Unearth The Voyage
Roll up to 2318 12th Ave S and you can smell the sizzle before you see the neon. This lively bar and grill keeps Nashville humming with a monster burger, crisp brews, and a patio made for people watching.
I stopped in for a quick bite and stayed longer than planned because everything felt easy, friendly, and fun. If you crave big flavor and good vibes, this spot has your next favorite meal waiting.
The Nashville Burger Legend
First bite, and the room goes quiet like a mic drop. The Nashville Burger at 12 South Taproom hits with beefy richness, melted cheddar, and a toasted bun that keeps it all together.
Add pickles, tomato, and that tangy house sauce, and you suddenly understand the loyal following.
I grabbed mine medium, and the char delivered a whisper of smoke without tipping into bitter. The patty’s juicy center makes napkins a must, but nobody is judging.
Grab the potato wedges on the side, especially with bleu crumble and a drizzle of chipotle ranch.
You will want a craft beer to keep pace. Ask the bartender for a malty ale or a clean lager, depending on your mood.
I once finished this burger, leaned back, and promised myself a jog tomorrow, then immediately ordered dessert.
Craft Beer Lineup Worth Lingering Over
Foam crowns and clinking glasses set the soundtrack here. The draft list rotates with local and regional favorites, from crisp pilsners to roasty stouts.
I like to ask for two short pours, then decide if the day needs citrusy hops or caramel malt.
When the patio is sunny, a pale ale brightens everything. Cooler nights call for a stout with chocolate and coffee notes that pair well with burgers and wings.
The staff knows their taps, so say what you like and they will steer you right.
Flights make exploring painless. You taste widely without going overboard, and the prices are friendly for the neighborhood.
I once fell for a seasonal lager and came back two days later, just to confirm it was as good as I remembered.
Patio People Watching Paradise
Sun hits the patio and suddenly lunch becomes an event. String lights, chatter, and the breeze off 12th Ave make this one of the best seats in the district.
If you like to snack while scouting street style, you found your throne.
Service stays upbeat even when the sidewalk gets busy. On breezy days, grab a shaded table and post up with queso and a mule.
I have watched entire afternoons drift by while locals hop between shops and families roll strollers past.
Dog lovers, rejoice. Pups chill under tables and soak in compliments from neighboring diners.
If crowds are not your thing, arrive earlier or on a weekday, and you will get the laid back vibe without the bustle.
Brisket Quesadilla Crowd Favorite
Cheese stretch test passed with honors. The brisket quesadilla brings smoky, melty comfort that pairs beautifully with a stout or amber.
Triangles arrive crisp at the edges, loaded with tender beef and just enough char to keep flavors bold.
Ask for salsa verde and add a fresh squeeze of lime to brighten everything. Some folks skip mushrooms, others add pico for a bite.
I split one as a starter, then realized it can easily count as a full meal if you are not tackling the burger.
Heat level stays friendly, so even spice shy diners can hang. If you want kick, request extra jalapeños on the side.
This dish has earned its fans, and I happily join the chorus when my table needs a shareable win.
Bleu Potato Wedges That Steal The Show
Crunch, crumble, repeat. These potato wedges arrive hot and golden, then get showered with bleu cheese that melts into salty, tangy bliss.
Dip into chipotle ranch and you will understand the phrase flavor bomb.
They work as a side, but I often order them as my starter and guard the plate like treasure. The texture balance is spot on, crisp outside and fluffy inside.
Pair with a pale ale or lager to cut the richness and keep things snappy.
Sharing is encouraged, even if your heart says otherwise. I have sometimes negotiated a two-for-one truce across the table.
If you only try one non-burger item, make it this and watch your friends ask where you found them.
ABLT Sandwich With Attitude
Bacon sings lead while avocado handles harmony. The ABLT at 12 South Taproom packs smoky strips, lush avocado, crisp lettuce, and ripe tomato between well toasted bread.
Chipotle mayo ties the whole song together without overpowering.
The stack is tidy enough for lunch but decadent enough for dinner. I like to add a side salad if I am pretending to be responsible, or wedges when I am not.
Ask for an extra napkin and a fresh grind of pepper to make those tomatoes pop.
This is the sandwich you recommend to a friend who says they want something simple yet special. It is familiar, just better.
I left one visit planning to split it, then somehow finished the whole plate before the second beer arrived.
Field Greens Salad That Actually Satisfies
Greens with backbone are a rare treat. This field greens salad stays lively with crisp leaves, bright vinaigrette, and optional grilled chicken that lands juicy every time.
Add pico for zing, with chopped onion and jalapeno delivering a tidy pop.
Order the small if you plan on sharing apps, or go large and call it dinner. I appreciate how clean it eats without feeling spartan.
A wheat beer or light lager pairs beautifully and keeps the palate refreshed between bites.
Ask for dressing on the side if you like to calibrate. I often fold in avocado when I want extra richness.
It is the salad that convinces your skeptical buddy they did not just order a side, they ordered lunch.
Brisket Tacos With A Smoky Edge
Taco Tuesday does not own this crave. Brisket tacos land with tender beef, onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime on warm corn tortillas.
