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Caffé Nonna
Categories: Restaurants Italian Event Planning & Services Caterers Italian, Caterers [Edit]
4427 Murphy RdNashville, TN 37209
Neighborhood: Sylvan Park
(615) 463-0133
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
64 reviews for Caffé Nonna
Review Highlights
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"...their spinach gnocchi with sun dried tomato cream sauce." In 4 reviews -
"My wife had the smoked gouda ravioli." In 4 reviews -
"I had the spinach gnocchi in pesto cream sauce." In 5 reviews
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64 reviews in English
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Review from Alan R.
Nashville, TN
4/18/2012
If this place was anywhere else, it'd be 4 stars.....but since we can walk there it gets 5 stars! We go to Caffe Nonna at least every 6 months- usually to celebrate a birthday or when family is visiting.
Great ambience (IMO, the best patio in Nashville although its tiny!), great service.....our favorite is the smoked gouda ravioli with arriabiata sauce......makes my mouth water thinking about it. -
Review from Piyush S.
2/6/2012
This place is always packed and parking in hard to find. There is a gas station across which is shut down and people park the cars all over the place. So, if any one is planning a quiet evening on a fri/sat night with a loved one and expects everything to work out smoothly, do not come here coz you're probably not gonna get parking.
Anyways, the food is average but I would still recommend Finezza Bistro which I find prepares tastier food and you can get your food without having to go thru the trouble of finding a parking or a seat. I quite liked the food here but is it worth the price? I don't think so, I have eaten better Italian food and the service in Cafe Nonna sucks big time. Some one has to tell the people working here that they are not serving authentic food from southern Italy or whatever so take a chill pill guys. -
Review from George M.
Murfreesboro, TN
1/26/2012
Ate at Nonna last night for the first time. Based on other reviews I've read we called ahead for a reservation and I'm glad we did.
The service was just ok, our waiter actually forgot some of the specials and how they were made which was a little awkward. He did a good job with the wine list though. The food arrived to the table in a very timely manner.
The Fried calamari app was spectacular. The squid was perfectly cooked, very tender and the crust was crunchy and delicious. For dinner
I had the Bolagnasise with rigatoni which was very good. The sauce was rich and you could taste all the ingredients including the red wine (very Italian dish). I was told by one of my friends that was with me the lasagna was one of the best he'd ever eaten.
Over all I'd have to say we enjoyed the food, wine and atmosphere and would gladly eat here again despite some minor service issues. -
Review from Tom K.
Hendersonville, TN
3/12/2012
I have been to Cafe Nonna on two occasions. After my first experience, I completely crossed it off the list. The second trip (most recent) was the better dining experience.
The rigatoni with bolognese was priced right but somewhat pedestrian.
The tables are very tight, so don't plan on a quiet conversation or a romantic setting.
Parking is really tough. Be prepared to circle the block a few times.
All in all, I would recommend Cafe Nonna for a night out, but not for any special occasion. Surely, there is better Italian food in Nashville. -
Review from Lisa G.
11/6/2011
We had a large group here for a late birthday dinner... unfortunately we were booked immediately after another birthday dinner that ran an hour past our reservation time and they allegedly could not seat us elsewhere than that patio, despite an almost empty interior. In Nonna's defense, one of our group members even knew a guy in the camper group and he couldn't even get the drunkards to leave any sooner. Once we finally sat down they gave us a free appetizer for our lengthy wait.
Reservation debacle aside, the service was good, the food and wine were good (albeit a little pricey) and the atmosphere was good. Overall a good experience once we were finally able to get in.
As with any Sylvan Park establishment, parking is ridiculous. I parked at McCabe's across the street since they were closing soon and my car ended up getting roped into the parking lot. (A little off-roading in my micro-machine Versa got us out, don't you worry)Listed in: I Spend a Lot of Money in…
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Review from Edwin W.
Nashville, TN
11/14/2011
Cafe Nonna is really not worth it!
I am invited to meet friends or family here every few months and the experience is solidly boring and uninspiring each time.
