Whether you’re a visitor to the Music City or a local, nothing starts off a day better than a good breakfast. Below are my picks for five of Nashville’s best breakfast spots.
1. The Loveless Motel and Cafe – Fried chicken and made-from-scratch biscuits beloved by hungry travelers navigating Highway 100 made the Loveless Cafe famous, but it also serves up an excellent Southern-style breakfast. Besides the abundance of good food, the fun of eating at the Loveless Cafe is the setting. The restaurant proper resides in what was once a home, circa early 1900s. (The original house still remains, but it’s since been added on to to accommodate the hoards of hungry visitors.) The motels surrounding the house have been converted into the Hams & Jams Country Market and the Loveless Motel Shops. The Hams & Jams store occupies its own building. It’s where people can buy the hams and jams used in the restaurant to take home with them, or pick up to go items such as pit-smoke barbeque, sliced smoked meats, and the cafe’s delectable homemade pies. The Loveless Motel Shops offer a fun place to browse for artwork, jewelry, pottery, or (my favorite) “whimsical gifts” at the Curious Heart Emporium while waiting for a table. (There is usually always a wait for the restaurant.) The Loveless Motel and Cafe is located at 8400 Hwy 100. 615-646-9700.
2. Pancake Pantry – If you associate pancakes with breakfast, the Pancake Pantry is the place for you. Located minutes from downtown in the Hillsboro Village area of Nashville, the Pancake Pantry offers pancakes with nuts and fruits in their batter, or as toppings, along with a variety of syrups. The line is literally out the door on weekends, rain or shine, but don’t let it deter you. It moves fast. The Pancake Pantry is located at 1796 21st Avenue South. 615-383-9333.
3. Puffy Muffin Bakery and Restaurant – This is a popular lunch destination in Brentwood, a city just south of Nashville, but it’s also the place to eat brunch on Saturdays (the Puffy Muffin is closed on Sundays). It has become so popular it’s opened up another location even. Muffins are, naturally, one of its claims to fame, but quiche is also among their best selling breakfast items. The original Puffy Muffin Bakery and Restaurant is located at 229 Franklin Road in the H. G. Hills Shopping center. Their newest location is 91 Seaboard Lane, which is also in Brentwood. 615-373-2741.
4. Noshville, an Authentic New York Delicatessen – Breakfast consists of standard deli fare: eggs and omelettes, smoked fish platters, bagels and toast, griddle cakes and cereal, or any combination thereof. Nashville may be in the South, but if it’s a good bagel and lox you’re craving, Noshville’s the place for you. There are four locations to choose from. The Midtown restaurant is located at 1918 Broadway. 615-329-6674 (NOSH). The Green Hills restaurant is located at 4014 Hillsboro Circle. 615-269-3535. The Cool Springs restaurant is located at 1000 Meridian Blvd. 615-771-6674 (NOSH). They’re also located in the Nashville International Airport. 615-775-6674 (NOSH).
5. The Pfunky Griddle – This is the “pfunkiest” place to get pancakes in Nashville. Why? Because there’s a griddle built in to every table and you’re in charge of making your own pancakes, French toast, and even eggs. For the pancakes, they bring you the batter (two varieties even: regular or a healthier whole wheat version), spatulas, and as much butter and syrup as you want. But don’t worry. They don’t make you clean dishes too. The Pfunky Griddle is located in the Berry Hill community at 2800 Bransford Ave. 615-298-2063.
Courtney Mroch also writes in Pets and Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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