The roasters writing the coffee scene in Nashville: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Nashville. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Crema's roasting operation in East Nashville at Duke Street pulls in green coffee from Ethiopia, Colombia and Guatemala. The flagship cafe sits downtown at Hermitage Ave.
Tip: The roastery is open to visitors with notice; the public coffee classes happen at the Hermitage Avenue cafe instead.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Barista Parlor's East Nashville Gallatin Avenue flagship moved its roasting operation on-site in 2025. The aesthetic-led cafe opened in 2012 and franchised across the city.
Tip: Single-origin pours rotate weekly; ask the bar for the lightest roast on bar that morning.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Steadfast Coffee in Germantown, Nashville roasts on-site at the Taylor Street cafe and runs a national subscription programme alongside the Coffee Soda cult drink.
Tip: Subscription beans ship monthly from this address; the cafe runs cupping events most months, see the calendar.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Burundi
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Subscription
Bongo Java's Belmont Boulevard cafe and roastery in Nashville has been a college-town anchor since 1993, supplying beans to Bongo cafes across the city and online.
Tip: Order the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit, then take a bag of beans home. The Belmont students piles in around 10:00.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Sumatra, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Crema's downtown Hermitage Avenue cafe in Nashville houses the company's Coffee Education and Events Lab, where all public classes and cuppings happen.
Tip: Coffee classes run monthly; book online. Pourover flight tastings let you try three single origins at one sitting.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Subscription
Peak food season in Nashville is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Nashville rewards trust.