Nashville Coffee Meeting Guide

I’ve had over 500 coffee meetings in Nashville. So, I wrote a guide with my strong opinions on the best places to take coffee meetings!

Agenda:

1. Plug for some events I'm hosting
2. Disclaimers
3. My top 5 picks for meetings?
4. Where I take a meeting based upon neighborhood?
5. Places I don’t want to go to?

Two upcoming events:

Get Your Books & Tax $#*% Together for 2024 Thursday, Nov 2nd 4:30pm

• This is a topic I care about because I find taxes super confusing, but I know I want to pay as little as possible (with the IRS being cool with it lol). Tommy is really good at explaining taxes + helping business owners. We will feed you too!

Dumb Shark Tank Tuesday, Nov 14th 5:30pm

• Come pitch silly, wacky company ideas for fun. Looking for food + drink sponsors.

Disclaimers:

• I don’t actually drink coffee, or tea. My beverage of choice is water (I know, I am a freak), but if I get something, I get an iced chai or hot chocolate. So, this isn’t an accurate review in terms of the coffee, but the overall vibe + conduciveness for meetings.
• I have strong opinions and I am extremely biased. Don’t be mad if you disagree!!?
• I prefer coffee shops with good food because I like to eat at meetings since I don’t drink coffee.
• If you have a place you think I missed that’s awesome, let me know, maybe I still need to go try it!

My top 5 picks

1. The Hidden Gem?- The Loading Dock?- Wedgewood-Houston?

Parking 5/5

Food 5/5

Coffee 5/5

Seating 5/5?

While I hesitate to reveal my secret spot, I feel satisfied in knowing that more people can enjoy their meetings with easy parking, well-priced food, good coffee, and plenty of seating!?

Pros:

• Parking is seamless
• There is always a seat available (They have indoor and outdoor options. Also there’s a main coffee shop spot and a spot downstairs that’s more quiet.)
• Their breakfast tacos are yummy
• They always have fun seasonal drinks
• They bring your food and drinks to you so you don’t have to awkwardly wait for it, but can sit down and start the meeting
• You will never see a bachelorette party here?
• Support local?

Cons:

• Only downside is that their service isn’t super speedy, but if you want that then go to Starbucks!?

1. The Routine?- Crema - SoBro/Downtown

Parking 4/5

Food 5/5

Coffee 5/5

Seating 4/5

You’re most likely to find me here at 8:30am than anywhere else in town. Part of that is the proximity to the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, but I also tend to go there even without meetings because I ~just like it~.?

Pros:

• Parking is easy. They have a paid parking lot, but I have never paid and I have never received a ticket so I just take that risk every time I go.?
• Location. This is closest to downtown.
• There is indoor + outdoor seating.?
• I feel like their baristas are extra hipster and consider their drink making their craft more than anywhere else?
• They have great food- they have Dozen Bakery Quiche everyday (you can only get it at Dozen Bakery on Saturdays), a really good granola bowl, and excellent berry tartine toast.
• I run into someone I know almost every time I go there!

Cons:

• It is loud. This isn’t a good place for an intimate conversation or a Zoom call.
• Sometimes they can run out of seating, but I haven’t had a huge issue on weekdays.

1. The Go-To?- Portland Brew- 12 South

Parking 2/5

Food 5/5

Coffee 5/5?

Seating 4/5??

Somehow, even with the hustle and bustle of 12 South, Portland Brew still feels like a locals spot.?

Pros:?

• Plenty of seating inside and some outdoor seating?
• I like their food, they have reasonably priced breakfast + lunch sandwiches?
• It’s pretty quiet since they don’t play background music. You could take a Zoom call here if needed + do a meeting.
• I think everyone in business has taken a meeting here. I’ve noticed this is a popular pick amongst people who live in Green Hills.

Cons:

• Parking is annoying. I will only meet here Monday-Thursday. Friday is a risk for too many tourists!?

1. The Hip Spot- Steadfast coffee- Germantown

Parking 3/5?

Food 4/5??

Coffee 5/5?

Seating 4/5??

If I’m meeting with another Gen Z-er, I am more likely to pick this spot. If I’m meeting with a Gen X-er, I’m more likely to pick the Well. I can’t explain this logic, but I promise it makes sense.

Pros:

• Laid back atmosphere?
• I like how this spot does seem to have a diverse customer base. People in there always seem interesting looking.?
• It’s quiet and a good spot to take an intimate meeting. You could work from here.
• There’s indoor booth seating (which I like a lot) and a couple outdoor spots.
• The breakfast plate is a good deal- 2 eggs, bacon, toast, and a cup of coffee for $10?

Cons

• Parking is a hit or miss. If you go in the morning you’re good, but by the time people show up for work you might have a hard time.?
• I think it would be rude to take a Zoom call here because it’s so quiet.?
• Drinks are pricey.

1. The Safe Bet- The Well- Music Row

Parking 3/5?

Food 5/5??

Coffee 5/5?

Seating 5/5??

If I don’t know someone well at all, this coffee shop feels like a safe choice.?

Pros:

• This is a place where you could take a meeting AND easily take a Zoom call all in one morning.?
• They have enough seating you could have a group meet here.
• I’m a big fan of their sweet potato breakfast bowl. That’s a hearty, delicious breakfast.

Cons:

• Lots of construction nearby so parking can be a pain.

Coffee meeting spots based upon location:

If I’m taking a meeting downtown

• No thanks. Crema in SoBro is the closest I’ll get to downtown.

If I’m taking a meeting in the Gulch

• No thanks. We can meet at the Well on Music Row.

If I’m taking a meeting in SoBro

• Crema?

If I’m taking a meeting in Midtown

• The Well Music Row

If I’m taking a meeting in Wedgewood Houston

• The Loading Dock

If I’m taking a meeting in 12 South

• Portland Brew

If I’m taking a meeting in Hillsboro Village

• Fido?

If I’m taking a meeting in Green Hills

• The Well Green Hills

If I’m taking a meeting in East

• Portland Brew East
• Ugly Mugs

If I’m taking a meeting on the West Side

• 8th and Roast

If I’m taking a meeting in Belle Meade

• You must be really important to me, Roze Pony I guess. (I heard there's a new coffee shop coming near 360 Bistro soon!!)

If I’m taking a meeting in the Nations

• No thanks, we’re going to 8th and Roast

If I'm taking a meeting in Berry Hill

• Stay Golden is actually fire, I just don't typically want to go that far

If I’m taking a meeting with someone out by the airport

• The Horn

If I’m taking a meeting in Brentwood

• The Well Brentwood
• Crema Brentwood?

If I’m taking a meeting in Franklin

• No thanks, we can do The Well or Crema in Brentwood

Places I don’t like to take meetings at:

• Frothy Monkey. I don’t think the food is good and if I don’t want to take a coffee meeting where I have to deal with seating + a waiter. Also, way too many tourists.
• White Bison. I just feel weird about a coffee shop in a convenience store. Feels too chain-y and mass produced.
• Barista Parlor. I think this a fine coffee shop, but I don’t think any of their locations are ideal for business meetings.
• Red Bicycle. I don’t really like any drinks I’ve had there or the vibe.
• Just Love. Way too commercialized it’s gross to me.

Hopefully this is helpful. Let me know what you agree or disagree with (: