Love and Olive Oil

Nashville Eats & Treats: Brunch Edition

Nashville Eats & Treats: Breakfast and Brunch Edition (Where to eat brunch in Nashville)

I’m starting a brand new feature here on Love & Olive Oil featuring local eats and treats in our hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. A few of you expressed interest in hearing more about local eats, so whether you live here or plan to visit, hopefully you’ll find these posts useful. I will come back and update these posts as necessary, as Nashville’s restaurant scene is growing faster than I can keep up.

I figured we’d kick off this series the same way you start your day: with a satisfying breakfast. Here are our favorite Nashville breakfast and brunch spots (in no particular order). This is by no means a complete list, just our favorite breakfast and brunch spots at the moment.

The Princess / "Bonuts" (Biscuit Donuts) from Biscuit Love in Nashville, TN

Biscuit Love

Hands down our favorite breakfast. What was once a favorite food truck (served from a decked-out airstream trailer) now has a permanent location in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood (parking tip: the Pine Street garage offers 1 hour free parking). Whatever you do, don’t miss the Princess, Karl’s sweet and spicy take on Nashville’s signature hot chicken, served on (what else) a biscuit. I also love the Bonuts (biscuit-donuts) as well as the Lily, a biscuit French toast served with lemon cream and blueberries.
Biscuit Love / biscuitlovebrunch.com / 316 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Tavern

This mid-town restaurant boasts one of the most unique brunch menus in town, with tempting mashups like Pretzel Pancakes and Red Velvet Waffles. My favorite dish is the Kaya Toast (which is also on their lunch/dinner menus), featuring a sweet coconut jam on Texas toast, alongside a fried egg and soy sauce reduction. Meanwhile, Taylor raves about the Huevos Rancheros and the Tomatillo Bloody Mary, and there are three unique varieties of Eggs Benedict that will not make your decision easy. And definitely grab a side order of Tavern’s famous White Trash Hash, a cheesy potato casserole that’s off the hook.
Tavern / mstreetnashville.com/restaurants/tavern / 1904 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Croissant French Toast from Marché in Nashville, TN

Marché

With a charming quaint atmosphere, Marché is a delight. The Croissant French Toast is perhaps one of the best French toasts I’ve ever had in my life, with a surprisingly crisp exterior (no soggy French toast here!) As with most Nashville brunch spots, it can fill up fast; on Sunday especially I recommend getting there 15-20 minutes before they open if you want to be seated immediately.
Marche Artisan Foods / marcheartisanfoods.com / 1000 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206

Fido

A long-time favorite, Fido is a great alternative to waiting in line for mediocre pancakes at another well-known establishment just a block away (trust me, look down the street as you walk in, and I’ll bet there’s a line). With a wide variety of egg dishes and breakfast sandwiches you can be confident in your choice, though the ever-changing specials are always unique and hard to pass up. Fido is a local favorite for good reason.
Fido / bongojava.com/fido-cafe / 1812 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

Famous Biscuits at the Loveless Cafe, Nashville TN

Loveless Cafe

A Nashville institution, the Loveless Cafe sits about 40 minutes South of downtown Nashville (a gorgeous drive almost any time of year). Their fluffy Biscuits are legendary, and for good reason. I could make a meal of just biscuits and their amazing house-made jams. Though I wouldn’t say no to a piece of tender Fried Chicken (gotta have protein, right?) or to an order of their incredible potato casserole. If you go on a Saturday or Sunday morning, plan on waiting at least 2 hours, though if it’s a nice day, you can place a to-go order and eat outside on one of the many picnic tables. Also check out the adorable Hams & Jams country store and take a piece of the Loveless home with ‘ya.
Loveless Cafe / lovelesscafe.com / 316 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Pinewood Social

This hip spot is convenient to downtown, with a large, airy space and a full size bowling alley in the back. The Fried Broccoli appetizer can’t be missed (no matter what time of day), and I adore the fresh ginger mocktail (mmm, spicy!) They also offer some unique coffee cocktails that are perfect for brunch (or any time, really).
Pinewood Social / pinewoodsocial.com / 33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210

Sinema

One of Nashville’s newest fine dining establishments, Sinema sits in a restored movie theater in the Berry Hill neighborhood. It’s only open for brunch on Sundays, but is well worth a visit for the space alone. If you are a Bloody Mary fan, Taylor says it’s the best he’s ever had. While I’ve heard amazing things about their cardamom French toast, the day we happened to go they swapped out the autmumn-inspired butternut squash and pecan combo for a strawberry/banana that was not my favorite. There were a number of other intriguing items on the menu, though, and we will definitely be back. Reservations recommended.
Sinema / sinemanashville.com / 2600 Franklin Pike #102, Nashville, TN 37204

