Locals made these places hits–but aren’t happy with how popular they’ve have become. “Shh!” they say. “The lines will get longer.”
Disclaimer: I’m focusing on local businesses because you’re looking for uniquely Nashville experiences, aren’t you?
Germantown. Wear your pants with the elastic waistband to sit down to this all-you-can-eat southern breakfast served family style. Pass around fried chicken, breakfast meats, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, white gravy, biscuits, and more. Try those delicious peach preserves. If you’re out late, enjoy their after-hours country breakfast served Saturdays, 11pm-3am. (Photo at top)
Hillsboro Village and SoBro. Once the hang-out of Music Row’s movers and shakers, you won’t see celebrities. But you will find fluffy pancakes, omelets, and my favorite hash browns. Locals avoid long lines on weekends by going early, going late (noon or after), or on weekdays. Another crowd-fighting option: visit their location in SoBro. If you arrive and the line is too long for you, here’s your solution.
Bellevue. This generations-old motor court is a country breakfast mecca. The motel rooms are now shops and the restaurant has been greatly expanded but the Loveless remains revered for its biscuits. They’re made better with a dab of their homemade peach preserves. I’d lean toward the fried chicken or country ham but you have other options.
12South. A new arrival by Nashville standards, you can experience BMR several ways: order at the counter for fast service or head to the back for a table. They bake delectable croissants (see photo) as well as cinnamon rolls and danishes. Or you can sit down to a breakfast bowl, a scramble, or other heartier fare. Less crowded on weekdays. TIP: There’s an online wait-list.
Green Hills. A bit off the radar for most tourists, New York purists may find fault with this deli but we locals delight in their tasty omelets, griddle cakes, corned beef hash, and such. Definitely a go-to if you’re nearby. My mother-in-law’s favorite restaurant–but she comes at lunch for the French dip or matzo ball soup.
When you’re in the mood for the basics done well.
Downtown and Franklin. Puckett’s started as a country store in Leiper’s Fork and morphed over the years into a family of full-service restaurants. You won’t find a more authentic southern breakfast in the heart of downtown. For a seriously southern option, order the smoked brisket hash. Opens at 7am.
Midtown. My banker friend Ron cut many a deal over bacon and eggs at this Nashville mainstay. Nothing fancy but the retro vibe is fun–and you can order ice cream for a breakfast dessert.
Berry Hill. Tucked away among a little neighborhood of cottages, Nashville Jam Co.’s cafe keeps things interesting with slight tweaks on familiar items. Examples: their Bronut (a biscuit stuffed with cheesecake and served with blueberry compote) and the tangy pimiento cheese and bacon omelet. All the old reliables available too. Closed for renovations until March 2025.
Melrose. “Fenwick” is a nod to Kevin Bacon’s character in the movie “Diner”; the “300” refers to rolling a perfect score because this was formerly home to Melrose Bowl. Now on to the highly recommended food; it’s basic diner grub plus adult beverages. The owner is likely on site to make sure you have a great experience.
East Nashville. As the name implies, biscuits are front-and-center at this long-loved, well-worn meat-and-three restaurant but you can also order wraps and toasted sandwiches. Breakfast meats include country ham, pork chop, country fried steak, and ribeye–we’re talking truckstop chow. Great values for not much money. Be prepared to be called “honey.”
Germantown. The best scrambled eggs of my life–right here. The namesake spreads love while you spread butter on your biscuits. The basics are very affordable or you can get fancy with sweet potato chorizo hash for $18. Come back for lunch because he shines there too.
Near Germantown. This no-frills cafe has been throwing down solid soul food for the neighborhood for 50+ years. Only place I know of where you’ll find salmon croquets, Polish sausage, and bologna on the steam table at breakfast. Opens at 6:30am Tuesday-Friday.
Germantown. Despite the name, the process is basic: walk up to the window, place your order, grab your grub, and go. Load your biscuit, bagel, croissant, or English muffin with a breakfast meat, egg, and cheese. There’s even a vegetarian option. It’s a little side hustle of the more erudite Germantown Cafe.
