Loveless Cafe: is it worth it?
Our score, honest verdict, what it costs, how to avoid the crowds, and what to do instead if it is not for you.
Our verdict: do it smarter
The Loveless is worth a trip for biscuits and fried chicken, but go at a quiet time. The cafe itself suggests non-holiday Wednesday or Thursday mornings or late afternoons to cut the wait, and has a reservations page.
Prices were not on the pages I could open, so this is provisional.
Busy at peak times; the cafe suggests Wednesday or Thursday, 8 to 9 AM or 2 to 6 PM, to shorten the wait.
A long-running Nashville institution with a story that starts in 1951.
A short drive out of town on Highway 100.
Who should go, and who should skip it
- You want a classic Southern breakfast or lunch
- You have a car
- You want a quick meal downtown
To compare, read our review of Biscuit Love (Gulch), Arnold's Country Kitchen and Mas Tacos Por Favor.
Better alternatives and what pairs well
FOODPhoto: Gatorfan252525, CC BY-SA 4.0Biscuit Love (Gulch)
A popular biscuit-focused breakfast and brunch spot in the Gulch, with a second location in Hillsboro Village.
FOODPhoto: Rachel Chapdelaine, CC BY 2.0Arnold's Country Kitchen
A James Beard American Classics winner serving meat-and-three lunch on weekdays and brunch on Saturdays.
Mas Tacos Por Favor
A cult-favorite taco window with scratch-made street food in East Nashville.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Loveless Cafe?
8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221, a short scenic drive from downtown.
What are the hours?
The official site listed Monday to Friday 8 AM to 9 PM and Saturday and Sunday 7 AM to 9 PM. Other sites show earlier closings, so confirm before you go.
How did it start?
Lon and Annie Loveless began serving fried chicken and biscuits from their front door in 1951.
