Nashville didn't used to be known as a brunch town. For many years not much happened in Music City before noon on Sundays – musicians were sleeping off their previous nights out at the bars, everyone else was in church. Few restaurants were even open at all. As Nashville's demographics have changed however, so too have its brunch options.
Today plenty of eateries open for this most leisurely of meals. Whether you're looking for things to do on the weekend or for a hangover remedy after a big night out at the best nightlife spots in town, the best brunch in Nashville is well worth your while. And it’s not all chicken and waffles, poached eggs and bloody Marys (though Nashville does all three very well). Here are the best brunch restaurants in Nashville – for catching up with friends, feeding that hangover, people watching and ordering another mimosa.
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Chinese food is not what Nashville is known for. But this kitchen melds Chinese and Southern foods in interesting ways, in a space that also melds intimate and open. This is a really dim sum and then sum kinda place. Carts circle the booths in a traditional manner, but their contents are anything but traditional. Try the duck dumpling, the sesame golden eggs and the firecracker wontons.
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A Mediterranean-inspired getaway in East Nashville, Butcher & Bee prepares innovative shareable dishes from an open kitchen in a warm but modern space. If you want something other than the standard eggs bene, this is the go-to. The shakshuka (a spicy tomato Middle Eastern favorite) is the city's best. Their Bloody Mary has a kick, thanks to the kinds of fresh, seasonal ingredients the kitchen uses in its food dishes, too. Wanna go healthy? Try the kale and eggs.
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As the largest restaurant in the massive Omni Nashville hotel, you might not think that this spot would be a must on many locals' lists. But think again. The breakfast buffet is massive, with organic and gluten-free options, including cereals. There's even a biscuit bar. But unlike many other kitchens that specialize in southern cooking, there's a willingness to accommodate those who don't eat pork, meat or gluten.
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Maneet Chauhan is known for appearing on Iron Chef America, and Chopped and now, as the owner of three restaurants in Nashville, she is known for bringing Indian street food to a city that wasn’t known for its Indian cuisine. Brunch allows Chauhan to take its penchant for fusion to the next level, with dishes that combine the funkiest of the south with chicken tikka, curry and more. There are no punches pulled, the drinks are listed as hangover cures.
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Since 1951 The Loveless Cafe has been an institution, and some may argue it’s a state of mind. The neon sign is an iconic stop: popular among photographers even before selfie mania.The food at the Loveless is good: The biscuits are fluffy and buttery, the ham salty, and the eggs, bacon and sausage will hit the spot. The drive, about 20 minutes from downtown, makes these destination seem that much more authentic. While it may look unremarkable from the outside, Loveless is not a secret dive. Expect long lines for a table, as everyone wants these biscuits and jam.
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One of Nashville's very best restaurants, Husk brings its A-game to its brunch menu as well, with a bevy of seasonal, local ingredients, paired in unusual ways. Husk's conceit is that while all the ingredients are from the south, the food on offer isn't necessarily southern. Because the menu changes based on seasonality, it is hard to pin down what will be served on any given day, but options such as crispy pig ear lettuce wraps, omelets with ramps, and soft shell crab Monte Cristo aren’t out of the question.
You can tell from the name alone that this is not your average Chinese food joint. Owned by Top Chef alumnus Arnold Myint, Suzy Wong’s has a menu of shared plates with an Asian fusion spirit, an inventive cocktail menu and a high-energy soundtrack; this is a great place to go with friends. On the weekends, come by for Drag’n Brunch, a tasty menu complete with drag performances. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu, too.
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An old movie house converted into a restaurant, Sinema is all about making a theatrical splash. That's doubly true at brunch, where old Hollywood movies play on big screens as patrons sip on bottomless bloody Marys and mimosas. Given the free-flowing liquor and the loud atmosphere, Sinema tends to be a raucous brunch option: Stay away if you have a hangover that craves peace and quiet.
This biscuit business started as a food truck and now has physical locations the Gulch and Hillsboro Village neighborhoods. The kitchen crew here gets creative with its biscuit dough, frying it into doughnuts (aka 'bonuts') and using it to make French toast served with fruit compote. Biscuits also make an appearance in myriad sandwiches. There are biscuit-less options to be had, including oatmeal, omelets and hash, but that’s not why those long lines have formed out the door.
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When Julia Jaksic’s all-day cafe opened five years ago, on the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Porter Road, on the East side of Nashville, it was instantly popular. The interior decor offers a calming blend of marble and a soothing pastel colors, but the real winner is the menu. For those who prefer to keep their brunch light, the roze bowl or coconut yogurt topped with Julia’s granola might appeal, but for those with a heartier appetite, the country ham toast or a hearty egg sandwich with Gifford’s bacon, tomato jam, and avocado will almost certainly guarantee satisfaction.
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