12 South Nashville packs a half mile of 12th Avenue South with murals, coffee shops, boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in the city. It is the most walkable neighborhood strip in Nashville, and a slow morning here covers more ground than a full day downtown.

Key Highlights

  • 12 South is a half-mile stretch of 12th Avenue South, about three miles south of downtown, and almost everything sits within a few blocks.
  • The “I Believe in Nashville” mural, across from Draper James, is the city’s most photographed wall, with several more murals within a two-block walk.
  • Sevier Park anchors the south end, with playgrounds, a walking trail, and the farmers market on Tuesday afternoons from May through October.
  • Frothy Monkey opened its original cafe here in 2004, and Edley’s Bar-B-Que opened its original location here in 2011.
  • Locust, a 22-seat restaurant with a MICHELIN Star from 2025, sits alongside casual favorites like 12 South Taproom and Urban Grub.

Where 12 South Is

12 South centers on 12th Avenue South between Linden Avenue and Sevier Park, about three miles south of downtown Nashville. The drive from Broadway takes 10 to 15 minutes when traffic cooperates. The name comes from the street: 12th Avenue South, shortened by locals to 12 South. The district is small enough to cover on foot in an hour, though most visitors take a half day once the shops and restaurants pull them in.

The neighborhood was a quiet residential area until the early 2000s, when young families, artists, and musicians moved in for affordable housing and a central location. Cafes and boutiques followed, filling converted houses and old storefronts. Historic buildings like Hicks Tabernacle Baptist Church still stand among the new shops, which is why the strip feels layered rather than rebuilt. If you are planning where to base yourself, our Nashville neighborhoods guide compares 12 South with the other districts.

The Murals: A Walking Photo Route

The murals are the reason many visitors come, and they are free to view and photograph at any hour. Start at the corner of 12th Avenue South and Douglas Avenue, where the “I Believe in Nashville” mural covers the wall across the alley from Draper James. It is the city’s most photographed mural, so go early in the morning for a clear shot and the best light. Directly across the street, the blue-and-white wall on the side of Draper James is the second stop on the same corner.

From there, walk south. “Nashville Looks Good on You” sits behind Frothy Monkey, so grab a coffee first and take the photo with it in hand. “Looking Pretty, Music City” covers the side of Madewell a few doors down. The flower mural at Green Pea Salon, the Wanna Spoon mural, and the “Bottoms Up” and PlayDate murals near 2403 and 2405 12th Avenue South fill out the route. Murals get repainted or replaced from time to time, so expect something new on each visit. The whole route is under a mile, and every wall sits within a few blocks of the others.

Sevier Park and the Farmers Market

Sevier Park anchors the south end of the strip at 3000 Granny White Pike. The 20-acre park has two playgrounds, picnic tables, a walking trail, basketball courts, and a community center, plus Sunnyside, a house built in 1852 that stands at the middle of the grounds. It is the neighborhood’s backyard, and on a sunny afternoon the lawns fill with families, dogs, and runners.

From May through October, the park hosts the 12 South Farmers Market every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., according to the market’s own site. The market, established in 2011, brings local farms, bakers, and food trucks together with live music, and it is the best Tuesday evening in the neighborhood. Arrive early if you drive: parking around the park gets tight, and the market draws a crowd from across south Nashville. The park itself is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to Nashville Parks.

Where to Eat in 12 South

Coffee and Breakfast

Start at Frothy Monkey, the original location in a converted bungalow that opened in 2004. It roasts its own coffee, serves brunch all day, and the breakfast sandwiches are the usual order. Butter Milk Ranch is the bakery stop: giant croissants, beignets, and biscuits from the counter, with a full seated menu inside. Weekend waits for a table run long, so order at the counter and take a seat outside if you are in a hurry. Hearts brings an Australian take on breakfast and brunch, with a seasonal menu and a light, bright room.

Lunch

Edley’s Bar-B-Que, the original location from 2011, is the barbecue stop. Its Nashville-style barbecue mixes classic smoked meat with hot chicken flavor, and the banana pudding is the side to save room for. Wanna Spoon is the playful option: a cereal bar with milkshakes, ice cream, and a full drink menu, plus a fenced outdoor area with yard games that works well with kids. Bartaco does tacos, guac, and margaritas for a laid-back lunch, and The Cookery, a nonprofit bakery four blocks north of the main cluster, is known for cinnamon rolls and for training formerly homeless men in culinary arts.

Dinner

Locust is the most lauded restaurant in the district. The 22-seat room earned a MICHELIN Star in 2025, after being named Restaurant of the Year by Food and Wine, and a meal typically runs $100 or more per person. It is open Friday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, and reservations open one month ahead, so book the moment they release. For a more relaxed dinner, 12 South Taproom has served the neighborhood since 2006 with 30 rotating taps, craft cocktails, and a dog-friendly covered patio. Urban Grub is the date-night pick: wood-fired fish, chops, and steaks in a dim room with fireplaces, typically $50 to $100 per person. Epice serves upscale Lebanese food with Saturday and Sunday brunch, and it is closed on Mondays.

