We had a coffee and an iced tea here. Nearly empty on a weekday afternoon. Excellent coffee, black and rich. Spacey cashier had trouble subtracting $5.15 from $10.15 when he made change. Clean tables and bathrooms.
(4)
Frances B.
This bakery is completely charming, as is the other location. Pastries that were amazing: Almond braid The raspberry & cheese filling one And salted chocolate They serve intelligentsia coffee, an awesome coffee company out of Chicago so my heart went pitter patter. It's outstanding coffee. If I lived in Nashville it would be one of my haunts. Definitely make a pit stop here!
(5)
Jill B.
Awesome!!! Great ambiance and coffee and tea delish! We only had a muffin but it was perfect. Would love to go back for more!!
(5)
Eve D.
This review covers a range of experiences. I work at the library next to Provence, so this place is kinda the only game in town if I want some coffee at work or don't have time to pack breakfast or lunch. I used to go at least 3x a week to this place. There are some good things about Provence, but unfortunately, most of them are bad. This only applies to the downtown location. I've only been to the Hillsboro village location once. The good: their chocolates, tortes, and sweet things are damn good. Their croissants are stellar, when they don't overcook them. Their bread in general is good. It ought to be. They've won awards for it, apparently. The coffee is pretty good, too, even if Starbucks' is better. Tomato basil soup, shepherd's pie, and pot pie are all tasty and have none of the faults the other hot items have. The sweets case is refrigerated and has a door on it. Nice and clean. The bad: The pastries case does not have a door. I have seen flies all over the contents. The food from the hot case (quiches, paninis, etc) is greasy and lacking in filling. It just doesn't look or taste fresh. The ugly: Beware the open refrigerated case across from the checkout. Every item I have ever purchased has been spoiled. Olive tapenade (With way too much anchovy. And it didn't come with bread.)- spoiled. Orzo salad- spoiled. Couscous salad- spoiled. Tuna salad- spoiled. Greens- wilted, wet and brown at the edges. They make entirely too much food for that cooler. It sits there too long and turns, and then people buy rotten food. That Tuesday sticker on the bottom? It's probably last Tuesday. Also, the coffee grinder is next to the ice machine, and they often leave the lid off the machine. I'm fairly sure that's a health code violation. it also means your ice water will often have coffee grounds in it. The service is abominable. They have no system for handling customers efficiently, so the wait is always at least 10 minutes, even for a simple cappucino. I waited 17 minutes for Ben to heat my panini for 40 seconds. And when I went to my desk and opened my package, it was only half a panini instead of the whole one I ordered. I also discovered I'd been overcharged about $1.50. I went back to dispute it, but now I don't know how many times I've been overcharged in the past. The staff is friendly about half the time, and generally preoccupied the rest of the time. The manager, Ben, is always surly. I don't think I've ever seen him with a definite expression on his face. But I'm not mad about that. I didn't go there for the conversation- I went for food. Didn't get either. I'd love for this place to take a turn for the better, but until then, Starbucks is a block down Church St, and there's a foofoo little sweets bakery half a block up 6th Ave if you can catch them while they're open. Oscar's Taco Shop is catty-cornered to them if you want clean hot food.
(1)
Margaret N.
Very cute cafe located next to the public library. Service is a bit slow, but very friendly. Their macarons are okay... Chewy and big, but a tad bit on the sweeter/stale side. Their truffles are amazing! Definitely try one! And coffee is okay too!
(3)
Shirley N.
Love it. High quality food with great service. I will definitely be back. Had creamy grits with cheese and ham which came with a complimentary slice of bread of your choice. The service was kind and fast. The prices were a lot lower than expected for the quality received. I kept looking at the salted caramel croissant, the decadent gallette and savory paninis. Yes, I do need to come back soon.
(5)
Consumer I.
I would highly recommend that you read "Eve D.'s" review before going. I wish that I had... Ditto on her review. We had an assortment of salads, quiches, breads & pastries. The only thing even edible were the pastries. However, they were stale. Never again... Ewww.
(1)
Sheena T.
I came back to Provence on a Saturday morning to let them redeem themselves, and I'm happy to report that the coffee was strong and amazing! They also had 3 people working the counter this visit, so I think that helped A LOT. The food also seemed fresher and they had more selections. Keep it up Provence!
(4)
John R.
This cafe is one of my favorite places for lunch when I am researching in the TSLA just up the hill. Located inside the NPL it offers fresh sandwiches and salads. Weekdays they have specials and on Saturday they have a cup of soup and grilled sandwich option. Try the grilled cheese with spinach and artichoke! When you finish you can also take home some great loaves of bread!
(5)
Alicia D.
I can't say enough good things about Provence. The coffee is amazing...I like trying different flavor combinations and my favorite is the honey bee latte. The food is delicious and from local sources. If you are looking for an awesome atmosphere and healthy food to eat while supporting the community, look no further!
(5)
Sandra P.
Oh I wish they were open later! A cup of their cream of mushroom soup for dinner is my request. Lovely large cafe with friendly service across the Cumberland and the Library and a few blocks for the capitol building. Far enough away from Broadway to give you a break from the crowd there. Good coffee and tea varieties. Reminder this is not fast food - the older gentleman server is slow but nice. Overall its a nice place & recommended.
(4)
Jake K.
The three star rating is only because if an eatery of any sort is to name itself after an iconic region of French cuisine then I expect items will be freshly prepared and tasty. A couple of days ago when I arrived after the morning rush for a bit of b-fast and my morning caffeine, I ordered the ham & egg croissant. I was chagrined when the counter man reached into a deli case and unwrapped the sandwich. At least, he didn't heat it in the microwave, but the pre-made nature of this legitimately edible sandwich did put me off a bit. I know I know don't have expectations that are never going to be achieved ;-) I will happily add there is MUCH to like about Provence Cafe. The breads and pastries are well-liked by many, myself included. They brew some respectable espresso drinks and some tasty coffee blends. also, they stock a great selection of those health-ful bottled fruit drinks and are staffed with pleasant to interact with employees. The location right next to the downtown library is excellent. I really like N'ville's library and am pleased when I choose to kill some hours at the -brary that Provence is right there to satisfy my coffee jones. For me, it is also a perk that a small percentage of N'ville's homeless population are regularly in and around the library and Provence. As far as I can tell the management and customers treat these people with respect & dignity. Maybe I should boost my rating to 4 stars, naaaahhhhhh!
(3)
Chad G.
"The old world European atmosphere was delightful. Tomato basil soup and panini sandwich was awesome. Nice selection"
(5)
Sharon K.
