Part café, part flower shop, Cultivate Coffee + Flowers is a peaceful retreat in North Knoxville. It’s light-filled, plant-forward, and perfect for slow mornings. You’ll find seasonal lattes, strong chai, and local pastries on the menu. They also offer cozy private rooms that are ideal for working or studying solo.
Tucked on the edge of the 4th & Gill neighborhood, Partial is a stylish, understated café with a minimalist interior and thoughtful drink menu. It’s best known for its coffee flights, seasonal flavors, and occasional wine pop-ups. The pastries can be hit or miss in price, but the drinks—and the atmosphere—are always on point.
Likewise, Coffee brings heart and purpose to every cup. All proceeds go toward Raising a Voice, a nonprofit focused on fighting human trafficking. But this isn’t just a feel-good choice—the drinks are genuinely great, the staff is kind, and the café itself has a comfy, welcoming layout with sofas and plenty of outlets.
Tucked inside the Riverview Tower, this café-style market is technically for building tenants and clients, but if you’ve got access, it’s a hidden gem for a quick, well-made breakfast. They’ve got solid coffee, a range of cold drinks, and hot breakfast selections that beat anything you’ll find at a gas station or chain.
Remedy is one of those places that’s both a great café and a solid workspace. The high ceilings, exposed brick, and rustic vibe give it personality, and the coffee lives up to the setting. The egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich on a salt & pepper bagel is a must if you’re hungry, and the rotating drink specials offer something new if you’re a regular.
Ramblin' Joe's is a charming coffee shop known for its solid coffee offerings and friendly staff. The cold brew is particularly noteworthy, and the small selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches complements the beverage menu. The cozy environment makes it a great place to focus and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Located at 4101 Charlotte Ave, Barista Parlor offers a modern coffee experience with a focus on quality and design. The café provides a variety of coffee drinks, including the popular whiskey caramel latte. With a clean and stylish interior, it's an inviting space to work or meet with others. The outdoor seating area adds to its appeal, especially on pleasant days.
Part café, part boutique, Café ROOTED blends curated drinks with fashion-forward retail in one polished space. The matcha honey latte is a standout, and the baristas bring a warm energy to the experience. With clean interiors and a relaxed feel, it’s perfect for a quiet break or casual catch-up. Style and substance in one creative corner.
Paper Street feels like the under-the-radar coffee shop every neighborhood needs. Located next to a gym and tucked into an apartment complex, it’s easy to miss—but worth finding. The vibe inside is friendly and casual, with a mix of people chatting, working, or just passing through. The coffee is bold and flavorful, and the shop offers plenty of dairy-free options and a few solid food choices, too.
Crema has been one of Nashville’s most respected coffee roasters for years, and their Downtown outpost keeps the standards high. Tucked into an airy industrial space with wood-paneled interiors and zero-waste practices, it’s a favorite for locals who want a high-quality pour-over or something simple like a perfectly foamed vanilla latte.
Matryoshka is tiny in size but huge on personality. This 300-square-foot micro café is tucked into a colorful corner of Wedgewood-Houston and blends artsy vibes with some of the friendliest service in town. The space is saturated with color and charm—think cozy corners, curated art, and a joyful energy that feels intentional.
Deir Cafe is a hidden gem with global flair. From the second you step inside, you’re met with a clean, modern design and an incredibly warm vibe. The drinks are thoughtful and creative—don’t skip the house-made pistachio croissant or the khokh habibi latte. The seating is plentiful, and the music never overpowers the experience, making it a great place to bring your laptop or have a working lunch.
Merge keeps things casual but cool, and that’s what makes it so easy to love. With clean white walls, a few curated retail items, and friendly baristas who know your order by the second visit, it feels like a low-pressure creative hub. The coffee is bold and beautifully balanced, and there’s enough seating to either knock out work or just hang out with a friend.
If Historic Waverly had a community living room, Crest Coffee House would be it. This donation-based café runs on a pay-what-you-can model, making it the most affordable on the list. The space is calm, inviting, and ideal for studying or quiet productivity. You’ll often find students, creatives, or regulars hanging out here, sipping tea or coffee in the cozy corners.
Located inside the Kenect building, MR*T is a modern, sleek coffee spot with a surprising amount of personality. It’s ideal for quick coffee runs or casual work sessions, especially if you like your café experience with a side of cool. The shop serves up quality espresso and local pastries, with a rotating menu of healthy snacks and vegan-friendly options.
