Whether you need a caffeine buzz, a bite to eat, or a temporary place to call your office, Nashville has an abundance of coffeehouses to keep you buzzin’, grubbin’, and workin’. These are our top choices for locally owned and operated coffee shops in Nashville based on atmosphere, food and coffee (obviously).
BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN NASHVILLE
Barista Parlor
Barista Parlor is a top-notch coffee shop with locations in East Nashville, the Gulch, and Germantown. It’s a popular work spot and hangout for many locals. With bright interiors, incredible woodwork, and attention to detail, each location offers a clean, minimalistic atmosphere. The East Nashville location has a covered patio with some outdoor seating, if you’d rather chill outdoors.
- Neighborhoods: East Nashville, Gulch, & Germantown
- Coffee: Barista Parlor (Nashville)
- Best For: Meetings or concentrated work
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: There is parking behind the building in East Nashville and small dedicated lots in the Gulch and Germantown. Street parking is also available.
- Serves Beer: No
Eighth & Roast
Eighth & Roast is a jewel of a find on 8th Ave South nestled between furniture stores and Douglas Corner Café, across from Zanies Comedy Club. The inside is warm and cozy with community tables, which you can spread out on to get some major work done. If you want to enjoy one of those beautiful Nashville days, you can grab one of the two-top tables outside.
- Neighborhood: 8th South
- Coffee: Craft Coffee
- Best For: Meetings or concentrated work
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: Street Parking
- Serves Beer: No
Crema
Crema is a little off the beaten path, but it’s worth seeking out. This growing operation is serious about their in-house coffee program, and their passion is contagious. They are even teaching coffee classes, which we think is awesome.
- Neighborhood: SoBro
- Coffee: Crema (Nashville)
- Best For: Coffee enthusiasts
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: There is gravel parking along the side and a few spots out front
- Serves Beer: No
Frothy Monkey
Frothy Monkey has two primary Nashville coffee houses in 12 South and Downtown, along with Bakery in East Nashville and a small operation inside Grimey’s Too. There is ample seating at both of the main locations, especially two-top tables for freelancers and students. When the weather is nice, the 12 South patio has the perfect home-porch feel. if you’re seeking more space, the Downtown location is one of the roomiest spots in town.
- Neighborhoods: 12 South
- Coffee: Frothy Monkey Roasting Co.
- Best For: Freelancers, students and smaller groups
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: 12 South: there is a small parking lot around back and street parking throughout the area. Downtown: street and garage parking.
- Serves Beer: Yes
Bongo Java
Bongo Java is considered Nashville’s oldest coffee company and the first Nashville-based roaster to provide organic, Fair Trade brews. You can find Bongo Java coffee in almost all of the retail stores around Nashville, so it’s hard to miss these guys. There are two primary Bongo Java locations on Belmont Boulevard (the original location) and in East Nashville. There are also smaller operations inside the Omni Hotel and the Johnny Cash Museum.
Bongo Java on Belmont Boulevard has a large patio and an upstairs theater, making it a good spot for socializing, studying, or entertainment.
- Neighborhoods: Belmont Boulevard & East Nashville
- Coffee: Bongo Java (Nashville)
- Best For: Outdoor patio and neighborhood feel
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: Street parking
- Serves Beer: No
Fido
If you haven’t been to Fido, you might be one of the few. Fido, Bongo Java’s sister location, is probably the most popular coffeehouse in the metro area located in the heart of Hillsboro Village.
With a location so close to Belmont and Vanderbilt, Fido has an eclectic crowd of youthful creatives. Fido is pretty roomy, but it can fill up pretty quickly at peak hours. People usually discover that the food is just as good as the coffee.
- Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
- Coffee: Bongo Java (Nashville)
- Best For: Small and large groups who don’t mind a boisterous ambiance
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes, but off during peak hours
- Parking: There is a lot around back, but it fills up quickly. Your best bet is along Acklen Ave or 20th Ave
- Serves Beer: Yes
dose.
dose. has two locations in West Nashville and East Nashville. The atmosphere is cozy and there are alternative coffee selections, including Counter Culture Coffee and rotating regional and national roasts.
- Neighborhoods: Sylvan Park & East Nashville
- Coffee: Counter Culture Coffee + rotating regional/national roasters
- Best For: People on-the-go
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: Parking lot, but spaces are limited
- Serves Beer: No
Ugly Mugs
Cheers to drinking out of ugly mugs! Ugly Mugs in East Nashville offers a clean, friendly vibe along with really unattractive coffee mugs that you might expect to see on the clearance rack at Goodwill. The ugly mugs add a fun flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. There are a variety of seating options, from couches to a window bar.
- Neighborhood: East Nashville
- Coffee: Drew’s Brews (Nashville)
- Best For: Reading and chilling
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: You can usually grab a spot in the parking lot without any trouble
- Serves Beer: No
Steadfast Coffee
Steadfast Coffee is located in the bustling Germantown neighborhood off Taylor Street. They roast their own coffee and have a full lunch, dinner, and cocktail program, too. Important note: it’s tucked away behind the Skillery building, so you won’t see it from the street.
- Neighborhood: Germantown
- Coffee: Steadfast Coffee
- Best For: Socializing and relaxing
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: Street parking
- Serves Beer: Yes (as well as wine and cocktails)
Pinewood Social
Though it’s not strictly a coffee joint, Pinewood Social has the ideal atmosphere for your morning or late-night caffeine intake. Lounge on the sofas or get some work done at the desks. Everyone flocks here for meetings, too. To top it off, coffee drinks are prepared by Crema, who has their own section in the restaurant.
- Neighborhood: SoBro / Rolling Mill Hill
- Coffee: Crema (Nashville)
- Best For: People-watching, lounging, meeting
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking lot or valet
- Serves Beer: Yes (and all sorts of libations)
If your favorite coffee shop is missing from the list, tell us in the comments section below!
cafe coco is open 24-7 great for writers and best prices compared to the rest mentioned.
All of these are great! Also, The Well is quickly rising to my top coffee shops in Nashville list. I spent a year going to almost fifteen coffee shops around Nashville to find my favorites. Edgehill Cafe is pretty popular among my friends, and my wife and I loved Garage Coffee, even though I don’t hear about it as much. You can get a different view of the skyline from inside Garage Coffee. Portland Brew is great for a relaxing read or quiet study environment. The noise level has always been peaceful.
The Well near Lipscomb should be on this list. Their Fireside is my new favorite latte. Plus I love that my coffee purchase goes toward well-building & global outreach. Great make-a-difference products offered out front also.
I have become very fond of Aymology… In an old house on West End with lotscof nooks and crannies. Small (and large) rooms to rent as well. Creative smoothies, juices, treats and small meals in addition to tea and coffeehouse coffee. My favorite is their new morning espresso drink… espresso with steamed cream and a bit if sugar topped with fresh orange zest served in a groovy little espresso shot cup.
Barista Parlor in East Nashville may be trendy, but it is absolutely not a good place for any type of concentrated work. It’s one of the loudest places I’ve ever been purely from the music alone, and I actually had to head over to Ugly Mugs to get any work done. I like the hustle & bustle of people around, but I felt like I was in a nightclub in there.