Provence is a bakery and cafe with the original location in Hillsboro village. I like to think of Provence as a more European style cafe. The espresso bar is really very good, and the pastries, and breads are delicious. The crowd is distinctly non-student even though the location is in Hillsboro village, not to say that students don't visit Provence, but they don't visit Provence to sit down for four hours with their microbiology textbook, they do that across the street at Fido. People come to Provence simply to have a coffee and a desert or one of their tasty deli salads. They come to chat and socialize, not bury their nose in a book. I have taken to making trips to Provence to buy their fresh baked bread, which they will slice for you free of charge, or not slice it if you prefer. They have a delicious dark bread which hits the spot. Spread a little butter on it, and it is a perfect companion to an espresso or dark tea. Visit Provence for a more relaxed and social vibe, not your average coffee house noisiness.
(5)
Lashona M.
I went back today and had a tuna salad pannini, cup of basil tomato soup, and a kettle of jasmine peach tea! OMG the tuna salad pannini was out of this world D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! First time ever eating a pannini and I'm hooked.
(5)
Billy P.
Ate lunch here yesterday. Got an egg salad sandwich. Pre-prepared and shipped in from somewhere. Not fresh. Not tasty. Sandwich, chips and can of soda for $10 not exactly a bargain either. Probably a better place for a muffin and coffee. I don't know. Not great for lunch. Maybe other freshly made food is better.
(2)
sue c.
First place we ate in Nashville for breakfast. Friendly service, super affordable food prices (so used to California's inflated cost), and great for couples or groups. Ordered yogurt & granola, egg quiche, chocolate pastries, and a few breakfast egg sandwiches. All delicious except the quiche was a bit dry. Clean dining area as well. Would definitely eat here again before leaving.
(5)
Geoffrey N.
This was my first time to Provence and I loved it. There menu is very full and has a lot of options. They make their own homemade breads. And the coffee is very good.
(5)
Kacie M.
If you're in the area or at the library, stop in Provence. it's a sweet little cafe, their pastries are great, the intelligensia coffee is good, and the baristas are totally hipster. Oh, and also, the library is fantastic with a great view of the capitol and a great spot for kids, so if you come through with kids you'll be able to get a snack and hit the library.... great mom spot.
Has a very European feel with small round tables scattered throughout the establishment. The building has high ceiling and is very open and well ventilated. The lighting through the large windows and doors definitely adds to the ambience. If you are looking for a relaxed location to sit down with an excellent cup of freshly ground coffee and a pastry while planning the rest of your day I would highly recommend Provence Bread and Coffee. Shame I could only award it 5 stars.
(5)
Caitlin D.
Provence is a great lunch spot and bakery/coffee shop. Their baked goods are fancy and high quality. I have a soft spot for the ginger molasses cookie, and basically anything made of chocolate. In the afternoon between 2-4, they have a special for $4 that includes a slice of any cake and a latte. It definitely picks up the afternoon doldrums! Their lunches are also quite good. They have paninis, soups, salads, etc. The only problem is there is often quite a long line. But if you need to score a baguette, you have a perfect reason to wait it out.
(4)
Wanda G.
This place is great. The food is good, coffee and teas are amazing! Staff is very polite and attentive. This is my last morning in Nashville and thought I'd make this my last meal here and it was so worth it!
(5)
Robert H.
A really nice European style coffee and bakery. The coffee hit the spot and the bread was tasty.
(4)
Dae R.
This is a cumulative review based on several observations. This location is the closet cafe to my job. It opens at 7am, I have a 10min grace period before having to officially clock-in, and so it should be a breeze to go into the Provence then hop along into my work. It is not! As stated before, Provence is supposed to open at 7am. The manager usually doesn't get the place opened until 15-20min after that. He moves around like he's made of molasses and smells like he's just inhaled a chimney worth of smoke, sometimes. When one does go in to order the customer is either met with warmth and friendliness, or the customer doesn't exist at all. It's not uncommon for one to see three bodies roaming around behind the counter without so much as a glance at the people waiting in line. I once asked a person going before me had she been waited on, and she said, "No." This was shocking because she and I were the first two in line! Apparently, they were just getting ready for the lunch crowd and hadn't pulled everything out yet. This wouldn't have been a problem if it wasn't for the fact that this location does this constantly! I've actually had semi-cooked food delivered to me because one of the guys hadn't put the food in at an appropriate time, therefore it wasn't ready by the time the lunch rush. That, of course, didn't stop them from serving it and charging $10. So, I received bland half-cooked food that I could've made better at home for less cost. One also has to pay extra for drinks, like with most places. However, one can't get free or reduced price refills, unless it's coffee. The only reason this place is getting two stars is because some of the staff are great, and the pastries are decent. I love the little tarts and cakes that they offer. I also enjoy some of the banter that the employees provide. Plus, many of them will point out which items to get over others. This can save time and money.
(2)
Charlene L.
I really wanted to like this place. They use intelligentsia coffee beans which was great but the breakfast and pastry options left something to be desired. We ordered a breakfast panini which was lacking, a crust less quiche that was the consistency of rubber because they over-nuked it, and the almond crossiant was dry and lifeless. On the bright side the yogurt and granola was good. I returned the quiche and they were gracious enough to reheat another slice but with significantly less time in the microwave. The second slice was edible but underwhelming. Also service was good although the gentleman was barely audible. Perhaps he had a sore throat or something but neither my husband nor u could make out most of what he was saying.
(2)
Terri H.
Nice little cafe! Crustless Quiche was listed as a cafe favorite so I had to order it especially since I love quiche. It was good but I think I was expecting something different. It wasn't as light and fluffy as other quiche that I've experienced. I will definitely make a return visit to try something different. The atmosphere was cozy and awesome. It had a french feel to it and the service was great.
(4)
Mark G.
Very disappointing visit today. I ordered the English Breakfast tea, but when I tasted it, I found that it was a heavily perfumed, rather sweet blend, instead of the plain black tea that I was expecting. I took it back and asked if I could have a plain black tea. I was told that this or Earl Grey was all they had. I don't particularly like Earl Grey, but wanted some tea and figured it would be better than the sweet, fruity concoction they gave me before, so I asked if I could have that. I sat down to start my breakfast, waiting for my tea to appear. Some ten or fifteen minutes went by. I had now finished my breakfast, sans tea, but thought I would just take my Earl Grey to go, since I had to leave. I went up to the counter to ask the server if he had my tea and he told me that he hadn't had a chance to do it yet. After all this time. I told him to forget it and walked out. I will never return.
(1)
Johannes F.
