Nashville Broadway Food Tour: BBQ, Hot Chicken & Honky Tonks

Summary

Downtown Nashville eats music history and honky tonk stories

You’ll taste smoky barbecue, fiery hot chicken, sweet Southern pralines, and sip cocktails while wandering downtown Nashville with a local guide. Expect stories about Music City’s roots, stops at iconic landmarks on Broadway, and plenty of laughs between bites. There’s music everywhere—even in people’s voices—and you’ll leave full in more ways than one.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our Nashville food tour right on Broadway, where you can actually feel the sidewalk vibrate from whatever band’s playing inside. Our guide—Maggie, who grew up just outside town—handed out name tags and immediately started in with a story about her dad sneaking into the Ryman as a kid. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t that smoky tang from the first barbecue stop. The sauce was sticky enough to lick off your fingers (I did), and there was this slow heat that kind of crept up after you swallowed. Maggie laughed when she caught me fanning my mouth—apparently “mild” means something different here.

We wandered past neon signs and cowboy boots in shop windows, stopping every so often for another bite or a quick look at some old brick building. I tried Nashville hot chicken for the first time—my lips were tingling for ages—and washed it down with a cocktail that tasted like summer and bourbon. There was a moment by the Pedestrian Bridge where the river breeze cut through all the fried smells and you could hear someone practicing guitar somewhere above us. It felt like everyone was part of their own little show.

By the time we reached the praline shop, I’d lost count of how many times Maggie had waved at someone she knew. She told us about her cousin who plays backup at one of the honky tonks (I think it was Tootsie’s?), and somehow we ended up talking about Dolly Parton’s favorite candy. Not everything stuck in my head—I blame the sugar rush—but I still think about that mix of music, stories, and food whenever I hear country radio now. The walk wasn’t too tough (about a mile and a half), but bring comfy shoes if you’re as easily distracted by window displays as I am.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nashville Broadway Food and Sightseeing Tour

• Meet local guide in downtown Nashville
• Stroll 1.2 miles through Broadway district
• Visit Ryman Auditorium and Honky Tonks
• Stop for mouthwatering barbecue
• Sample the original Nashville Hot Chicken
• Enjoy specialty confections and a cocktail
• Pass the Pedestrian Bridge and Riverfront
• See the Country Music Hall of Fame
• Learn history, culture, and local lore
• Complete 3-hour guided food and sightseeing tour

Top questions

How long is the Nashville food tour?

The walking tour lasts about 3 hours.

What foods are included on this Nashville food tour?

The tour includes barbecue, original Nashville hot chicken, specialty confections like pralines, plus beer or a cocktail.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Yes, there are enough tastings throughout to make up a filling lunch.

How far do you walk on this day trip?

The route covers roughly 1.2 to 1.5 miles through downtown Nashville.

Are drinks included on this walking tour?

Yes, tastings include beer or a cocktail along with food samples.

Is there an age requirement for this Nashville food tour?

The minimum age is 12 years; minimum drinking age is 21 years.

Does the tour operate rain or shine?

Yes, it runs in all weather conditions—dress appropriately.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation is available close to the starting point downtown.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through downtown Nashville’s Broadway district with stops for barbecue tasting, original hot chicken sampling, sweet Southern confections like pralines, plus a beer or cocktail—all led by a local guide who shares stories and history along the way.