67 Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee

Vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for a healthy pick-me-up can find light breakfast and lunch fare at this location of the popular local chain. Hearty salads with house-made dressings, bright fruit superfood bowls with crunchy cacao nibs, fresh-pressed juices, and inventive smoothies make it a treat to grab some nourishing food on the go. There's another location in Wedgewood-Houston. 

A coffee concept by the owners of The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, Elegy is a tiny shop with bold flavors on offer. Pop in for a seasonal latte or one of several rotating burritos, like the autumnal Witching Hour burrito with black forest ham and Havarti. And you can't go wrong with the shop's signature Honey Bear cold brew, which you can also purchase in family-sized bottles. Elegy only has outdoor seating, making it more of a to-go spot than a place to hang out.

Tucked off the lobby of The Hyatt Centric, Ella's is open just about any time you're hungry (it's also where guests at the hotel get room service from). The California-inspired, Italian fare–focused menu has something for everyone: dinner highlights include crab risotto, braised short ribs, and pan-seared salmon piccata, while breakfast and lunch offer classics like lemon-ricotta pancakes and a grilled chicken Caprese sandwich.

Bright and airy, this diner-style restaurant features a stand-alone coffee bar within the dining room, where Bongo Java’s coffee and signature drinks are paired with thoughtful and hearty brunch selections and breakfast cocktails. The large center bar is topped with a bowling lane, a nod to the building’s past life and the source of the restaurant's name since the kitchen tries to roll a perfect game every time.

Located on the lobby level of the Virgin Hotels Nashville, the only thing funny about this coffee shop is its eccentric decor. Serving La Colombe coffee, baked goods, and breakfast bites, this is a great space to stretch out and work, relax, meet a friend, or plan the day's events.

Pop into this bright friendly space to satisfy your munchies, get a caffeine fix—or better yet, do both. The woman- and family-owned shop boasts a wide array of specialty coffee drinks, going out of their way to cater to visitors with food sensitivities by including menu items like gluten-free bread, alternative milks, and optional plant-based cold foam. The food menu is more extensive than that of most coffee shops, making it a great place to recharge while exploring the east side. That it's also connected to The Bookshop, another local favorite, is a sweet plus, as you can grab a book or two to read while you sip.

Located off the lobby of the Kimpton Aertson Hotel, this stylish restaurant and bar serves up New American cuisine like country-fried oysters, pea tortellini, and smoked chicken in a Gatsby-inspired interior (see the pair of emotive eyes artistically fashioned above the full bar). Cocktails here are worth the price, especially during weekday happy hours, and live music often accompanies.

Sean Brock's culinary influence is all over Nashville, but nowhere is the famed chef's playfulness more evident than at Joyland, his friendly colorful spot for quick and easy comfort food. Relish a bit of nostalgia while enjoying a JoyBurger, a no-frills burger reminiscent of fast food fare but far more delicious (and available in a vegetarian option). Still hungry? Add on a Joystick, a strip of fried local chicken thigh served with the dipping sauce of your choice, or a side of fries. Their crinkle fries are gluten-free.

High-quality beans are the focal point of this airy and upscale coffee shop located on the ground floor of the Thompson Hotel. The friendly and professional staff serve up a rotating selection of specialty and seasonal lattes that keep things interesting along with sweet and savory breakfast bites.

Inspired by taco culture in Austin, Texas, this bustling eatery specializes in breakfast and lunch tacos—both served all day—featuring brisket, avocado, and other fillings; vegetarian options and a kids' menu are available. The coffee menu has a nice selection of lattes and espresso, and Mexican Coke, Topo Chico, and house-made watermelon agua fresca are also available. The outdoor tables are nearly always full when the weather's nice. Inside, the large open space is spare, with a warm rustic feel. There’s a decent-sized parking lot or street parking. A second location is planned for East Nashville.

Once you turn onto Lindell Avenue, look for picnic tables and a brightly colored mural on the white Wedge Building and you'll find this local gem whose Grumpy Hour (8 to 10 am) gets you a free coffee with any breakfast order. The salads are huge, the sandwiches are delicious, and the staff are super nice. If all the tables are taken inside, head down a short flight of stairs for more tables and couches.

If you love a decadent late breakfast or a sumptuous meal before heading out for a night on the town, then Midtown Cafe is the perfect place to stop for everything from soups to desserts. The café also offers diners a shuttle service to some of Nashville’s premier performing arts venues, including the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, TPAC, and Ryman Auditorium.