Calm atmosphere, better coffee than starbucks, and good staff. I would highly recommend it for anyone wishing to escape to a better place in downtown. The location is also superb; close to downtown and the library next door. Splendid experience.
(4)
Betsy R.
Perfectly decent little coffee shop. There are a handful of locations throughout Nashville, and we grabbed coffees here en route from our hotel to the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown. It is a cute little shop and appears to be what one would expect a cafe in France to look like. Most of us got cafe au lait, and one of the girls got a regular coffee. We all commented that it wasn't nearly hot enough, and I'm rather amused to see that other reviewers have noted that as well. Take note, Provence. We also grabbed pain au chocolat, or chocolate croissants, and they were yums. Service was fine--but mostly because we're chatty, and we engaged the servers, not the other way around. Free wifi! And it's right next door to the Nashville Public Library. Perfectly fine place to grab a coffee whilst sightseeing in this delightful city.
(3)
A P.
They are always very nice, just the attitude you need when you walk in on an early morning. Food is always great, coffee is always great, they get five stars because iv been coming here for a good while and have never been disappointed. Try their tomato basil soup with their tuscan bread.
(5)
Kate O.
I love having this bakery and coffee shop right downtown, and open on Saturday mornings.
(4)
Pwr 8.
Awesome during the week. Go for sure! A mismanaged disaster on the weekends. Skip it.
(3)
Carolyn G.
The coffee was okay tasting, but it wasn't hot enough. At first, I liked the idea of the coffee shop connected to the library until the screaming kids filled the place and their parents didn't do anything to respond to their bad behavior. The free wifi was nice.
(2)
Ben M.
The low rating is probably because I didn't have a pastry or coffee drink; instead, I got a sandwich when I stopped by for lunch, which was busy that day. I opted for the sandwich special, which was lamb or something. I couldn't tell because it was bland. Of course, I had to wait for a second sandwich to be made because they had dropped the first one. I also think that, If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to a comfortable chair or table, then you're going to have a more pleasant experience than if you arrived a little later and sat in a rickety metal chair and tiny table towards the back. Seriously, you couldn't be less comfortable unless you turned the seat upside down and impaled yourself on one of the chair's legs. I honestly believe that this experience soured me on all of their locations. This was never an option for me at the Nashville airport, which speaks volumes if you consider the piss-poor choices for food there. Sorry, Provence. I'd rather go to Panera. And I hate their food, too.
(1)
Ian R.
Provence has always been one of those "almost" places for me. Almost the right price, almost good enough, almost the right atmosphere. I work very near by and I go to the library at least once a week so I certainly pass by it and through it enough to know what they are about, but they were never consistent enough to keep me coming in. Until recently the majority of the time I just pass right on by. I don't know if it is new staff in the kitchen (they have had a lot of turnover in the culinary department over the past few years, notably the silly goose folks were originally from provence and left for goosier pastures), or just a better focus on the lunch market, but it seems like provence might switch from an "almost" to a "definitely" lunch spot . My most recent trip was with the wife and a Nashville Originals Coupon. We both got the lunch special which was a choice of Panini (Roast beef-me, Chicken salad melt-her) soup (delicious roasted red pepper bisque) and a salad (spring greens with an great vinagrette). Everything was fresh and excellent and it was only $8 for the whole set. Contrast this with the panera down the street which seems sloppy and preprepared and basically the same price and we were both thrilled. They also have a "librarian's lunch" which is just half a sandwhich and a choice of soup or salad for $6.5. Since both be and the wife ended up taking half a sandwich home that will probably be the way forward next time. Overall, I am glad that Provence seems to have found a groove. Whoever is in the kitchen, I hope they stick around and keep up the good work. With good lunch specials and a great location I will certainly be back to check up on them.
(4)
Prudence S.
My husband and I brought our children here for a late lunch a few weekends ago while walking around downtown. We arrived a half hour before their closing time. My husband asked for their menu because there isn't one displayed. At least not that we could find. We simply wanted a description of the food they offer. Not an unusual request. The person that came out from the back was very rude to my husband and even complained that they were closing! I had the BLT which was not my favorite. It was loaded with bitter greens. The soups we ordered were delicious and everyone enjoyed the bread. If I had heard the man treating my husband rudely and complaining about serving us I would have insisted that we go across the street to Subway instead. Subway is my least favorite "sandwich place" but it would have been better than patronizing this snobby cafe, in my opinion. (We finished our meal before their listed closing time and even left before one of the other couples who had been there before us.)
(2)
Emily C.
Everything was delicious. For me, everything included: half of the four cheese panini, tomato bisque soup, iced coffee, and the vegan sandwich on multigrain bread I got togo and saved for later. The man taking my order was nice, a little slow. I started rapid firing out my order when I got up to the counter, and he told me hold on, hold on, you're going too fast for me. He was a sweet guy. We went in at 11 am, and it seemed to be a popular place for young moms and their young kids. By the time we left, it had gotten more crowded. I think it's a convenient place for downtown working people to grab an easy lunch.
(4)
Stephanie K.
The folks at the Downtown location are just lovely. They get to know their regulars and seem to have infinite patience for the hordes of children and business folks - both always appearing to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. 1. Croissant egg and cheese. It is a phenomenal buttery croissant, stuffed with cheese, egg and ham. Let's say you stayed up late for a show at Mercy and making it through 8 hours of meetings and emails sounds like a stretch - this sandwich will help you. It is on your side. 2. Librarian's Lunch. I get the half cheese panini and chicken noodle soup for basically the best work lunch ever. The soup has metaphorically magical powers that I rely on during times of stress, illness or bad hair. 3. The coffee. I like the Dancing Goat. Pretty much the entire library likes the Dancing Goat blend and it's often out. 4. All the fresh bread. After Katrina messed up my mom's life, one of my daughterly duties was to pick up a sliced loaf of Tuscan and bring it down to her. I think it took some 6 years for a decent bakery to reopen on the Ms Gulf Coast. Thanks Provence! 5. Also worth noting: Roasted vegetable side with tuna salad side. Orzo pesto side. Cheddar grit cake. 6. I do not care for the cold sandwiches. I'm sorry, they come pre-made from another location and then are kept in a fridge case. We all have the right to live the lives we want, and for me, I reserve the right not eat refrigerated bread. Bleh. 7. I dislike the lack of selection compared to the Hillsboro location.
(4)
Michael H.
Provence had an excellent grilled turkey and cheese panini. I also had a side of chicken noodle soup with my meal that was good as well. The restaurant was small but nice with relaxing music playing in the back ground. They also had a lot of good looking deserts but I did not partake in one.
(3)
BethAnn S.