1. Pastas - these are fine, nothing special. The noodles are not homemade.
2. The entrees are ok - I think Angelina's seafood pasta is solid each time. But for 22 bucks?
3. The wine and beer lists are fine - nothing inspiring, interesting or particularly well priced.
4. Pizza - in a pizza starved town, this doesn't add anything! Nonna's pizza also fits the theme - fine, uninspired. The dough is a bit thick and not done quite well enough for my taste. Nothing compared to City House...and Nonna's pizza's are more expensive!
5. Service - this was disorganized, not unfriendly. One person took our orders, another (several) people delivered them - no clue as to where each one went, etc...
Nonna's - consistently uninspiring! -
Review from Bob J.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hidden gem of Nashville. Great food in a trendy setting.
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Review from Jeremy E.
10/25/2011
Top 2 Italian joint in town.
Great Mussels, chicken parm and pizza.
Well priced wine, and the service is outstanding.
You really can't go wrong with the food here. I have yet to have a bad meal in 4 times there.
The parking can be a little annoying, but if you park behind McCabe's you should be able to get close. -
Review from Caitlin S.
Sacramento, CA
7/29/2011
Neighborhood Italian restaurant that seems as though it has been there forever.
Food was satisfactory. I mean, it was good, but now that I'm a few weeks out from eating there I cannot remember what I had. So take that as you will. I do remember that I had a smooth, chill white wine with my meal and that the server was delightful in helping me choose what would go best.
We ate on the front porch and I really recommend it. Hot and breezy - it fit the meal of good food with a cold glass of wine. And although it will sound cheesy, it really helped to create the sense that you were in a small European town as you ate your meal.
It amuses me to see that they spell cafe with two f's. Extra fun, extra fresh, or extra fine? -- They all fit to describe the place. RECOMMEND. -
Review from Lauren S.
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Overall: Cute little local italian restaurant that's full of flavor.
Food/Drinks: Appetizers are what you would expect from an Italian restaurant, but with a little flair that makes a big difference. As far as entrees go, my favorite is the build-your-own pasta. Any of the pastas work well with the sauces. My favorite sauce being amatriciana (it's a spicy tomato white wine sauce) with scallops. If you're feeling more indulgent, the pesto cream sauce is pretty great with italian sausage as well. The entrees are large and could probably be shared if you get a salad as well. I'm a big fan of CN's bread and olive oil you get when you're seated.
I haven't been there for lunch, but I've heard they have good lunch specials/sandwiches.
Atmosphere/Service: It's a tiny little restaurant but very charming. (hm. i think that's the first time i've ever used that word.) The only issue is parking but that's a problem pretty much anywhere you go in Sylvan Park. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation, this place fills up quick.
Cost: Salads are about $11; Pasta ranges from $12 to $20; Entrees range from $17 to $24. The cheapest glass of wine is $8.50. -
Review from mumin k.
Nashville, TN
7/14/2011
Caffe Nonna has become one of my favorite lunch spots. I am sure it is good for dinner too but I usually go here for lunch only probably because it is close to work. This is a relatively small place with a small patio area which can be very nice if the weather is not too hot or cold. The atmosphere is very good and I would describe this place as a laid back and relaxed. The servers here have been consistently excellent.
I tried several different dishes and have always been amazed at the quality of food here. I am confident that this is the top italian restaurant here in Nashville. The menu allows you to customize your pasta but I always go for the lunch special pasta which is excellent. I also tried the shrimp po boy sandwich and thought it was very very good. I am yet to try the pizza here but given my past experiences here I am sure, it will be good.
Overall, I will highly recommend this place if you are looking for high quality italian food. -
Review from Paul K.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was ever so slightly starving (despite having a snack of a couple of slices of pizza earlier) when we arrived for the 7:45 birthday reservation. I was told by the group there was a hold up as the previous party would not leave the front porch, which is evidently where they wanted to put us as opposed to reconfiguring the restaurant and putting us inside. (looked like enough tables inside, but I did not really check closely)
So I went to neighbors, sat down and had myself a liquid snack and waited... did a quick peek out and our party had dispersed along the block, had another beer, decided I was done at Neighbors and if I drank any more on a very hungry stomach I was going to dislike people significantly.
In my timeline it was about a 50 minute wait, but I was not keeping up too closely and two beers followed by watching kittens play next door sort of could mar time.
