12South is the compact strip of restaurants, bakeries and boutiques south of downtown that locals use as a weekend wander, and this Secret Food Tours route turns it into a three-hour progression of tastings. The listing is titled for seven tastings and names several of the stops: the tour meets in front of Ladybird Taco at 2229 10th Ave S, visits Edley's Bar-B-Que and Five Daughters Bakery on 12th Avenue South, and finishes at 2606 12th Ave S near Christie Cookie Co. Named tastings include a migas breakfast taco, a seasonal donut, a brisket quesadilla with spicy green beans and a hot pork taco, plus an award-winning secret dish the operator keeps under wraps, with water and gratuities included. The group is capped at twelve travelers, which keeps the walks quick and the guide audible. It is the sister route to the downtown Secret Food Tours listing in this guide, and the choice between them is mostly about where you are staying and what you want to see: this one is residential, tree-lined and more relaxed, while the downtown route stays close to Broadway. It suits couples, friends and solo travelers who like to eat, and anyone who has already done the honky-tonk circuit and wants a different side of Nashville. It is not suited to those with serious medical conditions or severe dietary restrictions, and it is not wheelchair accessible, though it is stroller accessible.
Plan to arrive hungry and keep the rest of the day light. Seven tastings across three hours add up to a lunch, and the menu includes barbecue, tacos and sweets, so a heavy dinner reservation soon afterward is a mistake. The tour involves a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes matter, and the listing recommends them. Bring water if the weather is hot and carry a bag for leftovers, because the portions are generous.
Dietary needs deserve action before you book. The operator asks you to contact them in advance about restrictions, and the menu and itinerary may change with availability and weather, so do not assume a particular dish will appear. Booking confirmation can take up to 48 hours subject to availability, and free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before the start. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is listed among the inclusions, so check whether your lodging qualifies when you book. It helps to think about the walk itself. The neighborhood is residential and the stops are along a short stretch of 12th Avenue South, so you will spend the time eating, listening and strolling rather than commuting between venues. Finish with a wander through the shops, which is the natural next move, and go back for a full meal at any stop that impressed you. Because the menu can change with availability, treat the dishes on the listing as a guide rather than a promise.
On honest limits: tastings are set, the route is fixed and four named venues does not make a tour of the whole neighborhood. If you want a broader food-and-sights day, the Taste of Nashville tour in this guide mixes tastings with a downtown route. For a pleasant, walkable introduction to one of Nashville's best neighborhoods for eating, with a high review score behind it, this is an easy recommendation.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group walking food tour through 12South with seven tastings, including tacos, barbecue and bakery stops, led by a local guide.
Best time
Late morning or early afternoon on a mild day; leave room afterward.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Meet in front of Ladybird Taco, 2229 10th Ave S. Wear comfortable shoes, arrive hungry and tell the operator about dietary needs in advance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples, friends and food lovers who want a relaxed neighborhood tour instead of a downtown one.
- Families
- Stroller accessible and kids are discounted, but check the listing for age policies and expect a lot of walking.
- Couples
- A shared, low-key way to eat through a charming neighborhood.
- Pair with
- Browsing the 12South shops or an evening at a listening room.
- Time needed
- About three hours.
Good questions
Where does the tour start?+
In front of Ladybird Taco, 2229 10th Ave S, and it finishes on 12th Avenue South.
What will I taste?+
The listing names a migas breakfast taco, a seasonal donut, a brisket quesadilla with spicy green beans and a hot pork taco, plus a secret dish. Menus can change.
How big is the group?+
A maximum of twelve travelers.
Can it handle dietary restrictions?+
Contact the operator in advance. Tastings are set at partner venues and severe restrictions may not be accommodated.
Is it accessible?+
Not wheelchair accessible, but stroller accessible. There is a fair amount of walking.