Yes, I know....we are in Nashville and we have to take our french bakeries whenever we can get them, but come on guys....you are just phoning it in at this point. Am I mistaken or is the $5.00 fresh fruit suppose to (just maybe?) be fresh? Instead it is a slow death for strawberries in a stew of other indistinguishable brightly colored corpses of fruits long since gone. I kid you not - it makes the McDonald's yogurt parfait look downright yummy. Provence is the place to get your $3.00 cookie of choice or a loaf of bread that will leave you wondering if the baker thought the french word for bread - pain - was a directive for him to inflict some on the customers with these arid offerings. It makes communion wafers taste good. McDonald's and Church - that's what I left wanting. Province is not the start of a good day in Nashville.
(2)
Ian R.
The atmosphere in Provence is far superior than its products. Ample tables for sitting and reading or people-watching, and a nice selection of coffees (although they tended to be lukewarm) It seems the sandwiches are pre-made and brought in; I wanted the breakfast panini but without the egg; I was told 'the egg can be taken out.' Well I then inquired if the sandwich can be made without the egg to begin with and the reply indicated they were pre-made. So I ordered the ham and cheese panini. The clerk unwrapped it, stuck it in the microwave, then under the panini press. So the result was a lukewarm, dense sandwich with unmelted cheese. Far from ideal. I found the ficelle to be dense and cakey as opposed to airy and chewy. I think the owners need to focus more on quality. I'd start by freshly preparing the items on premesis.
(2)
Mark R.
The library is pretty amazing and the cafe isn't bad. The coffee was quite respectable but I was incredibly disappointed with the food. The macarons were stale and so we decided to try the carrot cake which was so dry the icing fell off in pieces.
(2)
Megan H.
One word... Butter!! You can taste every delicious drop of it in the perfect scones they serve. Melty, soft, delicious scones... to die for! I wish I had been there for the lunch menu because they had some soups I'd like to try, but I'll just have to save that for the next trip. For now I'll keep dreaming about buttery scones dipped in dark coffee.
(4)
Matt L.
Coffee definitely not nearly as good as other places. Service is SLOOOWW! I had two people in front of me, and it took FOREVER. Of course they have breads, but they didn't seem all that fresh, so I skipped it. I much prefer the Dunn Brothers three blocks down.
(2)
Jerad S.
Awesome lunch spot and great food. Some of the best sandwiches and box lunches you can get in Nashville. The quality of food at Provence makes Panera Bread look like nasty left-overs. The turkey sandwich is spectacular and honestly, the best turkey sandwich I've ever had in my life. Everything is just superb and full of flavor.
(5)
Nate C.
Provence is simply awesome! I love everything about this place. Not only are their sandwiches delish, but their side dishes are great as well! You must try their fruit tea and the cookies, it's fantastic! Their interior is very cozy, a lot smaller than before. Until about 6 months ago, the whole cafe extended out to, now, the House of Representatives. You can't go wrong w/ this place. The only bad thing is they're closed on Sundays like many other places in Nashville, especially downtown. =[
(4)
Amanda W.
Provence is a great spot to stop on your lunch hour or after picking up some good books in the downtown library. They have a huge selection of coffees and baked goods. Their turkey and emmentaler is my favorite sandwich or check out their rosemary penne which is full of flavor. Their cranberry-walnut bread is also fabulous!
(5)
Liz H.
The second of two locations for this bakery/cafe- conveniently located in the absolutely fantastic main public library downtown. This location offers indoor and outdoor seating on the main floor and you may take your food into the library to eat in the atrium on the 2nd floor as well.
(5)
Robert C.
Even though Provence is home to the driest bread in Nashville, the food is not the principle problem. To be fair, some of the food and desserts are very good. The chicken salad in particular is quite tasty. They have reduced the size of the restaurant from it's original expansive size; but even that is not much of an issue. It is still an attractive place to sit and enjoy some food, drink and a good book if you can get one of the chairs or other seating that is comfortable. (I firmly believe that some of their chairs were first used in torture chambers.) However, the real problem with Provence is that they are not especially cognizant of the needs of the several thousand people who live in downtown Nashville. They seem to want to maintain hours that benefit only office workers; and they don't seem to care about the rest of us, residents of nearby apartment buildings & condos or tourists, for that matter. The type of business with an owner that comes into downtown from the suburbs on weekdays and opens from 7am and closes in mid-afternoon is nothing new to downtown; but if a business wants to be that type of business, why should they occupy a space in the public library which is open every day & most weeknights until 8 pm? Why not put up a kiosk in several office buildings to dole out the dry bread?
(3)
Emily Y.
It's good, but overpriced for the non-complicated. But then again . . . for those Nashvillians who are use to paying the prices at Bread & Co. or the now-open Wholes Foods, no biggie. But considered just stopping by H.G.Hill (about 1-2 blocks away on Church) if you're just looking for a Naked or Odwalla type drink or yogurt and berries.
(3)
Robert K.
Providence is my special spot where I can study and eat gourmet sandwiches in a comfortable atmosphere. Located in the Nashville public library, it is a great place to work on research papers because of the plethora of books and periodicals. This is primarily a sandwich and coffee house. However they offer up loads of pastries, fresh baked breads, and salads. My favorite is the triple cheese sandwich. It is loaded with white cheddar, Swiss, and some mystery cheese that I have not had before. The sandwich comes on some of the tastiest sour dough bread I have had. I don't know if Providence is famous for their bread, but often I see people come in just to buy a loaf. Go to Providence if you are looking for a relaxing and tasty place to have some coffee or lunch and wander around the library!
(4)
James R.
When you go to the library, you kind of expect to find a delicious book. But a rocking little deli with surprisingly good food? Not so much. Yet that's exactly what you are going to find nestled in the ground floor of the downtown Nashville Public Library. Who knew I could enjoy a Pear and Brie sandwich and crme brulee while reading the latest Clancy novel? Or a gruyere and ham with Oprah's latest pick? And do you need some specialty bread for a dinner party? Or a killer grilled cheese? Then check out one of the twenty different varieties that they have on the menu. Need to indulge a sweet tooth? Well, be certain that one of the twenty eight dessert options will satisfy your craving. Literary pursuits have never been this delicious
(5)
mumin k.
I simply LOVE this place. Great sandwiches and pastries.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
A. Jesse Jiryu D.
We had a coffee and an iced tea here. Nearly empty on a weekday afternoon. Excellent coffee, black and rich. Spacey cashier had trouble subtracting $5.15 from $10.15 when he made change. Clean tables and bathrooms.
(4)Frances B.
