This place is great. We came here after touring the Belle Meade Plantation. It's clean and the customer service is great!!!! A young gal took our order and she was so helpful and excited to share their offerings with us. The wedding cookies are to die for. After tasting a sample we had to buy a box. They make their own picnic punch and have it out alongside lemonade and iced tea so you can make your own concoction at will. Fresh mint is also provided to put in your drink.
(5)
Katie B.
This place looks like your grandmother's dining room all decked out for a traditional Southern tea party. In a good way! I love that it's always mostly old ladies. I love that there is a white picket fence INSIDE the restaurant, and blue china plates mounted on the walls. It's a whole experience here - the food and atmosphere go hand in hand. You've got all your "salads" (egg, tuna, chicken, potato, pasta, broccoli, and fruit)... plus a slew of other homemade goodies. They have homemade tea, punch, and lemonade, plus mint leaves and lemons to add in. All very lady-like and VERY delicious. I would say it's a tad overpriced... It's essentially lunch staples that I could make at home (maybe not as tasty, but still). Whenever I have gotten a lunch plate, plus drink, plus a dessert it's $20. But it's worth the treat every now and then!
(4)
Tyler D.
A hidden gem! Yummy food. Flexible dine-in or take-out setup. Great variety. Super duper friendly staff! Cute little patio. Right next to Publix but hidden away :) Been here for decades which just makes me want to come back for more! Keep up the great work!
(5)
Lisa T.
Tried the casserole of the day, chicken artichoke, w/cranberry congealed salad and fruit tea...very good but large portions. Definitely a very busy spot during the lunch hour!
(4)
Jordan F.
Picnic cafe has the best of everything. Order whatever you want from the menu- it's going to be great.
(5)
Ann W.
Yes, it's a ladies who lunch kind of spot. It also happens to have the best chicken salad ever and lots of yummy take out options. I go there with my mom, but I also go by myself and pick up soup or salad or a casserole to take home. The interior of the place is very casual and the women who work there are very friendly. What's not to like?
(5)
Laurel M.
I love this place! I've only dined in once and it was a good experience. It's definitely a favorite of the locals. For me, it's the prepared meals that keep me coming back. They have various casserole entrees, soups, salads, and side dishes to take home. Each are packaged in individual or family size servings, and are ready to pop in the oven... complete with instructions. I highly recommend the chicken artichoke casserole. Fresh, delicious, home cooked goodness.
(4)
Kathleen K.
Their chicken salad is OUT OF THIS WORLD. It has been my favorite since childhood, and I've never found a better one in any other city. Sure, the decor is a little cheesy, and the clientele is low-energy, but one bite of the food renders everything else irrelevant. If you're looking for a place for classic Southern lunch staples, look no further. The egg salad, pimento cheese, cranberry salad, yeast rolls and desserts are all good too, but really, I can't get past the chicken salad. I've had dreams about it, no joke.
(5)
Tuck L.
I ate lunch here recently and it was DELIGHTFUL!
(5)
Julia B.
THERE IS NO BETTER CHICKEN SALAD ON THE PLANET. I have searched Atlanta, GA over for something that compares and there is nothing. Zero, zilch, nada that compares to the chicken salad at The Picnic Cafe. Thank GAWD I am moving back to Nashville in just a couple of weeks. I also like the cucumber cream cheese spread, pimento cheese spread, fruit tea and cheese wafers. Bliss I tell you, total BLISS. I have their cookbook even. My aunt gave it to me as a high school graduation present 11 years ago. How many times have I tried to make that chicken salad? Probably 40. It's not as good. Maybe I should withhold a star for what is CLEARLY a ploy to keep me coming back to buy more .... hmmmm ... nah! I love it way too much for that.
(5)
Claire B.
My first experience with The Picnic was an office lunch party catered by them. I was truly impressed then as I still am. It's good to see that The Picnic has moved out from under the protective wings of Belle Meade Drugs and become entirely its own entity. First, and most importantly, the lemon squares. The other desserts are also last-meal worthy, but the lemon squares will make you feel like you have already died and gone to heaven. Oh my goodness, they are that good. The little sandwiches are so dainty and sophisticated and I have to agree with the other review about both the cucumber spread and the pimento cheese (which I don't normally like). Whether you do catering or eat in, this is a Belle Meade favorite that I am glad has survived all the construction.
(5)
Chloe H.
The perfect lunch spot! Love the chicken salad, pimento cheese, fruit tea and freshly baked muffins.
(5)
Sean M.
Fantastic, fresh and friendly! Super clean!!!!! Fabulous sandwiches and Devine desserts!
(5)
Bonnie H.
I have tried the Picnic's apricot salad many times. Today I was craving it, so I stopped by while in the area. They had very a 4 oz. container ready to grab in the "to go" cooler. The container was quite full - I guessed it might be $1.59 at the most. It was $2.25. That is ridiculous. I'm going to find that recipe and make my own!!
(3)
Daphne B.
Love the sweet ice tea! Homemade, and you can add fresh mint leaves and house made lemonade. I was happy to find this little gem. I liked the egg salad on soft wheat bread. They have my favorite cookies and even gave me a sample! The staff was so friendly and enthusiastic that it made the experience even better and the food taste better. It's not a sit down dining experience, but a great, on the go cafe and lunch type meal. Clean, good food, good owners.
(5)
Brandon C.
I eat here anytime I am in the area when I am hungry. Such an awesome place to eat. Food is always fresh. I always get a half pimento/cheese and tuna sandwich with the chicken tortilla soup. Never a bad experience. Staff is so sweet!
(5)
Emily P.