Le Sel

Le Sel

Self described as “new” French, the menu is light and modern and enticing. We haven’t been for dinner yet, but their brunch is nothing short of spectacular. It’s a little bit of Paris, right here in Nashville. From unique brunch cocktails to perfect Belgian waffles, classic omelets and perfect 4 minute tea, Le Sel’s brunch menu will not disappoint. Whatever you do, don’t miss the fries (excuse me, frites). They’re the best in town.
Le Sel / leselnashville.com/ / 1922 Adelicia St, Nashville, TN 37212

5th & Taylor

We love 5th & Taylor, the fact that it’s walkable for us only seals the deal as one of our favorite new restaurants. They don’t do anything crazy, but rather they put unique spins on classic brunch dishes and execute the heck out of them. My trout cake Benedict was perfectly salty, smoky, and savory, while Taylor still fantasizes about the sweet and spicy fried chicken (served with a fresh herb salad, because, balance). The zabuton steak (on both their brunch and dinner menus) is one of the best steaks in town (and a steal at $27). This place doesn’t get nearly the buzz that it deserves, though I’d still recommend getting reservations if you can.
5th & Taylor / www.5thandtaylor.com / 1411 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208

Updated February 2, 2016.


For easy trip planning, I’ve put together this a handy-dandy Google map with all the locations featured in this post (this map will be updated as I continue/expand this series).

Just remember that breakfast = yellow, and you’re good to go.

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16 Comments

  1. Lindsay and Taylor, your blog is wonderful! Thank you so much for including Tavern in this post. If you’ve never tried our brunch at Saint Anejo, please let me know and I will arrange it – it rivals Tavern! 
    Best,
    Jackie
    M Street Entertainment Group

  2. I think I know what well-known, mediocre place you are talking about… I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I will say I had never tasted sweet potato pancakes before then. And they were amazing, so next time I get back there I’ll be looking for another place to try them!

    I also want to get to Mas Tacos for Saturday brunch next time I’m in town. Everything was so delicious, I can’t wait to try their chilaquiles…

    • I completely agree that their sweet potato pancakes are very good. Just not wait in a 3-hour-line good. :) Go on like a Tuesday at 10am or something when there is no line.

  3. Wow so happy you posted this.  I am traveling to Nashville in August for a girls weekend with 4 others “girls”.  This will be handy dandy helpful for that trip.  Can’t wait to see what else you share.  Bookmarking for sure!

  4. This new series is SO perfect because I am going to study at Vanderbilt this coming fall and have been seriously worried about the possibility of not being able to continue my foodie adventures!! Please keep this going I am excited to know that Nashville offers so many culinary treats :)

  5. I fondly remember that Kaya Toast! I’ll keep this bookmarked for our next trip to Nashville :) Happy to see Biscuit Love has a permanent location.

  6. Those biscuits are calling my name!!  I love brunch. I also have to check out new places when we travel! 

  7. We live just down the road in Memphis and get to Nashville quite often. Thanks for the recommendations :)

  8. Mmmm….The Princess and the Bonuts are my usual order at Biscuit Love. So good! And I’m definitely craving Loveless biscuits and cheesy potatoes right now!

  9. I know you can’t include every place but FYI (and walkable to your condo!) the crab cakes benedict at Germantown Cafe are not to be missed!  Plus their mimosas are a glass of champagne with a sidecar of oj so you can add as much (or as little) as you like!  xo.

  10. I just visited and I have to say… I ABSOLUTELY LOVE NASHVILLE. Oh my word this is such a great up and coming city!  And being the foodie I am… I absolutely LOVED the food scene.  We went to Merchants (frickin amazing), Moto (the bolognese, to die),  Kayne Prime (genius), Farm House (the mac and cheese. is. amazing.) and Southern Steak and Oyster (I had a delicious brunch but I also got goat cheese ice cream – phenomenal!). So yea, Nashville has an amazing  food scene.  I seriously cannot wait to go back! This is a great post though, when I go back I can’t wait to try all these places!

  11. Red velvet waffles?!?! STOP! I have been wanting to check out Nashville for a while now so I’m so excited about this feature! Everything sounds fantastic but man, I want those waffles! xo Lisa
    http://www.strumsimmersip.com

    • Lisa,
      Let me know when you come to town, and I’ll make sure you get a chance to try the Red Velvet Waffles at Tavern! 
      Best,
      Jackie at M Street Entertainment Group

  12. Check out the brunch at Two Bits!! They have build your own bloody Mary’s and AMAAAAZINGLY delicious and unique meals.

  13. Pinning! I travel to Nashville often and always looking for new spots!

  14. ooh, i’ll have to make it to nashville someday, Lindsay! all of these places look wonderful. 

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