Is There a Strong Specialty Coffee Scene in Nashville?
- 2 sections
- 1 table
- 3 sources cited
Yes. Nashville has local roasters with their own cafes, plus a wide spread of independent shops. A current critics’ guide covers 18 shops across neighborhoods from East Nashville to Wedgewood-Houston, Sylvan Park, and South Nashville. Some of those shops serve Nashville-roasted coffee (The Infatuation, April 30, 2026). The Loading Dock serves local Sky Bear coffee. Ugly Mugs serves Retrograde coffee. Humphreys Street makes its flat whites from its own espresso beans, and Silver Fox uses locally roasted beans. Two of the city’s roasters have their own history pages. Crema was founded in January 2008 and became Crema Coffee Roasters when it started roasting in 2011 (La Marzocco USA). 8th & Roast runs cafes at 2108 8th Ave S and 4104 Charlotte Ave and lists counters at Nashville BNA airport and the Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown, along with a wholesale program (8th & Roast). Whether the scene is strong for you depends on what you look for. The guide’s own criteria were drip coffee quality, the creativity of seasonal drinks, seating comfort, and how close the outlets are.
Signs of a Real Scene
| Sign | Nashville examples | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Local roasting | Crema (roasting since 2011); 8th & Roast; Retrograde coffee served at Ugly Mugs; Sky Bear coffee at The Loading Dock | La Marzocco USA; 8th & Roast; The Infatuation |
| Shops using their own or local beans | Humphreys Street (its own espresso beans); Silver Fox (locally roasted beans) | The Infatuation |
| Range of coffee traditions | Yemeni coffee at Haraz Coffee House; the Sahlab latte at Deir Café; chai and sambusas at The Horn | The Infatuation |
| Coffee across neighborhoods | shops in East Nashville, North Nashville, Downtown, West End, Music Row, Wedgewood-Houston, Chestnut Hill, Sylvan Park, and South Nashville | The Infatuation |
How to Taste It in One Day
- Start at a roaster’s own cafe, such as Crema downtown or 8th & Roast on 8th Ave S or Charlotte Ave.
- Try a drink you will not find at a chain, such as Yemeni coffee at Haraz or a flavored latte at Earl Espresso, now inside The Green Ray bookstore in Hillsboro Village.
- Buy beans to take home from a roaster whose cup you liked.
The full list of 18 shops is in the best coffee shop in Nashville, and the oldest coffeehouse still operating is covered in which Nashville coffee shop has been operating the longest.