We were finally seated, my stomach was roaring. They brought some bread and olive oil out, it was good as I recall. I ordered a margarita pizza, it was ok...not great - please note this is not an insult... it was suffering a bit of burn in one area, a bit flaky in another, I think an air bubble formed while it was cooking and didn't pop in one area which lead to that, no biggie. It ended up being a cheese pizza, an ok offering. Not something I lusted after.
Service was, as I recall, rather good. I never felt angry about the wait. I never felt we were only getting good service because we waited for so long. I do think they need to come up with alternates if they're going to have large parties booked back to back as I think they had enough room inside for our party if table management had been applied in advance.
The deck, it was quite nice.
All in all, the visit was probably a good 3 and a half stars
Service 4
Food ~3.5
Parking 1.5 -
Review from Kim Y.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was struggling between giving Nonna 3 or 4 stars but went with 4 because, in the end, the excellent service after a birthday reservation hiccup really sealed it to the next star.
We arrived with a large group (10) for a late (7:45) dinner birthday celebration at Nonna; unfortunately the birthday celebration that had arrived at 5:45 were still leisurely and might I add, drunkenly, using our well appointed adorable patio table - I mean, move it over to Neighbors people! Finally around 8:30 we got to sit down. The Nonna staff was extremely apologetic and offered us 2 free apps for our trouble - still feels like they could have squished us inside, but the place is really tiny (think NYC sized) and the patio really is the place to be on a nice evening.
All that aside, once seated and settled the staff was really really top notch, full glasses, eloquent serving of our homemade cake and friendly banter without being obtrusive.
Upon recommendation from the waitress we started with the calamari and sausage bruschetta. I thought the calamari was pretty average and honestly, a little on the salty side. The brushcetta was great though! Nothing like the hard croutons with a little tomatoes and cheese at most places. This was soft toasted bread with fresh mozzarella and the tastiest balsamic (?) veggie reduction served with Italian sausage. Had it not been my friends birthday I might had stabbed her hands and taken it all for myself.
I wasn't super hungry (luckily I had the foresight to eat around 5:30 knowing it'd be a late dinner) so I went with a light pasta dish with the Amatriciana. Its hard for me to judge restaurant pasta because its super easy to make at home, but I give this a high 3. It was buttery, lightly spicy and well cooked al dente with layers of flavor (including a yummy wine taste) but if you tout bacon (pancetta) in a dish, it should include more than 3 little bits; not bites, bits.
I would be curious to go back and try veal or the lamb on the menu because it is obvious the chef likes to cook and pairs flavors together in a tasty fashion.
Decent wine list, limited beer selection - overall just a cute little place with good service and good food. -
Review from micheal p.
Nashville, TN
Updated - 2/4/2012
Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I think it really doesn't deserve a 4, given the expensive prices, small portion sizes, and periodic failures to make delicious sauces. Solid 3.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2012
Really more of a 3.5, but closer to 4 than 3.
We had pretty high expectations for Cafe Nonna and they… Read more »
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Review from Kayla B.
Nashville, TN
2/12/2012
Honestly if the food weren't good I would not even give this place 2 stars. The first time we went they lost our reservation but redeemed themselves with a free bottle of wine. I was willing to go back as they food is good so we went last night. We called and made reservations for 9pm, were there promptly at 9 only to stand around, not be greeted and then rudely be seated. The hostess was non existent, I am unsure as to why she was even being paid as she was rude on the phone, did not greet us upon our arrival, did not seat us and did not tell us when we would be seated. Once we were sat the waitress was rude and had an awful attitude. She was not friendly, did not once re-fill our water, get us bread or even deliver our food, overall just extremely un-attentive. She didn't ask what we wanted to drink and we had hardly sat down when she started listing off the specials. It was evident that because we had a bigger party and she was guaranteed a tip that she could care less about the quality of service. There was one waiter, who was not ours, that was absolutely pleasant and this review would probably be exactly opposite had we had him. Once our food was delivered they essentially just slammed down our plates onto the tables and did not check on us once. As previously mentioned she was guaranteed a tip, had she not been I doubt any of us would have tipped more than 10% which is saying a lot since our entire group consistently tips 20% everywhere we go, the service has to be extremely bad for us to tip less and it was that bad.That being said the food is good but we will not be returning due to the service. The food is not good enough to compensate for the lack of service and overall rude demeanor.
