Jackson’s Bar and Bistro, Nashville TN

Jackson’s Bar and Bistro, located in Nashville’s trendy Hillsboro Village, is one of my favorite spots in the city. Some people are intimidated by its trendy vibe and still others are put off by the issue of finding a place to park, but let’s be honest: it’s practically impossible to find a place to park just about anywhere in Nashville. Once you’ve conquered the parking situation, however, I think you’ll find that Jackson’s was well worth the frustration.

Let’s start with everybody’s favorite: the drink menu. Jackson’s offers a selection of signature cocktails and features a few “high gravity beers” on their beer menu. Not being much of a beer drinker, I usually opt for one of the cocktails if I’m in the mood for an “adult beverage.” The sangria is delicious (high praise coming from someone who spent a summer in Spain, I think), and the Misery & Gin is an unexpected, but tasty concoction. I’ll always fondly remember that the French Martini was my first legal drink, ordered at midnight on my 21st birthday, which brings me to another great feature of Jackson’s: late night bites.

The late night menu is more extensive than similar establishments in the area, and it’s perfect if you want to grab a bite to eat before heading over to the Belcourt for one of their midnight movies. Jackson’s is open until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 1:00am Thursday through Saturday.

If late night isn’t your thing, though, Jackson’s also has an impressive brunch menu, with brunch being served from 9:00am – 3:00pm every Saturday and Sunday. I’ve yet to eat brunch there myself, but judging by the menu (available as a downloadable PDF on their website), I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be disappointed in the slightest.

The regular lunch and dinner menu is so wonderfully varied that I’ve actually had something different to eat almost every time I’ve gone to Jackson’s, a very impressive feat for a picky eater like me. Offering things like your standard Caesar salad and safe sandwich options to things like wine-steamed mussels and steak frites (which are to die for, in case you were wondering), it’s easy to find something to enjoy on the menu.

Like every restaurant, Jackson’s has it’s signature dishes, one being their Buffalo feathers. The main reason that a lot of people come to Jackson’s in the first place, though, can be summed up in four words: Cookie. Dough. Egg. Rolls. It sounds like an odd combination, but it is a rich and extremely satisfying dessert that keeps people coming back.

Trendy Eats in Hillsboro Village: Jackson’s Bar and Bistro

Eating at Jackson’s is certainly more expensive than grabbing a bite at a fast-food place, but it won’t break the bank, either. For me, being a broke college student, that’s a definite plus. It’s nice to be able to go out and enjoy a quality meal without having to worry about spending too much, so Jackson’s is a popular suggestion when my friends and I decide to go out to eat.

As far as the dining experience is concerned, I’ve only ever been pleased with my service at Jackson’s. The wait staff is very knowledgeable about the menu and has always been very helpful in making suggestions/decisions when I haven’t quite known what I wanted, and my waiters have never failed to make me smile (and the more I smile, the more I tip!).

The ambiance is described on the website as an “eclectic, upbeat, come-as-you-are atmosphere,” and I can definitely attest to that fact. From the most preppy of Vandy students, to the most hipster of Belmont students, and all of the T-shirt-and-jeans clad clientele in between, it’s hard to feel out of place at Jackson’s.

Whether you’re bringing your family there for a nice lunch while they’re in town, or you’re taking a date out for a romantic evening (it’s easy to do dinner and a movie when the Belcourt is right across the street!), Jackson’s Bar and Bistro in Hillsboro Village is a prime example of “good eats” in Nashville.