Updated: September 2026
Twelve blocks of 12th Avenue South hold some of the most photographed storefronts in Nashville, and after spending the miday walking the strip, I understood why. The neighborhood known as 12 South mixes Southern boutiques and enough coffee and pastry stops to fuel an entire afternoon of browsing. Here is a rundown of the stops from our Nashville itinerary that are worth building an afternoon around.
Shops
Draper James
The blue and white striped storefront is the first thing most visitors recognize on 12th Avenue South, and it belongs to Draper James, the Southern-inspired lifestyle brand founded by Nashville native Reese Witherspoon. Inside, the shop leans into bold prints, preppy pieces, and Southern-style home goods and gifts, with racks of gingham, florals, and stripes arranged against navy paneled walls and even a “For the Kids” corner for the smallest shoppers.
The details are what make the store worth lingering in. Even the wooden hangers are branded, hung from brass hooks against the deep navy trim. Near the entrance sits a bar cart set up like a proper lemonade stand, complete with a glass beverage dispenser, gingham-wrapped cups, and a navy floral tray, all stamped with the Draper James name.
Tucked past the racks is a small handwritten chalkboard sign in lavender script that reads “hello, sugar,” a little wink at the brand’s Southern charm that sums up the whole shopping experience.
There is even a cozy wicker lounge chair with a navy and white cushion set up for anyone tagging along, since a shop this detailed rewards taking the time to look around rather than rushing through.
Imogene + Willie
Housed in a converted service station, Imogene + Willie is the denim shop credited with helping turn 12 South into the shopping destination it is today. The flagship focuses on made-in-the-USA denim, hemmed on site, along with a small collection of shirts, hats, and accessories. The rustic, well-worn interior is as much a draw as the jeans themselves.
Ranger Station
Past the door, painted with a friendly “howdy, welcome to Ranger Station,” the shop opens into a long wooden tasting bar lined with dozens of scent samples to test, each labeled and paired with an unmarked strip to spray or dab, plus glass-domed candles set along the sides for anyone who wants to bring the scent home in a different form.
Behind the bar, an entire wall of built-in cubbies holds the full candle and fragrance lineup, stacked counter to ceiling like a library.
It is a fun, low-pressure stop for anyone who likes to smell their way through a store rather than just look, and a nice change of pace from clothing racks.
Buck Mason
Buck Mason brings both men’s and women’s lines to 12th Avenue South, with the kind of well-made basics, denim, and outerwear built for everyday wear rather than trend chasing. Past the racks of folded tees, the store also hides a coffee and book shop called Fast Times, marked outside with a simple wooden “coffee and books” sign.
Inside, a turntable spins next to a wall of vinyl, and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf holds a well-curated collection of art, design, and photography books.
The espresso counter runs a short, focused menu of espresso, coffee, and tea, pulled from a sleek cream-colored machine set beneath a wall of windows looking out onto greenery.
It is an unexpected pairing that turns a quick clothing stop into a place worth slowing down in.
Food
La La Land Kind Cafe
La La Land Kind Cafe is easy to spot thanks to its bright yellow, gallery-like storefront. Beyond the aesthetic, the cafe has a mission behind it, built around providing paid internships and job training for young adults transitioning out of foster care. The espresso drinks lean creative, and the space is worth a stop even for a quick coffee.
Five Daughters Bakery
A short walk from the shops sits Five Daughters Bakery, the original location of a Nashville bakery that has since expanded across the city. The building itself is easy to spot, a converted house painted white with teal trim, a scalloped pink sign over the entrance, and a hand-painted “I Heart Donuts” mural. A window sign promising “100 layers of awesome” is not an exaggeration.
The bakery built its reputation on a 100-layer croissant-donut hybrid, proofed over multiple days, and the case usually holds a rotating list of seasonal flavors alongside the classics like vanilla cream, milk chocolate with sprinkles, and cinnamon sugar.
A mixed box makes the range clear at a glance: glossy pink glazes, toasted coconut toppings, swirls of cream, and rainbow sprinkles all sitting on the same signature flaky base. Arrive early if a specific flavor is the goal, since popular ones tend to sell out.
E+Rose
For something lighter, E+Rose turns out to be a dietitian-founded wellness café rather than just a smoothie stand, with a menu built around coffee and tea, toast and oats, smoothies, and bowls.
The smoothies come thick enough to eat with a spoon, swirled with fruit purees and finished with a generous topping. It is an easy stop for a mid-morning refuel between shops, and a good option for anyone looking for a break from bakery cases and fried food.
Frothy Monkey
Closing out the walk is Frothy Monkey, a neighborhood coffee shop set in a cozy cottage that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside espresso drinks and fresh baked goods.
The property is marked by a bold red and yellow sign with the coffeehouse’s grinning monkey logo, and out front sits a small vintage coffee trailer, a charming leftover touch that adds to the character of the place before you even walk in. It has built a loyal following well beyond 12 South, and the original location here still has the most character of any of its locations around the city.
Nashville Close
12 South rewards a slow pace. Park once, wear comfortable shoes, and plan to duck in and out of shops between snack stops. A few hours here barely scratch the surface of what the neighborhood has to offer.
For a full Nashville breakdown that includes 12 South, see my Nashville Itinerary: 4 Days in Music City.
— izzy