East Nashville. Soul food meets downhome hospitality. Order chicken and waffles, omelets, or other traditional items off the menu or go big with their Sunday “Jazz and Eggs” all-you-can-eat buffet featuring amazing fried chicken and their one-of-a-kind donut casserole. Plus, live music. When I was young, this building was a Burger Boy; glad to report that things have changed deliciously. Only open Fri-Sun.
East Nashville. You don’t read a lot about this cozy little spot which means it’s underrated for hearty fare at fair prices. Solid pancakes, egg dishes, and biscuits with gravy. Even a few options for the vegans among us. Love their coffee. Can get noisy when the place fills u.
The Nations and West End. Don’t be confused: the mother ship is on 51st but the satellite is on the corner of West End Avenue and 3oth Avenue, S. Both small spaces crank out an amazing array of good stuff–hot chicken and waffles, breakfast Reubens, breakfast tacos, and burritos. Order at the counter and listen for your name.
The Gulch. Open at 6am, M&H has become the go-to for early risers craving breakfast sandwiches built from croissants and biscuits or healthier options including porridge and roasted mushroom omelets.
The Gulch, Hillsboro Village, and Franklin. It started as a popular food truck and picked up steam as an Instagram hot item and travel-blog darling. Local love has cooled a bit but visitors still line up for their “drop biscuits” loaded with chicken, bacon, or gravy. Not sure why you’d opt for granola here but it’s on the menu.
12South and East Nashville. Texas-inspired but born in Nashville, the neighborhood lines up for savory combinations of egg, bacon, potato, and cheese enhanced with your choice of condiments. Simple but good stuff.
Hillsboro Village. Well, it’s actually about six blocks of Hillsboro Village. Nothing fancy here but my friend Jim thinks it’s about the most affordable place in town for a solid, no-frills breakfast. Stout coffee from Drew’s Brews.
West Nashville. For 75 years, this neighborhood fixture has been making customers happy by keeping things simple and satisfying. Country ham–not available everywhere–is a solid choice for something southern and salty. About the fanciest thing about Wendell’s is the neon sign out front.
Donelson. This airy new diner near the airport delivers all the standards in a contemporary setting. I’m not a fan of the noise level but the food is value-priced and gets positive reviews. A single pancake will set you back $4 and a country breakfast is $13.
Old Hickory. On your way to Andrew Jackson’s home? Stop by this friendly neighborhood favorite for a variety of egg dishes, pancakes hot off the griddle, or selections from their in-house bakery.
Hermitage. They describe their little diner “elevated American classics with hometown love.” And for locals, the love goes both ways. Go light with a breakfast parfait or avocado toast. Or carbo-load for your day by choosing the Farmer’s Skillet (herbed potato hash, sausage gravy, two eggs, chives, toast or biscuit).
Salty and smoky, this southern breakfast staple is created by dry-brining the hind leg of a pig it in salt and hanging and smoking it ___. The texture is a bit softer and less chewy than jerky. A typical slice might be 1/8-1/4″ thick and is served on a biscuit or as an entree, ideally with red eye gravy. The gravy is water-thin, a tad greasy, and super-salty. Yes, please.
When you desire nicer-than-average atmosphere or more sophisticated offerings.
Downtown. It’s cozy and inviting but a glance at the menu will tell you that it’s a cut above. Expected items? Sure. But there’s also prime rib hash, smoked salmon, chicken chilaquiles, and candied bacon. Escape that generic downtown hotel breakfast and settle in for something more satisfying.
Downtown. A client treated my friend Jennifer to breakfast here at the grand dame of Nashville lodging (established 1910) and she was impressed by the exceptional food, the polished presentation, and the elegant atmosphere.
Midtown. Breakfast/brunch is served daily (8am-2pm) in this small white tablecloth restaurant owned by Randy Rayburn, one of Nashville’s most respected restauranteurs. Parking can be a challenge but the rewards are great because everything Randy does, he does very, very well using premium ingredients. A longstanding favorite for business breakfasts.
