Belmont Blvd Nashville: A Walking Guide to Eat, Park, and Stay
Belmont Blvd Nashville is a walkable strip of independent coffee shops, barbecue, and Thai restaurants that runs past Belmont University, between 12 South and Hillsboro Village. Plan on roughly one mile of strolling, start with BBQ or coffee, and finish at International Market. Groups staying at Underwood Manor can reach it by a short rideshare.
Key Takeaways
Belmont Boulevard sits between 12 South and Hillsboro Village, and the full stroll runs about one mile.
Belmont University's campus address is 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212, and International Market is at 2013 Belmont Blvd.
Bongo Java opened in 1993, Martin's BBQ Joint has smoked meats since 2014, and International Market dates to 1975.
The boulevard works best as a half-day detour, not a full-day plan; pair it with 12 South or Hillsboro Village for a longer outing.
Davidson County drew 17.39 million visitors in 2026, with 17.8 million planned for 2026, so weekend crowds near popular stops are the norm.
Underwood Manor sleeps up to 10 and is about 5 minutes from downtown, which makes the boulevard an easy rideshare away for a slower morning.
What Is Belmont Boulevard in Nashville Known For?
Belmont Boulevard is a tree-lined neighborhood corridor in Nashville known for Belmont University, locally owned coffee and food, and a relaxed walkable feel between 12 South and Hillsboro Village. It trades Broadway's neon for porches, bagels, and a campus bell tower.
If you have only ever seen Nashville through the honky tonk lens, this is the counterweight. Belmont University lists its campus at 1900 Belmont Boulevard, and the businesses across the street cater to students, locals, and visitors who want a meal without a cover charge.
At Underwood Manor, we host bachelorette weekends, birthday trips, and family reunions near downtown Nashville, so we see the same planning gap every season: groups schedule Broadway nights and forget the quieter daytime stops that make a trip feel like Nashville and not just a bar crawl. Belmont Boulevard fills that gap well. It is not a nightlife district, so don't plan it like one.
The anchors are the same ones you will hear from locals: Bongo Java for coffee, Martin's BBQ Joint for lunch, Proper Bagel for breakfast, and International Market for Thai. The official Belmont University visit guide points to the same cluster.
What Is Belmont in Nashville, and Where Does the Boulevard Start?
Belmont is a private university in Nashville whose campus fronts Belmont Boulevard, with the historic Belmont Mansion and a Bell Tower on its grounds. The boulevard is the main street that ties the campus to nearby shops and restaurants.
According to Belmont University's buildings page, the Lila D. Bunch Library sits on the west side of Belmont Boulevard, and the historic Bell Tower stands 200 yards south of Belmont Mansion. The tower served as a water tower on the Acklen estate and as a signal tower during the Civil War. You can read the details on the official Belmont buildings page.
Geographically, the boulevard is a connector between 12 South and Hillsboro Village, and Belmont's own guide names Hillsboro-West End as a walkable neighbor with shops, parks, independent bookstores, and the Belcourt Theatre. Treat the boulevard as the middle of a three-neighborhood afternoon.
One honest caveat: the campus is active. Move-in weekends, graduation, and game days bring traffic and parking pressure, so check the university's visitor information before you plan around a specific date.
2500 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN
What Is the Best Walking Route Along Belmont Boulevard?
The best Belmont Boulevard walking route starts near Martin's BBQ Joint, passes the campus, and ends at International Market, covering roughly one mile and taking 2 to 3 hours with stops.
Here is a clear sequence, since most guides skip one. The one-mile figure is an estimate; the pacing is our recommendation.
Start with coffee or a bagel. Proper Bagel is known for an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. Bongo Java is just across the boulevard from campus.
Browse and stroll. Walk the campus edge and look for the Lila D. Bunch Library on the west side of the boulevard.
Stop at Bloom Flowers. It sells flowers, plants, and gifts, and also does bouquet delivery.
Check the performance calendar. The Fisher Center at Belmont hosts performances, so look up the schedule before you go.
Lunch at Martin's BBQ Joint. The pulled pork nachos are the dish to order.
Finish with Thai at International Market. It is popular, so reserve ahead.
If you prefer dinner over lunch, flip the order and end at International Market. Rain changes the plan quickly because the route is outdoors; the library, coffee shops, and restaurants make easy shelter.
What Are the Best Coffee Shops on Belmont Boulevard?
Bongo Java is the best-known coffee shop on Belmont Boulevard, opened in 1993 and still in its original location. Belmont University's visitor page places it just across the boulevard from campus.
It also carries a local-lore claim to fame: the 1996 "Nun Bun." The breakfast burrito is the order we'd pick over a pastry, since it holds a group over until lunch.
