To share more of what we at Center 615 love about our East Nashville neighborhood, we continue on our mission to compile the best of the best for you to reference in your search to find exactly what you need—all in the name of supporting local business. We hope our second list of local favorites awakens your appreciation for locally crafted coffee, whether you’re here for business, pleasure, or simply new to the East Nashville neighborhood.
In our list below, we feature East Nashville coffee shops that go beyond satisfying our caffeine craving. One shop is walking distance and one shop provides our coffee on campus. Read on to see who we pick, where to find them, what drinks or food items to order, and why we love these local coffee shops.
East Nashville Coffee Shop picks –
For the Dunk: East Park Donuts and Coffee
Why:
Around since 2018, East Park Donuts and Coffee has quickly become the new neighborhood favorite. Not your standard glazed go-to, East Park specializes in brioche and cake donuts in a variety of creative flavors—including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo options.
East Park Donuts and Coffee began when owners Carma and Ken Woodard branched from their established coffee shop Sam & Zoe’s (beloved in Berry Hill since 1998). Even though their coffee and donut shop is a new Nashville gem, the founding couple certainly already know and serve the city well.
In fact, this past August when floods hit Waverly, TN, East Park served as a donation item collection site and gave 20% of their sales from August 24th towards relief efforts.
Also, who doesn’t think donut grams are adorable?
Where:
700 Main St., Nashville, TN 37206
What to order:
Strawberry Sprinkle (EP) donut, HoneyBee latte, house brew, Chai latte
(Center 615 members receive 10% off their order!)
Black Coffee Aficionado: Bongo Java Roasting Co.
Why:
Bongo knows their beans. While they have a large selections of roasts, each one is as delicious as the next. Even better, all their beans are organic and fair trade. Bongo even helped start a coffee co-op to ensure coffee bean farmers received fair pay for their hard work.
Beloved by Nashville locals for almost three decades, Bongo’s East Nashville location opened originally as its roasting headquarters. But founder Bob listened to the needs of the neighborhood and expanded its services to include a coffee bar, a food menu, and most recently a board game café.
P.S. Shoutout to Bongo Java Roasting Co. for always providing Center 615 with pounds upon pounds freshly ground coffee that smell like a pink-and-orange-sunrise morning.
Where:
107 S. 11th St., Nashville, TN 37206 (one of multiple Nashville locations)
What to order:
Drip coffee, cold brew, espresso, Bounty (Red Eye)
As Zippy as the Name: Frothy Monkey
Why:
First opening in the 12 South neighborhood in 2004 (before Nashville was trendy), Frothy Monkey continually expanded in Nashville to officially open its full service coffee shop doors in Lockeland Springs neighborhood in 2019. Prior, Frothy Monkey Bakery had a—you guessed it—bakery in the same neighborhood in 2018. Frothy Monkey in East Nashville now resides within the same walls that former local coffee shop The Post East once served their brews from 2014-2019.
Though they serve exquisite coffee, Frothy Monkey also has a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu complete with beer, wine, and cocktails.
Alongside numerous other neighborhood spots mentioned in our first list, Frothy Monkey helped patrons how they could during the rough Spring of 2020. While grocery store shelves remain barren of essentials—and the East Nashville neighborhood attempted to slowly rebuild and stabilize after the tornado shock—Frothy offered cartons of eggs, milk, and bread for pick-up.
Where
1701 Fatherland St., Nashville, TN 37206 (one of multiple Nashville and South East locations)
What to order:
Monkey Mocha, Golden Monkey, rotating breakfast sandwich, rotating fresh pastries
Ice Cream and Coffee? Affogato ’bout it!: Sip Café
Why:
Technically in Inglewood (which, depending on whom you ask is East Nashville), Sip Café uniquely serves—and excels in—both ice cream and coffee. Mike’s Homemade Ice Cream is handmade in house every day. Even the beans Sip uses for their coffee stays close to home: Sip Café uses Drew’s Brews coffee.
Have you ever subbed creamer for a creamy scoop of vanilla? Sip Café is the spot where caffeinated sugar high dreams come true. Order an Affogato at their drive-thru window for a speedy Sip fix.
Most importantly, Sip gives back to the community they serve however they can through fundraisers and volunteering as an item donation drop-off site for relief efforts when the opportunity presents itself.
Where:
3939 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
What to order:
Standard coffee drinks, Mike’s Ice Cream, Affogato, Espresso Milkshake
Historic Neighborhood Staple: Sky Blue Café
Why:
On the other side of East Park from East Park Donuts and Coffee, amidst charming bungalows and old tall trees, the one and only Sky Blue Café is a charming coffee shop and brunch spot. The neighborhood café also makes the list of spots who brew local Drew’s Brews beans.
In the heart of a family friendly neighborhood, next to a family store (The Getalong), and down the street from an Elementary School, Sky Blue Café is as warm and inviting as the food and coffee they serve. But you’ll have to visit the quaint café to experience the welcoming and sunny vibe yourself.
Where:
700 Fatherland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
What to order:
All the standard coffee drinks, The Armadillo, Golden Milk, Biscuit Sandwich
Site for Sleepy Eyes: Ugly Mugs
Why:
Another local favorite, Ugly Mugs exudes positivity with a sprinkle of barista sass. Their motto is “Love Coffee. Love People.” and they certainly live up to their mission by the way Ugly Mugs caters to their customers with care. The family friendly environment attracts a motley of regulars of all ages and professions.
Inside, charming and rustic décor provides ample room for workday nomads to pore over their laptops. Outside, families with kids run on the green lawn while amiable pups lap fresh water from communal bowls. On perfect weather days, Ugly Mugs opens their garage door window to fill the whole coffee shop with refreshing air.
Bonus: Five Daughters Bakery is next door.
Where:
1886 Eastland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206
What to order:
Iced Dirty Chai, Bakery Muffins, Rotating Seasonal Drinks, Lattes
Want to work at a place where the coffee comes to you? We gladly brew complimentary coffee every morning for Center 615 members. Schedule your tour today to see more perks for yourself.
But don’t forget to stop by these neighborhood staple coffee shops when you need a special cup of Joe.
