispy at the edges but gooey in the middle. I tried not to eat the whole thing but failed miserably. Somewhere between bites, I realized how much I liked just listening to people here talk—there’s this slow drawl that makes everything sound like a story. The last stop was kept secret until we got there (I won’t spoil it), but let’s just say it involved something warm and doughy that made everyone go quiet for a minute.

I left full but also weirdly happy—maybe because Jamie made us laugh or maybe because eating your way down 12South is just a good way to spend an afternoon. I still think about that casserole sometimes when I smell peppery sausage in my own kitchen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore 12South with seven tastings

• Eat renowned breakfast taco
• Try Southern hot pork and grits casserole
• Taste famous gourmet cookie
• Enjoy Secret Dish surprise

Top questions

How many tastings are included on the Nashville 12South food tour?

The tour includes seven tastings plus water throughout.

What foods will I try during the 12South food tour?

You’ll try a breakfast taco, Southern hot pork & grits casserole, gourmet cookie, seasonal donut, brisket quesadilla with spicy green beans, water, and a secret dish.

Is lunch included on this Nashville food tour?

The tour includes several savory dishes and sweets; it’s enough for lunch.

Does the Nashville 12South food tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the starting point in 12South.

How long is the walk during the food tour?

The walking distance is manageable for most fitness levels; comfortable shoes are recommended.

Are dietary requirements accommodated on this tour?

Diets can be accommodated if you contact them in advance before your tour date.

Can infants or small children join the Nashville food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join in a pram or stroller.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are nearby in 12South.

What’s included

Your day includes all seven tastings—from breakfast taco to brisket quesadilla and sweets like cookies and donuts—plus water along the way and a surprise secret dish at the end. You’ll be guided through Nashville’s 12South neighborhood on foot by a local who shares stories as you go; just bring comfy shoes and an appetite.