The best brunch restaurants in Nashville to book now

Noko brings Asian-inspired, wood-fired cooking to East Nashville with a philosophy that starts with people, not plates. Founded by Jon Murray, managing partner Wilson Brannock, and executive chef Dung “Junior” Vo—a James Beard Award semifinalist—the restaurant has earned recognition as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America and was named Eater Nashville’s Best New Restaurant. The Porter Road dining room has a warm, fire-kissed energy that fits the neighborhood perfectly. At brunch, the wood-fired influence comes through in every dish, with bold charred edges and layered flavors shaped by Southeast Asian technique. Noko’s guiding belief, that caring for the people in the kitchen leads to exceptional food on the plate, makes it one of the most compelling brunch experiences in the city right now.

A neighborhood cornerstone for over 20 years, Germantown Cafe serves up Southern-inflected American cooking in the heart of one of Nashville’s most walkable and charming historic districts. The space is defined by its signature black walnut bar, floor-to-ceiling French doors, and a patio that draws the weekend brunch crowd in from 5th Avenue North. The kitchen’s approach keeps things comfortable rather than complicated, well-executed classics with a Southern hospitality spirit, and the cocktail program leans into reimagined classics. The croissant sausage and cheese sandwich is the kind of weekend-morning staple that keeps regulars coming back, and the mimosa program earns its own devoted following. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, this is exactly the kind of lively, welcoming spot that makes brunch in Nashville worth a weekend reservation.

The Hampton Social brings a coastal-inspired, New American sensibility to SoBro, Nashville’s vibrant South of Broadway neighborhood, with a rooftop that delivers unobstructed views of the downtown skyline. Part of the Parker Hospitality group, this location captures the breezy, sun-drenched energy of a seaside afternoon with an indoor/outdoor rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof and a signature Rosé lounge. Weekend brunch here is built for celebrating. Think nutella French toast, chicken & waffles, and shareable monkey bread alongside mimosa carafes and guitar-shot party moments that have become a Nashville brunch tradition in their own right. The menu’s coastal leanings (Lobster Roll, fresh oysters, truffle parmesan fries) make it a standout among downtown brunch destinations for anyone who wants great food with a view.

The Mockingbird is a modern diner in Nashville that takes its cues from the globally curious appetite of American cuisine, led by executive chef and partner Brian Riggenbach alongside front-of-house partner Mikey Corona. True to its namesake bird, the menu mimics its surroundings, drawing from the many cultural influences woven into American cooking to create comfort food with a world-aware point of view. The Nashville dining room channels a vibrant diner energy without the chrome-and-checkerboard clichés, making it equally appealing for weekday regulars and weekend visitors looking for something more interesting than standard brunch fare. Riggenbach’s approach keeps the menu grounded in familiarity while pushing each dish toward something more memorable, which is exactly why The Mockingbird has built a loyal following among locals who know where to spend a slow Sunday morning.

Adele’s occupies a converted auto repair shop in The Gulch, a short walk from Lower Broadway and Bridgestone Arena, with a lively open kitchen, a chef’s counter, and a heated outdoor patio that make it one of Nashville’s most inviting weekend destinations. The restaurant is part of a portfolio that also includes Fonda Nashville and Bajo Sexto Taco, and its legendary weekend brunch buffet—offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm—is the main draw. Adele’s kitchen focuses on seasonal American cooking sourced from local artisans and purveyors, building relationships with Tennessee suppliers to ensure freshness and support the local food community. The bespoke cocktail program is a serious bonus with award-winning wines and hard-to-find whiskeys rounding out a brunch experience that locals and visitors consistently rank among the city’s best.

The Diner redefines what a Nashville brunch destination can be by stacking six distinct dining floors in the heart of SoBro, each with its own vibe and menu. From a ground-floor coffee shop serving Lavazza and pastries to a sixth-floor sushi bar with panoramic city views, the concept covers every appetite under one roof. The chef-crafted menus span traditional breakfast, Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, and hand-cut steaks, making it a versatile option for groups with varied tastes. The floor-to-ceiling views of downtown Nashville make each level feel like its own destination, and the extended hours—seven days a week from early morning through late night—mean it works as a brunch anchor no matter when the weekend starts. The Diner is also part of the same Nashville hospitality family as Tootsies, Rippy’s Honky Tonk, and Honky Tonk Central.

1 Kitchen sits on the ground floor of the MICHELIN Key–awarded 1 Hotel Nashville in The Gulch, helmed by culinary director Chris Crary and executive chef Tyler Lee, whose menus pull from a network of Tennessee farms and local purveyors including Bloomsbury Farm, Greener Roots, and Bear Creek Farm. TripAdvisor named it the number-one hidden gem restaurant in the United States, a distinction given to fewer than 1% of its listed restaurants. The weekend Vinyl Brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday with a live DJ spinning records, transforms the dining room into something closer to a mid-morning party. Signature brunch plates include ricotta oat cakes with blackberry-bourbon compote and the braised lamb hash tagliata with crispy fingerling potato and salsa verde. Every dish reflects the hotel’s farm-to-table, sustainability-first philosophy without ever feeling preachy about it.

Henley is Midtown Nashville’s modern American brasserie, a Kimpton restaurant that applies classical French technique to the finest local Tennessee ingredients. The art deco dining room with tufted leather banquettes, dark wood tables, and a coveted chef’s table called the Rabbit Hole sets the stage for sociable Southern dining that bridges the gap between casual and refined. The menu changes with the seasons, pulling from local farms to build inventive plates and a cocktail program that leans into hand-crafted seasonal drinks, thoughtful wine selections, and locally brewed beers. For brunch, the Henley bar and patio are destinations in their own right, drawing locals and visitors who want something more considered than a standard hotel restaurant offering. OpenTable recognized Henley as a Diners’ Choice in 2024.

Pinewood Social occupies 13,000 square feet off Peabody Street in downtown Nashville, combining a full-service restaurant and bar with six reclaimed 1950s bowling lanes, two dipping pools, a patio, and a community workspace, making it one of the most genuinely original brunch venues in the city. The 30-seat copper bar anchors the space, where bartenders pour hand-crafted cocktails featuring housemade syrups, fresh-squeezed juices, and hand-cut ice. The culinary team focuses on cooking that reflects Nashville and Tennessee’s food traditions, with standout brunch dishes like seared scallops with blue corn grits that have become repeat-visit staples. Whether the goal is bowling lanes before noon, post-brunch bocce ball on the patio, or simply a long, unhurried meal in one of the most spirited dining rooms in the city, Pinewood Social makes brunch a full event rather than just a meal.

Evelyn’s, located inside the Hutton Hotel in Nashville’s West End neighborhood, draws its identity from a remarkable real-life figure: Evelyn Sharp, a twentieth-century arts patron, socialite, interior designer, and friend to Elvis’s manager and entourage whose culturally rich life now inspires every corner of the restaurant. The dining room channels her retro, cosmopolitan spirit through art-filled walls, nostalgic touches, and a seasonal Americana menu infused with Southern flavors and local ingredients. Brunch runs daily from 7 am to 2 pm, making it one of the few spots in the city offering a full brunch experience seven days a week. The kitchen produces dishes as visually arresting as they are satisfying, built for both a business breakfast and a long, celebratory mid-morning meal. OpenTable recognized Evelyn’s with a Diners’ Choice award in 2024.