Welcome to Belle Meade
Luxury & history in Nashville’s most affluent neighborhood
French for “beautiful meadow,” the Belle Meade neighborhood is known for its large wooded lots and stunning luxury homes. While styles range from Traditional to Tudor, Victorian to Modern — homes in Belle Meade tend to share the motto of “bigger is better.”
The neighborhood was officially established in 1938 but has a much older history, dating back to the 250-acre plantation that was originally constructed on the land in 1807 and eventually became the namesake of the community.
While Belle Meade is one of Nashville’s best-known neighborhoods, it actually operates as an independent city with its own city hall and police force. Some of Nashville’s biggest stars call the area home, including Vince Gill and power couple Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman.
What to Love
- One of Nashville’s most exclusive neighborhoods
- Luxurious homes on large lots
- Excellent educational opportunities
- Home to Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Local Lifestyle
Large, manicured lawns and independence from Nashville give Belle Meade a suburban feel. The neighborhood is synonymous with affluence, with the median income in Belle Meade being considerably higher than the national average. Top occupations for Belle Meade residents are management, healthcare, or business & finance. The community is primarily composed of married couples and families. Many families are drawn to Belle Meade, because of the excellent educational opportunities available for children.
Dining & Shopping
There are two restaurants you have to try if you’re in Belle Meade: Sperry’s & Belle Meade Meat & Three. Sperry’s Restaurant has been in operation since 1974 and is known for its unique combination of Old English and Old South cuisine. Enjoy a rack of lamb and twice-baked potato next to a crackling fire for a full Sperry’s experience. Located right next to the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, Belle Meade Meat & Three serves up Southern dishes in the “Belle Meade Tradition,” dating back over 200 years. Dishes are made from scratch and overseen by executive chef Steven Kruger.
Most of the shopping in Belle Meade can be found along Highway 100 & Harding Pike. Belle Meade Galleria is located on Harding Pike, just down the road from Sperry’s. Shoppers can browse through an eclectic assortment of antique and interior furnishing retailers.
Things to Do
One of Belle Meade’s top attractions is the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery. Historic tours are available every 30-45 minutes throughout the day. Visitors can also book wine and food tasting at the site’s winery or bourbon tastings in the property’s reconstructed 1820’s Icebox.
Another major draw is the pine-studded Belle Meade Country Club, which was opened in 1969. Members can enjoy 18 holes of golf on the stunning course and then follow up their play with a delicious meal at the Fox Hole.
Southwest of Belle Meade Country Club is two more of the neighborhood’s finest green spaces. Cheekwood Estates and Gardens offers another walk of history. Visitors can tour the 1930s Georgian Mansion and explore 13 beautifully maintained botanical gardens that span the property’s 55 acres. Neighboring Cheekwood Gardens is Percy Warner Golf Course. The Golf Course has been challenging players since 1937 with its tree-lined fairways, and it is located in Percy Warner Park, one-half of the Warner Park System. The two connected parks form a 3,100-acre nature preserve with numerous walking trails.
The Boulevard Bolt is one of Belle Meade’s biggest events. The annual 5-mile charity run started in 1994 and takes place along Belle Meade Boulevard on Thanksgiving Day, bringing out upwards of 7,500 participants.
Schools
Belle Meade is served by a number of top-tier primaries, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. Top educational opportunities include:
-
Ensworth School, K-12, top tier private school where 100% of graduates go on to attend a four-year university
-
-
Vanderbilt University, four-year university, highly selective private research university
-
Lipscomb University, private liberal arts college, nationally ranked business and nursing programs