4 Epic Brunch Spots in Nashville You Dont Want To Miss
Nashville’s live music scene is a major draw for tourists, but the city’s food culture is a close second.
I’m a food-obsessed traveler, and I was delighted to visit a couple of the city’s newest eateries, where the locals kick off their weekend brunch with plates full of classic southern fares.
200+ New Restaurants in Town

With more than 200 new restaurants opening in the last two years, finding an up-and-coming place to enjoy brunch is easy. The hard part is deciding what to order because everything looks delectable.
You won’t find standard breakfast entrees on Nashville’s brunch menus. The city is home to creatives, and like the music produced there, the cuisine is authentically original and noteworthy. Forget basic pancakes or waffles with eggs. Nashville chefs serve inventive southern-inspired meals elevated to gourmet status.
I hope you’ll refer to this pocket guide of must-visit restaurants the next time you’re craving brunch in Music City.
Ophelia’s Pizza + Bar Transports Downtown Diners to Italy

Don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s name. The downtown restaurant may be known for its late-day Italian food and handcrafted drinks, but its recently added brunch menu is reservation-worthy.
I was impressed by the attention to detail in the restaurant’s cohesive design. From the framed wall art to the blue and white china on each table, it was as if I was transported from Nashville’s bustling downtown scene to a European café.
The restaurant, named after Shakespeare’s character Ophelia in the drama Hamlet, delivers sophistication. The menu is equally impressive, with breakfast selections incorporating imported ingredients into family-style recipes.
Available for brunch service Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., the menu’s starting line-up includes entrees easily shareable amongst friends, such as Prosciutto Di Parma & Melon prepared with creamy ricotta, chili honey, and thyme spread on crostini.
During the main course, Ophelia’s French Toast turns the standard classic on its head. Fresh berries sit atop a perfectly crusted piece of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped butter, and drizzled with Tennessee Honey.
The Breakfast Pizza, a two-person pie covered with cream, onion, spinach, Gifford’s bacon, and sunny-side eggs, delivers a rich, satisfying flavor.
Planning tip: Diners seeking to pair their meal with a boozy beverage will appreciate the restaurant’s short list of cocktails, including the Sangria Bianca. As expected, espresso and cappuccino are ready to complete the Italian-themed experience.
SweetMilk Serves Down-Home Cuisine A Short Drive East of Downtown

SweetMilk is another new-on-the-scene restaurant attracting brunch-goers for its modern interpretation of Nashville brunch classics.
If you’re hungry after a before-dawn flight to Nashville International Airport, SweetMilk is less than a 10-minute drive northeast of downtown.
Judging by the guests waiting for an open table when we arrived by 9 a.m., the restaurant is a popular place to fuel up before exploring Nashville on the weekend.
After a brief wait, our group was ushered to a table in view of the outdoor patio exposed via open garage doors. A backdrop of instrumental music and the chatter of diners filled the space as servers refilled coffee cups at neighboring tables. Overall, everyone’s vibe seemed lifted by the restaurant’s sunny disposition.
Known for breakfast service all day (7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.), the restaurant serves hefty portions of southern favorites, often including a biscuit or a side of grits. Our group shared the Big Ol’ Cinnamon Roll, and each cream cheese-covered bite coated with pecans curbed my morning hunger until my meal arrived.
But then it was showtime. A massive platter, a.k.a. Country Breakfast, arrived with two perfectly cooked eggs, steaming grits, bacon or sausage, and a biscuit like Grandma used to make. How in the world was I going to eat all of this food? It was easy to devour every delicious down-home bite.
Planning tip: If thoughts of Grandma’s cooking conjure up nostalgic memories, you may want to order a bowl of “Saturday Morning Cartoon” Cereal instead. They also serve morning meals on the lighter side, such as Hippie Toasts or a Granola Bowl.
The Finch, Where Casual Meets Classy

A newcomer on the Nashville downtown brunch scene, The Finch caters to weekenders who crave casual sophistication from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.
No Strings Attached, a blackberry-lavender vodka cocktail, and oyster on the half shell are preludes to upscale dishes such as Short Rib Hash or Brûléed Bananas French Toast.
Planning tip: Online reservations are encouraged. Parking is discounted at $3 for 2.5 hours if validated with the host.
Liberty Common: Fried Pickles and Chicken? Yes, Please

Finery combines with comfort food at Liberty Common in downtown’s SoBro neighborhood, open Friday through Sunday (9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.).
Guests can share Southern Fried Pickles before enjoying individual entrees like Waffle Benny, a twist on eggs benedict.
In a city known for its spicy dry rub chicken, the Liberty Chicken Sandwich is a must-order selection. The white meat chicken breast is battered and fried to a crisp and served with French fries or salad.
Planning tip: Ask about bottomless mimosas or the espresso bar’s specialty coffee selections.
Of course, each restaurant serves delectable meals later in the day, but Nashville brunch menus beckon people out of bed. If you only have a weekend in Music City, these additions to the thriving culinary scene serve satisfying meals.
You may want to sleep in after a late night on the town listening to live music, but brunch delivers the comfort food you crave the next day.
This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.