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Review from Scott G.
Nashville, TN
7/23/2011
Small, quaint and what feels like a tucked out of the way Italian place, Nonna is a gem for Sylvan Park. The service was superb and very helpful. The wine list, while limited and pricey was decent. Definitely a go to place if you are in the area.
Hint: Neighbors Pub is right next door and a great place to sit while you wait on your table at Nonna. -
Review from Jason S.
1/21/2011
I have eaten here three times.
Once was for Valentine's Day, a romantic setting, but it was so damn cold and drafty that every time the door opened, you had to bundle back up again. I seem to remember looking at the check and thinking "THIS much for THAT?". My wife, a huge fan of gnocchi, was especially disappointed by the version served here, very tough and not tender; perhaps overcooked? Really a drag, because I've been looking for a great, intimate Italian restaurant in Nashville and from a visual standpoint, this place appeared to be it.
On other occasions I have dined here with friends, and overall I just have not been impressed. I ordered the trout and it came served almost cold. Blergh and ick. Did order the large seafood combo in white sauce and it was decent. But nothing to 'wow' me.
Looking at some of the other reviews, I can't figure out how they were so high? Was the food really that much better or did the experience get them laid at the end of the night? The quest continues...Listed in: Mediocre Italian Restaurants…
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Review from Christin C.
Nashville, TN
2/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend is Italian and surprised me with reservations at Caffe' Nonna on Valentine's Day. He and I are both foodies and have traveled all over the world enjoying different cuisine.
I am not exaggerating when I say that Cafe Nonna was the best Italian food I've ever had in the states! The only thing that compares is a meal we enjoyed in Nice, France! It was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere was intimate and cozy. We sat on the patio, which was enclosed with pillows & heaters. Very Romantic! Cafe Nonna will be a tradition for us as long as it exists!
I ordered the Seafood Caprese Bruchetta as an appetizer, it was so yummy, we wanted to order 4 more! However we ordered our main dishes instead, I got the Spinach Gnocchi with the Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Eggplant and Portabellas. We also enjoyed the tiramisu for dessert! I don't even like tiramisu, but this was out of this world.
I can't believe I've never heard of this place until now, in my opinion it's the best meal I've ever had in Nashville or the states for that matter! -
Review from Anne D.
Nashville, TN
9/26/2010 ROTD 2/16/2011
Once upon a time, I met a cute boy, and we decided to go on a date. I had to pick the place, and he (jokingly) let me know he was totally going to judge me based on my choice.
We went here. I hadn't been here before, but it turned out to be the perfect date spot. It's quaint and intimate, in the heart of Sylvan Park. I don't know how many tables are in the restaurant but it can't be more than twelve. There's a great patio, too! It's cool in summer and heated in winter. Make sure you get reservations. You may still have to wait a bit, but trust me, it's worth it.
The wine and menu options are excellent. The Lasagna Nonna is, hands down, the best lasagna EVER. The mix-and-match pasta options are delicious as well, and I highly recommend the agnolotti (smoked gouda ravioli) paired with arrabiata sauce. Don't even get me started on the cannoli.
I'm a complete snob when it comes to Italian food. I grumbled when I had to move away from Baltimore and all the restaurants in Little Italy there. They are good, but none of them has anything on Caffe Nonna!
The cute boy? He liked it too. I think I may suggest that we go to dinner on our upcoming first wedding anniversary there. -
Review from Katie I.
Nashville, TN
2/28/2012
Romantic, quaint, good service and excellent food. The seafood entree with linguini is superb. Excellent lasagna and sundried tomato sauce is awesome. Lamb was a little eh for me. Nice bread and dipping. Awesome desserts, too. Love nonna!
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Review from Rachel B.
Nashville, TN
8/15/2010
I LOVE Cafe Nonna. I may even venture out to say that it's my favorite restaurant in Nashville. It has such a cozy intimate atmosphere and some of the best food in town.
