Ask any Nashville local where to find the city’s tastiest breakfasts and 9 times out of 10, their recommendations will be clustered right in the heart of downtown.
From comforting Southern classics and live music brunch to artisan baked goods, elevated fusion plates, and specialty coffee drinks, Music City’s energetic downtown district offers no shortage of top-notch spots for kicking off your morning right.
Whether visiting Nashville for work or play, start your day the Nashville way at these 7 highly-rated downtown breakfast and brunch restaurants beloved by tourists and locals alike.
1. Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant – Quintessential Southern Breakfast Classics
With 6 locations scattered across the Nashville area, Puckett’s has earned its reputation as one of the city’s most quintessentially Nashville restaurants.
But it’s their downtown Nashville location that stands out for its vibrant atmosphere and scratch-made Southern cooking, making it a longstanding favorite for breakfast and brunch.
Tucked away on bustling 4th Avenue North, the downtown Puckett’s location embodies laidback Southern hospitality mixed with high quality comfort food served morning, noon and night.
The Southern breakfast classics shine brightest – think hearty plates of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and ribsticking sides like stone-ground grits swimming in gravy. Their fluffy, jumbo buttermilk biscuits warrant an honorable mention as well – perfect for piling high with sawmill or peppered gravies, fruit jams, or smearing with some sausage.
While Puckett’s has plenty of indulgent picks ideal for vacay mode, health-conscious diners also have quality options like hot steel-cut oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, whole grain pancakes and lighter takes on Benedicts and omelets. Groups should also take note of Puckett’s private event spaces – the restaurant offers semi-private rooms for hosting breakfast meetings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and more.
Standout breakfast dishes include:
The Southern Breakfast – A true belly-buster with 2 eggs, bacon, ham OR sausage, grits, sawmill gravy, and a giant homemade buttermilk biscuit or Texas toast ($9)
Chicken & Pancakes – Hand-breaded chicken tenders served over sweet potato pancakes, topped with real maple syrup and candied pecans ($13)
Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich – Over-hard eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sausage gravy served on a freshly baked biscuit ($6.50)
Biscuits & Gravy – A true Southern staple! Puckett’s signature buttermilk biscuits covered in traditional sawmill gravy, topped with 2 eggs cooked to order ($8.25)
Sweet Potato Pancakes – A delicious gluten-free option! Sweet potato pancakes topped with candied pecans, whipped butter and real maple syrup ($9)
Breakfast Enchiladas – Eggs scrambled with onions, peppers and chorizo sausage baked inside flour tortillas and smothered with enchilada sauce, melted cheddar and pico de gallo ($10)
Address: 500 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219
Hours: Open daily 8am-10pm, with breakfast served all day
Good to Know: Puckett’s is located right off the main downtown strip, tucked away on bustling 4th Ave near popular honky tonks like Tootsies and Kid Rock’s.
Free valet parking offered after 4pm (subject to availability), and they don’t accept reservations.
2. Sun Diner – Elevated & Inventive Breakfast Plates
If you’re looking to elevate your Music City morning meal beyond biscuits and gravy (while still centrally located downtown), Sun Diner is a must-try.
Tucked away in an alley just off bustling 2nd Avenue North, this light-filled eatery pairs fresh, seasonal ingredients with global flavors in comforting yet inventive morning plates.
The vibe at Sun Diner is relaxed urban bistro meets Nashville charm, with sunlight streaming through warehouse style windows as you sip organic coffee or nibble fluffy croissants.
In addition to all-day breakfast and weekend brunch, Sun Diner also serves up creative lunch and dinner plates drawing inspiration from Southern roots, Indian spices, and Mexican staples.
However it’s their breakfast menu that truly shines, putting playful twists on classics alongside lighter picks for health-focused diners.
Devour shrimp and grits with charred chilies, jalapeño cornbread and poached eggs, or their unique take on chicken and waffles featuring shredded chicken, masa waffles and mole syrup.
Hearty appetites can dig into inventive hashes or multiple takes on eggs Benedict, while yogurt bowls and toasted bagels with lox offer lighter starts to the day.
Not to miss dishes include:
The Nashvillian – Sun Diner’s ode to Nashville with chicken fried steak topped with sausage gravy, 2 eggs, stone-ground grits and a giant house-made biscuit on the side ($14)
Green Shakshuka – A hearty veggie-based plate with eggs baked in a cast iron skillet of zucchini, kale, tomatillo salsa, feta and cilantro, served with warm cornbread ($13)
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – Fluffy ricotta pancakes topped with macerated blueberries, lemon whipped butter and powdered sugar for a sweet kick ($11)
Breakfast Enchiladas – Eggs scrambled with chorizo, peppers and onions baked inside corn tortillas then smothered with enchilada sauce and pico de gallo ($12)
Steak & Eggs – Grilled bavette steak served alongside 2 eggs any style, jalapeño cheese grits and a freshly baked biscuit ($16)
Multigrain toast topped with smashed avocado, arugula, 2 poached eggs and chimichurri sauce for some zip ($10)
Address: 122 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
Hours: Monday – Friday 7am–3pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am–4pm
Good to Know: Street parking can be tricky but there is a small private lot attached to the
building. Call ahead for larger groups, as seating fills up on weekends.
3. Another Broken Egg Cafe – All Things Eggs & More
As one of the first national cafe chains to originate from Music City roots, Another Broken Egg feels uniquely linked to Nashville’s dining scene.
With a popular downtown Nashville location just off Lower Broadway, locals and tourists flock here for all-day breakfast centering around craveable Benedicts, monster omelets, and specialty skillets alongside Southern classics like chicken and waffles.
Despite the national expansion, visiting the downtown Nashville Another Broken Egg still feels quintessentially Nashville thanks to regional menu specials and local musician artwork peppering the walls. Hearty appetites can indulge in loaded plates named after Nashville landmarks and neighborhoods, while lighter options still impress with bowls of fresh fruit and avocado toast alongside specialty juices and coffee drinks.
Standout morning picks include:
The Gulch – An ode to Nashville’s trendiest neighborhood with a skillet loaded with potatoes, kielbasa sausage, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and melted jack cheese, topped with 2 eggs ($11.50)
Tennessee Twister – A fully-loaded breakfast sandwich with eggs, bacon, melted cheddar, fresh guac and chipotle mayo stacked between thick toasted brioche bread, served with peppered bacon grits ($11)
Biscuits & Gravy – Flaky house-made biscuits drowning in Southern sausage gravy, served with crispy hash browns or cheesy pepper bacon grits ($9)
Nashville Hot Chicken & Pancakes – Hand breaded fried chicken tossed in spicy cayenne batter, served over house made pancakes flavored with hot chicken schmaltz and drenched in spicy maple syrup ($13)
The Music City Benedict – An Everything Bagel base loaded up with sliced country ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce ($12)
Frothy Monkey Smoothie – Blended strawberries, bananas, nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt, orange juice & honey served with a homemade granola bar ($7)
Address: 301 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Hours: Open daily 7am–2pm
Good to Know: validated parking available in nearby garages. Another Broken Egg doesn’t take reservations but call ahead for large groups as they have semi-private dining areas.
4. 417 Union – Refined Dining with French Toast & Mimosas
Nestled inside a historic 1890s Victorian building, 417 Union supplies downtown Nashville with white tablecloth service and elevated Southern breakfast classics.
Stop by theironistically for weekend brunch, where endless mimosa carafes and Bloody Marys pair oh so nicely with Boubon Street French Toast drowning in pecans and whipped
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