Proper Bagel is the other morning stop. The everything bagel with scallion cream cheese is the recommended order, and it is the better pick if you want something quick and portable for the walk.
Skip the idea of lingering at a table on a Saturday morning with a group of eight. Seating at small neighborhood coffee shops is limited, and a big party works better splitting up or taking drinks to go. Check each shop's official listing for current hours before you leave.
What Restaurants Are on Belmont Boulevard in Nashville?
Belmont Boulevard restaurants include Martin's BBQ Joint, International Market, Proper Bagel, Athens Family Restaurant, Chago's Cantina, and 615 Deli, plus the drink-focused Chatime. The cluster is casual and independent, and most places are a short walk from each other.
International Market: the reservation worth making
The Infatuation lists International Market at 2013 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212, categorizes it as Thai, and places it in Belmont-Hillsboro. It has operated since 1975 and is now run by a brother-and-sister duo continuing their parents' legacy. Local press reports it was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist, and the advice is to make a reservation. Verify the award year directly with the James Beard Foundation before quoting it.
Martin's BBQ Joint: the easy group lunch
Belmont University's visitor page names pulled pork, brisket, and ribs as menu offerings, and the restaurant has smoked meats since 2014. For a group of 8 to 10, order a few meats to share instead of individual plates.
The rest of the strip
Belmont's own guide also lists Athens Family Restaurant, Chago's Cantina, and 615 Deli. We have not verified current menus or hours for these, so confirm details on each business's own listing before you build a plan around them. Nearby, the neighborhood guide mentions Biscuit Love and Parnassus Books as additional stops in the wider area, and you can cross-check dining options through the The Infatuation Nashville dining guide.
Where Can You Park and How Do You Get Around Belmont Boulevard?
Parking near Belmont Boulevard mixes street parking, business lots, and campus areas, and rules differ by location, so a rideshare is the lowest-stress option for a group.
We can't give you reliable spot locations or time limits, and we won't invent them. Read posted signage at any spot, avoid campus lots unless the university's visitor information says you may use them, and treat restaurant lots as customer-only.
For groups, rideshare solves most of the problem. Our listing for Underwood Manor puts it about 5 minutes from downtown and about 7 to 10 minutes from Broadway by car; a similar short ride gets you to the boulevard area. Check current rideshare pricing at the time of travel, since fares move with demand and events.
Because Davidson County hosted 17.39 million visitors in 2026 according to Tourism Economics data presented to Nashville's Metro Tourism and Convention Commission, and 17.8 million are planned for 2026, expect busier streets on weekends and during major events.
How Much Do Drinks Cost and Do Nashville Bars Have Cover Charges?
Drink prices and cover charges in Nashville vary by venue, night, and event, and no single price applies citywide. Belmont Boulevard is a daytime coffee and meal corridor, so cover charges are a Broadway question more than a boulevard one.
Many Lower Broadway honky tonks run live music with no cover at most hours, but some venues charge on peak nights or for special shows. Check each venue's official site before you go. We will not quote fixed prices we cannot verify.
For budgeting, Visit Music City's 2026 destination profile reports an average visitor stay of 2.7 days and average spending of $663 per person per day. Use that as a ceiling reference, not a prediction; a boulevard day of coffee, BBQ, and Thai usually costs far less than a Broadway night.
Are Vacation Rentals Better Than Hotels for a Belmont Boulevard Trip?
A vacation rental is usually the better fit for groups of six or more who want shared space, a kitchen, and private outdoor areas; hotels win for solo travelers or two-person trips that need daily housekeeping. For a boulevard-and-Broadway weekend, a house gives your group a home base between outings.
Per the 2023 Nashville visitor breakdown cited in the research, roughly 1.2 million of 16.8 million visitors stayed in short-term rentals, versus about 7.9 million in hotels. Rentals are a smaller slice but a well-established one, particularly for groups.
For larger parties, Underwood Manor is a rustic modern farmhouse with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and room for up to 10 guests. It has a 7-person hot tub, a garage game room with an 8-foot slate pool table, darts, a 55-inch smart TV and a whiskey barrel bar, and a private fenced backyard with a SoloStove smokeless fire pit. Guests say it is easy to get in and out of and close to town. The trade-off is honest: it is a short drive, not a walk, to Broadway.
Direct booking can reduce service fees by up to 15% compared with third-party platforms; actual savings vary by dates and platform. For more planning, see our where to stay in Nashville guides.
Where Can You Book a Stay Near Belmont Boulevard?
You can book a group-friendly stay near Belmont Boulevard at Underwood Manor, The Herman Haven, or Fern Unit A and Fern Unit B, all houses with hot tubs within a short drive of downtown. The right pick depends on group size and amenities.
