What’s old is new again over at 360 Bistro, where general manager Brett Allen has returned to run the dining room (he left for a brief stint at Prima). It’s welcome news for anyone who appreciates a good glass of wine during brunch, since his knowledge—and ability to train the staff—is second to none. Test that fact by requesting just the right pairing for one of the sweet or savory dishes on the brunch menu, like the French toast or crispy frog legs.
What to order: Open-faced omelet with cherry tomatoes, goat’s feta, caramelized onions, and farm greens When to go: Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6000 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37205; 615-353-5604; 360bistro.com
It’s counterintuitive, but some of the best cooks never actually cook anything at all. At Avo, the raw vegan eatery located in a shipping container in the modern OneC1ty development on Charlotte Avenue, most of the dishes on the menu are never heated above 118 degrees in order to preserve living enzymes, vitamins, and nutrients in the ingredients. This certainly doesn’t mean that the food doesn’t taste great—on the contrary, dishes like ceviche tacos and raw lasagna (with marinated zucchini, cashew hempseed ricotta, basil pesto, and sundried tomato sauce) are dramatically flavorful.
What to order: Coconut yogurt parfait with scratch-made fermented Thai coconut yogurt, fresh fruit, and sprouted raw granola When to go: Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 3001 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-329-2377; eatavo.com
Located just off I-440, Dose Coffee & Tea has more than just an extensive beverage menu. Their made-from-scratch baked goods come out fresh each morning plus made to order omelettes and breakfast sandwiches.
What to order: Breakfast BLT with house-made bacon-onion jam, Roma tomato, arugula and egg on a hoagie roll When to go: Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. 3431 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37203; 615-457-1300; dosecoffeeandtea.com
This Tex-Mex taco joint holds down the corner of Murphy in Sylvan Park offering a Tennessee-styled brunch menu of breakfast tacos, stone ground grits and three dollar Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
What to order: Las Migas tacos with farm fresh eggs, potato hash, and Jack cheese When to go: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4501 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-891-3271; thelocaltaco.com
Better known for their nightlife of beer, burgers, and barbecue—we can’t pass up M.L. Rose’s relaxed patio for brunch either. The well rounded brunch menu includes steak and eggs, breakfast burritos and of course, a Good Morning burger.
What to order: Papi burrito with chorizo, egg, Jack and Cheddar cheese, peppers, onions, and avocado When to go: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4408 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-750-2920; mlrose.com
Sure, you’ll find a half dozen other breakfast drive-through options along this stretch of Charlotte Avenue. But none offer up the quality of ingredients found at Porter Road Butcher, which puts its own housemade bacon and sausages into its simple menu of biscuit sandwiches. Open Monday through Saturday mornings, the pull-up window offers the same convenience and affordability of those fast food spots—plus you’ll feel one hundred percent better for supporting your local butcher.
What to order: PRB biscuit with sausage and apple butter When to go: Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-454-2995; prbutcher.com
Going into their 21st year in Historic Sylvan Park, Star Bagel is a bustling morning spot for families, students and residents. They’re Nashville’s oldest and only locally owned and operated bagel shop serving a broad menu of sandwiches, soups and most recently cold pressed juices.
What to order: The Breakfast Sandwich When to go: Daily, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. 4504 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-292-7993; starbagel.com
Thistle Stop Cafe operates as an extension of the Thistle Farms non-profit organization, providing employment and training to women in their recovery programs. The cafe, which is also staffed by local volunteers, serves a weekday breakfast and a laundry list of tea options as well as specialty drinks.
What to order: Egg, avocado, tomato stack on a whole wheat English muffin with arugula and goat cheese When to go: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 5128 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-953-6440; thistlefarms.org
Look for the neon “whiskey x93 lights along Charlotte Avenue to find Wendell Smith’s Restaurant tucked behind a liquor store and serving up classic breakfasts for big appetites. This no-frills spot draws a variety of folks who want a basic country breakfast. Go all in for a slab of country ham for a satisfyingly salty start. It’s served alongside runny eggs (or scrambled) sopped up with biscuits or buttery toast; sliced tomatoes, gravy, or grits round out the choice of sides.
What to order: Two fried eggs over medium with country ham, toast, and breakfast potatoes When to go: Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. 407 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209; 615-383-7114; wendellsmithsrestaurant.net
