happyly approved

Martin's Bar-B-Que Downtown

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN, USA

Thursday through Monday 11am-10pm, Tuesday closed, Wednesday 5pm-10pm.

$$$

restaurants

Enjoy delicious BBQ on a large outdoor patio!

Martins Bar-B-Que is one of my favorite classic Nashville restaurants. While there are a few locations around town, the downtown location has the best atmosphere and maintains a very family-friendly vibe. It’s currently only seating guests on the upstairs patio (otherwise known as the beer garden), but this is my preferred area to go with kids anyway, so that works out great for us! They have large picnic-style tables, and the patio is often opened to fresh air when the weather is warm so it's got a very airy feel about it. On cold days, they close-up the patio and have plenty of heaters, but you still get the sense that you get at a place that experiences ample fresh air. You can now only access the restaurant through the back entrance, off Almond Street; since the front entrance is temporarily closed.  

Martin’s is known for its BBQ, and I highly recommend the chicken wings, ribs, and pulled pork. They make their own sauces and dry rubs from scratch and have generous portion sizes. They also have a kid's menu (under $5!) and plenty of highchairs. 

While Martin’s is kid-friendly as mentioned, it’s also popular and can get very busy on weekend evenings. Given its proximity to downtown Nashville, tourists and locals alike enjoy spending evenings here, so as a result the line to order can get long. To avoid crowds. I recommend taking your family on a weekday night or for lunch on the weekend. 

There is no designated parking lot for Martin’s downtown location, but there is plenty of paid parking nearby, including a lot off of 4th Street.  

Enjoy your time downtown after grabbing some lunch by walking a few blocks to the National Museum of African American Music or the Country Music Hall of Fame. There’s always something going on downtown and plenty to do.  

Features

Has Food Kids' Menu Restaurant
Thoughtfully captured by:
Maureen Varghese
More activities by Maureen
An indoor and outdoor waterpark
Accessible creek right off beautiful greenway.
Magical Creek Tucked Away in Edwin Warner Park.

Recommended Gear