Breakfast in Nashville

 Everyone tells you to go to the Pancake Pantry or Biscuit Love or to the Loveless Cafe, and those places are fine. These are some lesser-known, and in my opinion, better places to check out in Nashville without the trendy crowds and long lines. 

Nashville Biscuit House

805 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206     615-228-4504

Monday – Saturday (closed Wednesdays) 6:30am – 2pm; Sunday 7:30am – 2pm

This place barely even looks like a restaurant from the street, but this is definitely the old school meat-and-threes that I know and love.  If you love biscuits, you will love this place.  (not to be confused with Biscuit Love)  Nashville Biscuit House has table service and friendly staff.  There may be a wait, but it’s worth it.  And unlike the other place, you definitely get your money’s worth.  You can walk out of there with a full belly for under $10. 

And if you’re not in the mood for breakfast, that’s okay.  They’ve got tons of lunch options, too.  You can get sandwiches, burgers, or chose from their daily lunch specials like fried chicken or hamburger steak. 

 

Varallo’s

239 4^th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219     615-256-1907

Monday – Friday 6am – 2:30pm

If you want to eat here, you can catch it open only on the weekdays and only for breakfast and lunch.  This luncheonette caters to the office-dwellers downtown.  Varallo’s is the oldest restaurant in Nashville.  This family owned and operated restaurant has been a Nashville landmark since 1907.    

Varallo’s is famous for their chili, as well as their super affordable breakfast and daily plate specials.  This is another place that you can eat well for under $10.  This place has a nice authentic diner feel which is a nice change from the corporate-run breakfast stops that are available downtown. 

 

417 Union

417 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37219     615-401-7241

Open 7 days a week from 7am – 2pm; also Dinner hours:  Thursday - Saturday 4pm – 8:30pm

417 Union opened its doors in 2006 with a nostalgic feel for history.  The main floor celebrates the World War II era, while the upstairs dining area remembers the Civil War, respectively the battles of Nashville and Franklin. 

Whether you desire breakfast or lunch, you will find a wealth of choices.  Both menus are filled with delicious options.  Breakfast is served all day.  You can make reservations online or call ahead.  They also offer discounts to military and first responders.  The portions are huge, so you will waddle away with a full belly. 

 

Cracker Barrel

Various locations

I know, I know.  Cracker Barrel?  But it’s a chain!  Yes, I know.  But it’s good!  The chain started in Lebanon, Tennessee, right outside of Nashville.  Give me a “Sunrise Sampler” any day over some of these trendy, new places that you have to wait an hour for.  And unlike other places, these are real biscuits, not some weird biscuit/roll-hybrid.  Some of the “other places” give you their version of breakfast bowls, with everything dumped on top of each other.  I like my food nice and separate with servers coming to my table with refills of beautiful sweet tea.  So yes, Cracker Barrel makes the cut for me.