Good, light lunch fare. It's always nice to find a place that recognizes there's more to chicken salad than chicken and mayonnaise! The coleslaw is good too - almost like it's own little salad, as opposed to a mayonnaise-cabbage mush. It's located in the Publix plaza off of Harding Pike, right behind the BP. Parking in that area can get hectic, but the cafe has it's own little parking lot, so that was convenient. It's worth noting that the place is quite a lunchtime destination for the more "mature" crowd in Belle Meade. Not sure this is the ideal place to go if you're in a rush, as most of the folks in there mill about and order their lunches at a very leisurely pace. Admirable, but not ideal if you're on a tight schedule. Also, regardless of what you eat, make sure to try the punch - delicious!
(4)
Michael F.
Visited for lunch on a late Tuesday afternoon. We had the smoked turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, and honey Dijon mustard. They give you a choice of a side salad and I chose the pasta salad. The sandwich was tasty and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of turkey they gave me. More impressive was the pasta salad which I wished they had given me more of. My wife had a spinach salad. The portion of the spinach salad was quite generous. Overall, I was very pleased with my experience. All the staff was very friendly. It's a good place to eat healthy, smart, and the prices are very reasonable
(4)
Kristofer G.
I went to the Picnic Cafe with hopes of supporting a small business, and getting some quality food. It was clean, the staff was friendly, and when I told them it was my first time there they gave me a cookie for free. I had the chicken salad and fresh fruit with fruit tea to drink. The chicken salad is what they are known for from what they said but I like my Mom's better. I am lucky to have my Mom's cooking though. Overall a good experience. Get there early for lunch as the place fills up quick.
(4)
Marilu U.
Great place for great food and a family environment. Have tried almost everything in the menu and its all amazing! Dont forget to get the punch drink
(5)
Halee-Catherine C.
Honestly, if I could eat here everyday until the end of time I would. From when you walk in, the amazing decor makes you feel like you stepped back in time and Doris Day is going to come in to have lunch with you. The yellow and blue and the picnic booths are precious! Plus, if you love chicken salad like I do, this is the only place in Nashville that could rival someone's grandmother's recipe. SO. GOOD.
(5)
Tina B.
What a wonderful little cafe! Employees are very friendly and helpful. Everything was very clean and well kept. The attention to detail was incredible- very well planned and thought out. To think it all started with selling sandwiches out if a basket! Make sure you tell them you are from out of town and it's your first time there and you get a free cookie. Their picnic tea punch is not to be missed!
(5)
Corey G.
Try the Quiche of the day with a cranberry salad and cranberry muffin! I place is a hidden secret in the Belle Meade area located behind the Mapco by Publix and Moes. The building is very quaint and easy to miss. The interior is decorated in a rustic picnic theme with a To Go grocery area with premade meals if you want some quick to go or some of the items in bulk sizes. They have many healthy and gluten free items, I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good healthy lunch option in the Bellevue-Belle Meade area.
(5)
gloria c.
i got the tomato soup from here and it tasted like someone dumped a jar of prego into a bowl. not that i'm too snobby for spaghetti sauce out of a jar, but if that's what i'm having, i like it actually on top of spaghetti, served in the comfort of my own home. the "soup" also came w/ a couple of limp carrots on the side. needless to say, i don't plan on coming back. one star for the friendly ladies behind the counter. and one star for the pecan cookie dusted in powdered sugar. on second thought, maybe i would come back for another cookie. but only after having lunch somewhere else.
(2)
michael p.
My wife and I had lunch after consulting Yelp for options. She had the soup (lemon artichoke )and sandwich (chicken salad) combo and I had the same (tortilla soup/smoked turkey sandwich). We thoroughly enjoyed every morsel of the food and enjoyed watching the other diners--mostly well dressed "ladies who lunch" and some families. The decor was cheery and the wait staff were all friendly and helpful--it was our first visit. Recommended.
(4)
Dana P.
A couple of dear friends from my college days were visiting Nashville, and we were getting hungry, so I suggested The Picnic Cafe. I had been there a few times but for some reason (maybe the decor :) it doesn't come to mind on a regular basis. I'm so glad I thought of it last Saturday as we were on our way to Green Hills Mall as my friends thought the food was divine! That is the mian reason we go to a place that serves food, isn't it? For great food, and not whether it's wise to place a picket fence in the middle of the establishment? My Scoop Salad with their chicken salad was wonderful and I loved the tea punch. One of my friends got the egg salad sandwich and the other pimento cheese and both of my friends were impressed. The ladies working there were very friendly and one offered us free cookies when she was taking our orders and realized that my friends were dining there for the first time. I'm sure I will be back soon and my friends will put The Picnic on their request list when they visit this summer.
(5)
Pat C.
This place is a perfect example of pleasant environment and good simple food. But it's also an example of people that need to leave their bad attitude at home. A smile and a little appreciation would go a long way.
(4)
Jessica M.
Over $10 for half a sandwich and tomato soup. Pretty good chicken salad. Big chunks of chicken. Soup was just ok for me. Portions are not comparable to price and my drink was a child size cup. The decor is awful. My lunch was served on paper doilies and a wicker basket. Can I get a plate? Or at least a non- styrofoam bowl? Staff was not overly friendly. And one more thing- there were mushrooms in the soup which gave an odd taste. I gave this a 3 because the ingredients were very fresh and chicken salad was memorable. Won't be back unless my grandmother is in town. Unfortunate that I left hungry. I really wanted to like this place.
(3)
Nash B.
You can't go wrong at Picnic Cafe. Basically, it's a seasoned establishment whose quality, reliability, and excellence never fail to satisfy. I write this as I finish an oatmeal raisin cookie that I bought after enjoying a lunch there today. You pay more there, there's no doubt. But for me, every bite is worth it because I can sit out on the patio reading my book during my lunchbreak.....or sit with their delicious lemon artichoke soup in the wintertime. It's just become a staple for my lunch breaks when I just want a solid place to get away to....where the people are so very nice. The portions are small, as some have mentioned; but for some reason, I don't mind because I just nibble away as I read my book. Every nibble is tasty (quallity ingredients -- more satisfying). And like others have written, you gotta get the fruit tea and drop some fresh mint leaves in your glass (if you like mint like me). People have written that it's the best chicken salad in Nash. To me, Food Company has some of the best chicken salad. But still, most every time I go to Picnic Cafe, I get the chicken salad.....so I must like it! You can't go wrong with Picnic! :)
(5)
Josh M.
Stopped by this place for lunch on a Monday, and it was fairly crowded, which I took as a good sign. The experience started with a very pleasant greeting from a lady behind the register. Sincere politeness goes pretty far in my book, so I was an immediate fan. While taking my order, she asked if I had been there before. When I responded that it was my first time, she gave me wedding cookie. I had a Pimento Plus sandwich with Apricot Salad as my side. The sandwich was pimento chees and bacon on a crossaint. It was REALLY good. The apricot salad was similar to a fruit salad made with cool whip. It was nice, but the sandwich won me over. The fruit tea was also a hit. I would even venture to say their version is slightly better than Bread & Co.
(4)
Emily M.
I agree with other reviews - there is an older vibe here - but it is awesome! I felt like I was out with some 'ladies who lunch'... a more traditional yet casual dining experience. I had a very lovely late breakfast here today, the quiche plate was delicious and HUGE! I didn't know what to expect, but when my meal arrived I was quite pleased. I had an individually baked small tomato quiche, a generous side of fresh fruit, a large muffin AND cranberry salad. For $8? Yes, please! The quiche was really flavorful, the fruit was fine (meh, just fruit), and the cranberry salad was surprisingly good. (I usually don't eat things made with jell-0, but I gave it a try and actually liked it! The whipped cream and fresh mint on top made it even better). Sadly, I am gluten free and couldn't eat the quiche crust or the muffin (but my dining partner was able to enjoy both for me - he said the muffin was excellent). My companion had a flaky croissant sandwich (which sparked jealousy in me, I love pastries) and fruit. And of COURSE we had to have the fruit tea punch.. delicious! I would like to go back for lunch and try the soup and salads.. Breakfast is tricky for me, especially when 99% of the items contain ingredients that I can't eat!
(4)
Jamie A.
I think I have found the most decadent sandwich in all the land...the Pimento Plus. It's basically a grilled pimento cheese and bacon on a croissant. Heaven! Tiny angels hang out around it and play harps. I also love the Benedictine (cucumber/cream cheese) sandwich, blueberry lemon bread and the addictive Picnic Punch (fruit tea). Where did the 5th star go? I'm honestly not wild about the sides. I am trying the coleslaw today and it is very dry and needs salt. The potato and pasta salads also do nothing for me. The frozen fruit is good once it thaws. Service wise I have had good service all but once. The first time I went, the service was atrocious and my mother was afraid to ask questions after an ice cold reception and blank stares from the younger girls working there...I was hesitant to come back, but (a few months later) glad I did.
(4)
Cary S.
One of my most fave places in Nashville. Best fruit tea and lemon squares. I go weekly and can't get enough!!
(5)
Dessa T.
A Southern Dragon first introduced me to the Picnic Cafe. She described it as a "ladies lunch," and I can't really think of a better description. I love their egg salad, chicken salad, and tomato basil soup. And they have wonderful fruit tea (don't forget the mint!). I like to bring out-of-town guests here because it helps balance out all the other heavy (delicious) southern food you must eat while visiting Nashville. Also, the patrons of the Picnic give the dining experience an old Nashville type of feel. Not old as in age (though there is that too), but old as in traditional. The decor is noteworthy and their new outside patio is just lovely. The Picnic is so charming and the food is delicious. What more could you want?
(4)
Joyce G.
Not enthused. I ordered the quiche lunch. It cost 9.50, which would have been fair if it had been really homemade. It came with the quiche of the day, a fresh fruit cup and their own cranberry salad on a lettuce liner; a monumental waste of lettuce, given the lettuce crisis in the southern states and Mexico. (Other items were a number of mayonnaise-based things, served up several ways: as a sandwich, large scoop,or mini scoop: chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad. I don't know about other people, but Mayo and I just don't see eye-to-eye. There were also typical sandwiches like a BLT, Club and a few unimaginative salads with a few homemade dressings: Caesar, Tarragon (I generally opt out of that 1 herb) O and V and one or two others. Blah, blah, blah.) I also ordered an Iced Tea for 2.25, with refills. But the quiche tart shell was machine pressed and the muffin was massed produced. Given these, I am thinking that the fruit salad was also not their own handicraft, but store bought and probably processed in one of the local produce-processing plants, scooped into their own plastic serving cup. The cranberry salad was alright; typically, like anything a grandmother might have served at her own picnic. All of this was served on a paper plate, on a wicker liner with plastic flatware. OK, Picnic fare! I got it. The Iced Tea was self-serve, but the cup was small; sure free refills, but really. For the price, where you can get wait-staff, real flatware and china, more homemade items than this. I would rather eat at some chains; say, a drive to Mimi's Cafe?
(2)
Erin J.
I've eaten here twice now, and it's been pretty good both times. The atmosphere is very much like Puffy Muffin or Dumplins - lots of little old ladies & moms w/ kids. I had the chicken divan & pasta salad the first time, which was ok. The chicken divan had an off-taste, like canned soup, and the pasta salad was a tad dry. The second time (after much persuasion) I tried the chicken salad sandwich w/ fresh fruit. The chicken salad sandwich was pretty good, but had a lot of mayo & needed serious seasoning. The fresh fruit was the best part! Strawberry, grapes, and honeydew. All very fresh. I'm sure I'll probably go back - it's one of my friend's fave places.
(3)
Robin S.
