TRAVEL: Nashville's 10 best off-the-beaten-track hot spots!

It’s funny how certain cities get under your skin. I’ve been around, but there’s something captivating about Nashville, Tennessee – a ‘crazy town’, as locals call it, bursting with culture, history and Southern charm (the kind of charm that prompts locals – easily the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered – to shout “bless you!” from across the street should you sneeze).

From world-weary musicians playing for tips in Broadway’s famed honky tonks (that’s Nashvillian for ‘rowdy bar’) to the hundreds of recording studios dotted along Music Row, Nashville’s nickname ‘Music City’ couldn’t be more apt.

Non-country fans, fear not. Nashville may be known for twangy tunes, but beyond Broadway – a must for tourists but less popular among locals – there’s a plethora of hip eateries, restaurants, bars and shops just a short (boot) scoot away. (Just ask Gwyneth, who raved about her Nashville stint on Goop.

Here are ten off the beaten track hotspots, straight from the locals.

EDGEHILL CAFÉ

1201 Villa Place.

Forget Starbucks – this place rivals New York for cool with its antique-chic fit-out and laid back vibe. And the coffee? Perfection.

BURGER UP

2901 12^th Ave. South.

Nestled in Nashville’s trendy 12 South neighborhood, Burger Up is always crowded (they don’t take bookings) and always delicious. The owners use mostly local ingredients, including the melt-in-your-mouth beef, straight from Franklin’s Triple L Ranch.

FIDO

1812 21st Ave. South.

A NashVegas institution, Fido is one cool, er, dog. I ate banana nut pancakes and smiled for the rest of the day. The infamous Pancake Pantry is across the street.

IMOGENE + WILLIE

2601 12^th Ave. South.

Unique, handmade jeans (and more), Imogene and Willie is truly fabulous. Take a peak inside the store and studio here.

GRIMEYS/THE BASEMENT

1604 8th Ave. South.

Grimeys New and Preloved Music is, according to my in-the-know friend Brittany, a “killer local record store”. In the basement is the, um, Basement an intimate music venue serving up classic jazz, blues, rock and solo acoustic performances.

ARRINGTON VINEYARDS

6211 Patton Road Arrington.

Owned by Kix Brooks of country music duo Brooks and Dunn, Arrington Vineyards is a short drive out of town and the perfect picnic setting.

THE BLUEBIRD

4104 Hillsboro Pike.

THE place to play if you’re a songwriter (Taylor Swift and the Kings of Leon boys gigged here before they made it big) and a top spot for listeners, too. Don’t forget to book.

THE SILLY GOOSE

1888 Eastland Ave.

Spectacular sandwiches and meals made with love. The dark chocolate mousse (which comes with a “milk chocolate vessel”) is called Sex. Of course.

THE FAMILY WASH

2038 Greenwood Ave.

A hip restaurant-meets-music venue with a cool, retro vibe. The Shepherd’s Pie can’t be beat.

PARADISE PARK TRAILOR RESORT

411 Broadway.

Okay, so this one IS on Broadway, but I’m assured it’s terribly cool by my friend John, who affectionately calls it “PPark” and will escort you there if you go to Nashville. His number is 615…

Kidding.