By: Audrey Bounds

As a foodie, I was devastated when I was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. These surfaced after being consistently ill for over a year. I was told I had to change my life completely and immediately. In addition to avoiding the foods I am allergic to, I began my first Whole30 in hopes of discovering a new way to live my life in complete harmony with food. Not only eating healthy but eating clean became a mission of mine.

Although my new Whole30 lifestyle sustained me, after two months of meal prepping and declining dinner invitations I watched my social life decline. My foodie heart longed for dinner with friends at restaurants with compliant ingredients for my lifestyle. It has been a challenge since as a southern girl changing her eating habits, I longed to eat fried chicken and waffles, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and pesto pasta. With persistence, I have found many places around Nashville that cater to my specific needs and love the challenge of eating out at all restaurants so I can publicize healthier options. I began my food Instagram (@audreysfoodescapades) to feature restaurants in Nashville (and wherever I travel) compliant to my allergies and a cleaner way of eating.

Whether you’re trying out a new diet or suffer from food sensitivities, use these tips and try the accompanying restaurants below in order to avoid being “that friend.”

Be the organizer
Anytime a group of friends wants to get together, I make sure that I coordinate or offer suggestions. It’s easier to pick a place from the start than have to maneuver your way around a group conversation on Italian food. I have a rolodex in my head (and on a Google doc) of diverse restaurants compliant with my lifestyle. If someone has a craving, I can easily find a cuisine suitable to my needs.

Clyde’s - Church Street: This is my “When-In-Doubt” restaurant. It’s very hard to find a group of friends who won’t agree on Clyde’s. They offer a great atmosphere, wide variety of drinks, and a killer menu with plenty of options.

Photo credit: @clydesonchurch

Call ahead
The best way to find out about the ingredients in your food is to ask. Whether that’s by phone or email. Restaurants want you to have the best experience, even if that means divulging certain ingredients. Call and talk to a manager ahead of time, so they can be prepared when you arrive. Hint: OpenTable has a great feature where you can leave a note when you make a reservation. Note your food allergies here and the restaurant will do their best to accommodate.

Silo - Germantown: This restaurant has always been more than accommodating when I call ahead. They make sure their staff is always ready and aware for your questions.

Photo credit: @silo.nashville

When in doubt - Farm to Table
If you are unable to discover the ingredients for dishes at certain restaurants, the easiest route is to choose a farm to table restaurant. We’re lucky to live in Nashville where one of these restaurants opens every week. They serve fresh, simple ingredient dishes that are prepared in house. The manager and chef should be very helpful in finding a dish that suits you. Husk - SoBro: Not to mention a relaxed atmosphere, the servers are incredibly knowledgeable about each dish and the accompanying ingredients. If they don’t know the ingredients, they are quick to ask the chef!

Photo credit: @husknashville

As a server, I’m sure it gets annoying when someone says they’re “gluten free,” but if this a true allergy/sensitivity I would stress the importance. Also, don’t be afraid to send something back if it’s incorrect. For instance, I used to eat around salads that accidentally came with cheese. It only takes one time of getting sick to apply your assertiveness. Save yourself the stomach pain and let your server know. You’ll be helping out others in the future if you make your server aware.

on their menu. Tip: Order their fresh squeezed juice without agave. They make it fresh on the spot and won’t add the sugar.


Photo credit: @bartacolife & @thehungryleopard

Don't be afraid to order al la carte

Ordering is hands down the worst part about eating out. You immediately become the difficult one. BUT if you don’t want to be “that friend” don’t be afraid to order items al la carte (if the option is available). Usually, al la carte items are made from simple ingredients, creating an easy and reliable meal that saves you some serious side-eye.

Fido - Hillsboro Village: Their al la carte menu is a wonderful and easy way to have a casual meetup with friends. You can also order specific items from their other entrees al la carte.


Photo credit: @fidonashville

Yelp/OpenTable to help others
Yelp and OpenTable are great tools to help other allergen-foodies. When I travel, I always look at reviews online about service. A restaurant with a good service record is more likely to properly take care of your dietary restrictions. Leave tips and tricks behind for new patrons to discover the ease of eating out.

