Where to Brunch in Nashville

One of the city’s most popular local chains is themed around biscuits. Tourists wait in line at a place called The Pancake Pantry. Babies are fed shrimp and grits when they’re born. We’ve done our due diligence—drinking heavily on a Saturday, then waking up at the crack of 10am to eat—and have come up with our favorite spots to brunch in Nashville.

Biscuit Love

The star of southern cooking has long been its breakfasts. Biscuits and gravy are THE staples of any breakfast table south of the Mason Dixon, so when in Rome (or Nashville), you need to go where its done best. The longer the wait the higher the expectations, and it’s no secret the long weekend lines might deter you, but if a 45-minute wait is all that stands in between you and one of Nashville’s best breakfasts, stay the course. Also, don’t leave without ordering the Bonuts—fried biscuits, topped with lemon mascarpone and served over a blueberry compote.

THE VIBE

Unpretentious, scrumptious, and Southern.

KNOWN FOR

Umm...the biscuits. Duh.

Photo courtesy of Biscuit Love

Butcher & Bee

This relatively recent addition to East Nashville has been attracting big crowds and lots of attention. Butcher & Bee's weekend brunch offers up a mix of popular dishes from its lunch and dinner menus along with more breakfast-focused plates. Almost everything on Chef Bryan Lee Weaver’s meticulously planned Israeli-inspired menu is both shareable and tasty. Try the B&B biscuit, with a choice of soft scrambled egg, avocado, or Gifford’s bacon, smeared with his signature whipped feta and honey butter. For a more adventurous route, try the avocado crispy rice with shawarma spice chicken thigh. Vegetarians will be a-okay with small yet flavorful plates like the delightful whipped feta, served with fermented honey, cracked black pepper and pita bread and mains like the mushroom “Toad in the Hole”. Make reservations, grab a seat at the bar by the open kitchen, or check out the patio on a nice day.

THE VIBE

Brunch with an Israeli twist, set in an industrial looking space with an open kitchen.

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East Nashville’s most interesting brunch option.

Photo courtesy of Butcher & Bee

Chauhan Ale & Masala House

Surprise, Chef Maneet Chauhan’s restaurant is good, y’all! Even for brunch. Especially for brunch. The eatery boasts an inventive mash-up of Indian cuisine with Southern flare. Where else in Music City can you find naan French toast, a breakfast taco made with vindaloo sausage and Provel cheese, Tandoori shrimp and grits, and Bloody Marys flavored with vindaloo curry?

THE VIBE

Warmly styled converted brick space.

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Inventive Indian/Southern fusion

Photo courtesy of Chauhan Ale & Masala House

Etc.

If you wake up feeling a little swanky with a side of hungry, head to Etc., for a classy yet affordable brunch of classics with a twist. For instance, how about a little hot chicken on your eggs Benny? Or a savory sweet potato waffle, topped with tomatillo jam, agave syrup, candied pepitas, and mango chile butter? Order a posh drink to wash it all down, like the “The Cure” made with Rittenhouse rye, local honey ginger syrup, lemon, soda, and a smoked lemon peel.

THE VIBE

Classy, minimal, and elegant.

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The avant-garde culinary contributions of owner/Chef Deb Paquette.

Photo courtesy of Etc.

Le Sel

J’adore les crepes, beignets, et croque madames à Le Sel. You don’t have to speak French to appreciate Nashville’s version of the classic Franco-American bistro/patisserie. If you’re not in the mood for one of the aforementioned French treats, try the onion soup gratinée (aka French onion soup), or start with some oysters. The cocktails are exquisite as well: The French 75 is on point, and the gin and Aperol punch bowl will get you where you don’t necessarily need, but might want, to be.

THE VIBE

Elegant and whimsical French-inspired gem in Midtown. The dramatic ambiance of the plush pink booths in the dining area gives off a refined air of country twang.

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Francophile foodie paradise by the same group behind such hits as Bastion, The Catbird Seat, Henrietta Red, Pinewood, and The Patterson House.

Photo courtesy of Le Sel

Marché Artisan Foods

Marché is East Nashville’s best brunch spot, but not necessarily its best-kept secret. Hungry residents and visitors come from all across town to feast on Chef Margot McCormack’s sweet and savory treats.

Wait times of an hour or more on weekends are not uncommon at Chef Margot McCormack's East Nashville cafe, but don't let that deter you. Musts are the bread and pastries, along with the crepe du jour.

Chef Margot McCormack’s two eateries in East Nashville are both quite popular for weekend brunch. Lines of hushed East Nash residents wearing sunglasses (even, in fact especially, when it’s cloudy) stretch out the door of Marché to get inside and sit down to a revitalizing meal of inventive pastries, delicate crepes, or steak and eggs. Thankfully, there’s also a wide variety of coffees, vinos, and sparklers to help you rehydrate, too.

THE VIBE

As one of Nashville's OG brunch spots, Marché is a hipster haven, complete with reclaimed wood seating, plenty of vegetarian options, and drinks like Whisper Creek-spiked hot chocolate.

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The cuisine is French bistro with slight remixing: Go for the Croissant French Toast, thank us later. It's casual enough to drop by after a workout or to grab food when you're in the mood to have light options available.

Photo courtesy of Marché Artisan Foods

Sinema

If you’re the kind who figures brunch isn’t brunch unless there are a bottomless Bloody Mary and mimosa bar and a buffet, then head to Sinema. You can order from the a la carte menu that has options like Fruity Pebbles French toast, and/or pile your plate high at the market stations like the Patisserie and Fried Chicken & Biscuit Bar, set throughout the two-story historic theater while a classic Hollywood movie plays on the big screen.

THE VIBE

Housed in a converted marquee theatre drenched in Art Deco design, Sinema is spacious and glamorous.

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All you can eat and drink brunch!

Photo courtesy of Sinema