What started as a tiny coffee-and-gelato shop in nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee, is now a full-service restaurant serving up one of The Gulch's most extensive brunch and lunch menus, with savory options like the shareable shakshuka (eggs poached in a tomato sauce) to comforting breakfast hash bowls. Once known mainly for its gelato, the bakery has also blossomed over recent years with crowd-pleasing homemade Pop-Tarts, brioche cinnamon rolls, and fluffy croissants that pair perfectly with any of their specialty coffee drinks. This is a great pick for those who prefer to start their day with an unhurried and indulgent meal, but be prepared to wait for a table as it's first come, first served.

Much of the dining in Germantown is high-end and experimental, making longtime local favorite Monell's Dining and Catering a welcome dose of Southern comfort food, all served family-style. Visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner to fill up on Southern favorites like skillet-fried chicken, home-style meat loaf, and delicious biscuits. Just be sure to save room for dessert.

This cozy family-owned coffee shop is much more charming than its strip mall locale might imply. The walls of the bright interior space are adorned with country music stars' promotional headshots and other bits of memorabilia to peruse while enjoying specialty coffee drinks made using locally roasted beans, bagels and croissants, or more substantial sandwiches during the lunch hour. Works by local artists hanging on the walls are also for sale.

A little inner child indulgence is encouraged at this playful ice cream shop that also serves up cocktails, boozy milkshakes, scoops and cones, espresso drinks, and eight different varieties of hot chocolate. Sundaes with toppings like brownies, marshmallows, and cinnamon rolls are the focus, and there's also a banana split with all the fixings. Quick breakfast bites are also available every morning.

This Mexican bakery serves up fresh tres leches, bread pudding, cheesecake, and a host of other pastries so flaky you’ll get almost as much on your shirt as in your mouth. Grab a Mexican Coca-Cola to complete your sugary snack.

The original Hillsboro Village location opened in 1961, but this newer SoBro location brought the Pancake Pantry's signature scratch-made breakfasts—pancakes, omelets, and waffles—closer to the Downtown masses. Don't miss the irresistible homemade maple syrups; if you're not in the mood for breakfast, there are a range of sandwiches and salads, too.

Breakfast is the specialty at this Nashville institution with 20 kinds of pancakes (sweet and savory) and homemade syrups. A favorite with locals, students, and celebrities, there are good soups and sandwiches for lunch—or you can stick with the pancakes, which are served till closing in late afternoon. Get there by 8:15 on weekdays to avoid lines, but be prepared to wait on weekends.

One of the city’s most inventive brunch experiences puts you in control of your pancakes and more with an in-table griddle set up for a DIY menu. In addition to creative toppings for the all-you-can-eat pancakes, you can also griddle-cook your own grilled cheese sandwich or order from the kitchen if you aren’t up for the task of making your own.

Situated in the bright lobby of Graduate Nashville, this is a great sport for anyone (guest or not) to order classic caffeinated drinks, pastries, and savory sandwiches. Plan to stay a bit, as the mix-matched couches and accent chairs are the perfect place to enjoy your treats.

If you're walking Downtown near 5th and Church, you'll probably pick up the aromas from Puckett's before you see it: Puckett's is an in-town version of the popular Leiper's Fork Puckett's, a Tennessee eatery and music venue. Here you'll find new twists on Southern favorites, including barbecue sliders and \"redneck burritos\" of pulled pork, baked beans, and slaw, as well as salads. Puckett's also serves breakfast and features live music most nights.

There are a lot of coffee shops in Germantown, but only Red Bicycle has an extensive menu of sweet and savory crepes. This neighborhood café also serves a variety of sandwiches, tacos, pastries, and small snacks, all complemented by a menu of seasonally rotating coffee and espresso drinks and served by one of the friendliest staffs in town.

More than just a coffee shop, Red Bicycle offers a wide selection of sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and tacos. A variety of seating options in the large space, including outdoor tables, make this a popular meeting place and workspace.

At this all-day Mexican diner in East Nashville's Cleveland Park neighborhood, expect a variety of tacos on offer, including breakfast tacos, homemade Crunchwraps, and a green chile cheeseburger that is not to be missed. There's ample indoor and outdoor seating, though it's a popular spot so expect to wait in line during peak hours.

This pleasantly low-key coffee shop is decorated with quirky local art and is typically quiet, making it a relaxing place to work or chat. In addition to coffee, Sam + Zoe’s offers tea, breakfast food, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and desserts.

This country café in Madison, Tennessee, has a home-cooked appeal. Try a loaded biscuit for breakfast or a pimento-cheese-and-bacon sandwich for lunch, and don’t forget to check the cabinet for a daily selection of house-made pastries and desserts. By the time you leave, the staff will know you by name.

This deli specializing in bagel sandwiches serves breakfast all day. In addition to bagels, the café offers granola, baked goods, coffee, and smoothies.