COA Nashville: The Rooftop Mexican Restaurant You Need to Try in The Gulch

Love it or hate it, Nashville isn’t just fried chicken and honky tonks anymore. Personally? I love it.

My girlfriends and I are always hunting for somewhere new — the kind of place where the ambience pulls you in the second you arrive, the drinks are creative and worth talking about, and the food is made with ingredients that are clearly fresh.

COA in the Gulch hits all three without missing a beat.

I left already planning my next visit — and honestly, you might want to go ahead and make that reservation right now.

The Setting

Take the elevator up to the top of the Canopy by Hilton on Division Street, step out onto that rooftop patio, and let the Nashville skyline do the rest. We’re talking open sky, beautiful city views, and a DJ setting exactly the right mood for the night.

Nashville has plenty of rooftop vibes these days, but this one has quickly climbed the chart as one of my favorites.

The Food

The menu is built for sharing, and that’s exactly how you should approach it. Bold flavors, fresh ingredients, dishes that make the whole table lean in and start negotiating over the last bite. Start with the ceviche — bright, clean, and so fresh.

I’m picky about ceviche. One of my best friends’ dads makes the best ceviche outside of Mexico. But COA found a way to tie for 1^st place!

The other “must order” item on the menu — the burrata and melon. Rich, sweet, perfectly balanced, and completely unexpected.

It’s the dish that will have everyone at the table pointing and saying “wait, what is that?”

I will be making ceviche and burrata and melon regular staples in my food rotation from now on.

The guacamole is not your typical guacamole. Charred pineapple and beet pico de gallo take this from “basic appetizer at a Mexican restaurant” to “I don’t think I can repeat this at home” with the first bite.

This is one of those rare places where you know every item on the menu will be perfect! I haven’t tried everything yet, but I’ll report back once I do.

The Drinks
Let’s talk about the drink all of Nashville is sharing pics of on social media: the soft serve margarita. Nashville has been buzzing about COA’s soft serve margaritas, and they earn every single bit of it. Coconut Pineapple, Strawberry Hibiscus, or — the obvious right answer — swirl both together.

Order one to kick off the night or save it as dessert, but make your peace with the fact that it’s happening either way. It’s fun, it’s delicious, and it’s exactly the kind of thing that ends up all over your Instagram.

The cocktail list is no afterthought either. COA boasts one of the most extensive agave selections in Nashville, and the handcrafted margaritas are fresh, balanced, and dangerously easy to keep ordering. The kind of drinks that make a Tuesday feel like a Saturday.

Good to Know Before You Go

A few things worth knowing: indoor dining reservations are available — and smart to grab — while outdoor patio and bar seating is first come, first serve.

Another bonus — valet parking is complimentary for two hours. In the Gulch, that alone is reason to celebrate.

COA is a stunning addition to Nashville’s rooftop dining scene, and one of the most fun nights out in the Gulch right now. Go soon. Go often.

Location: 920 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203 — atop the Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown, The Gulch.
Neighborhood: The Gulch
Price Range: $$–$$$
Best Time to Visit: Friday or Saturday evening when the DJ is spinning and the rooftop energy is electric — or weekend brunch for skyline views with a morning margarita moment.
Reservations & Website: Ready to go? Make your reservation and explore the full menu at coanashville.com