Salsa verde turns the dial from tasty to can I get another.
Some bites bring extra char from the edges, which adds smoke and texture. If you prefer softer slices, mention it and the kitchen usually accommodates.
I like these with a bright lager or a light-bodied IPA so the brisket still leads.
They are sized right for mixing and matching with wedges or queso. When I am grazing through the menu, two tacos and a small salad make an ideal trio.
Street food attitude meets sit down comfort, and everyone wins.
Margaritas, Mules, and Sunny Sips
Salted rims and copper shine light up the bar. Margaritas come balanced and bright, never syrupy, and the mules on Wednesday deal make for easy decisions.
Pick your spirit and let the ginger snap wake the palate.
These are patio perfect drinks, especially with chips and queso or a crunchy ABLT. Service keeps refills timely without hovering.
I have lost track of time chatting with friends while the ice clinked like summer music.
If you want low octane, ask about seltzers or sessionable beers. Hydration is your friend on warm afternoons, so grab water alongside your cocktail.
The goal here is fun without fuzz, and this bar nails the balance.
Wings That Mean Business
Finger licking is expected, not optional. The wings arrive crisp, sauced to shine, and ready for a cold pint.
Heat levels stay friendly but can be nudged up if you like a challenge.
I like mine with extra napkins and a lager to reset the taste buds. They play nicely with the burger crew at your table, so everyone steals a piece.
You can split an order as a snack or treat it like a full meal with wedges on the side.
When the game is on, these disappear fast. I once ordered a second plate after claiming I was done, and nobody blinked.
Simple, well executed wings are harder to find than you think, but this kitchen gets it right.
Golden Girl Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich walks in with confidence. The Golden Girl stacks juicy chicken with lively toppings on a toasted bun that keeps every bite tidy.
Flavors lean savory with a playful twist, and the build never collapses mid meal.
Ask for a touch of heat if you want to spice things up. A crisp pilsner snaps alongside without stealing the spotlight.
I like to add pickles for extra crunch and request a side of chipotle ranch to swipe across the bun.
It is a worthy alternative when the burger line looks tempting. I once split this with a friend and we both quietly regretted sharing.
If chicken is your comfort lane, you will feel right at home here.
Service, Vibe, and That Indie Glow
Walk in and feel the soundtrack. Retro posters, easy lighting, and staff who greet with genuine warmth set the tone right away.
It reads like a neighborhood favorite where regulars and first timers both feel claimed.
Servers move fast without rushing you, checking in when your glass dips low. Even on lively nights, the vibe stays welcoming.
I once gave a quiet nod when I wanted another drink, and it landed like magic.
If you want conversation, the bar is perfect. For longer hangs, the patio keeps things breezy.
It is the kind of place that turns a quick meal into an hour because everything about it invites you to stay.
Tips For Beating The Rush
Timing is your secret sauce. Arrive just before lunch or right at 11 AM to snag a prime patio table.
Evenings get lively, especially on pretty days when every dog in Nashville seems to have dinner plans.
Parking exists behind the building, but spots can be limited. Street options help if you circle once or twice.
I have learned to rideshare on busy weekends, then stroll the neighborhood shops after a meal.
Check hours before you go and note they open at 11 AM most days. If you crave a quiet bite, weekday afternoons are your friend.
Plan well, and the only line you will worry about is the cheese pull from your quesadilla.
Live Music Nights And Neighborhood Energy
Some nights hum a little louder. The Taproom leans into neighborhood energy with casual live tunes and an easygoing crowd.
It feels spontaneous, like someone said let’s play and the room agreed.
Music pairs perfectly with a burger and pint, turning dinner into a mini outing. Volume stays conversation friendly, which I appreciate.
I once discovered a new local duo here, then caught them again down the street a month later.
Check socials or ask your server about what is coming up. Even without music, the room carries a rhythmic buzz from clinks and chatter.
Either way, you are in for a good night.
Desserts And Nightcap Decisions
Sweet tooth calling collect. Cap the night with a brownie a la mode or a generous slice of chocolate cake if it is on deck.
A roasty stout or a smooth porter turns dessert into a proper finale.
I like to share, even if the fork wars get intense. Rich bites love company from dark beer, but coffee works nicely when you are winding down.
The staff will read your mood and steer you toward a fitting finish.
After one long day, I grabbed cake to go, then ate it on the patio because the evening felt too good to leave. That is the Taproom in a nutshell.
It nudges you to stay for just one more bite.
Neighborhood Stroll Pairing Guide
Burger in the belly, sneakers on the sidewalk. The 12 South neighborhood makes the perfect cooldown lap after a hearty meal.
Boutiques, murals, and coffee spots line the street, so you can window shop while your food coma settles.
I like to grab a to go cup and wander past the murals for a quick photo. The area feels safe and friendly, with plenty of benches for a sit.
Weekends get busier, but the buzz adds to the charm rather than crowding it out.
Loop back if you forgot fries, nobody will blame you. This stroll turns dinner into an outing without effort.
It is the best kind of date with the city, casual and satisfying.
