Café Roze: East Nashville's Newest All Day Café

When Bar Luca closed in my East Nashville neighborhood, I was devastated. Mostly because the lighting was perfection for photos, but the rosé on tap didn’t hurt either. Then Cafe Roze opened their all-day cafe just blocks from my home. Hidden deep on East Nashville’s Porter Road, Cafe Roze looked like it was the answer to my Bar Luca void. Score!

Our first trip to Cafe Roze (pronounced like the flower, not the wine) was forgettable. The bitchy queen that greeted us at the door for our simple breakfast was unfriendly and his explanation of the wait times sent us packing up the street. I persevered though, unable to give up on the chance to sip a roze latte in the quaint new coffee shop / restaurant hot spot. We gave it another chance and made it in for brunch on a Saturday morning. The aforementioned greeter was not working behind the bar, so we were properly greeted with a smile that matches the beautifully designed space. We waited a few understandable minutes for a table to open up along the original brick walls in the small restaurant.

Once seated, we were delighted by the variety of rosé options and delicious brunch cocktails. Beyond the list of top-notch cocktails, the food offerings from their lunch menu were one of my favorite parts of our first official visit. They all looked delicious! Some of the highlights were the savory oats, the roze bowl with beet tahini, and the broccoli melt. And the lighting and look of the space? Perfection! It’s bright and, though small, it has a cool yet approachable vibe. There’s a sense of community from the patrons that pack the tables that lets you know you have found a favorite neighborhood dining spot.

We settled in and ultimately opted for a couple of perfectly proportioned mimosas, the egg sandwich with avocado and the grilled chicken sandwich with fries (because YOLO). Everything was perfectly cooked and delivered exactly what we were hoping for in this neighborhood gem. Delicious fare, thoughtful coffee and drink menus, and happy hour.

Cafe Roze is also open in the evening with dinner options like steak frites and roasted red snapper. On the second Monday of each month, the restaurant hosts a Jazz Night which features cocktail specials and live jazz for only $5 per check.

The charming East Nashville restaurant, with beautiful deco Italian design, is led by longtime New York chef Julia Jaksic, executive chef of Employees Only Singapore and formerly of Jack’s Wife Freda. In addition to Cafe Roze, they operate a sister location on the West side of town. Roze Pony is an all-day market cafe located in Belle Meade serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, cocktails, and grab-and-go items.

Whether visiting for a weekend, or settling into the growing Music City community, Cafe Roze is a stop you must add to your itinerary. Just don’t overcrowd the space because I loved it so much I will need a regular seat at the bar reserved just for me.