Where To Eat During CMA Fest

The scoop on nearby dining options

By Ann Walczak / Photography By Jason Bihler | June 09, 2022

The folks at Califarmia food truck serve up farm-fresh fare to festival-goers

It’s that time of year again, where tourists and locals alike (especially tourists) gather downtown to celebrate country music in all its glory. 300+ artists from mainstream radio to Broadway regulars and everything in between showcase their talents over 4 days from about 10 am to 12 am. That’s a lot of standing, sweating, rocking out, and, due to multiple stages - walking.

What does that mean? That eating is important (and grabbing a couple nicer beverages doesn’t hurt either, as long as you remember to HYDRATE.) We’re here to point you in the right direction.

Photo 1: cheeseburger from M.L. Rose

Photo 2: Papas Locas from Tatercakes

Photo 3: PB and J from Spread Em

Photo 4: Spicy Brisket Melt from Music City Brisket

The most accessible option, of course, are the food trucks. Here are the ones participating this year:

M.L. Rose
The burgers at M.L. Rose often make the lists of Nashvillian’s favorite cheeseburgers. The patties are thick, and the toppings are quality. Choose The Hombre with poblano cream cheese, bacon, and jalapeño jelly, The Taproom Burger with bacon, Swiss, braised onions, and horseradish taproom sauce, or a more traditional cheeseburger. Just make sure you grab some waffle fries to go with it. @_mlrose

Califarmia
California cuisine grown in Tennessee. The Califarmia truck offers a healthier option for concertgoers highlighting local produce with rice bowls, tacos, and a salad option. We like the Coconut Bang-Bang Bowl with chargrilled chicken, Thai-spiced zucchini, honey-ginger carrots, and sweet Thai chile sauce. @califarmiatruck

The Mac Shack
It takes a lot of energy to take in four days of amazing performances, so it doesn’t hurt to carboload. The Mac Shack serves up exactly what the name implies – loaded macaroni and cheese. If you don’t mind a little heat in the heat, grab the Big Bad Buffalo with shredded buffalo chicken, house buffalo sauce, pickled celery, and ranch. @themacshacknash

Spread ‘Em
For a more traditional mid-day snack, how about a loaded PB&J? Choose from the classic with grape jelly on white bread to the more adventurous with shredded hot chicken, cashew spread, hot pepper jelly, and pickles on rosemary garlic bread. We’re still curious about that last one, but more than willing to try it! @spreademtruck

Music City Brisket
If you want to know what Music City Brisket is all about, look no further than their Instagram bio. “Smoked brisket. Avocado fries. Tacos. Ribs. Sandwiches & more.” Say no more – we’re in. Our favorite? The brisket melt. I mean… just LOOK at it. Talk about the perfect compliment to a cold beer. @musiccitybrisket

Photo 1: Music City Gyro

Photo 2: Buffalo Mac from The Mac Shack

Photo 3: Coconut Bang Bang Bowl from Califarmia

Photo 4: Loaded Fries from Smokin Buttz

Tennessee Tatercakes
A “tatercake” is a hand-formed and panko breaded fried mashed potato cake. Tennessee Tatercakes then tops those delicious little cakes with slow smoked meats, cheeses, veggies, and sauces. The sweet potato with pulled chicken looks incredible, but we think the Tradish with simple shredded cheddar, bourbon bacon, sour cream, and green onion is just perfect for CMA. And any place that offers “Tachos” makes us happy. @tennesseetatercakes

Smokin' Buttz
As far as barbeque sandwiches go, these are top notch. Brisket between bread with pickles and barbeque sauce? It's called the Texas and it just couldn't get more country music festival-appropriate than that. The Smokin' Jack Grilled Cheese is also great, but I probably wouldn't opt for The Gut Buster. After all, CMA Fest is a marathon, not a sprint. @smokinbuttz

