5 Must-Eat Cafes in Nashville
Nashville Music City has a booming food and cuisine scene. The city offers a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars with delicious food and unique esthetics. I always say that it is difficult to do Nashville in a few days, because there are so many places to try. I picked 5 of my favorite cafes around the city to share dining tips and food recommendations. Enjoy!
FIDO
Located on 21st ave in Hillsboro Village
Multigrain Banana Nut Pancakes (My. fav. pancakes. ever).
Fido is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville for a reason... It is simply delicious! Fido offers a menu with breakfast on one side and lunch+dinner on the flip side. They have various food options from bagel sandwiches, egg scrambles, pancakes, salads, and other entrees.
Fido is one of my favorite coffee shops in Nashville, because I love the food style, decorated lattes, and the atmosphere in Hillsboro Village. Also, Fido makes some of the best homemade cookies and muffins in town!
Tip 1: I recommend going during the week Monday-Thursday or during the evening on the weekend.
Tip 2: They now have Fetch next door if you want to order a meal or espresso drink to go.
Also, maybe you'll be lucky and bump into Steven Tyler like I did once.
Grilled Chicken + Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Note: I was in need of simple fuel 2 hours before a workout that day.
Huevos Rancheros: Fried Eggs, Stewed Black Beans, served on Hash Browns, topped with Red Salsa, Sour Cream, Avocado + Corn Tortillas
Franklin Juice & Co.
Nashville store Located on 12th South
On the go and need something healthy? Franklin Juice & Co is my "go-to" grab & go place between work and school. Their fresh ingredients have a lot of vitamins and health benefits. The trendy açaí cafe offers tasty smoothies and bowls to fuel you in order to take on the day.
My personal favorite açaí bowl is the Big Island featured below.
The Big Island: The base consists of Banana, Strawberries, Açaí, and Apple Juice. Then, the bowl is topped with Granola, Almonds, Banana, Hemp Seed, Natural Peanut Butter, Bee Pollen, and Local Honey.
Caviar & Bananas
located On Broadway in Midtown
Customized Salad: Grilled Chicken, Quinoa, Tomatoes, Edamame, Feta, and Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
What are you craving today? They have it! Caviar & Bananas is a unique culinary experience unlike any other in Nashville! I always like to describe the cafe as a "gourmet cafeteria." They offer breakfast, lunch dinner, weekend brunch, and even have a wine and espresso bar. C&B serves salads, sandwiches, and unique dishes in their food case all made from fresh ingredients from all over the world. They even have a "build your own" option for chopped salads and sandwiches.
Oh, and have you ever wanted to try Cold Brew on tap? You might be thinking, "What? That's a thing?" Yes, your coffee can be that fancy served from a tap espresso bar at Caviar & Bananas.
Tip: Do not be afraid to branch out and try some of their unique dishes. I promise, it will be worth it!
Buttermilk Chicken Tenders + Customized Chopped Salad w/ Lemon Vinegrette Dressing
Bread & Company
Located on West End Ave
Looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Or do you need to work on your laptop or study while fueling your body with delicious foods? Make Bread & Company your working destination on the way downtown or between errands. This restaurant offers sandwiches, salads, soups, and entres.
Recently, I could not decide between the Honey Pecan Chicken Salad sandwich and the Strawberries Fields Chicken salad... As a compromise, I built my own salad! Bread & Co has a "Build Your Own" salad or sandwich option, which is convenient on days when I feeling indecisive (which is most days). I love combining my favorite ingredients into a delicious and healthy meal. Nothing gets better than all your favorite things at once, right?
Other Recommendations: Pesto Chicken Quinoa Power bowl, which includes quinoa, kale, lemon chicken, basil pesto ranch, feta, and fresh herbs.
Also, their FRUIT TEA is a must try!
" Build Your Own" Salad: Honey Pecan Chicken Salad (protein), Romaine, Arugula, Strawberries, Green Apples, Walnuts, Avocado, and Lemon White Balssmic Vinaigrette (on the side).
Sunflower Cafe
Located in berry hill
Aloha Veggie Pattie in Wheat Wrap: Sweet Chili Pineapple Compote, Red Onions, Spinach & Tomato.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, then this is the place for you to try in Nash! Sunflower Cafe serves homemade and locally sourced vegetarian dishes. They offer veggie burgers in a wrap, bun, or over greens. You can choose from several different topping styles and sauces for your burger or wrap.
The cafe also offers several salad dishes and quinoa or brown rice bowls. I always leave feeling perfectly full and satisfied!
Tip: I highly recommend combining the side of sweet potatoes with the caramelized apples! The flavor together is killer!
Happy Hour 3pm-6pm Monday-Friday
Garlic Mushroom Veggie Burger: Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Spinach, Tomato
& Sriracha Aioli.
Curried Chickpea Salad: Kale Salad tossed in Tahini Apple Cider Vinaigrette topped with Curried Chickpea Salad, Shredded Carrots & Whole Wheat Pita
*** ALL PHOTOS WERE SHOT WITH AN iPHONE & Edited by Jessie Wallace ****