Ahhhh fruit tea. That's what I come here for. That, and the strawberry cream cheese cake. And the chicken salad. And the pimento cheese. OK I love this place! It's very much a "ladies who lunch" establishment, but you'll see all kinds here. You'll find a quaint little dining room adorned with blue and white plates and yellow tablecloths--much like my grandmother's kitchen--where you can sit and watch the Belle Meade crowd at play. I'm serious when I say to try the fruit tea--I've had many versions, but Picnic gets the gold medal in my book. I love all of the desserts, but again the strawberry cake with cream cheese icing is my favorite. I take away one star because of the location right now, but once construction is finished on the adjacent shopping area, it will be much easier to access.
(4)
Misty M.
Great in theory, just couldn't follow through. The confections look generic.... People who work there are nice.
(1)
Aaron D.
This place has amazing coleslaw. Yeah, I know, who praises coleslaw? But it was light, fresh and delicious. I'm thinking they might have injected helium into the coleslaw to make it so light. As for the chicken salad praised so effusively by other Yelpers, I think it's fine, but I didn't get all excited. The egg salad had some interesting flavors (red pepper? pimento?), but was way too salty for me. The cookies were fine and I can see why some people fall in love with the lemon squares, but they were a bit too sweet for me with their thick dusting of confectioner's sugar. One large container of chicken salad, and two small side containers (egg salad, coleslaw) plus the two cookies came to just over $20. It seemed expensive at the time, but the food was enough for a two-person dinner plus plenty of leftovers. So...maybe it was a good value after all?
(4)
Rebecca M.
I came in here to get some food to go. I walked in and was surrounded by many lovely lunching ladies, as I expected due to the prime Belle Meade location and other reviews I have read. There was a wall full of every kind of salad, sandwich, soup, and dessert that I could ever imagine and they all looked yummy. I ended up choosing the chicken salad, and got a jug of fruit tea as well. At the checkout, I got a little bag of cheese wafers because they just looked so good! I thought everything was great. The chicken salad had lots of flavor and was not too heavy on the mayonnaise. The fruit tea was my favorite and I could have consumed the whole gallon by myself. Everything tasted and looked fresh! Prices were as expected for the type of food they serve. Looking forward to my return so I can try more things on the menu!
(5)
John A.
I discovered the Picnic over 14 years ago while working in the area It was and continues to be my go to spot for well prepared, wholesome food - always served with kindness and grace. I can recommend the Picnic without hesitation. The daily special often sells out by noon. I really love their bananna nut muffins. The fresh mint for your fruit tea is a great example of how the Picnic pays attention to the details.
(5)
Bob H.
out of town visitors who were lost and starving. had the egg salad and the chicken salad and loved them both. went back although it was out of the way and it was as good as the first time. Spectacularly and tastefully decorated. This place is a real treat. Bob Hunter, Tucson , Az
(5)
James M.
If you've never been here before, there are three prerequisites. Chicken salad, fruit tea and cheese wafers. The place has been in operation for two decades because they do what they do well, consistently. Sure the majority of the lunch crowd are blue hairs, but it is comfort food. Order at the counter and take a seat.
(4)
David S.
I was so happy the Picnic stayed open when they razed the rest of the shopping center to make way for the new Publix (Publix, I'm ready for you to open...). I think it may even be better in its new spot (a former laundromat) since you don't have to wade through the gift shop and drugstore to get your food! Another reviewer called it a girly spot. Maybe so, but I'm certainly not intimidated by that. Another restaurant that my dining companion has come to know and love, the Picnic is always a welcome treat. I think it's renowned for its chicken salad which is pretty good. I, however, always order the same thing. And if there is a heaven that I get to someday, they will serve me the Pimiento Plus sandwich all day long. This tasty treat (which definitely belongs on an all-time top 10 greatest sandwiches list) is homemade pimiento cheese topped with bacon on a croissant. Then they put the sandwich in the broiler to get the pimiento cheese just a little warm and gooey. Pimiento cheese and bacon, could you think of a better combination? (Well, maybe the pimiento cheeseburger I had at Joe's on Jupiter down in Atlanta. I wish someone in Nashville would copy that burger!) Another place with great fruit tea, they have sprigs of mint out for garnish which is a welcome touch. The fruit tea is so popular, they usually run out of it during the lunch rush and have to put out gallon jugs from their coolers to replenish the supply. Great sides like cranberry salad, apricot salad, potato salad, and broccoli salad. I love all of those choices. There's great take out -- casseroles for dinner, sandwiches, the aforementioned fruit tea. Desserts are wonderful as well, red velvet and caramel cake just like your grandmother made. Enjoy.
(4)
Katherine M.
The Picnic is very much a girly girl spot! It's decorated very frilly with blue and white china plates hanging everywhere. You might feel like you should have on a cute sundress to go here, but you don't!!! The food is wonderful - chicken salad, tuna salad, salmon salad, and amazing fresh fruit. The Picnic has, hands down, the best pimento cheese in Nashville! They also have delicious quiches prepared daily if you are in the mood for something a little more hearty. One thing I love about this place is that they have great frozen casseroles, perfect for that last minute dinner guest! You can also buy their pasta salad, potato salad, etc. by the pound. And treat yourself to their fabulous desserts! The chocolate chip cookies are so yummy and gooey! They also have brownies, lemon squares, and cobbler. It's all just too good! I think that The Picnic is a little pricey. If you get a sandwich, side, and drink, be prepared to pay over $10. I bought two frozen quiches once and they were $15 each, but I tell myself it's worth my time!! No matter the reason, or the price, The Picnic is always worth it!
(4)
Tart L.
A business men's morning group meets here at the Picnic Cafe. But the genteel ladies of this upscale neighborhood populate it. Kathy Bonnet (appropriate name) serves up her famous chicken salad, pastries and Southern fruit tea. It's fine to savor the calorific sugary desserts, but don't you miss Kathy's salad! The hundreds of pounds of it she sells daily is impressive in this old coin laundry transformed into a breakfast and lunch light eating establishment.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Reina S.