This bakery is completely charming, as is the other location. Pastries that were amazing: Almond braid The raspberry & cheese filling one And salted chocolate They serve intelligentsia coffee, an awesome coffee company out of Chicago so my heart went pitter patter. It's outstanding coffee. If I lived in Nashville it would be one of my haunts. Definitely make a pit stop here!
(5)Jill B.
Awesome!!! Great ambiance and coffee and tea delish! We only had a muffin but it was perfect. Would love to go back for more!!
(5)Eve D.
This review covers a range of experiences. I work at the library next to Provence, so this place is kinda the only game in town if I want some coffee at work or don't have time to pack breakfast or lunch. I used to go at least 3x a week to this place. There are some good things about Provence, but unfortunately, most of them are bad. This only applies to the downtown location. I've only been to the Hillsboro village location once. The good: their chocolates, tortes, and sweet things are damn good. Their croissants are stellar, when they don't overcook them. Their bread in general is good. It ought to be. They've won awards for it, apparently. The coffee is pretty good, too, even if Starbucks' is better. Tomato basil soup, shepherd's pie, and pot pie are all tasty and have none of the faults the other hot items have. The sweets case is refrigerated and has a door on it. Nice and clean. The bad: The pastries case does not have a door. I have seen flies all over the contents. The food from the hot case (quiches, paninis, etc) is greasy and lacking in filling. It just doesn't look or taste fresh. The ugly: Beware the open refrigerated case across from the checkout. Every item I have ever purchased has been spoiled. Olive tapenade (With way too much anchovy. And it didn't come with bread.)- spoiled. Orzo salad- spoiled. Couscous salad- spoiled. Tuna salad- spoiled. Greens- wilted, wet and brown at the edges. They make entirely too much food for that cooler. It sits there too long and turns, and then people buy rotten food. That Tuesday sticker on the bottom? It's probably last Tuesday. Also, the coffee grinder is next to the ice machine, and they often leave the lid off the machine. I'm fairly sure that's a health code violation. it also means your ice water will often have coffee grounds in it. The service is abominable. They have no system for handling customers efficiently, so the wait is always at least 10 minutes, even for a simple cappucino. I waited 17 minutes for Ben to heat my panini for 40 seconds. And when I went to my desk and opened my package, it was only half a panini instead of the whole one I ordered. I also discovered I'd been overcharged about $1.50. I went back to dispute it, but now I don't know how many times I've been overcharged in the past. The staff is friendly about half the time, and generally preoccupied the rest of the time. The manager, Ben, is always surly. I don't think I've ever seen him with a definite expression on his face. But I'm not mad about that. I didn't go there for the conversation- I went for food. Didn't get either. I'd love for this place to take a turn for the better, but until then, Starbucks is a block down Church St, and there's a foofoo little sweets bakery half a block up 6th Ave if you can catch them while they're open. Oscar's Taco Shop is catty-cornered to them if you want clean hot food.
(1)Margaret N.
Very cute cafe located next to the public library. Service is a bit slow, but very friendly. Their macarons are okay... Chewy and big, but a tad bit on the sweeter/stale side. Their truffles are amazing! Definitely try one! And coffee is okay too!
(3)Shirley N.
Love it. High quality food with great service. I will definitely be back. Had creamy grits with cheese and ham which came with a complimentary slice of bread of your choice. The service was kind and fast. The prices were a lot lower than expected for the quality received. I kept looking at the salted caramel croissant, the decadent gallette and savory paninis. Yes, I do need to come back soon.
(5)Consumer I.
I would highly recommend that you read "Eve D.'s" review before going. I wish that I had... Ditto on her review. We had an assortment of salads, quiches, breads & pastries. The only thing even edible were the pastries. However, they were stale. Never again... Ewww.
(1)Sheena T.
I came back to Provence on a Saturday morning to let them redeem themselves, and I'm happy to report that the coffee was strong and amazing! They also had 3 people working the counter this visit, so I think that helped A LOT. The food also seemed fresher and they had more selections. Keep it up Provence!
(4)John R.
This cafe is one of my favorite places for lunch when I am researching in the TSLA just up the hill. Located inside the NPL it offers fresh sandwiches and salads. Weekdays they have specials and on Saturday they have a cup of soup and grilled sandwich option. Try the grilled cheese with spinach and artichoke! When you finish you can also take home some great loaves of bread!
(5)Alicia D.
I can't say enough good things about Provence. The coffee is amazing...I like trying different flavor combinations and my favorite is the honey bee latte. The food is delicious and from local sources. If you are looking for an awesome atmosphere and healthy food to eat while supporting the community, look no further!
(5)Sandra P.
Oh I wish they were open later! A cup of their cream of mushroom soup for dinner is my request. Lovely large cafe with friendly service across the Cumberland and the Library and a few blocks for the capitol building. Far enough away from Broadway to give you a break from the crowd there. Good coffee and tea varieties. Reminder this is not fast food - the older gentleman server is slow but nice. Overall its a nice place & recommended.
(4)Jake K.
The three star rating is only because if an eatery of any sort is to name itself after an iconic region of French cuisine then I expect items will be freshly prepared and tasty. A couple of days ago when I arrived after the morning rush for a bit of b-fast and my morning caffeine, I ordered the ham & egg croissant. I was chagrined when the counter man reached into a deli case and unwrapped the sandwich. At least, he didn't heat it in the microwave, but the pre-made nature of this legitimately edible sandwich did put me off a bit. I know I know don't have expectations that are never going to be achieved ;-) I will happily add there is MUCH to like about Provence Cafe. The breads and pastries are well-liked by many, myself included. They brew some respectable espresso drinks and some tasty coffee blends. also, they stock a great selection of those health-ful bottled fruit drinks and are staffed with pleasant to interact with employees. The location right next to the downtown library is excellent. I really like N'ville's library and am pleased when I choose to kill some hours at the -brary that Provence is right there to satisfy my coffee jones. For me, it is also a perk that a small percentage of N'ville's homeless population are regularly in and around the library and Provence. As far as I can tell the management and customers treat these people with respect & dignity. Maybe I should boost my rating to 4 stars, naaaahhhhhh!
(3)Chad G.
"The old world European atmosphere was delightful. Tomato basil soup and panini sandwich was awesome. Nice selection"
(5)Sharon K.