I usually try to avoid ordering seafood in Nashville, but the Seafood Angelina at Cafe Nonna is just too good. It's a heaping bowl of pasta and seafood with a spicy creamy broth that's to die for. The Vegetarian Lasagna is my second favorite and is almost equally delicious.
Nonna is very small, very popular and fills up quickly. Don't forget to make a reservation! -
Review from Kristin G.
Nashville, TN
1/13/2010
It occured to me today that I better start yelping again or they might take away my elite status, so what better place to start than Cafe Nonna.
This is the Italian I was looking for! Attentive waiters, a smell that will knock your socks off when you enter the door, intimate atmosphere! Don't get me wrong, I love Mama Mia's but I LOVE Cafe Nonna more. I really don't think I am going to get better Italian in the Nash.
I like the $12.95 pick your pasta, pick your sauce menu. The pasta is delicious and they really care about your food. I can't even describe how good it was, you just need to go.
Go!!!! -
Review from James R.
Old Hickory, TN
4/12/2008
The best word to describe Cafe Nonna is refreshing. Absolutely none of the food is over done; rather, every dish rests comfortably in it's own simple goodness.
Billed as "a neighborhood Italian Cafe", Nonna's is by far one of the least pompous Italian joints in town. The irony of this is that the quality of their food would actually give them right to indulge in some bombast.
But not to worry, there is no attitude here. Simply a great atmosphere, courteous service and a marinara that will make you thank God that He created taste buds.
Start your meal right with some of their crispy calamari, perfectly fried and never chewy. Then try some of their Seafood Angelina, a harmonizing blend of sea food tossed in a garlic/saffron cream sauce. Or the Lasagna Nonna, a butternut squash, sage and spinach masterpiece.
Whatever you do, though, make sure to save some room for the Cheese Cake. Made with real ricotta, a slice of this Cheese Cake makes anything from that "Factory" pale in shame. -
Review from Nate C.
Nashville, TN
7/10/2008
Simply the best Italian restaurant in Nashville, hands down!!! I've only heard good things about this place through many people, but haven't had the opportunity to check it out until yesterday. With all the hype leading up to it, it did not disappoint.
The decor is very cute. It would be a nice place for a first date, second date, shoot, any date. It's cute and cozy, so it has a nice vibe to it, okay?
It all started off with good Tuscan bread; it had a bit more salt than that it would in Tuscany, but it's a good thing. The olive oil with parmesan cheese and pepper flakes that was served with it was outstanding! Then I ordered their spinach gnocchi with sun dried tomato cream sauce. The gnocchi's texture was perfect; it wasn't too soft or hard, but just right. The cool thing about this place is that when you order your pasta, you can choose your sauce. There were about 5 choices, I really wanted the panne with meat sauce, but the forces within lead me to pick the gnocchi with sun dried tomato cream sauce. I'm pretty sure the panne with the meat sauce would have been great, but I sure wasn't regretting my choice one bit
My coworkers ordered the lasagna and some pasta with musssels, and both of them complemented their dishes and were beyond satisfied.
Cafe Nonna is good Italian restaurant. It's not a fancy place, but a restaurant that belongs out in Italia. I know because I lived there. ^^ They don't try to get all creative, but provide typical Italian dishes that just taste good. If you are in the mood for good homestyle Italian cooking, look no further, you're at home. -
Review from Lauren H.
Winter Park, FL
8/14/2008
This place is so delish and is a great bang for your buck!
Don't be put off by the fact that it's in a strip mall...the food is too good! The bread is fresh (and there's lots of it) and the staff is really friendly.
Four of us got calamari (not a fleck was left of that!), a few pasta dishes, a pizza to share AND a carafe of the house wine and the check was under $70. Maybe it's because I live in Chicago and expect that kind of meal for twice that, but based on the quality and deliciousness of the food and the inviting atmosphere of the dining room I was super-impressed. -
Review from ken g.
Nashville, TN
1/21/2012
The smoked gouda ravioli with the tomato cream sauce was dreadful. Gordon Ramsey would have spit it out. It had way too much onion, which it shouldn't have had in the first place. The service was very slow, tables seated after us got food before us. And the citrus ricotta cheesecake, which had a wonderful texture, had not a hint of citrus flavor. That cheesecake was the only good part of the meal. I'll never eat here again. It was a waste of money.
