Updated June 27, 2020.

Happy New Year! This is my first post of 2020, and my 2020 blog theme is the Year of American Travel! While I don’t plan to give up on international travel this year, I do plan to do more domestic travel to highlight my homeland during what will undoubtedly be a strange and exciting election year. First up: Lebanon, Tennessee, where I spent about half my childhood and teenage years. This is where my family and I went to church, where most of my childhood friends lived, and where I still return every time I go home!

They’ve done some amazing revitalization in recent years, so now the restaurant scene is a fantastic mix of tried-and-true favorites and exciting new hot spots! It’s an easy day trip from Nashville, so here are a few favorites to try on your next trip!

Cracker Barrel

Fun Fact: Cracker Barrel started in Lebanon, TN, and Uncle Herschel went to my church! Their food tastes like home, and almost every time we fly down to visit family, we stop at “The Barrel” for a meal after we land or before we head to the airport. I have no pictures of our food, however, because we always eat it before I remember to take photos! It’s that good, y’all. I recommend the biscuits, cornbread muffins, eggs, desserts, meatloaf… just go hungry and order all the things!

Town Square Social

This new addition to the Lebanon Square is mighty popular! Steve and I stopped in for lunch while finishing up our Christmas shopping (shop local, y’all!), and it was great! Service was friendly (of course), the food was fantastic and included everything from burgers to salads to fish tacos to banana pudding, and I love how they’ve restored and renovated this historic building right on the main square. I can’t wait to go back!

Split Bean Roasting Company

You knew there would be a coffee shop on this list! The Split Bean on Main Street is such a fun coffee spot. It’s owned by a local veteran, and they roast their beans in the shop! They also offer quick breakfast, lunch, and bakery options, so stop in on your next trip to Lebanon and find out why it has been voted Best Coffee Shop in Wilson County every year they’ve been in business!

Wildberry Cafe

This is a super fun and girly place to have lunch! They do have limited hours, so check their website before you go (their cafe is open Wednesday-Friday for lunch). And by all means, get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad! It’s basically the taste of my childhood. The cafe itself is very feminine, so make it a fun girls’ lunch date!

Sammy B’s

Sammy B’s is a sit-casual restaurant with something for everyone! They have an extensive menu ranging from Tex-Mex to all-American to pizza and beyond, and their beautiful historic building makes for a setting fit for family dinners, receptions, or date night! It’s on the old Castle Heights property, which is a former military academy. Take a look at the architecture around you while you’re there!

Want more food from America and beyond on my World Foods Page. And stay tuned for more from 2020: the Year of American Travel!

Don’t forget to start planning your USA trip of a lifetime on my United States Page, too!

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