The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the writer and do not reflect the views of University School of Nashville or the Peabody Press.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit “Streetcar Taps and Garden”, a locally owned and operated restaurant in Sylvan Park. Streetcar opened in early 2023, bringing “one of the best beer gardens to West Nashville,” according to their Instagram page. Since then, it has flourished as a highly recommended lunch, dinner, and late night drinks location. I recently stopped in on a Sunday afternoon to check the place out.
Situated on Charlotte Pike, near Hugh Baby’s and Richland Park (4916 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209), Streetcar is impressive and welcoming. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with smiles and offered either indoor or outdoor seating. I chose to sit outside. As I walked through the restaurant, I noticed the colorful back bar, consisting of different types of drinks, baseball hats, plants, two large televisions, and a decorative LED “Muchacho” sign. All of these items contributed to the semi-casual sophisticated air that the indoor seating and bar offered. Moreover, hanging lights, wooden chairs, windows, and a brick wall hung with mirrors gave an open feeling to the space where I felt comfortable spending an afternoon.
Once I was led to the outdoor patio, I was able to choose my seat. I chose a wooden picnic table on the farther edge of the green turf, and was brought a menu that I could peruse. Soon after I was seated, waiters arrived with complimentary water, and I ordered an icy Dr. Pepper from an enthusiastically friendly waitress, which tasted amazing in the heat.
Co-owner Josh Ritter says that the friendliness of the waitress reflects Streetcar’s core values.
“We aspire to lead with kindness and a commitment to teamwork and accountability,” he said. “A talented team of great people takes it from there with our full support.””
Shortly after my drink arrived, the waitress returned to take my food order. Though I was still new to the Streetcar dining experience, I decided to order from the restaurant’s staples — sliders, Caesar salad, and a choco flan for dessert.
As I waited for my food, I was able to take in my surroundings. First, the warm weather and chatty atmosphere was greatly complemented by background music. The playlist featured popular songs that matched the vibe of the afternoon: Noah Kahan, Chappell Roan, Hunter Metta, Billie Eilish, and even The Cranberries. Looking around, I noticed picnic tables, green turf, and fairy lights, making things feel cozy in the coming twilight. There were kids playing, dogs resting, and people playing cards and laughing.
Ritter says, “People make the place special. We hoped to create an environment centered around kindness, community, and creativity. Our team is remarkable and they work daily to deliver exceptional food, drinks, and service in a relaxed, welcoming environment.”
My food arrived:
Smashville Slider ($16): Streetcar’s most famous sliders, decked out with ground beef patties, American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and a tangy “comeback sauce,” all inside brioche buns. I would highly recommend these sliders to anyone visiting Streetcar for the first time, as I think they satisfy the flavor palette and are a good representation of your basic Music City slider. Plus, they are served with warm, crisp french fries and ketchup!
Sylvan Caesar ($11): A classic blend of Romaine lettuce, mixed greens, and Caesar dressing, named after the restaurant’s location near Sylvan Park. Parmesan cheese and croutons help the salad stand out as a must-have. It was a perfectly layered combination of these ingredients served in a large bowl.
Choco Flan ($8): I couldn’t wait to try this dessert. It was all I could think about after I finished my salad, and it lived up to my hopes! This rich dish was delivered with whipped cream and a cherry on top. The layering of the desert looked too good to touch — a bottom layer of a moist chocolate cake that crumbled in my mouth, and another of sweet flan, a silky-smooth baked custard, almost like pudding. This dessert was unique and exquisite.
After I paid and began to walk back through the restaurant and to my car, I noticed something I hadn’t on the way in: a games section! Right near the door, a shelf had tons of games, ranging from Monopoly to What Do You Meme?
There are plenty of fun things that Streetcar offers that I wasn’t able to experience. With periodic events like local writer visits, theme weeks, live music, bingo night, and even crawfish boils, Streetcar is a great spot for friends and family. One of their more regular events is Trivia Night every Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to compete with friends for prizes while enjoying food on the outdoor patio. Even if there are no special events happening, Streetcar is still an exciting, fun, and delicious dining experience!
Josh Ritter concludes, “We’ve hosted all sorts of celebrations and borne witness to countless memories and good times with our guests. There’s nothing like seeing people having a great time with our team at Streetcar.”