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Review from JD M.
Nashville, TN
7/25/2010
If this place got so many high ratings, where was I eating?!! .
I will say Caffe Nonna has unique charm being tucked away in Sylvan Park and an intimate setting with only having a handful of tables. However, parking is very limited, and don't park in the spaces belonging to other establishments unless you want to get yelled at or towed.
I got the Heart of Palm Salad, which was good, and the capellini with white clam sauce, which was bad, ... very bad. The pasta was VERY overcooked and was heading towards mush. It was nowhere near al dente or having any kind of firmness. The clams were obviously canned, and the sauce had very little flavor beyond lots of salt and butter. In hindsight, I should have sent it back.
The mix-and-match pasta is a nice idea, and the prices are very reasonable at $12.95 for dinner. But who cares?!! It was awful. But it just wasn't me ...
My dinner companion got the special which was some kind of white fish. When asked about it, she muttered something like "Uhmmm, there's something strange about the breading, which I didn't like. I don't know. It just taste ... weird."
I would eat here again ... as long as someone else is paying AND I couldn't talk them out of eating somewhere else. Want to like it, but just can't. -
Review from Jennifer G.
Chicago, IL
9/30/2011
This place is unassumingly popular, and even when we stopped for lunch last month while in town, it was quite busy. I would definitely recommend reservations for dinner. While our wait staff was good, they seemed a little short staffed during our lunch.
I ordered the Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich which comes on a baguette with pommes frites. While the sandwich was good, it was extremely hard to eat with the baguette (which was slightly hard and burnt). It's not a dish I would recommend to others. My husband tried the rigatoni arrabbiata and he thought it was really good. What was absolutely wonderful was the starting bread with garlic oil/vinegar. It was very addictive and we ate the whole bowl in minutes.
If I'm ever in the area again, I would come back and try one of their other dishes. -
Review from Amanda N.
Chicago, IL
4/6/2008
This is a bit of an exaggerated rating, but it is by comparison with the other original restaurants in Nashville, which leave more than just a little something to be desired. Being from Chicago, we are "food snobs."
But Cafe Nonna does not disappoint. Service is frank and straightforward but still courteous. The food is delicious and a great value, and its evident that the focus here is on the taste and quality of the food rather than trendiness, like you get at every other restaurant in this town that is trying too hard.
Its a very small restaurant but more cozy than cramped. You are close the handful of other tables, but it is plenty loud so it isn't uncomfortable. You feel like you are a guest at someone's home here.
My only complaint is the bathroom, which is clean enough but messy and shares a space with the utility closet.
Go to Cafe Nonna! You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Tyler N.
Nashville, TN
5/4/2010
My wife & I chose Caffe Nonna for our second wedding anniversary dinner. It was half-full on a Monday evening which we enjoyed, especially since the small restaurant is probably crowded on weekends. He regrettably sat inside instead of the patio. It looked so nice out there once we saw others enjoying the breeze.
We started with the Mediterrean Cheese Stick. I loved these little cigars of feta cheese. The confit it was served with was sweet and delicious.
We had pasta for our main dishes. My wife had fettucine, amatriciana sauce, mushrooms, and grilled chicken. The dish, sans chicken, was delicious. The chicken was not seasoned, sliced, and thrown on top. It should have been seasoned. I also wanted to see it tossed with the pasta.
I had the spinach gnocchi in pesto cream sauce. The gnocchi was very soft. I expected the sauce to be more cream and less pesto but it was just the opposite. That was a welcome surprise since I love pesto.
We ordered vanilla gelato and chocolate dipped cannoli for desert. The "gelato" was more like ice cream and bland. My cannoli dish came with with two, topped with an unsweetened whipped cream. I still enjoyed the dish.
The service was perfect. We will definitely be back. -
Review from David O.
7/25/2010
I wanted to LOVE this place, but in the end it was just okay. The food wasn't bad by any means, but I felt like the entire experience just doesn't pan out.
The parking is not a good experience for this area. Your choices are very limited to the lot in the front that is almost definitely going to be full, to the lot in the back that is very likely to be full.
The place itself felt very cramped to me, and the seats didn't feel all that comfortable.
