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Coffee in Nashville – My Favorite Spots to Try
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.
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.
Want to jump around?
15 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 many of Nashville’s neighborhoods including Downtown. 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.
I’ve got an entire guide to brunch in Nashville if you’re looking for even more good breakfast spots.
Sip Cafe
A local cafe with both coffee and ice cream that’s typically open later than other coffee shops in the city.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 499-4137
Sip Cafe in Inglewood is the place to go for both gourmet coffee and delicious ice cream. The building is an old bank that’s been converted into a cafe, and it’s a casual spot with a couple comfy chairs and tables where you can work on your laptop or chat with friends.
Sip Cafe is a local favorite for several reasons. It’s one of the few local spots with a drive-thru window, which is nice when you just need a quick caffeine fix. And, while many of Nashville’s coffee shops close mid-afternoon, Sip stays open much later, especially in the summer.
Crema Coffee Roasters
An artisanal coffeehouse in Downtown with brews you won’t find anywhere else.
📍 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 their website, 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.
Elegy has also opened larger locations in Germantown and Downtown Nashville that are worth checking out! Both of these locations have indoor seating and a more extensive food menu.
Momento Specialty Coffee
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website
Momento Specialty Coffee aims to bring European coffee culture to Nashville. The cafe has high-quality coffee along with delicious food. The breakfast menu includes wraps, sandwiches, and omelets, and I can confirm that the biscuit sandwich is definitely worth ordering.
Memento Specialty Coffee has two locations – one in East Nashville and one in Hermitage. Both locations feel warm and welcoming.
Sump Coffee
A West End coffee shop with a unique atmosphere and delicious coffee.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 585-1140
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.
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.
📚 Related Reading: For more places to hear live music, see our guide to Nashville’s music venues.
Retrograde Coffee
A relaxed neighborhood coffee shop in East Nashville perfect for working or studying.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 964-7770
Retrograde is one of the most laid back coffee shops in the city. 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!
The East Nashville location on Dickerson is the original location, but they have expanded to other neighborhoods as well.
Dose
A specialty coffee shop that serves some of the best-tasting coffee in Nashville .
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 730-8625
For some of the best 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.
Dose has locals in East Nashville, West Nashville, and Old Hickory.
Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea
An East Nashville coffee shop with quirky mugs and tons of seating.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 800-6256
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 with fun signature drinks.
📍 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.
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) 219-4641
8th and Roast has four locations–one on 8th Avenue South, one in Sylvan Park, and one in Midtown plus one on the airport. The main 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 Nashville 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 at the bottom of Noelle Hotel in downtown.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (615) 649-5000
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.
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 in the trendy Gulch neighborhood.
📍 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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If you love coffee, then you’ll find plenty of coffee shops in Nashville to explore. Hungry? Read my guide to the best restaurants in Nashville next!