Provence is a bakery and cafe with the original location in Hillsboro village. I like to think of Provence as a more European style cafe. The espresso bar is really very good, and the pastries, and breads are delicious. The crowd is distinctly non-student even though the location is in Hillsboro village, not to say that students don't visit Provence, but they don't visit Provence to sit down for four hours with their microbiology textbook, they do that across the street at Fido. People come to Provence simply to have a coffee and a desert or one of their tasty deli salads. They come to chat and socialize, not bury their nose in a book. I have taken to making trips to Provence to buy their fresh baked bread, which they will slice for you free of charge, or not slice it if you prefer. They have a delicious dark bread which hits the spot. Spread a little butter on it, and it is a perfect companion to an espresso or dark tea. Visit Provence for a more relaxed and social vibe, not your average coffee house noisiness.
(5)Lashona M.
I went back today and had a tuna salad pannini, cup of basil tomato soup, and a kettle of jasmine peach tea! OMG the tuna salad pannini was out of this world D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! First time ever eating a pannini and I'm hooked.
(5)Billy P.
Ate lunch here yesterday. Got an egg salad sandwich. Pre-prepared and shipped in from somewhere. Not fresh. Not tasty. Sandwich, chips and can of soda for $10 not exactly a bargain either. Probably a better place for a muffin and coffee. I don't know. Not great for lunch. Maybe other freshly made food is better.
(2)sue c.
First place we ate in Nashville for breakfast. Friendly service, super affordable food prices (so used to California's inflated cost), and great for couples or groups. Ordered yogurt & granola, egg quiche, chocolate pastries, and a few breakfast egg sandwiches. All delicious except the quiche was a bit dry. Clean dining area as well. Would definitely eat here again before leaving.
(5)Geoffrey N.
This was my first time to Provence and I loved it. There menu is very full and has a lot of options. They make their own homemade breads. And the coffee is very good.
(5)Kacie M.
If you're in the area or at the library, stop in Provence. it's a sweet little cafe, their pastries are great, the intelligensia coffee is good, and the baristas are totally hipster. Oh, and also, the library is fantastic with a great view of the capitol and a great spot for kids, so if you come through with kids you'll be able to get a snack and hit the library.... great mom spot.
(4)Allie M.
Maybe it's all the musicians in Nashville, but I was surprised to find so many great little cafés that served a variety of organic iced teas as well as almond and soy milk. Even though we came near closing time, the staff at Provence were super friendly and courteous while we took our time eyeing the menu and making a decision. My husband and I both ended up only getting an iced tea, but considering how simple unsweetened iced tea is, I was impressed! They had some delicious and unusual flavors (which I, unfortunately, cannot recall). We were also impressed by their brunch menu and meant to go back, but ended up getting sidetracked with CMA Fest happenings instead. It's also a nice spot to hit up during the hustle and bustle of CMA Fest because festival-goers didn't seem to wander that far away from Broadway, which meant we got a little reprieve from the crowds.
(4)Alan S.
Has a very European feel with small round tables scattered throughout the establishment. The building has high ceiling and is very open and well ventilated. The lighting through the large windows and doors definitely adds to the ambience. If you are looking for a relaxed location to sit down with an excellent cup of freshly ground coffee and a pastry while planning the rest of your day I would highly recommend Provence Bread and Coffee. Shame I could only award it 5 stars.
(5)Caitlin D.
Provence is a great lunch spot and bakery/coffee shop. Their baked goods are fancy and high quality. I have a soft spot for the ginger molasses cookie, and basically anything made of chocolate. In the afternoon between 2-4, they have a special for $4 that includes a slice of any cake and a latte. It definitely picks up the afternoon doldrums! Their lunches are also quite good. They have paninis, soups, salads, etc. The only problem is there is often quite a long line. But if you need to score a baguette, you have a perfect reason to wait it out.
(4)Wanda G.
This place is great. The food is good, coffee and teas are amazing! Staff is very polite and attentive. This is my last morning in Nashville and thought I'd make this my last meal here and it was so worth it!
(5)Robert H.
A really nice European style coffee and bakery. The coffee hit the spot and the bread was tasty.
(4)Dae R.
This is a cumulative review based on several observations. This location is the closet cafe to my job. It opens at 7am, I have a 10min grace period before having to officially clock-in, and so it should be a breeze to go into the Provence then hop along into my work. It is not! As stated before, Provence is supposed to open at 7am. The manager usually doesn't get the place opened until 15-20min after that. He moves around like he's made of molasses and smells like he's just inhaled a chimney worth of smoke, sometimes. When one does go in to order the customer is either met with warmth and friendliness, or the customer doesn't exist at all. It's not uncommon for one to see three bodies roaming around behind the counter without so much as a glance at the people waiting in line. I once asked a person going before me had she been waited on, and she said, "No." This was shocking because she and I were the first two in line! Apparently, they were just getting ready for the lunch crowd and hadn't pulled everything out yet. This wouldn't have been a problem if it wasn't for the fact that this location does this constantly! I've actually had semi-cooked food delivered to me because one of the guys hadn't put the food in at an appropriate time, therefore it wasn't ready by the time the lunch rush. That, of course, didn't stop them from serving it and charging $10. So, I received bland half-cooked food that I could've made better at home for less cost. One also has to pay extra for drinks, like with most places. However, one can't get free or reduced price refills, unless it's coffee. The only reason this place is getting two stars is because some of the staff are great, and the pastries are decent. I love the little tarts and cakes that they offer. I also enjoy some of the banter that the employees provide. Plus, many of them will point out which items to get over others. This can save time and money.
(2)Charlene L.
I really wanted to like this place. They use intelligentsia coffee beans which was great but the breakfast and pastry options left something to be desired. We ordered a breakfast panini which was lacking, a crust less quiche that was the consistency of rubber because they over-nuked it, and the almond crossiant was dry and lifeless. On the bright side the yogurt and granola was good. I returned the quiche and they were gracious enough to reheat another slice but with significantly less time in the microwave. The second slice was edible but underwhelming. Also service was good although the gentleman was barely audible. Perhaps he had a sore throat or something but neither my husband nor u could make out most of what he was saying.
(2)Terri H.
Nice little cafe! Crustless Quiche was listed as a cafe favorite so I had to order it especially since I love quiche. It was good but I think I was expecting something different. It wasn't as light and fluffy as other quiche that I've experienced. I will definitely make a return visit to try something different. The atmosphere was cozy and awesome. It had a french feel to it and the service was great.
(4)Mark G.
Very disappointing visit today. I ordered the English Breakfast tea, but when I tasted it, I found that it was a heavily perfumed, rather sweet blend, instead of the plain black tea that I was expecting. I took it back and asked if I could have a plain black tea. I was told that this or Earl Grey was all they had. I don't particularly like Earl Grey, but wanted some tea and figured it would be better than the sweet, fruity concoction they gave me before, so I asked if I could have that. I sat down to start my breakfast, waiting for my tea to appear. Some ten or fifteen minutes went by. I had now finished my breakfast, sans tea, but thought I would just take my Earl Grey to go, since I had to leave. I went up to the counter to ask the server if he had my tea and he told me that he hadn't had a chance to do it yet. After all this time. I told him to forget it and walked out. I will never return.
