5 Black-owned restaurants to know in Nashville

Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean
·3 min read
All People Coffee and Beverage Hall in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of East Nashville celebrated one year of business on Feb. 18, 2023.
All People Coffee and Beverage Hall in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of East Nashville celebrated one year of business on Feb. 18, 2023.

Bradley Bruce and Corey Alexander are committed to creating a neighborhood spot for all people.

The business partners got the idea during the most isolating days of the pandemic. Their vision was a coffee and beverage hall focused on community, local products and a welcoming vibe. They chose the Cleveland Park neighborhood of East Nashville, where Bruce has lived since 2016.

"We wanted it to be a gathering place for all people," Bruce said. "Coffee shops are traditionally places of community.”

This month All People Coffee and Beverage Hall celebrated its first birthday with an outpouring of love from neighborhood regulars and new customers alike.

"The first year is a tough year for businesses," Bruce said. "There’s ups and downs and a learning process. We’re so grateful the community has embraced and supported us."

All People is one example of many thriving Black-owned businesses in Nashville offering stellar service, hyper-local products and unique culinary experiences.

Some are newcomers, others are staples. All are worth the visit.

All People Coffee and Beverage Hall

All People Coffee and Beverage Hall in Cleveland Park serves specialty coffee drinks, baked goods and a selection of locally brewed craft beer.
All People Coffee and Beverage Hall in Cleveland Park serves specialty coffee drinks, baked goods and a selection of locally brewed craft beer.

All People serves small-batch, locally-roasted coffee beans from Osa Coffee Roasters.

The coffee shop also offers self-service craft beer and cocktails on tap. Business owners Bruce and Alexander will also launch their mobile coffee bar this year, bringing All People out to public parks, markets and private events across Nashville.

If you go:

  • Try the shop's birthday celebration drink: White chocolate vanilla latte topped with sweet cream.

  • Hours of operation: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Jamaicaway

The jerk chicken and stewed oxtail at Jamaicaway, a restaurant located in the Nashville Farmer's Market.
The jerk chicken and stewed oxtail at Jamaicaway, a restaurant located in the Nashville Farmer's Market.

Husband and wife duo Ouida and David Bradshaw have owned and operated Jamaicaway since Ouida Bradshaw relocated to Nashville more than 20 years ago. The casual restaurant in the Nashville Farmer's Market usually has a line out the door around lunchtime — for good reason.

If you go:

  • Get a plate of oxtail or jerk chicken (choose your spice level). Add on whatever sides you like.

  • Hours of operation: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with a staff break 3-4 p.m. Open Fridays 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., closed Saturdays.

Bag Lady's

Bag Lady's on Buchanan Street in Nashville serves up specialty loaded french fries.
Bag Lady's on Buchanan Street in Nashville serves up specialty loaded french fries.

The fry joint on Buchanan Street in North Nashville is shining the spotlight on French fries.

Brandon and James Littleton began bringing fries out of the side-dish shadows with their food truck, which opened in April 2021. Now the brothers operate a brick-and-mortar shop in addition to food truck events, and have plans to grow their empire.

If you go:

  • Go all in with one of the loaded fry baskets complete with toppings and house-made sauces.

  • Hours of operation: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Southern V

You might assume Southern comfort and vegan food can't coexist, but The Southern V is in Nashville to prove you wrong.

Husband and wife team Tiffany and Clifton Hancock are the power behind the completely vegan café on Buchanan Street in North Nashville, which has grown from farmer's market pop-ups to a brick-and-mortar location.

If you go:

  • Try the BBQ jackfruit nachos or one of the rotating specialty bakery items.

  • Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Coneheads

Coneheads has been open in East Nashville since 2019, serving up chicken tenders wrapped in savory waffle cones.
Coneheads has been open in East Nashville since 2019, serving up chicken tenders wrapped in savory waffle cones.

Coneheads in East Nashville offers a unique play on chicken and waffles — with a waffle cone. Think ice cream parlor, but for chicken tenders. Owner Marcus Buggs also operates Plane Jane, a cocktail bar on Dickerson Pike.

If you go:

  • You have two routes to explore: a tenders basket with sauce and two sides, or the restaurant's signature savory waffle cone loaded with chicken and toppings.

  • Hours of operation: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Black-owned restaurants offer variety, unique flavors