Whether you need a caffeine buzz, a bite to eat, or a place to call your office, Nashville has an abundance of coffeehouses to keep you buzzin’, grubbin’, and workin’. If your favorite coffee shop is missing from our list, tell us in the comments section!
These are our top choices for locally owned and operated coffee shops in Nashville (sorry, Starbucks) based on atmosphere, food and coffee (obviously).
BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN NASHVILLE
Barista Parlor
Barista Parlor is an amazing coffee shop with locations in East Nashville, the Gulch, and Germantown. It’s a popular work spot and hangout for many locals. With the incredible woodwork and attention to detail creating a remarkable atmosphere, you might just end up visiting both locations often. Also, the East Nashville location has a covered patio with some outdoor seating, if you’d rather chill outdoors.
Area: East Nashville, Gulch, & Germantown
Coffee: Variety
Best place for: Meetings or concentrated, creative work
Free Wi-Fi: Yes
Parking: There is parking behind the building in East Nashville and a dedicated lot in the Gulch
Serves Beer: No
Eighth & Roast
Eighth & Roast is a jewel of a find on 8th Ave South nestled between furniture stores and Douglas Corner, across from Zanies Comedy Club. The inside is warm and cozy with huge 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 small tables outside.
Area: 8th South
Coffee: Craft Coffee
Best place for: Meetings or concentrated, creative work
Free Wi-Fi: Yes
Parking: Street Parking
Serves Beer: No
Crema
This coffee shop is a little off the beaten path, but it’s worth seeking out. Crema is not too crowded or too loud, and most importantly, they are roasting their own coffee in-house.
This growing operation is serious about coffee, and their passion is contagious. They are even teaching coffee classes, which we think is awesome.
Area: SoBro
Coffee: Crema (Nashville)
Best place for: coffee enthusiasts and a quieter atmosphere
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: there is gravel parking along the side and a few spots out front
Serves Beer: no
Frothy Monkey
The Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse is located in the 12 South neighborhood, which has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years. This place serves up some great coffee and some great food, too.
There is ample seating, especially two-top tables for freelancers and students. When the weather is nice, the patio has the perfect home-porch feel.
Area: 12 South
Coffee: Frothy Monkey Roasting Co.
Best place for: freelancers, students and smaller groups
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: there is a small parking lot around back. You can also usually find a spot on Gilmore Street or along 12th Avenue.
Serves Beer: yes
Bongo Java
Bongo Java is considered Nashville’s oldest coffee company, and the only organic, Fair-Trade roaster in the city. You can find Bongo Java coffee in almost all of the retail stores around Nashville, so it’s hard to miss these guys.
Bongo Java on Belmont Boulevard also has a patio and an upstairs theater, making it a good spot for socializing, studying, or entertainment.
Area: Belmont Boulevard
Coffee: Bongo Java (Nashville)
Best place for: outdoor patio lovers
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: Parking is a little trickier at this location due to the college, but you can usually find parking on the side streets
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 Vandy, 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.
Area: Hillsboro Village
Coffee: Bongo Java (Nashville)
Best place 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. is a cool little coffee shop right off Murphy Road as you head to the heart of Sylvan Park. We love the cozy atmosphere and alternative coffee selections, including local coffee from Humphreys Street Coffee Company and rotating regional and national roasts.
Since it’s right off West End, this place is perfect for a quick cup on your way to work.
Area: Sylvan Park
Coffee: Humphreys Street Coffee Co and rotating regional/national roasters
Best place for: people on the go
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: There are several spots right out front, but it’s limited.
Serves Beer: no
Ugly Mugs
Cheers to drinking out of ugly mugs!
Ugly Mugs in East Nashville offers up a clean, friendly vibe and really unattractive coffee mugs that you might expect to only 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.
Area: East Nashville
Coffee: Drew’s Brews (Nashville)
Best place for: reading and chilling
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: you can usually grab a spot in the parking lot with no problems
Serves Beer: No
Pinewood Social
A newer place to enjoy a cup of joe is 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 the meetings, too. To top it off, coffee drinks are prepared by Crema, who has their own section in the restaurant.
Area: SoBro
Coffee: Crema (Nashville)
Best place for: people-watching, lounging
Free Wi-Fi: yes
Parking: free parking lot or valet
Serves Beer: Yes (and all sorts of libations)
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.