(1)Johannes F.
Calm atmosphere, better coffee than starbucks, and good staff. I would highly recommend it for anyone wishing to escape to a better place in downtown. The location is also superb; close to downtown and the library next door. Splendid experience.
(4)Betsy R.
Perfectly decent little coffee shop. There are a handful of locations throughout Nashville, and we grabbed coffees here en route from our hotel to the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown. It is a cute little shop and appears to be what one would expect a cafe in France to look like. Most of us got cafe au lait, and one of the girls got a regular coffee. We all commented that it wasn't nearly hot enough, and I'm rather amused to see that other reviewers have noted that as well. Take note, Provence. We also grabbed pain au chocolat, or chocolate croissants, and they were yums. Service was fine--but mostly because we're chatty, and we engaged the servers, not the other way around. Free wifi! And it's right next door to the Nashville Public Library. Perfectly fine place to grab a coffee whilst sightseeing in this delightful city.
(3)A P.
They are always very nice, just the attitude you need when you walk in on an early morning. Food is always great, coffee is always great, they get five stars because iv been coming here for a good while and have never been disappointed. Try their tomato basil soup with their tuscan bread.
(5)Kate O.
I love having this bakery and coffee shop right downtown, and open on Saturday mornings.
(4)Pwr 8.
Awesome during the week. Go for sure! A mismanaged disaster on the weekends. Skip it.
(3)Carolyn G.
The coffee was okay tasting, but it wasn't hot enough. At first, I liked the idea of the coffee shop connected to the library until the screaming kids filled the place and their parents didn't do anything to respond to their bad behavior. The free wifi was nice.
(2)Ben M.
The low rating is probably because I didn't have a pastry or coffee drink; instead, I got a sandwich when I stopped by for lunch, which was busy that day. I opted for the sandwich special, which was lamb or something. I couldn't tell because it was bland. Of course, I had to wait for a second sandwich to be made because they had dropped the first one. I also think that, If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to a comfortable chair or table, then you're going to have a more pleasant experience than if you arrived a little later and sat in a rickety metal chair and tiny table towards the back. Seriously, you couldn't be less comfortable unless you turned the seat upside down and impaled yourself on one of the chair's legs. I honestly believe that this experience soured me on all of their locations. This was never an option for me at the Nashville airport, which speaks volumes if you consider the piss-poor choices for food there. Sorry, Provence. I'd rather go to Panera. And I hate their food, too.
(1)Ian R.
Provence has always been one of those "almost" places for me. Almost the right price, almost good enough, almost the right atmosphere. I work very near by and I go to the library at least once a week so I certainly pass by it and through it enough to know what they are about, but they were never consistent enough to keep me coming in. Until recently the majority of the time I just pass right on by. I don't know if it is new staff in the kitchen (they have had a lot of turnover in the culinary department over the past few years, notably the silly goose folks were originally from provence and left for goosier pastures), or just a better focus on the lunch market, but it seems like provence might switch from an "almost" to a "definitely" lunch spot . My most recent trip was with the wife and a Nashville Originals Coupon. We both got the lunch special which was a choice of Panini (Roast beef-me, Chicken salad melt-her) soup (delicious roasted red pepper bisque) and a salad (spring greens with an great vinagrette). Everything was fresh and excellent and it was only $8 for the whole set. Contrast this with the panera down the street which seems sloppy and preprepared and basically the same price and we were both thrilled. They also have a "librarian's lunch" which is just half a sandwhich and a choice of soup or salad for $6.5. Since both be and the wife ended up taking half a sandwich home that will probably be the way forward next time. Overall, I am glad that Provence seems to have found a groove. Whoever is in the kitchen, I hope they stick around and keep up the good work. With good lunch specials and a great location I will certainly be back to check up on them.
(4)Prudence S.
My husband and I brought our children here for a late lunch a few weekends ago while walking around downtown. We arrived a half hour before their closing time. My husband asked for their menu because there isn't one displayed. At least not that we could find. We simply wanted a description of the food they offer. Not an unusual request. The person that came out from the back was very rude to my husband and even complained that they were closing! I had the BLT which was not my favorite. It was loaded with bitter greens. The soups we ordered were delicious and everyone enjoyed the bread. If I had heard the man treating my husband rudely and complaining about serving us I would have insisted that we go across the street to Subway instead. Subway is my least favorite "sandwich place" but it would have been better than patronizing this snobby cafe, in my opinion. (We finished our meal before their listed closing time and even left before one of the other couples who had been there before us.)
(2)Emily C.
Everything was delicious. For me, everything included: half of the four cheese panini, tomato bisque soup, iced coffee, and the vegan sandwich on multigrain bread I got togo and saved for later. The man taking my order was nice, a little slow. I started rapid firing out my order when I got up to the counter, and he told me hold on, hold on, you're going too fast for me. He was a sweet guy. We went in at 11 am, and it seemed to be a popular place for young moms and their young kids. By the time we left, it had gotten more crowded. I think it's a convenient place for downtown working people to grab an easy lunch.
(4)Stephanie K.
The folks at the Downtown location are just lovely. They get to know their regulars and seem to have infinite patience for the hordes of children and business folks - both always appearing to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. 1. Croissant egg and cheese. It is a phenomenal buttery croissant, stuffed with cheese, egg and ham. Let's say you stayed up late for a show at Mercy and making it through 8 hours of meetings and emails sounds like a stretch - this sandwich will help you. It is on your side. 2. Librarian's Lunch. I get the half cheese panini and chicken noodle soup for basically the best work lunch ever. The soup has metaphorically magical powers that I rely on during times of stress, illness or bad hair. 3. The coffee. I like the Dancing Goat. Pretty much the entire library likes the Dancing Goat blend and it's often out. 4. All the fresh bread. After Katrina messed up my mom's life, one of my daughterly duties was to pick up a sliced loaf of Tuscan and bring it down to her. I think it took some 6 years for a decent bakery to reopen on the Ms Gulf Coast. Thanks Provence! 5. Also worth noting: Roasted vegetable side with tuna salad side. Orzo pesto side. Cheddar grit cake. 6. I do not care for the cold sandwiches. I'm sorry, they come pre-made from another location and then are kept in a fridge case. We all have the right to live the lives we want, and for me, I reserve the right not eat refrigerated bread. Bleh. 7. I dislike the lack of selection compared to the Hillsboro location.
