Franklin’s coffee culture blends small-town charm with creative energy, brewing up something special in every cup. Whether you’re hunting for a cozy nook to work or a spot to catch up with friends over pastries, the best local cafés offer far more than just caffeine.
Let’s get to it.
The Good Cup
Nestled in Franklin’s Grassland neighborhood, The Good Cup feels more like a welcoming living room than a typical café. Vintage vinyl, reclaimed wood accents, and plush armchairs invite you to sink in and forget your to-do list. Patrons spread out across cozy indoor corners or claim outdoor tables, laptops open, coffee in hand.
All the beans are roasted locally, and the baristas craft inventive signature drinks such as the Good & Evil and a Milky Way Mocha. Traditional options include drip brew, cold brew, chai lattes, and a rotating tea selection.
Breakfast highlights include a Bacon Egg & Cheese Everything Bagel and fresh muffins, while homemade soups and allergy-friendly pastries cater to special diets. Owner Amanda Taylor has led this family-run spot since 2003, and you can feel the warmth in every detail.
Local art decorates the walls, open-mic nights bring live music, and prices stay reasonable. The Good Cup doesn’t chase flash—it nails the essentials and serves everything with genuine heart.
Triple Crown Bakery
In downtown Franklin, Triple Crown Bakery offers a modern twist on classic pastries. Housed in a charming restored building, it feels like a visit with your quirky aunt who collects vintage china. Everything is made from scratch, so croissants and scones boast flaky layers and buttery flavor.
A cold case showcases tiny cakes and a rotating selection of macarons, challenging even the most decisive customers. You’ll also find cookies, brownies, hand-shaped Pop-Tarts, and elaborate celebration cakes for any milestone.
Coffee arrives as an “Honest Roasters” blend served French-pressed right at your table. Tea lovers choose Harney & Sons loose-leaf options poured from old-school teapots into matching cups. Real hot chocolate comes crowned with whipped cream, cookies, and marshmallows.
The cozy tea room invites relaxed conversation—no drive-thru, no rush. A solo coffee or tea service runs about ten dollars, more for two people. Owner Alena Vaughn and her small team handle local delivery for advance cake orders, keeping everything personal and community-focused.
The Coffee House at Second and Bridge
Comfortably tucked into Franklin’s gorgeously restored 19th-century house at 144 2nd Avenue North, The Coffee House at Second and Bridge feels like home with better coffee. Fireplaces glow beneath murals and mismatched vintage furniture, and you never have to worry about someone else’s laundry.
Five themed rooms create distinct atmospheres: a cozy library nook for focused work, open areas for friendly chats, local art splashed on the walls, and even a record room spinning vinyl to keep Franklin groovy. Regular vinyl listening sessions and rotating art exhibits bring the community together.
The coffee program centers on Nashville’s Bongo Java beans, featured in drip brews, pour-overs, and a full espresso lineup. Specialty drinks include a Honey Lavender Latte and rotating seasonal creations. The menu offers sweet and savory crepes, brunch dishes, fresh salads, and gluten-free desserts. An outdoor patio welcomes dogs, and wide opening hours make it easy to drop in early or late most days of the week.
High Brow Coffee
In Westhaven, High Brow Coffee raises the bar with in-house specialty roasting and a nod to Southern ingredients. Single-origin beans underpin classics like Americanos, lattes, and cortados, then give way to inventive creations: The Reginald (cortado with earl grey syrup and orange zest), bourbon caramel lattes, Strawberry Shortcake Matcha, and coffee soda on tap.
Breakfast and brunch offerings include avocado toast, sausage biscuits, house-made Pop-Tarts, and a rotating lineup of sandwiches. The space blends modern and rustic elements—wide tables, exposed wood, and a pet-friendly patio that welcomes dogs. Reliable Wi-Fi and free parking make it easy to work or catch up with friends.
Local art lines the walls, providing fresh visuals as new pieces arrive. Whether you stick with your favorite milk or bring your own oat milk, High Brow Coffee delivers quality at a reasonable price for a specialty experience.
Just Love Coffee Cafe – McEwen
At McEwen Northside, Just Love Coffee Cafe, McEwen redefines casual dining with serious coffee credentials. The in-house roastery produces creatively named blends, and nearly every dish comes off a waffle iron. The menu reads like brunch gone slightly off-script, with waffle-ironed sandwiches, womletes, sliders, and wraps.
The espresso bar features single-origin pour-overs, caramel frappes, and a variety of specialty lattes. Non-coffee options include matcha, loose-leaf teas, oat-milk beverages, and soft drinks. Each plate is styled for Instagram appeal, making it a foodie’s dream.
Inside, free Wi-Fi and large communal tables meet quieter nooks for focused work. A patio offers fresh air and dog-friendly seating. There’s no drive-thru here—this is about slowing down and savoring every sip.
Owned by former NFL player Keith Bulluck, the café sports a mural of football memorabilia alongside artsy décor. Prices align with most indie coffee shops—fair for a boost of creativity and community spirit.
Honest Coffee Roasters The Factory at Franklin
Honest Coffee Roasters at The Factory in Franklin delivers specialty coffee in a space that honors its industrial past. Exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood accents, and eclectic seating—including armchairs and communal tables—create a relaxed environment. Free Wi-Fi and ample outlets cater to laptop users, while people-watchers can stake out a spot by the window.