This place is great. We came here after touring the Belle Meade Plantation. It's clean and the customer service is great!!!! A young gal took our order and she was so helpful and excited to share their offerings with us. The wedding cookies are to die for. After tasting a sample we had to buy a box. They make their own picnic punch and have it out alongside lemonade and iced tea so you can make your own concoction at will. Fresh mint is also provided to put in your drink.
(5)Katie B.
This place looks like your grandmother's dining room all decked out for a traditional Southern tea party. In a good way! I love that it's always mostly old ladies. I love that there is a white picket fence INSIDE the restaurant, and blue china plates mounted on the walls. It's a whole experience here - the food and atmosphere go hand in hand. You've got all your "salads" (egg, tuna, chicken, potato, pasta, broccoli, and fruit)... plus a slew of other homemade goodies. They have homemade tea, punch, and lemonade, plus mint leaves and lemons to add in. All very lady-like and VERY delicious. I would say it's a tad overpriced... It's essentially lunch staples that I could make at home (maybe not as tasty, but still). Whenever I have gotten a lunch plate, plus drink, plus a dessert it's $20. But it's worth the treat every now and then!
(4)Tyler D.
A hidden gem! Yummy food. Flexible dine-in or take-out setup. Great variety. Super duper friendly staff! Cute little patio. Right next to Publix but hidden away :) Been here for decades which just makes me want to come back for more! Keep up the great work!
(5)Lisa T.
Tried the casserole of the day, chicken artichoke, w/cranberry congealed salad and fruit tea...very good but large portions. Definitely a very busy spot during the lunch hour!
(4)Jordan F.
Picnic cafe has the best of everything. Order whatever you want from the menu- it's going to be great.
(5)Ann W.
Yes, it's a ladies who lunch kind of spot. It also happens to have the best chicken salad ever and lots of yummy take out options. I go there with my mom, but I also go by myself and pick up soup or salad or a casserole to take home. The interior of the place is very casual and the women who work there are very friendly. What's not to like?
(5)Laurel M.
I love this place! I've only dined in once and it was a good experience. It's definitely a favorite of the locals. For me, it's the prepared meals that keep me coming back. They have various casserole entrees, soups, salads, and side dishes to take home. Each are packaged in individual or family size servings, and are ready to pop in the oven... complete with instructions. I highly recommend the chicken artichoke casserole. Fresh, delicious, home cooked goodness.
(4)Kathleen K.
Their chicken salad is OUT OF THIS WORLD. It has been my favorite since childhood, and I've never found a better one in any other city. Sure, the decor is a little cheesy, and the clientele is low-energy, but one bite of the food renders everything else irrelevant. If you're looking for a place for classic Southern lunch staples, look no further. The egg salad, pimento cheese, cranberry salad, yeast rolls and desserts are all good too, but really, I can't get past the chicken salad. I've had dreams about it, no joke.
(5)Tuck L.
I ate lunch here recently and it was DELIGHTFUL!
(5)Julia B.
THERE IS NO BETTER CHICKEN SALAD ON THE PLANET. I have searched Atlanta, GA over for something that compares and there is nothing. Zero, zilch, nada that compares to the chicken salad at The Picnic Cafe. Thank GAWD I am moving back to Nashville in just a couple of weeks. I also like the cucumber cream cheese spread, pimento cheese spread, fruit tea and cheese wafers. Bliss I tell you, total BLISS. I have their cookbook even. My aunt gave it to me as a high school graduation present 11 years ago. How many times have I tried to make that chicken salad? Probably 40. It's not as good. Maybe I should withhold a star for what is CLEARLY a ploy to keep me coming back to buy more .... hmmmm ... nah! I love it way too much for that.
(5)Claire B.
My first experience with The Picnic was an office lunch party catered by them. I was truly impressed then as I still am. It's good to see that The Picnic has moved out from under the protective wings of Belle Meade Drugs and become entirely its own entity. First, and most importantly, the lemon squares. The other desserts are also last-meal worthy, but the lemon squares will make you feel like you have already died and gone to heaven. Oh my goodness, they are that good. The little sandwiches are so dainty and sophisticated and I have to agree with the other review about both the cucumber spread and the pimento cheese (which I don't normally like). Whether you do catering or eat in, this is a Belle Meade favorite that I am glad has survived all the construction.
(5)Chloe H.
The perfect lunch spot! Love the chicken salad, pimento cheese, fruit tea and freshly baked muffins.
(5)Sean M.
Fantastic, fresh and friendly! Super clean!!!!! Fabulous sandwiches and Devine desserts!
(5)Bonnie H.
I have tried the Picnic's apricot salad many times. Today I was craving it, so I stopped by while in the area. They had very a 4 oz. container ready to grab in the "to go" cooler. The container was quite full - I guessed it might be $1.59 at the most. It was $2.25. That is ridiculous. I'm going to find that recipe and make my own!!
(3)Daphne B.
Love the sweet ice tea! Homemade, and you can add fresh mint leaves and house made lemonade. I was happy to find this little gem. I liked the egg salad on soft wheat bread. They have my favorite cookies and even gave me a sample! The staff was so friendly and enthusiastic that it made the experience even better and the food taste better. It's not a sit down dining experience, but a great, on the go cafe and lunch type meal. Clean, good food, good owners.
(5)Brandon C.
I eat here anytime I am in the area when I am hungry. Such an awesome place to eat. Food is always fresh. I always get a half pimento/cheese and tuna sandwich with the chicken tortilla soup. Never a bad experience. Staff is so sweet!
(5)Emily P.