SoBro. Located in a renovated trolley barn, it’s a favorite for local entrepreneurs. Featured items include challah French toast, egg dishes, and bowls. You can also go light with a muffin or scone. For novelty, visit their bowling alley or pool after dining. Opens at 9am daily.
Melrose. A reimagining of its former identify as a grand movie theater, reservations are recommended for the weekend bottomless brunch with mimosas and a bloody Mary bar. Highlights include braised short rib, chimichurri, fried chicken, frittata, and cinnamon roll french toast bread pudding. Closing end of August.
Some stress their coffee drinks, others make their baked goods the headline news–most are hybrids of the two and a few offer a full breakfast menu.
Downtown, 12South, East Nashville, The Nations, Franklin. Billed as an “all-day cafe,” Frothy Monkey roasts its own brand of coffee. Until it got uber-popular, I met friends at the 12South outpost every Saturday morning for the farm breakfast, biscuits and gravy, and other mainstays. Killer muffins, cinnamon rolls, and cake. Check the basket by the register for half-priced day-old baked goods.
Downtown, The Gulch, 12South, East Nashville, West Nashville, and Franklin. Heralding its 100-layer cro-nut (croissant/doughnut hybrid), this bakery burst on the scene with trendy takes on traditional flavors. Examples: chocolate sea salt, bacon-encrusted maple, and Cuban cold brew.
Downtown. Located next door to the main library, city workers line up at this James Beard semi-finalist’s shop for a box of their delectable pastries including croissants, scones, D’onuts, muffins, and fritters. Downtown guests: be a hero; while your traveling companions are sleeping in, surprise them by making a bakery run.
Downtown, Belmont, East Nashville, and Nashville Int’l Airport. Since 1993, this local mainstay has offered a variety of teas and blends of coffee from its own roasters. The succinct menu includes egg dishes, bagels, and muffins. Occasionally a pop-up food vendor operates at one of the locations.
Hillsboro Village. Our #1 neighborhood recommendation for our AirBnB guests, this former pet shop is now home to eclectic breakfast entrees and a few choice bakery items. Wowed by the chorizo breakfast burrito with salsa verde and their breakfast sweet potatoes. Also loved by locals is its sister operation…
8th Avenue S., Midtown, West Nashville, and Nashville Int’l Airport. Ed and Q love coffee so much that they turned their passion into a now bustling roasting and retail business. Voted the best airport coffee in the U.S. (who does these surveys?), all manner of coffee drinks complement their short list of locally baked muffins, croissants, and egg dishes.
SoBro, East Nashville, Brentwood, and Pinewood Social. My coffee snob friends give this spot high marks. In addition to a full complement of coffee drinks and teas, they sell their own roasts as well as the gizmos you need to brew your own elegant cup. Food options are limited to muesli, toasts, granola, and quiche.
East Nashville and Donelson. Kolaches are king here. Transplanted from Texas, get them with sweet or savory fillings and order an expresso. Too exotic for you? They also make breakfast tacos, danishes, cinnamon rolls, and a crustless quiche.
West End, East Nashville, and Old Hickory. I’ve never had a smoother cup of coffee than their house blend. Their rosemary biscuit is stellar and you can load it up with egg and cheese or opt for a bagel sandwich.
Green Hills. Beloved since 1973, it’s your basic old-school purveyor of deep-fried goodness. I’lll always go with the huge apple fritter. Or maybe an old-fashioned. But the chocolate iced cake doughnuts are good too. Hmm–just go and find your bliss. Small complaint: their coffee is just okay.
The Nations. It’s foremost a home for coffee enthusiasts but they serve a well-rounded menu of breakfast staples with an emphasis on biscuits.
Donelson. A neighborhood favorite known for supporting the community, they offer a very wide assortment of beverages as well as all-day breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Rave reviews for their croissants and cinnamon rolls.