All beans are roasted on-site using a Probat P12 roaster visible to customers. Direct-trade sourcing underscores the menu, which ranges from straight-forward batch brews and pour-overs to indulgent flavored lattes like the Roosevelt with cinnamon syrup or The First Lady with vanilla almond. Non-coffee options include matcha, loose-leaf teas, açaí bowls, and cold-pressed juices from Franklin Juice. Fresh pastries and breakfast sandwiches round out the offerings. Prices align with specialty coffee norms. Located inside an art-gallery complex, Honest Coffee Roasters has become a versatile gathering spot from morning until late afternoon.
Herban Market
Herban Market in Franklin takes the organic café concept seriously. They roast coffee beans with Narrow Gate down the road, and you’ll notice scratch-made sourdough loaves alongside gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate banana muffins. The espresso bar offers cortados, maple cardamom lattes, and even adaptogenic mushroom-infused drinks. Smoothies sometimes blend cold brew for an extra kick.
Beyond beverages, the kitchen prepares burgers, pizzas, salads, and wraps entirely from scratch—no premade shortcuts. Seating is flexible: claim a spot on the shaded patio or settle in at the communal laptop bar. Outlets are easy to find, so you won’t hunt under tables. An olive oil and balsamic tasting bar sits near the coffee station, inviting a quick sampling. Owned by Matt and Ashlea Hogancamp, Herban Market operates seven days a week and focuses on transparent sourcing. Prices run higher than a gas-station café, but you’re paying for handcrafted ingredients and a health-focused menu in a welcoming space.
Merridee’s Breadbasket
Tucked in downtown Franklin, Merridee’s Breadbasket offers a cozy bakery experience with scratch-made pastries and classic breakfast dishes. Cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and fruit-filled pies appear in glass cases, while build-your-own omelets, stuffed French toast, and traditional biscuits and gravy round out the morning menu. Gluten-friendly options ensure everyone can enjoy a treat.
Coffee lovers will appreciate hand-crafted lattes served hot or iced. The café rotates daily brews with playful names like Highlander Grog and “Oodles.” At lunchtime, you’ll find chicken salad sandwiches, Chicken Pot Pie specials, and choices of soup or salad for a lighter meal. Bakery items hover around $4, and heartier plates land closer to $15, offering good value without sacrificing quality. Adjacent to the bakery, a small boutique presents local goods for sale. Seating is available indoors and on an outdoor patio that captures a bit of family-farm charm. Merridee’s remains closed on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly to satisfy your comfort-carb cravings.
Ruby Sunshine
At Ruby Sunshine in Franklin they fully embrace Southern brunch classics, with beignets, Pig-Candy Bacon Bites, Biscuits & Gravy, and Sweet Heat Chicken & French Toast Bites on the menu, ready to challenge your willpower. Coffee is a highlight here: they serve French Truck Coffee from a Nashville roaster, plus espresso drinks and multiple cold brew options, including a 32oz to-go.
Inside, the bright décor mixes New Orleans flair with Tennessee charm. Booths and tables fill the main dining area, and there’s a dog-friendly patio right on the square. A well-stocked bar offers cocktails and mimosas alongside menu favorites. The breakfast menu also features pancakes, omelets, Eggs Benedict, breakfast sandwiches, and Buddha Bowls. Non-coffee drinkers can choose from an array of teas and fresh juices. Ordering happens at the counter but staff deliver your meal to the table. Prices stay moderate, making it easy to treat yourself. Ruby Sunshine opens daily at 7:30 am and closes in the early afternoon—ample time for most folks to indulge in a hearty brunch.
Frothy Monkey
Tucked in downtown Franklin, Frothy Monkey offers more than just coffee. Housed in a former 19th-century church manse, this café features cozy corners, fireplaces, and repurposed doors. A wraparound porch invites guests to relax outdoors while enjoying their drinks.
All coffee is roasted on-site, and the “Howler” espresso blend shines in lattes and cappuccinos. Dark roast lovers can choose the “Brute” for a robust, jet-fuel kick. Specialty drinks like the Turtle Latte add a sweet twist. For those avoiding caffeine, hot chocolate appears seasonally, and smoothies, teas, and plant-based milk options round out the menu.
Food is served from morning through evening. Pastries fresh from the bakery sit alongside classic avocado toast and kale Caesar salads. Heartier plates, such as shrimp and grits, satisfy diners seeking a full meal. If remote work turns into happy hour, cocktails, mimosas, and wine are available.
With sidewalk tables, reliable Wi-Fi, and regular art shows or Wine Down Wednesday events, Frothy Monkey delivers a friendly neighborhood hangout without stranger prices.
Biscuit Love Franklin
Biscuit Love Franklin occupies a historic Queen Anne–style house in downtown Franklin, featuring mismatched vintage chairs and floral wallpaper. The menu celebrates Southern breakfast, with scratch-made buttermilk biscuits at its core. “Bonuts”—fried biscuit dough topped with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote—draw a loyal following, while the B-Roll cinnamon biscuit roll delivers sweet comfort.
Savory options include the East Nasty sandwich, Southern Benny, or a classic biscuit and gravy. Methodical Roasted Coffee supplies beans for drip, espresso, and specialty drinks like the iced brown sugar oat milk latte. Tea selections come from Rare Tea Cellar, and fresh-squeezed juices add a bright touch. A heated, pet-friendly patio offers outdoor seating, and private rooms equipped with Apple TVs support small meetings or remote work. Prices are moderate, reflecting handcrafted recipes and a distinctive setting that feels like dining in an eclectic relative’s well-loved home.