Little Donkey - Germantown: This restaurant instantly became one of my favorites after I tried it based on a review. Simple menu with simple ingredients. I can easily say I’m a frequent customer due to their ability to create tasty items with simple ingredients.


Photo credit: @littledonkeynash

Note: Not all of these restaurants apply to a serious food allergy.

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Audrey is a born and bred Texan working in the music industry. Along with focusing on her health/fitness, you can catch her listening to musicals, writing sketch comedy, and singing at church.

Instagram: @AudreysFoodEscapades and @AudreyBounds

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Interested in writing a blog post for The Nashville Guide? Apply here.

By: Abby Demmer of The Nashville Guide

HOORAY! The blog is officially launched and I'm pretty pumped about it. I may or may not be enjoying a bottle of champagne right now in my “fancy as f$ck” glass from Apple & Oak to celebrate. Don’t judge. Anyways, back to the blog…

The goal for this blog is for it to be a community resource lead by the community itself. A place for people to connect, share their thoughts and ideas, and truly find a sense of community. The content will be raw and honest (AMEN) giving readers a true inside look into everything Nashville. If this is right up your alley be sure to subscribe to the newsletter in the right-hand column. We'll be featuring a new blog post written by a local each Monday morning so be sure to check back next week.

To kick off the blog launch I wanted to share some of my current Nashville “top picks”, so here it goes:

COFFEE SHOP: BOX - Bongo + Bakery on 10th
BOX is a fairly new cafe in town and boy are we glad to have them. They serve breakfast all day and lunch as well. There are many healthy options on the menu which is my favorite. Make sure to try the Green Smoothie Bowl and Avocado Toast - you can thank me later. It’s the perfect spot to grab a quick coffee and light snack with a friend or camp out for the day to drill through work.


Photo credit: @boxnashville

GYM/FITNESS: Inner Light Yoga
Inner Light Yoga is also fairly new to town and conveniently located right next to BOX. They have an untraditional take on yoga and that’s why I love them. Music is the core of their classes. Classes are intelligently sequenced and designed to move your body while discovering physical edges.

Photo credit: @innerlightyoganashville

SHOP: Welcome Home
Welcome Home is one of my go-to’s for finding the perfect gift. They have an assortment of home decor and gifts, anything from candles to kitchen accessories to pillows, and books. Speaking of books, they carry our book, The Nashville Guide which recently came out. I might be a little bias but I think it’s the perfect gift and best way to navigate Nashville.

Photo credit: @welcomehomeshop

LODGING: Sobro Guest House
Sobro Guest House is the new hip place for visitors to stay in Nashville. (I may even be guilty of enjoying a stay-cation there because it’s that lovely.) The room designs are top-notch and so hip. Each room has a full kitchen and living room making you feel right at home. Plus, it’s a mobile check-in boutique hotel so that means no waiting at a front desk to check in.

Photo credit: @sobroguesthouse

RESTAURANT: Holland House
Holland House is a true East Nashville gem. Let’s start with their cocktails…THEY.ARE.AMAZING. The cocktails are the best of the best and perfected with house-made ingredients. The food is pretty spectacular too featuring a seasonal menu of American bistro food. Annnnd, you cannot beat the atmosphere. I highly recommend grabbing a seat out on the patio on a nice day otherwise sit at the bar inside for a speakeasy-style atmosphere.

Photo credit: @thehollandhouse

PAMPER: Poppy & Monroe
Poppy & Monroe is a natural nail salon and nature beauty boutique and let's just say its a DREAM salon. I’ve tried other salons before and I swear my nails chip within 3 days every single time. The last time I went to Poppy & Monroe my manicure lasted TWO weeks, I repeat TWO WEEKS. They also have the most stylish, tasteful, and classy nail art around. I love always seeing what new designs they come up with. Other services include makeup, skin care, brow & lash, and hair removal.

Photo credit: @poppyandmonroe

Well, that concludes a few of my current Nashville “top picks”. I hope you discovered some new places to try. What are your Nashville favorites? Leave them in the comments below. And be sure to check back on Monday for our next blog post!

Interested in writing a blog post for us? Apply here.

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