Retrograde Coffee

2714 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, United States
+1 615-649-8021
$$$ Cafe
(83 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

If you find yourself wandering through Nashville, make sure to stop by Retrograde Coffee, a local gem that has quickly captured the hearts (and taste buds) of coffee aficionados. Nestled at 2714 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, this charming café is a delightful blend of great coffee, delectable bites, and a welcoming atmosphere.

The moment you step inside Retrograde, you’ll be enveloped by a calming ambiance characterized by ample seating, large windows that invite natural light, and a wonderfully designed interior that nurtures both creativity and conversation. It’s the perfect space to settle in with your laptop or catch up with friends over a warm beverage.

When it comes to the menu, Retrograde Coffee shines with its specialty drinks. One standout is the Shagbark Latte, Retrograde's signature drink, which features house-infused shagbark simple syrup derived from the fragrant hickory tree native to Tennessee. This unique concoction is beautifully balanced, showcasing sweet maple tones with an intriguing hint of smoke — an absolute must-try! For matcha enthusiasts, the Matcha Latte is a silky smooth blend of High Garden Matcha tea whisked to perfection, served with your choice of milk or alt-milk. And if you crave something rich and indulgent, the Mocha crafted with artisan chocolate from Olive & Sinclair is designed to awaken your senses.

For those in search of an energizing pick-me-up, the café also offers an expertly crafted Iced Coffee. Utilizing the innovative flash brew method, the coffee is brewed hot and immediately chilled over ice, locking in vibrant flavors that will delight your palate with every sip.

A visit to Retrograde wouldn’t be complete without sampling one of their bagels or light bites. Customers rave about “The Chosen One” bagel sandwich, filled with smoky salmon and cream cheese, which has earned high marks for its freshness and flavor. Pair it with the famous avocado toast, and you have a brunch combination that will leave you delightfully satiated!

Thanks to a team that pours passion into each cup, Retrograde Coffee has cultivated a loyal following. Customers like Tarra Mustafa appreciate the “old school classic coffee shop vibe,” praising the knowledgeable staff for making the entire experience memorable. Whether you’re a busy professional or a leisurely bruncher, the impeccable customer service here ensures you feel right at home.

So whether you're here for a quick coffee run or an afternoon hangout, you will leave Retrograde Coffee feeling refreshed — and perhaps with a bag of their beans to take home! Make sure to stop by this captivating spot during your Nashville adventures; it’s a cozy haven waiting to fulfill your coffee dreams.

Service options
Delivery
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Late-night food
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar on site
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours

Monday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

83 Reviews
Abigail Renee

20 Sep 2025

Retrograde is quickly becoming one of my favorite coffee shops. To start, parking is refreshingly easy and plentiful, especially compared to other coffee shops in the area. The interior features ample seating, large windows, and a calming atmosphere that is perfect for focused work. A creature of habit, I have only tried one of their drinks thus far, but the Kavlatte has not disappointed me each time I've ordered it. Bonus points for the option to get your drink in either a to-go cup or a glass if you're sticking around! The true standout aspect of each of my experiences at Retrograde has been the delightful staff. Truly leagues more friendly and personable than any other coffee shop I've frequented. Everyone I have interacted with has been incredibly welcoming and kind. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone, whether they are grabbing a coffee for the road, or planning to sit down and work or catch up with friends!

Tommy Tang

27 Aug 2025

Absolutely great coffee with very good homemade bagels! As a designer myself I truly appreciate their decorations and all the great vibes there! Love the latte so much I got the beans back home!

Furkan Aktas

10 Aug 2025

I ordered the “The Chosen One” bagel sandwich with smoked salmon and cream cheese. It was excellent! Fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. My wife tried the avocado toast and while it was missing tomatoes (even though they were listed on the menu), and ended up spicier than expected due to a heavy hand with the chili flakes, the flavors were still good overall. But the highlight for both of us was definitely from their Summer Seasonals menu. “The Kavlatte” (a coconut and brown sugar latte topped with toasted coconut flakes and sea salt) was absolutely amazing. Both the hot version with oat milk and the iced one with whole milk. Friendly staff, relaxing vibe, and unique drink options. We’ll definitely be back.

Tara Mustafa

07 Aug 2025

This corner local coffee shop is amazing. The customer service is old school classic coffee shop vibe! The whole restaurant was amazing. The manager actually loves his job and wants to be there. So much knowledge about the roasts and brews. All the suggestions we had delighted me. Thanks n for a great visit and experience. We will stay near this location again!! Added a picture: I drink americanos. And they labeled cup USA. I worked in the coffee industry for years. Why did I never think of this!!

Estelle Barnett

04 Aug 2025

As someone who lives in Australia visiting Nashville this was by far the best coffee I’ve had! Staff where also so lovely highly recommend. Great quality and my flat white was perfect such a gem

Olivia Mildenberger

31 Jul 2025

We loved Retrograde!! Staff were very friendly and helpful with recommendations! We recommend the avocado bagel and the bacon egg and cheese bagel!

S

11 Jul 2025

We went to Retrograde Coffee for the first time this morning and loved it! I enjoyed the vibe of this coffee shop and the customer service was great. We both ordered the cortado and the everything bagel. So good! Definitely recommend Retrograde Coffee and will be coming back!

Nat Rose

04 Jul 2025

I'm spending the weekend in Nashville and was looking for a brunch spot where I wouldn't have to wait in line to be seated. Fortunately, I discovered a cozy coffee shop that offers a good selection of light bites and isn't hidden away. Inside, the shop has plenty of seating and an open, airy layout with mint-colored walls. It definitely has a clean vibe. What I ordered for brunch are: -iced caramel latte with oat milk -chocolate croissant -chicken pesto sandwich

Join the Retrograde Coffee Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.