Good, light lunch fare. It's always nice to find a place that recognizes there's more to chicken salad than chicken and mayonnaise! The coleslaw is good too - almost like it's own little salad, as opposed to a mayonnaise-cabbage mush. It's located in the Publix plaza off of Harding Pike, right behind the BP. Parking in that area can get hectic, but the cafe has it's own little parking lot, so that was convenient. It's worth noting that the place is quite a lunchtime destination for the more "mature" crowd in Belle Meade. Not sure this is the ideal place to go if you're in a rush, as most of the folks in there mill about and order their lunches at a very leisurely pace. Admirable, but not ideal if you're on a tight schedule. Also, regardless of what you eat, make sure to try the punch - delicious!
(4)Michael F.
Visited for lunch on a late Tuesday afternoon. We had the smoked turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, and honey Dijon mustard. They give you a choice of a side salad and I chose the pasta salad. The sandwich was tasty and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of turkey they gave me. More impressive was the pasta salad which I wished they had given me more of. My wife had a spinach salad. The portion of the spinach salad was quite generous. Overall, I was very pleased with my experience. All the staff was very friendly. It's a good place to eat healthy, smart, and the prices are very reasonable
(4)Kristofer G.
I went to the Picnic Cafe with hopes of supporting a small business, and getting some quality food. It was clean, the staff was friendly, and when I told them it was my first time there they gave me a cookie for free. I had the chicken salad and fresh fruit with fruit tea to drink. The chicken salad is what they are known for from what they said but I like my Mom's better. I am lucky to have my Mom's cooking though. Overall a good experience. Get there early for lunch as the place fills up quick.
(4)Marilu U.
Great place for great food and a family environment. Have tried almost everything in the menu and its all amazing! Dont forget to get the punch drink
(5)Halee-Catherine C.
Honestly, if I could eat here everyday until the end of time I would. From when you walk in, the amazing decor makes you feel like you stepped back in time and Doris Day is going to come in to have lunch with you. The yellow and blue and the picnic booths are precious! Plus, if you love chicken salad like I do, this is the only place in Nashville that could rival someone's grandmother's recipe. SO. GOOD.
(5)Tina B.
What a wonderful little cafe! Employees are very friendly and helpful. Everything was very clean and well kept. The attention to detail was incredible- very well planned and thought out. To think it all started with selling sandwiches out if a basket! Make sure you tell them you are from out of town and it's your first time there and you get a free cookie. Their picnic tea punch is not to be missed!
(5)Corey G.
Try the Quiche of the day with a cranberry salad and cranberry muffin! I place is a hidden secret in the Belle Meade area located behind the Mapco by Publix and Moes. The building is very quaint and easy to miss. The interior is decorated in a rustic picnic theme with a To Go grocery area with premade meals if you want some quick to go or some of the items in bulk sizes. They have many healthy and gluten free items, I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good healthy lunch option in the Bellevue-Belle Meade area.
(5)gloria c.
i got the tomato soup from here and it tasted like someone dumped a jar of prego into a bowl. not that i'm too snobby for spaghetti sauce out of a jar, but if that's what i'm having, i like it actually on top of spaghetti, served in the comfort of my own home. the "soup" also came w/ a couple of limp carrots on the side. needless to say, i don't plan on coming back. one star for the friendly ladies behind the counter. and one star for the pecan cookie dusted in powdered sugar. on second thought, maybe i would come back for another cookie. but only after having lunch somewhere else.
(2)michael p.
My wife and I had lunch after consulting Yelp for options. She had the soup (lemon artichoke )and sandwich (chicken salad) combo and I had the same (tortilla soup/smoked turkey sandwich). We thoroughly enjoyed every morsel of the food and enjoyed watching the other diners--mostly well dressed "ladies who lunch" and some families. The decor was cheery and the wait staff were all friendly and helpful--it was our first visit. Recommended.
(4)Dana P.
A couple of dear friends from my college days were visiting Nashville, and we were getting hungry, so I suggested The Picnic Cafe. I had been there a few times but for some reason (maybe the decor :) it doesn't come to mind on a regular basis. I'm so glad I thought of it last Saturday as we were on our way to Green Hills Mall as my friends thought the food was divine! That is the mian reason we go to a place that serves food, isn't it? For great food, and not whether it's wise to place a picket fence in the middle of the establishment? My Scoop Salad with their chicken salad was wonderful and I loved the tea punch. One of my friends got the egg salad sandwich and the other pimento cheese and both of my friends were impressed. The ladies working there were very friendly and one offered us free cookies when she was taking our orders and realized that my friends were dining there for the first time. I'm sure I will be back soon and my friends will put The Picnic on their request list when they visit this summer.
(5)Pat C.
This place is a perfect example of pleasant environment and good simple food. But it's also an example of people that need to leave their bad attitude at home. A smile and a little appreciation would go a long way.
(4)Jessica M.
Over $10 for half a sandwich and tomato soup. Pretty good chicken salad. Big chunks of chicken. Soup was just ok for me. Portions are not comparable to price and my drink was a child size cup. The decor is awful. My lunch was served on paper doilies and a wicker basket. Can I get a plate? Or at least a non- styrofoam bowl? Staff was not overly friendly. And one more thing- there were mushrooms in the soup which gave an odd taste. I gave this a 3 because the ingredients were very fresh and chicken salad was memorable. Won't be back unless my grandmother is in town. Unfortunate that I left hungry. I really wanted to like this place.
(3)Nash B.
You can't go wrong at Picnic Cafe. Basically, it's a seasoned establishment whose quality, reliability, and excellence never fail to satisfy. I write this as I finish an oatmeal raisin cookie that I bought after enjoying a lunch there today. You pay more there, there's no doubt. But for me, every bite is worth it because I can sit out on the patio reading my book during my lunchbreak.....or sit with their delicious lemon artichoke soup in the wintertime. It's just become a staple for my lunch breaks when I just want a solid place to get away to....where the people are so very nice. The portions are small, as some have mentioned; but for some reason, I don't mind because I just nibble away as I read my book. Every nibble is tasty (quallity ingredients -- more satisfying). And like others have written, you gotta get the fruit tea and drop some fresh mint leaves in your glass (if you like mint like me). People have written that it's the best chicken salad in Nash. To me, Food Company has some of the best chicken salad. But still, most every time I go to Picnic Cafe, I get the chicken salad.....so I must like it! You can't go wrong with Picnic! :)
(5)Josh M.
