17 Best Coffee Shops in Nashville in 2023 (By a Local)

With so many good coffee shops in Nashville, there are tons of options for coffee lovers. No matter what vibe you like from a coffeehouse, Nashville has something for you. Whether you want to meet up with friends, catch up on work, study, or just grab a cup of black coffee before exploring the best things to do in Nashville.

As a Nashville local who spends a lot of time working in different coffee shops, I can help guide you to the best coffee shops here in Music City.

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17 Best Nashville Coffee Shops

Frothy Monkey

A local coffeehouse chain popular for its breakfast fare

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 600-4756

When you want a great breakfast along with delicious coffee, try Frothy Monkey. The local chain has locations in most of Nashville’s neighborhoods. Each location has a unique, charming atmosphere. Most locations have ample seating but can be full during peak meal times.

The beans are roasted locally in Nashville, and the drink selection has something for everyone. For breakfast, there are plenty of baked goods along with hardier options like French toast, biscuits, and grits. 

You can bring a laptop and work at Frothy Monkey, but avoid doing that during peak breakfast hours. The chain is very popular in the mornings, especially on the weekends.

📚 Related Reading: Find out more of our favorite spots for brunch in Nashville.

Crema Coffee Roasters

An artisanal coffeehouse in Downtown

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 255-8311

If you’re passionate about all things coffee, Crema is the place to go. Their award-winning coffee is sourced sustainably. You’ll find special brews here that aren’t available anywhere else. The coffee soda is a big draw, as are Brazilian and Peruvian coffee blends.

Another unique feature is that Crema offers coffee classes. On Fridays, you can book a class to learn how to taste and brew coffee like a pro.

Elegy Coffee

An adorable coffee shop in East Nashville with a walk-up window for an easy coffee fix

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website 

For your morning coffee, head to Elegy, a small coffee shop on Gallatin in East Nashville. You can either order inside or at the to-go window. All the coffee is delicious, and the honeybear cold brew is particularly popular. The pastries and breakfast burritos are also excellent. 

While the shop is small, it’s full of carefully crafted details, like the beautifully designed menu, that set the place apart from the typical coffee shop. Seating is outdoor only, so check the weather beforehand if you’re planning to linger.

All People Coffee

A cool coffee and beverage hall in East Nashville

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website

If you’re looking for a new favorite coffee shop, All People Coffee is the place to go. During the daytime, locals head there to work and enjoy the selection of coffee including an authentic Cuban coffee. 

Most coffee shops tend to close in the afternoon, but that’s not the case here. There are fun events like trivia nights and live music by local songwriters happening a couple of nights a week. With the shop’s self-service beer tap and wine menu, the place stays lively until the doors close.

📚 Related Reading: For more places to hear live music, see our guide to Nashville’s music venues.

Hanna Bee Coffee

Coffee shop with a great vibe located right next to a bookstore

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website

If you enjoy sipping coffee while enjoying a good book, Hanna Bee Coffee is the place for you. Founder Hanna Bee first launched a line of medium-roasted whole bean coffee in 2020 before opening an East Nashville location in 2022. The shop offers unique drinks you won’t find anywhere else like the gold brew, a cold brew with gold glitter. 

The ambiance is fun and friendly with lots of natural light. With free wi-fi, it’s a great place to get some work done in a calm environment. As an added bonus, the shop is located right next to The Bookshop Nashville. One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is to stop by and pick up a new book before heading next door to Hanna Bee.

Sump Coffee

A West End coffee shop with a unique atmosphere and delicious coffee

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 678-1286

With its industrial-chic-meets-science-lab decor, Sump Coffee feels wildly different from any other coffee place in Nashville. It’s one of the top coffee shops for gourmet coffee.

The iced chai latte is a favorite, and the espresso tonics are very popular. You can also tell the barista what you like, and they’ll be able to help you pick out the perfect drink.

There’s plenty of room for working from your laptop or for meeting up with friends.

Red Bicycle Coffee & Crepes

A cute coffee shop with amazing breakfast options in Germantown and the Nations

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 516-1986

This adorable local chain with multiple locations in and around Nashville has a quaint atmosphere. It’s a good place to meet up with friends for a cup of coffee and pastries. It’s the only coffee shop in the area serving crepes. My absolute favorite is the sweet crepe with Nutella and bananas. Red Bicycle has great food and drinks.

Americano Lounge

An upscale lounge in Wedgewood-Houston serving coffee and cocktails

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (629) 203-6991

Whether you’re looking for caffeine or cocktails, Americano Lounge is a cool place to hang out. The decor has an old-world feel, and there’s jazz in the evenings on the weekends.

The lounge sources only rainforest-certified coffee which is produced ethically and sustainably. If you’d prefer a cocktail, the old fashions are particularly popular. This trendy coffee shop is the perfect place to relax with friends at any time of day.