Underwood Manor sleeps up to 10 and suits groups who want a game room and fire pit. The Herman Haven is a boho-chic 3-bedroom, 3-bath home for 10 with an en-suite bathroom for every bedroom, and it is pet friendly and wheelchair accessible. About 1.1 to 1.2 miles from the Ryman Auditorium and Broadway, it is the closest house in our collection to the honky tonks.
Need more beds? Fern Unit A sleeps 12 with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and a rooftop deck with a Nashvegas mural. Its listing puts it about 7 to 10 minutes from Broadway, and it can pair with the neighboring home for 24 guests. Prefer to walk downtown? Luxe Cowgirl is a 2-bedroom condo for 8, 3 blocks from Broadway, but it has a pool and gym instead of a private hot tub.
For nightlife-first trips, our Nashville bachelorette party page covers the group side of the planning.
What Else Is Worth Pairing With a Belmont Boulevard Visit?
Pair Belmont Boulevard with 12 South, Hillsboro Village, or the Belcourt Theatre for a full neighborhood afternoon. Belmont's guide lists Hillsboro-West End and 12 South as nearby districts, and Parnassus Books is named among the independent shops in the broader area.
If your group is split between daytime wanderers and nightlife people, send the first group to the boulevard and the second to Broadway later. Our things to do in Nashville page has more ideas, and you can see live music venues beyond Broadway for evening plans.
Timing matters in 2026. Short-term rental occupancy in Nashville was 50.8% in March 2026 and 41.0% in April 2026 per GoodNight Stay, so shoulder weeks can be quieter and easier for booking. Spring and fall weekends historically run very high, so lock plans early.
How Do You Plan a Belmont Boulevard Day Step by Step?
Planning a Belmont Boulevard day takes five steps: pick your date, reserve International Market, check the Fisher Center calendar, arrange rideshare, and set an order for stops. Doing this in the first week of planning prevents the common mistake of showing up with no table.
Pick a weekday if you can. Small neighborhood spots are easier with fewer people.
Reserve International Market. It is popular, and walk-ins are a gamble.
Check Belmont's calendar. Campus events change traffic.
Plan the ride. Rideshare avoids parking guesswork.
Order stops by appetite. Coffee, then walk, then BBQ, then Thai if you are going big.
Expect 2 to 3 hours for the stroll with food stops. Add time if you attend a performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Belmont Boulevard in Nashville known for?
Belmont Boulevard is known for Belmont University, independent coffee shops, barbecue, and Thai food. It sits between 12 South and Hillsboro Village, and the stroll runs about one mile.
What are the best coffee shops on Belmont Boulevard?
Bongo Java, which opened in 1993, and Proper Bagel are the two most-cited stops. Bongo Java's breakfast burrito and Proper Bagel's everything bagel with scallion cream cheese are the orders to try.
What restaurants are on Belmont Boulevard in Nashville?
Martin's BBQ Joint, International Market, Proper Bagel, Athens Family Restaurant, Chago's Cantina, and 615 Deli are named in the research. International Market is at 2013 Belmont Blvd. and is recommended with a reservation.
Where can I book a stay near Belmont Boulevard?
Underwood Manor is a 3-bedroom house for up to 10 guests, about 5 minutes from downtown by car. You can check dates on the direct booking page.
What is Belmont in Nashville?
Belmont is a private university whose campus address is 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212. Its grounds include the historic Belmont Mansion and a Bell Tower.
Do bars in Nashville have cover charges?
Some do and many do not, depending on the venue, night, and event. Check each bar's official website before you go, since cover charges change.
Are vacation rentals cheaper than hotels in Nashville?
It depends on group size and dates. For groups of six or more, splitting a rental often compares well with multiple hotel rooms, and direct booking can reduce fees by up to 15%, depending on dates and platform.
Are luxury rentals worth it for large groups in Nashville?
They often are when you want shared space, a kitchen, and private amenities. Underwood Manor adds a hot tub, game room, and fire pit for up to 10 guests.
Is a Belmont Boulevard Day Worth It in 2026?
Yes: Belmont Blvd Nashville rewards a half-day for coffee, barbecue, and Thai in a walkable one-mile stretch, especially if your trip is heavy on Broadway. Between a reservation at International Market and a rideshare, the whole plan stays simple. For groups wanting a private hot tub, a game room, and a quick drive to downtown, Underwood Manor was built for that trip.
After a day on the boulevard, the 7-person hot tub at Underwood Manor is a good way to wind down, backed by 163 all 5-star reviews. Top 5% property. Best rental in nashville. Check dates here.
Written by Chase Gillmore, Owner at Underwood Manor
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