“Good Vibes Only” is the dictum that flies on a flag over the entrance to Donelson’s best-kept secret — Phat Bites, a bar and deli tucked behind an Ace Hardware on Lebanon Pike. Owned by former Ellendale’s chef and restaurateur Julie Buhler (also a former personal chef for Dolly Parton), the space is an escape from the sometimes bland look of the surrounding area. The atmosphere is comfortable and casual, with regular performances from local indie artists featured on a stage near an open-concept kitchen and a deli counter. In the next room you’ll find an eclectic bar with heavy-pouring mixologists and anime playing on the televisions all day long. The colorfully graffitied interior is decorated with guitars, skateboards, records and bicycles, while the outdoor patio is lined with plants and a wooden fence that offers plenty of seclusion.
Best Reason to Go to Donelson