Retrograde Coffee

A relaxed neighborhood coffee shop in East Nashville

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 964-7770

Retrograde is one of the most relaxing coffee shops in Nashville. The decor is both aesthetically pleasing and calming. It’s the perfect environment for working or studying. When the weather is nice, the patio is a popular place to sit. 

The baristas make a good cup of coffee, and their seasonal offerings are excellent. If you’re at Retrograde during the fall, be sure to try the caramel apple cider. It’s one of my favorites!

Barista Parlor

East Nashville’s original hipster cafe

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 712-9766

Barista Parlor is best known for providing high-quality coffee in a cool atmosphere. It’s a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts. The shop has expanded to multiple locations including Germantown, the Gulch, Hillsboro Village, and even the airport. All of the locations have a cool, minimalist decor.

Barista Parlor is a popular place for locals to work. You’ll see plenty of people on laptops as well as small groups having business meetings. 

Dose

A specialty coffee shop in East Nashville and Sylvan Park

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 730-8625

For some of the best-tasting coffee in Nashville, try Dose. The shop focuses heavily on sourcing high-quality coffee. Dose serves counter culture coffee as well as a rotating collection of featured roasts. Dose is best-known for its pour-overs. Besides coffee, the shop has a great selection of tea as well.

Coffee enthusiasts and more casual drinkers will both love the great coffee and friendly atmosphere at Dose. If you enjoy a snack with your morning cup, be sure to try some of the baked goods. They make the muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies from scratch.

Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea

An East Nashville coffee shop with quirky mugs and tons of seating

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 915-0675

Locals and visitors alike enjoy the laid-back vibes at Ugly Mugs. The industrial-style coffee house has plenty of seating and is a great place to study, work, or meet friends.

The shop also happens to be next to Five Daughters Bakery, one of the most popular donut places in Nashville. There’s a welcoming outdoor patio between the two. It’s the perfect way to start off the morning by enjoying coffee or a cup of tea.

Bongo Java

Nashville’s oldest coffeehouse in Hillsboro Village

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 385-5282

Located right across from Belmont University on Belmont Boulevard, this shop is a favorite for locals, including college students, artists, and musicians. The cozy coffee shop has fun signature drinks like the PB&J. I especially love the hot apple cider during the fall. 

Bongo Java is one of the best coffee shops to go to if you want to feel like a local. Also, when the weather is nice, the outdoor patio is the perfect place to spend the morning or afternoon.

👉 Pro Tip: Bongo Java’s sister location Bongo East has an entire wall of board games you can play while you enjoy sipping some great coffee.

8th and Roast

Best coffeehouse for enjoying craft coffee while working

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 730-8074

8th and Roast has two locations–one on 8th Avenue South and one in Sylvan Park. Both locations have friendly vibes with lots of natural light and plenty of space to work. There’s free wi-fi and accessible outlets.

The coffee shop sources its beans from fair-trade networks. At the Sylvan Park location, you can see where the beans are roasted on-site. 

Poindexter Coffee

An elegant coffee shop at the bottom of the Graduate hotel

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 551-2700

If you’re looking for a cute place to meet up with friends downtown, Poindexter Coffee in the Graduate Hotel is for you. Get your caffeine fix underneath the elegant chandeliers in the lobby of one of Nashville’s coolest hotels.

The coffee is good, but the decor is the biggest draw for this place. The space has huge windows, tastefully mismatched couches, and gold finishes. There are always people either working on their laptops or reading books.

👉 Don’t Miss: Looking for more things to do downtown? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Nashville.

Drug Store Coffee

An upscale coffee shop in the bottom of Noelle Hotel

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 610-7834

The space that Drug Store Coffee occupies today in downtown Nashville used to be a drug store counter. The shop in Noelle Hotel has an elegant, mid-century modern feeling. 

Drug Store Coffee serves coffee from Barista Parlor, one of Nashville’s best-known coffee shops. If you’re downtown, it’s worth heading to Noelle to experience the shop for yourself. You’ll feel like the main character in a period film as soon as you step inside.

Killebrew Coffee

A relaxing coffee shop in the Thompson Hotel lobby

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 262-6001

If you’re visiting the Gulch, head to Killebrew for your morning fix. This coffee shop in the Thompson Hotel is only a couple of blocks from some of the best things to do in Nashville like the Frist Art Museum.

On nice days, you can sit outside to enjoy your coffee. The shop also offers delicious pastries that are made in house. It’s the perfect place to go before exploring the Gulch and downtown Nashville.

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Hungry? Read my guide to the best restaurants in Nashville!

If you love coffee, then you’ll find plenty of coffee shops in Nashville to explore. I hope I’ve helped you find some of the best Nashville cafes!

(Featured Image Credit: Agave Photo Studio / Shutterstock)