Belmont Specialty

It's generally difficult to get good bagels outside New York City, and Nashville was no exception to this rule until Proper Bagel came along in 2017—the bagels consistently garner out-the-door lines. The crisp, black-and-white, subway-tiled space is filled mostly with several large deli counters, where you can order everything from lox to a bacon-egg-and-cheese to a classic bagel with schmear. Bookmark it for hangover days, which are an all-too-common occurrence in this late-night town.

Bongo Java is another major hangout in Nashville. When we passed by on a sunny day in the winter, there was a crowd sitting at the tables on the front porch, happily chatting the afternoon away. Bongo Java serves a great brunch. GP got their fabulous tofu veggie scramble on several mornings to arm her for a day on the set of Country Strong.