Stopped by this place for lunch on a Monday, and it was fairly crowded, which I took as a good sign. The experience started with a very pleasant greeting from a lady behind the register. Sincere politeness goes pretty far in my book, so I was an immediate fan. While taking my order, she asked if I had been there before. When I responded that it was my first time, she gave me wedding cookie. I had a Pimento Plus sandwich with Apricot Salad as my side. The sandwich was pimento chees and bacon on a crossaint. It was REALLY good. The apricot salad was similar to a fruit salad made with cool whip. It was nice, but the sandwich won me over. The fruit tea was also a hit. I would even venture to say their version is slightly better than Bread & Co.
(4)Emily M.
I agree with other reviews - there is an older vibe here - but it is awesome! I felt like I was out with some 'ladies who lunch'... a more traditional yet casual dining experience. I had a very lovely late breakfast here today, the quiche plate was delicious and HUGE! I didn't know what to expect, but when my meal arrived I was quite pleased. I had an individually baked small tomato quiche, a generous side of fresh fruit, a large muffin AND cranberry salad. For $8? Yes, please! The quiche was really flavorful, the fruit was fine (meh, just fruit), and the cranberry salad was surprisingly good. (I usually don't eat things made with jell-0, but I gave it a try and actually liked it! The whipped cream and fresh mint on top made it even better). Sadly, I am gluten free and couldn't eat the quiche crust or the muffin (but my dining partner was able to enjoy both for me - he said the muffin was excellent). My companion had a flaky croissant sandwich (which sparked jealousy in me, I love pastries) and fruit. And of COURSE we had to have the fruit tea punch.. delicious! I would like to go back for lunch and try the soup and salads.. Breakfast is tricky for me, especially when 99% of the items contain ingredients that I can't eat!
(4)Jamie A.
I think I have found the most decadent sandwich in all the land...the Pimento Plus. It's basically a grilled pimento cheese and bacon on a croissant. Heaven! Tiny angels hang out around it and play harps. I also love the Benedictine (cucumber/cream cheese) sandwich, blueberry lemon bread and the addictive Picnic Punch (fruit tea). Where did the 5th star go? I'm honestly not wild about the sides. I am trying the coleslaw today and it is very dry and needs salt. The potato and pasta salads also do nothing for me. The frozen fruit is good once it thaws. Service wise I have had good service all but once. The first time I went, the service was atrocious and my mother was afraid to ask questions after an ice cold reception and blank stares from the younger girls working there...I was hesitant to come back, but (a few months later) glad I did.
(4)Cary S.
One of my most fave places in Nashville. Best fruit tea and lemon squares. I go weekly and can't get enough!!
(5)Dessa T.
A Southern Dragon first introduced me to the Picnic Cafe. She described it as a "ladies lunch," and I can't really think of a better description. I love their egg salad, chicken salad, and tomato basil soup. And they have wonderful fruit tea (don't forget the mint!). I like to bring out-of-town guests here because it helps balance out all the other heavy (delicious) southern food you must eat while visiting Nashville. Also, the patrons of the Picnic give the dining experience an old Nashville type of feel. Not old as in age (though there is that too), but old as in traditional. The decor is noteworthy and their new outside patio is just lovely. The Picnic is so charming and the food is delicious. What more could you want?
(4)Joyce G.
Not enthused. I ordered the quiche lunch. It cost 9.50, which would have been fair if it had been really homemade. It came with the quiche of the day, a fresh fruit cup and their own cranberry salad on a lettuce liner; a monumental waste of lettuce, given the lettuce crisis in the southern states and Mexico. (Other items were a number of mayonnaise-based things, served up several ways: as a sandwich, large scoop,or mini scoop: chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad. I don't know about other people, but Mayo and I just don't see eye-to-eye. There were also typical sandwiches like a BLT, Club and a few unimaginative salads with a few homemade dressings: Caesar, Tarragon (I generally opt out of that 1 herb) O and V and one or two others. Blah, blah, blah.) I also ordered an Iced Tea for 2.25, with refills. But the quiche tart shell was machine pressed and the muffin was massed produced. Given these, I am thinking that the fruit salad was also not their own handicraft, but store bought and probably processed in one of the local produce-processing plants, scooped into their own plastic serving cup. The cranberry salad was alright; typically, like anything a grandmother might have served at her own picnic. All of this was served on a paper plate, on a wicker liner with plastic flatware. OK, Picnic fare! I got it. The Iced Tea was self-serve, but the cup was small; sure free refills, but really. For the price, where you can get wait-staff, real flatware and china, more homemade items than this. I would rather eat at some chains; say, a drive to Mimi's Cafe?
(2)Erin J.
I've eaten here twice now, and it's been pretty good both times. The atmosphere is very much like Puffy Muffin or Dumplins - lots of little old ladies & moms w/ kids. I had the chicken divan & pasta salad the first time, which was ok. The chicken divan had an off-taste, like canned soup, and the pasta salad was a tad dry. The second time (after much persuasion) I tried the chicken salad sandwich w/ fresh fruit. The chicken salad sandwich was pretty good, but had a lot of mayo & needed serious seasoning. The fresh fruit was the best part! Strawberry, grapes, and honeydew. All very fresh. I'm sure I'll probably go back - it's one of my friend's fave places.
(3)Robin S.