Dessert

Five Daughters Bakery is the dessert stop, famous for its 100-layer donuts, with vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options alongside the classics. The 12 South shop is the most colorful of the chain’s locations. Save it for the end of the walk: the sugar rush pairs well with the stroll back to the car.

Shopping in 12 South

More than two dozen boutiques line the strip, mixing local shops with national brands like Madewell, Marine Layer, Buck Mason, and Vuori. Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s flagship store at 2607 12th Avenue South, is the best-known shop: women’s fashion, home goods, and lifestyle pieces in a classic Southern style, with prices on the higher side. White’s Mercantile is the modern general store, stocking clothing, books, housewares, candles, and Nashville souvenirs under one roof.

Imogene and Willie, in a former gas station, makes designer denim and other clothing in the USA, and it is the shop denim fans plan around. Made in TN stocks only products from Tennessee makers, from T-shirts and aprons to artwork and foodstuffs, which makes it the best souvenir stop on the strip. Emerson Grace and Judith Bright cover contemporary women’s fashion and jewelry. Budget an hour for the shops alone, and more if you browse the way the street invites you to. For a different shopping day nearby, our Green Hills guide covers the mall and boutiques one neighborhood west.

Getting to 12 South and Getting Around

Driving from downtown takes 10 to 15 minutes via 8th Avenue South or Franklin Pike, then west on Kirkwood or Acklen Avenue. Street parking runs along 12th Avenue South and the side streets, and it is metered in places; expect to walk a block or two on busy weekends, and arrive early on farmers market Tuesdays. Rideshares are the easy answer from downtown, usually under $15 outside surge.

Once you are there, walk. The strip is flat, the sidewalks are wide, and everything sits within a half mile. WeGo buses run along 12th Avenue South and nearby corridors into downtown; a single ride costs $2 for two hours, with a $4 daily cap, according to WeGo. If you are coming from Berry Hill or Melrose, the drive is only a few minutes, and our Berry Hill guide and 8th Avenue South guide cover the neighbors.

Best Time to Visit 12 South

Weekday mornings are the calmest time to walk the murals and browse the shops. Saturday is the busiest day: brunch crowds, full patios, and lines at the popular bakeries. Tuesday afternoons from May through October belong to the farmers market, which turns Sevier Park into the neighborhood’s living room. Spring and fall are the best seasons, with mild weather for walking; summer brings heat and bigger crowds, so start early and duck into the air-conditioned shops at midday. Most shops open by 10 or 11 a.m., and the restaurants run through dinner, so a morning-to-afternoon visit covers the strip well.

Where to Stay Near 12 South

12 South has limited hotels of its own, and most visitors stay downtown or in the Gulch and ride over. The Gilmore, an AvantStay hotel near the shops, and The Belmont Hotel, a boutique option nearby, are the closest stays. Both put you within walking distance of the murals and restaurants. For a wider comparison of areas and hotels, see the tourism hub in our Nashville tourism guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is 12 South in Nashville?

12 South is a half-mile stretch of 12th Avenue South, about three miles south of downtown Nashville. The main strip runs from Linden Avenue to Sevier Park, with shops, restaurants, and murals along the way. Parking is on the street and side roads, and most visitors arrive by car or rideshare from downtown.

What is 12 South Nashville known for?

It is known for its murals, especially “I Believe in Nashville,” its boutique shopping, its coffee shops and restaurants, and Sevier Park with its Tuesday farmers market. It is the city’s most walkable neighborhood shopping district. Shoppers, photographers, and food lovers all find something here, and the whole district stays busy from morning coffee to dinner.

Where is the “I Believe in Nashville” mural?

The mural is on 12th Avenue South across the alley from Draper James, near the corner of Douglas Avenue. The blue-and-white wall on the side of Draper James sits directly across the street. It is the first stop on most visitors’ mural walk, and it sits in the busiest photo corner of the strip.

When is the 12 South Farmers Market?

The market runs every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., May through October, at Sevier Park. It has live music, food trucks, and local farm vendors, and it was established in 2011. The market fills the park lawn with farm stands, bakers, and food trucks, and it runs rain or shine through the season.

Is 12 South walkable?

Yes. The whole strip is about a half mile, flat, with wide sidewalks. Most visitors park once and walk the entire district, including the murals, shops, restaurants, and Sevier Park. Sidewalks run the full length of the strip, and the flat ground makes the walk easy for strollers and wheelchairs too.

Do I need reservations for dinner in 12 South?

For Locust, yes: reservations open one month ahead and the 22-seat room fills fast. For most other restaurants, including Urban Grub and Epice, reservations are smart on weekends but walk-ins usually work on weeknights. Weekday walk-ins are usually fine at the casual spots, but book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights anywhere on the strip.

Go on a weekday morning, start with coffee at Frothy Monkey, walk the mural route, shop Draper James and White’s Mercantile, and finish with lunch at Edley’s and a donut from Five Daughters. That is 12 South in a half day, and it is the easiest good day in Nashville.