(4)Michael H.
Provence had an excellent grilled turkey and cheese panini. I also had a side of chicken noodle soup with my meal that was good as well. The restaurant was small but nice with relaxing music playing in the back ground. They also had a lot of good looking deserts but I did not partake in one.
(3)BethAnn S.
Yes, I know....we are in Nashville and we have to take our french bakeries whenever we can get them, but come on guys....you are just phoning it in at this point. Am I mistaken or is the $5.00 fresh fruit suppose to (just maybe?) be fresh? Instead it is a slow death for strawberries in a stew of other indistinguishable brightly colored corpses of fruits long since gone. I kid you not - it makes the McDonald's yogurt parfait look downright yummy. Provence is the place to get your $3.00 cookie of choice or a loaf of bread that will leave you wondering if the baker thought the french word for bread - pain - was a directive for him to inflict some on the customers with these arid offerings. It makes communion wafers taste good. McDonald's and Church - that's what I left wanting. Province is not the start of a good day in Nashville.
(2)Ian R.
The atmosphere in Provence is far superior than its products. Ample tables for sitting and reading or people-watching, and a nice selection of coffees (although they tended to be lukewarm) It seems the sandwiches are pre-made and brought in; I wanted the breakfast panini but without the egg; I was told 'the egg can be taken out.' Well I then inquired if the sandwich can be made without the egg to begin with and the reply indicated they were pre-made. So I ordered the ham and cheese panini. The clerk unwrapped it, stuck it in the microwave, then under the panini press. So the result was a lukewarm, dense sandwich with unmelted cheese. Far from ideal. I found the ficelle to be dense and cakey as opposed to airy and chewy. I think the owners need to focus more on quality. I'd start by freshly preparing the items on premesis.
(2)Mark R.
The library is pretty amazing and the cafe isn't bad. The coffee was quite respectable but I was incredibly disappointed with the food. The macarons were stale and so we decided to try the carrot cake which was so dry the icing fell off in pieces.
(2)Megan H.
One word... Butter!! You can taste every delicious drop of it in the perfect scones they serve. Melty, soft, delicious scones... to die for! I wish I had been there for the lunch menu because they had some soups I'd like to try, but I'll just have to save that for the next trip. For now I'll keep dreaming about buttery scones dipped in dark coffee.
(4)Matt L.
Coffee definitely not nearly as good as other places. Service is SLOOOWW! I had two people in front of me, and it took FOREVER. Of course they have breads, but they didn't seem all that fresh, so I skipped it. I much prefer the Dunn Brothers three blocks down.
(2)Jerad S.
Awesome lunch spot and great food. Some of the best sandwiches and box lunches you can get in Nashville. The quality of food at Provence makes Panera Bread look like nasty left-overs. The turkey sandwich is spectacular and honestly, the best turkey sandwich I've ever had in my life. Everything is just superb and full of flavor.
(5)Nate C.
Provence is simply awesome! I love everything about this place. Not only are their sandwiches delish, but their side dishes are great as well! You must try their fruit tea and the cookies, it's fantastic! Their interior is very cozy, a lot smaller than before. Until about 6 months ago, the whole cafe extended out to, now, the House of Representatives. You can't go wrong w/ this place. The only bad thing is they're closed on Sundays like many other places in Nashville, especially downtown. =[
(4)Amanda W.
Provence is a great spot to stop on your lunch hour or after picking up some good books in the downtown library. They have a huge selection of coffees and baked goods. Their turkey and emmentaler is my favorite sandwich or check out their rosemary penne which is full of flavor. Their cranberry-walnut bread is also fabulous!
(5)Liz H.
The second of two locations for this bakery/cafe- conveniently located in the absolutely fantastic main public library downtown. This location offers indoor and outdoor seating on the main floor and you may take your food into the library to eat in the atrium on the 2nd floor as well.
(5)Robert C.
Even though Provence is home to the driest bread in Nashville, the food is not the principle problem. To be fair, some of the food and desserts are very good. The chicken salad in particular is quite tasty. They have reduced the size of the restaurant from it's original expansive size; but even that is not much of an issue. It is still an attractive place to sit and enjoy some food, drink and a good book if you can get one of the chairs or other seating that is comfortable. (I firmly believe that some of their chairs were first used in torture chambers.) However, the real problem with Provence is that they are not especially cognizant of the needs of the several thousand people who live in downtown Nashville. They seem to want to maintain hours that benefit only office workers; and they don't seem to care about the rest of us, residents of nearby apartment buildings & condos or tourists, for that matter. The type of business with an owner that comes into downtown from the suburbs on weekdays and opens from 7am and closes in mid-afternoon is nothing new to downtown; but if a business wants to be that type of business, why should they occupy a space in the public library which is open every day & most weeknights until 8 pm? Why not put up a kiosk in several office buildings to dole out the dry bread?
(3)Emily Y.
It's good, but overpriced for the non-complicated. But then again . . . for those Nashvillians who are use to paying the prices at Bread & Co. or the now-open Wholes Foods, no biggie. But considered just stopping by H.G.Hill (about 1-2 blocks away on Church) if you're just looking for a Naked or Odwalla type drink or yogurt and berries.
(3)Robert K.
Providence is my special spot where I can study and eat gourmet sandwiches in a comfortable atmosphere. Located in the Nashville public library, it is a great place to work on research papers because of the plethora of books and periodicals. This is primarily a sandwich and coffee house. However they offer up loads of pastries, fresh baked breads, and salads. My favorite is the triple cheese sandwich. It is loaded with white cheddar, Swiss, and some mystery cheese that I have not had before. The sandwich comes on some of the tastiest sour dough bread I have had. I don't know if Providence is famous for their bread, but often I see people come in just to buy a loaf. Go to Providence if you are looking for a relaxing and tasty place to have some coffee or lunch and wander around the library!
(4)James R.
When you go to the library, you kind of expect to find a delicious book. But a rocking little deli with surprisingly good food? Not so much. Yet that's exactly what you are going to find nestled in the ground floor of the downtown Nashville Public Library. Who knew I could enjoy a Pear and Brie sandwich and crme brulee while reading the latest Clancy novel? Or a gruyere and ham with Oprah's latest pick? And do you need some specialty bread for a dinner party? Or a killer grilled cheese? Then check out one of the twenty different varieties that they have on the menu. Need to indulge a sweet tooth? Well, be certain that one of the twenty eight dessert options will satisfy your craving. Literary pursuits have never been this delicious
(5)mumin k.
I simply LOVE this place. Great sandwiches and pastries.
(5)