Sort of Legal

A few years ago, I had my sister do some Instagram research on coffee shops I could work out of while visiting her in Nashville, Tennessee.  She has a knack for that kind of research and did not steer me wrong. She sent me a bunch of ideas and I gathered some more through ground-work talking to people while in Nashville.

Since then, I try to visit at least one new Nashville coffee shop on every trip.  Sometimes I get in more than others. One trip I got in 4 in about 4-days and on another trip, just 1 shop in a week.

HEADQUARTERS
@hqsnashville (insta)
www.hqnashville.com
4902 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209

Recommended For:  Soaking in hip, historic atmosphere;  avoiding tourists (except for me!)

My Take: Formerly a storage space for a dried goods store, Headquarters, embraces its 9-foot wide space, boasting “the best things come in small packages” on its Instagram page.  And it’s right!

For such a small space,there’s a surprising amount of seating (especially once you discover that there is a back porch) and the single barista multi-tasked to get drinks prepared faster than many shops with multiple employees.

I overheard the barista tell the woman in front of me that the back-porch stays shady until about 11AM.  Despite the July heat, I decided to give it a try, since the main space was in the midst of the morning coffee rush.  There were a few other people working outside but

I was still able to find a table to work at.  I was shocked at how much cooler it was with the shade.  I comfortably worked outside for about an hour and a half (then I got hungry).

ATMOLOGY
@atmalogy (insta)
http://atmalogy.com
2320 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Recommended For:  Caffeinating comfortably; picking up some unique gifts

My Take:  Swooooon.  Maybe it’s because I was there early enough to nab the uber comfortable egg chair but I loved Atamology.  The word that comes to mind is cozy.  It’s not a small space, quite the opposite, but it feels warm and welcoming and the barista’s matched that vibe.  The friendliest coffee shop I visited on my Nashville coffee shop hop.  It also had some cute trinkets like Postcards, art, and jewelry for sale from different local vendors and reasonable prices. Longer post on Atmalogy here.

EIGHTH & ROAST
@eighthandroast (insta)
http://www.eighthandroast.com
2108 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Recommended For: Working remotely; getting coffee from the source

My Take:  While in Nashville, I learned that a number of other local coffee shops source their coffee beans from Eight and Roast so I had to check it out.  With that background, I expected that coffee would be tasty…and it was.

Eighth and Roast was also well set-up for remote workers.  It has a lot of individual seating AND plugs.  I took advantage of that and along with my coffee shop co-workers, got a lot done.  But I wouldn’t hesitate to go back for a meeting or to chat with friends as there were also sizeable community tables.

CREMA
@cremacrema (insta)
https://crema-coffee.com
15 Hermitage Ave. Nashville, TN 37210

Recommended For: Coffee connoisseurs; making progress on your Nashville bucket list

My Take:  CREMA is focused on one thing: coffee.  They roast their beans in-house and have become a well-known name in Nashville and beyond.  The simple, clean, interior keeps the focus on the coffee.

I love coffee, but I’m not that picky about coffee so sometimes I steer away from places like CREMA because they can get over-crowded and I can’t recognize the nuances of coffee flavors as much as coffee connoisseurs (beer on the other hand…).   But after learning that CREMA had an iced-coffee soda only available in summer – I had to go.  I had never even heard of a coffee soda!

I stopped by and got one on my last day in Nashville – light, refreshing and perfect for the HOT summer day. I’d imagine even non-coffee drinkers would enjoy it.  I was advised by someone at a different coffee shop that others have tried to replicate the drink but none can match CREMA’s.

The shop was busy but not as crowded as I’d expected.  I easily found a seat and in winter, would love to sit on their large front porch.

FIDO
@fidonashville (insta)
www.bongojava.com/fido-cafe/about/
1812 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212 [Hillsboro Village]

Recommended For: Coffee + EATS + drinks

My Take: Technically, my Fido visits were on prior trips, but I’ve been there twice so I’m listing it here.  Hip, non-pretentious coffee PLUS food PLUS beer and wine shop in a hip, walkable neighborhood. Large space,

I had a great food and coffee experience there. I just wish I had known what Chilaquiles were at the time because I would have ordered them.  I just saw a photo of them and they look delicious.  I’ve assigned my sister the task of trying them since she is a Nashville local.

Remote workers should proceed with caution: Fido does turn-off their WiFi during busy times so visit Fido for a meeting or a meal, not catching up on your e-mails.  You need a break from your computer anyway.

*Larissa’s unofficial, non-foodie definition of Chilaquiles:  Delicious Mexican breakfast that is as close as you can get to eating nachos for breakfast without eating nachos for breakfast.

DOSE
dosenashville (insta)
http://dosenashville.com
1400 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
3431 Murphy Rd Nashville TN 37203 (West End)

Recommended For: Coffee, a biscuit, and a few e-mails.

My Take: Dose is set up for a diverse audience.  It can and does accommodate both remote workers, or studiers at its West End location which is near the college, and small groups that want to have a conversation over coffee. More details on DOSE here.

UP NEXT:

I’ve yet to make it to every coffee shop in Nashville, Tennessee.  I still haven’t even made it to every shop on the original 2017 list from my sister.  That just gives me something to look forward to on future trips.  Here are a few on my “up next” list on the hunt.  If you have additional ideas on the best coffee shops in Nashville, send ‘em on over to me (e-mail link on the side or on insta @eclecticadventures)!

BARISTA PARLOR
@Baristaparlor (insta)
https://baristaparlor.com

519B Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
610 Magazine St, Nashville, TN 37203
1230 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208 

J & J’S MARKET AND CAFÉ
http://nashvilleguru.com/businesses/jjs-market-cafe (couldn’t find a direct site #oldschool)
1912 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

THE JAM COFFEE HOUSE
@thejamcoffeehouse (insta)
http://thejamcoffeehouse.com
1210 Wedgewood Avenue. Nashville, TN 37212

FROTHY MONKEY

@frothymonkey
https://frothymonkey.com

2509 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204
235 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219
1400 51st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37209

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