Traditional Nashville thinking: why buy a bagel when you can have a biscuit? Well, times have changed and so has our culture. These days local bagel shops are doing booming business. Here are some local favorites:
Crieve Hall and coming soon to East Nashville. A tad smaller than NY versions, their sourdough bagels are slightly crunchy outside with a soft doughy inside. The bakers get a bit designer-y with options including rosemary and cacio y pepe (that’s cheese and pepper). Also on the menu are muffins and much-heralded cinnamon rolls. Novel items include raspberry lemonade and Boston cream pie pop tarts.
Donelson. My friend Derri, a New York native, rates these bagels the best in town–so there! Her husband Bill is fond of the French toast bagel (what’s not to love?). Other signature options: rosemary sea salt, spicy everything, and cheese of the day. All sorts of bagel sandwiches if that’s how you roll. TIP: Want to try them but Donelson isn’t convenient? You’ll find them downtown in the Fairlane Hotel’s coffee shop.
West Nashville. Let’s assume you get there early to see the full selection of almost a dozen popular flavors of bagels. Then get fancy with schmears including chili crunch, spicy cucumber, mocha, and confit garlic honey rosemary. Familiar choices available too, including some that are vegan-friendly.
East Nashville. Look for the shiny trailer/food truck. Your bagel choices are limited to plain or everything as the name implies but things get interesting as you decide what enhancements you desire.
Belmont. Joanna has sophisticated tastes. That’s why she gladly treks from her home in East Nashville for these bagels from transplanted New Yorkers. “Old school flavors with a new school edge,” they say. Good enough to take first place in the Nashville Scene’s “Best of Nashville” poll.
Midtown. Seeking to make authentic New York bagels in Nashville, they even perform alchemy with the water to match the mineral content of NYC. The result: big, chewy bagels made from hand-rolled dough complemented with schmears or transformed into monster-sized sandwiches.
Inglewood. Three varieties available daily with a wider assortment on Saturday. Order online and pick up your goodies at the Chinese restaurant TKO (Closed Sunday.)
Whether venturing away from town or lodging in an outlying community, add these delights to your radar.
Brentwood. My friend Lynda started selling baked goods from her home almost 40 years ago and demand drove her to today’s status as an exceptional bakery and tearoom, now run by her daughter. I’ve never quite embraced the frilly name but that doesn’t keep me from the best quiche I’ve ever eaten. And you’ve got to sample some of the baked goods. All the traditional breakfast staples shine as well.
Brentwood. This elegant residence-turned-restaurant in Maryland Farms whispers refinement. In addition to the buffet offerings which includes southern sides such as collard greens and cheese grits, visit the stations offering prime rib, omelets, crepes, and the famous chocolate fountain.
Franklin. Just off Main Street is this bakery lover’s delight. Hard choices await: coffeecake, muffins, sticky buns, croissants, turnovers, and more. Need a scramble, omelet, benie, or quiche? They’re prepared.
Old Hickory. Not far from I-40 is the magnet for locals who enjoy downhome goodness in a variety of flavors. All sorts of egg options, house-made muffins and cinnamon rolls, and, surprisingly, Maryland crab cakes.
Hermitage. If you’re heading out to see the home of Andrew Jackson, drop this nearby local favorite on your radar. Touting “Elevated American Classics with Hometown Love,” go light with granola and avocado toast or carbo-load with the Farmer’s Skillet (herbed potato hash, sausage gravy, two eggs, chives, biscuit, or toast).
Antioch. In addition to the expected breakfast fare, this little cafe will serve you a Benedict, crepe, bruschetta, pierogi, shakshuka eggs, or shrimp and grits. My friend Tony is impressed by the value they deliver at affordable prices.
Bon Aqua. Want a bit of a rural road trip? Venture west of Nashville to this quaint spot in a little community for–I dare say–the best biscuits around. The fried chicken’s fine and the country ham’s legit. They serve breakfast anytime but only keep morning hours on Saturday and Sunday.