Tucked inside the Midtown Medical Plaza, The Proverbial Cup is more of a hidden gem than your average walk-up café. It’s compact but inviting, known for its top-tier service, quality coffee, and creative drink specials. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to get some focused studying done without the hustle of bigger chains, this place delivers.
A reliable classic with a modern feel, 8th & Roast is known for its excellent coffee and barista expertise. Located near the Vanderbilt campus, it’s a go-to for students and professionals alike. You can expect a spacious layout, knowledgeable staff, and rotating seasonal drink menus that keep things interesting.
The Well is one of those places that balances comfort, quality, and a bigger mission. Just a short walk from Vanderbilt, this nonprofit café donates its profits to provide clean water globally, so every cup you sip supports something meaningful. But mission aside, it’s just a great spot to work.
A Nashville staple, Frothy Monkey’s 12 South location is housed in a cozy bungalow that feels more like your best friend’s living room than a coffee shop. With a mix of indoor seating and a spacious outdoor beer garden, it’s ideal for both solo work sessions and casual meetings. The menu goes beyond coffee, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Located right on 12th Avenue South, White Bison offers a sleek, modern space with plenty of seating options, including a cozy upstairs balcony complete with a fireplace—perfect for those chilly mornings. The atmosphere is relaxed yet professional, making it a favorite for remote workers.
Tucked inside the Buck Mason store, Fast Times is a hidden gem that combines a coffee shop, bookstore, and clothing boutique all in one. The minimalist design, natural light, and curated selection of books create an inspiring environment for creatives. While the coffee menu is simple—think classic black coffee and sweet lattes—the quality is top-notch.
While renowned for its Southern-style biscuits and hearty breakfast options, Maple Street Biscuit Company also offers a bright and clean space that's conducive to work. The friendly staff and efficient service make it easy to grab a meal and settle in with your laptop. The chicken biscuit with pepper jelly is a standout, and the overall atmosphere is great.
Just a short walk from the heart of 12 South, 8th & Roast offers a cozy, urban setting with exposed brick walls and a warm ambiance. The café is known for its expertly brewed light roast drip coffee and a selection of seasonal drinks. The seating arrangement includes community tables and bar seating, catering to both solo workers and small groups.
Ugly Mugs has been a go-to neighborhood café in East Nashville for years, and it continues to be a reliable spot for remote workers and creatives looking for a comfortable place to land. The space is bright and open with plenty of seating, making it easy to spend a few hours working, reading, or meeting with friends.
Located in East Nashville, All People Coffee & Beverage Hall is known for its incredible coffee and welcoming ambiance. The café offers a variety of drinks, including the highly recommended iced Irish specialty latte. With attractive baristas and a 10/10 aesthetic, it's a great place to work peacefully. On-street parking is available, making it convenient for visitors.
Nestled inside a vintage drum shop in East Nashville, Weak Coffee offers a unique and welcoming environment. Known for its beautiful latte art and friendly staff, the café provides great-tasting coffee with unique flavors. The atmosphere is cool and community-oriented, making it a fun spot to work and connect with others.
An outdoor walk-up stand with no indoor seating, but don’t let that stop you. The rose and honeycomb lattes are both flavorful and picture-worthy. Set in a leafy, dog-friendly corner of Germantown, it’s a charming way to start the morning. Expect cheerful service and a rotating latte lineup.
Elegy nails the basics with great espresso, chill vibes, and a clean modern interior. Locals come for the signature Honey Bear iced latte or the breakfast burrito with roasted sweet potato. The environment is laptop-friendly and not overly crowded. You’ll probably end up staying longer than you planned.
Surefire is a cute, cozy corner spot with sunny patio vibes and genuinely friendly staff. Lattes are reliable, and the service is fast even during weekend rushes. The kind of place that makes you want to become a regular. Plus, their playlist is always on point.
This café is about coffee, community, and cool streetwear energy. It doubles as a hangout for creatives and a workspace for remote workers. Expect bold branding and even bolder drinks. This is the place if you want your coffee with a side of aesthetic.
Built into a hotel but still feels like a neighborhood café, Moonshot serves well-made cappuccinos and light snacks. The staff are warm, and the interior is peaceful enough to sit with a laptop. A great low-key option when the market crowds feel like too much.