Ahhhh fruit tea. That's what I come here for. That, and the strawberry cream cheese cake. And the chicken salad. And the pimento cheese. OK I love this place! It's very much a "ladies who lunch" establishment, but you'll see all kinds here. You'll find a quaint little dining room adorned with blue and white plates and yellow tablecloths--much like my grandmother's kitchen--where you can sit and watch the Belle Meade crowd at play. I'm serious when I say to try the fruit tea--I've had many versions, but Picnic gets the gold medal in my book. I love all of the desserts, but again the strawberry cake with cream cheese icing is my favorite. I take away one star because of the location right now, but once construction is finished on the adjacent shopping area, it will be much easier to access.
(4)Misty M.
Great in theory, just couldn't follow through. The confections look generic.... People who work there are nice.
(1)Aaron D.
This place has amazing coleslaw. Yeah, I know, who praises coleslaw? But it was light, fresh and delicious. I'm thinking they might have injected helium into the coleslaw to make it so light. As for the chicken salad praised so effusively by other Yelpers, I think it's fine, but I didn't get all excited. The egg salad had some interesting flavors (red pepper? pimento?), but was way too salty for me. The cookies were fine and I can see why some people fall in love with the lemon squares, but they were a bit too sweet for me with their thick dusting of confectioner's sugar. One large container of chicken salad, and two small side containers (egg salad, coleslaw) plus the two cookies came to just over $20. It seemed expensive at the time, but the food was enough for a two-person dinner plus plenty of leftovers. So...maybe it was a good value after all?
(4)Rebecca M.
I came in here to get some food to go. I walked in and was surrounded by many lovely lunching ladies, as I expected due to the prime Belle Meade location and other reviews I have read. There was a wall full of every kind of salad, sandwich, soup, and dessert that I could ever imagine and they all looked yummy. I ended up choosing the chicken salad, and got a jug of fruit tea as well. At the checkout, I got a little bag of cheese wafers because they just looked so good! I thought everything was great. The chicken salad had lots of flavor and was not too heavy on the mayonnaise. The fruit tea was my favorite and I could have consumed the whole gallon by myself. Everything tasted and looked fresh! Prices were as expected for the type of food they serve. Looking forward to my return so I can try more things on the menu!
(5)John A.
I discovered the Picnic over 14 years ago while working in the area It was and continues to be my go to spot for well prepared, wholesome food - always served with kindness and grace. I can recommend the Picnic without hesitation. The daily special often sells out by noon. I really love their bananna nut muffins. The fresh mint for your fruit tea is a great example of how the Picnic pays attention to the details.
(5)Bob H.
out of town visitors who were lost and starving. had the egg salad and the chicken salad and loved them both. went back although it was out of the way and it was as good as the first time. Spectacularly and tastefully decorated. This place is a real treat. Bob Hunter, Tucson , Az
(5)James M.
If you've never been here before, there are three prerequisites. Chicken salad, fruit tea and cheese wafers. The place has been in operation for two decades because they do what they do well, consistently. Sure the majority of the lunch crowd are blue hairs, but it is comfort food. Order at the counter and take a seat.
(4)David S.
I was so happy the Picnic stayed open when they razed the rest of the shopping center to make way for the new Publix (Publix, I'm ready for you to open...). I think it may even be better in its new spot (a former laundromat) since you don't have to wade through the gift shop and drugstore to get your food! Another reviewer called it a girly spot. Maybe so, but I'm certainly not intimidated by that. Another restaurant that my dining companion has come to know and love, the Picnic is always a welcome treat. I think it's renowned for its chicken salad which is pretty good. I, however, always order the same thing. And if there is a heaven that I get to someday, they will serve me the Pimiento Plus sandwich all day long. This tasty treat (which definitely belongs on an all-time top 10 greatest sandwiches list) is homemade pimiento cheese topped with bacon on a croissant. Then they put the sandwich in the broiler to get the pimiento cheese just a little warm and gooey. Pimiento cheese and bacon, could you think of a better combination? (Well, maybe the pimiento cheeseburger I had at Joe's on Jupiter down in Atlanta. I wish someone in Nashville would copy that burger!) Another place with great fruit tea, they have sprigs of mint out for garnish which is a welcome touch. The fruit tea is so popular, they usually run out of it during the lunch rush and have to put out gallon jugs from their coolers to replenish the supply. Great sides like cranberry salad, apricot salad, potato salad, and broccoli salad. I love all of those choices. There's great take out -- casseroles for dinner, sandwiches, the aforementioned fruit tea. Desserts are wonderful as well, red velvet and caramel cake just like your grandmother made. Enjoy.
(4)Katherine M.
The Picnic is very much a girly girl spot! It's decorated very frilly with blue and white china plates hanging everywhere. You might feel like you should have on a cute sundress to go here, but you don't!!! The food is wonderful - chicken salad, tuna salad, salmon salad, and amazing fresh fruit. The Picnic has, hands down, the best pimento cheese in Nashville! They also have delicious quiches prepared daily if you are in the mood for something a little more hearty. One thing I love about this place is that they have great frozen casseroles, perfect for that last minute dinner guest! You can also buy their pasta salad, potato salad, etc. by the pound. And treat yourself to their fabulous desserts! The chocolate chip cookies are so yummy and gooey! They also have brownies, lemon squares, and cobbler. It's all just too good! I think that The Picnic is a little pricey. If you get a sandwich, side, and drink, be prepared to pay over $10. I bought two frozen quiches once and they were $15 each, but I tell myself it's worth my time!! No matter the reason, or the price, The Picnic is always worth it!
(4)Tart L.
A business men's morning group meets here at the Picnic Cafe. But the genteel ladies of this upscale neighborhood populate it. Kathy Bonnet (appropriate name) serves up her famous chicken salad, pastries and Southern fruit tea. It's fine to savor the calorific sugary desserts, but don't you miss Kathy's salad! The hundreds of pounds of it she sells daily is impressive in this old coin laundry transformed into a breakfast and lunch light eating establishment.
(5)