Cup of joe. Brain juice. Lifeblood. Sweet nectar of the gods.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s pretty clear that coffee makes the Nashville world go round.
- BECOME A REGULAR: Crema
(photo cred: @iamthejoel)
WHERE:
Just past the hustle and bustle of downtown, take a left on 1st and go just past Copper Kettle. Right across the street from Trolley Barns, home of our friends at Emma, Hands On Nashville, and Nashville Entrepreneur Center!
WHAT TO ORDER:
WHY:
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name! Nashville’s coffee shop version of Cheers, this is the place to go if you like seeing familiar faces. The Crema bunch are the types that you can pretty much always find lounging there with their laptop or a friend. You’ll probably memorize a semi-stranger’s order because you’re always there at the same time, but don’t feel creepy: it’s the Crema lifestyle. They take coffee seriously – check out the chalkboard diagram wall art that will teach you pretty much everything about coffee ever – but they always have a smile on their faces!
- GET A KILLER INSTAGRAM: Frothy Monkey
WHERE:
The magnificent 12 South neighborhood.
WHAT TO ORDER:
If you’re in a fancy mood – get the Monkey Mocha. If you’re not a coffee lover, the fruit tea is refreshing with a little zing – perfect for a hot summer day! The royale sandwich is for the hungry, and it is deeeelicious!
WHY:
Frothy Monkey is the place that ambience dreams are made of. The packed rooms are draped in mahogany wood floors and filled with cozy tables for two. Don’t be surprised if people are crammed into booths – this place is a hot spot for midday hangs. Get the panorama feature on your camera phone, snap a photo of your 50 closest friends, and brace yourself – your Klout score’s about to go through the roof.
- FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN NYC: J&J’s Market & Cafe
WHERE:
Right as you round that Vandy corner on 21st Ave – near Tavern & Chuy’s!
WHAT TO ORDER:
WHY:
This coffee shop is a little camouflaged, with a very NYC market and deli serving as the entryway. When you push past the convenience store (after getting yourself a pop tart or something, because it’s been a long day and you deserve it), you’ll find yourself in a room with heavy red curtains set against exposed brick walls. There’s a shelf with some seriously fantastic books and trivia games. In the mornings they play some soothing classical tunes! J&J’s is a place for the literary-loving, Beethoven-appreciating, coffee sophisticate! Also one time Robin Williams came in 5 minutes after we left and we cried for days since we barely missed him. If a place is Robin Williams approved, you should definitely go there.
HAVE BREAKFAST: Bongo Java
WHERE:
This place literally has customers spilling out onto Belmont Boulevard, right across from the university.
WHAT TO ORDER:
As far as coffee goes, we’re big fans of the Mocahontas (Disney characters and mochas? Yep). The famous Bongo Basic breakfast is at the top of the hipster food pyramid: an integral part of a balanced, devastatingly hip breakfast.
WHY:
Bongo is the mecca of Belmont Boulevard. You’ll find wide-eyed Belmont freshmen, respected/retired rockstars, ministry mentors, doting dads and their adorable kids. What unites them? Mornings at Bongo Java are a Nashville staple – with that Bongo Basic breakfast, you can’t go wrong. It’s a deal, you start your morning right, and you’re entrenched in a unique community that shows off Nashville’s variety.
- HIT THE BOOKS: Edgehill Cafe
WHERE:
Obviously from the name you can gather it’s in the Edgehill area. Right across the street from Taco Mamacita!
WHAT TO ORDER:
There is a drink called “It’s Always Fall Somewhere”, and man, if that isn’t just God’s kindest truth. Edgehill is definitely a fall favorite! If you’re hungry order the pesto grilled cheese sandwich, because YUM.
WHY:
Edgehill’s vibe is kind of the equivalent of your really cool parent’s house – a well-lit, clean, homey space where you can get work done. If you’re a student away from home, this place will alleviate home sickness and jump-start your productivity! Burlap chairs, nooks in every corner, tons of outlets, and big open spaces. Get your study on!
We’d say that Nashville is the coffee mecca of the south. Don’t believe us? Try any of the places above and we’ll make a believer out of you. Download the app for more tips from the Wannado team!
– Your local guide.