Music City Gyros
This self-proclaimed “humble little cart” cranks out an anything but humble gyro. These bad boys are stuffed to the brim with meat and accompaniments. You can also build your own salad or taco or enjoy one of the multitude of options off their vegetarian menu, like falafel. @musiccitygyros

Photo 1: Cobbler Cone from Tennessee Cobbler Co

Photo 2: Sno from Retro Sno

Photo 3: Strawberry Lemonade from Olivers Icebox

Dessert for Days
Food truck row has four dessert options this year. The Tennessee Cobbler Company returns with their scrumptious Cobbler Cones and Cobbler Shakes, Retro Sno is scooping up nostalgia to help cool you off on these scorching summer days, Louisiana’s Beignet Box (co-owned by none other than Christina Milian) is bringing their fresh fried dough to Nashville, and Oliver’s Ice Box is at the ready with handmade gourmet cookie ice cream sandwiches. We recommend the Strawberry Lemonade with lemon cookies and strawberry ice cream – it was perfect for a mid-afternoon second wind. Not too sweet, not too firm. @tncobblerco @retrosno @beignetbox @oliversicebox

Photo 1: Rooftop at The Hampton Social

Photo 2: Liberty Common

Photo 3: Rooftop at 12/30 club

Photo 4: Rooftop at the 12/30 Club

If you’re venturing outside the immediate parameters of the festival, here are a few restaurants for good eats and good festival vibes.

The Hampton Social – 201 1st Ave S
As the name implies, The Hampton Social is the perfect place to be, well, social. With ample space for groups and a gorgeous rooftop space, you can relax in the coastal-inspired atmosphere, order something from the raw bar or a simple pizza like the Avocado Corn, and partake in their “Rosé All Day” motto. All within blocks of CMA Fest. @thehamptonsocial

Liberty Common – 207 1st Ave S
Practically next door to The Hampton Social is Liberty Common, a French Bistro inspired restaurant and bar that is anything but small. Grab a seat at one of the open windows on the patio for oysters and wine, or if you need a break from the heat, step inside and slide into one of the beautiful booths. If you’ve been waiting to get a southern chicken and waffle fix, this is a great place to do it. @libertycommon

The Southern Steak and Oyster – 150 3^rd Ave S
Just off Broadway is a common refueling stop for music lovers. Enjoy the large patio or secluded booths indoors and order a Hot Chicken Salad, the perfect combo of hot and cold. During brunch, don’t miss the Steak & Biscuit Benedict with grilled beef tenderloin and blue cheese biscuits. It’s delicious. @thesouthernsos

Church & Union – 201 4^th Ave N
With long tables, mimosa flights, and generous sweet and savory boards for sharing, Church & Union really caters to a crowd. Start with an order of Poutine with mozzarella curd and Nola gravy or the Southern Salad with cornbread croutons and creamy poblano dressing before heading out for the day. @churchandunionnashville

5^th + Broadway – 5036 Broadway Place
This glorious new food hall right on Broadway is a huge game-changer this year. With multiple floors jam-packed with diverse and local food options, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone in your party it can’t please. Besides beloved Nashville staples like Prince’s Hot Chicken, The Pharmacy, and Slim & Husky’s, there’s also sushi from Horu Sushi Kitchen (we love the Horu Roll with tuna, salmon, tempura bacon, crab, avocado, lemon, scallions, spicy mayo, and eel sauce). Downstairs, pop in to Boqueria for tapas and a spritzer before heading back out to the next stage. @fifthandb @princeshotchicken_nashville @thepharmacynashville @slimandhuskys @horusushi @boqueria

The 12/30 Club – 550 Broadway
Keep the live music going in the beautiful first floor bar/lounge/honky tonk and an order of Old Bay Rubbed Wings or head up to the incredible resort-style rooftop for Sweet Potato Fries and The Fifty-Fifty, a blend of their “world famous” Pina Colada and Pomegranate Frosé. @thetwelvethirtyclub

Need more? For restaurant suggestions click on our EAT tab. For live musician interviews and stories, click here.