The food itself was fine, but nothing so memorable I found myself wanting to race back. Combined with all the difficulty, I suppose this made me feel like the prices were just TOO HIGH for everything I had gone through for the meal I had just eaten.
So in the end, not bad, but not great either. -
Review from Misty C.
Nashville, TN
9/13/2008
Cafe Nonna is tucked away in a little strip mall in Sylvan Park, making it seem like a perfect Nashville secret. But word of mouth has done wonders for marketing this tiny Italian restaurant. With little or no advertising, it stays booked all nights of the week! Granted, it's easy for the place to look full... It couldn't hold more than 50 people! I always do the mix & match pasta. I have tried almost all of the different sauces and love them all, especially the pesto cream with pine nuts. Order a bottle of wine and enjoy a lovely night of conversation and real Italian food for the same price (maybe less) than you would pay at Macaroni Grill. Actually, you'll never go back to Macaroni Grill after one trip to Cafe Nonna.
Oh, and save room for cannoli! -
Review from Puffer P.
Nashville, TN
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went to Caffe Nonna on a Saturday night. Boy, was it packed. Didn't realize we probably should have made reservations. Nonetheless, the hostess fit us into a table on the patio after just a few minutes of waiting.
I had the Agnolotti (smoked gouda ravioli) with the Arrabbiata (spicy marinara). DIVINE!! The bold spices mixed oh so well with the smoked gouda. Topped with a glass of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo... I'm salivating just thinking about it.
He had the Spinach Gnocchi in the Basilica sauce which I also fancied, but I'm not sure he liked as much. He was definitely digging my Agnolotti more.
Beware that parking is a bit limited in front of the restaurant, but there seems to be some street parking across the street.
Definitely coming again. Didn't get to try the appetizers this time, but looking forward to it next time! -
Review from Taylor T.
Nashville, TN
10/26/2011
I ate out with my dad and sister the other day. I found Caffe Nonna because I was googling local Italian restaurants in the Nashville area. I liked what I saw on the menu and it is close to where I live. It was a bit difficult to find parking because they were fairly busy that night. That did not deter me, though. The environment inside is adorable (small, but cozy). We were seated fairly quickly (which was nice, since we didn't make a reservation). My dad really liked the stuff their put in their olive oil (that goes with the bread they give you). I requested butter since I'm not a big fan of olive oil (I think it tastes like chapstick). For dinner I ordered Rigatoni with Bolognese sauce. The portion was perfect (not too much, not too little) and the sauce was delicious. I was happy to see that they offer Rigatoni because that's one of my favorite noodles, and it tastes scrumptious with bolognese. My sister ordered their pizza (I believe she topped it with prosciutto and onions) and she seemed to like it. But she tasted my dish and liked it more--haha. My dad ordered pasta with pesto sauce (WARNING: the garlic in that dish makes your breath wreak for days!! So don't order it if you're on a date...especially if your hoping for a second date). Overall, I give Caffe Nonna a big thumbs up and would most definitely recommend going there.
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Review from Christian S.
Nashville, TN
7/22/2008
Everything about my experience at Caffe Nonna was outstanding - the food, wine, service, and atmosphere. Incredibly cozy - small outdoor seating area, and probably no more than 50 additional seats inside. Attention to detail was impeccable - the head chef visited our table twice, including once to deliver our entrees.
Despite the heartiness of the food and sizable portions, at no point during the meal, including my walk to the car afterward, did I feel "stuffed." Each dish had a quality of lightness that rang throughout my stomach the rest of the evening.
They start with cuts of freshly baked Tuscan white bread served with a mixture of fresh parmesan, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. A carafe of house Merlot was tasty and affordable - $24.
They had 3 dinner specials - I went with the veal. Served with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hearty wild mushroom marsala sauce, everything was melt-in-your mouth quality. Served over a bed of seasoned rice.
Dessert was also outstanding - amaretto cheesecake with pine nuts and ricotta cheese.
I would highly recommend Caffe Nonna for a date, or pretty much any time you're looking for a filling, delicious, and authentic Italian meal. -
Review from David S.
Nashville, TN
6/20/2008 2 photos
A tiny, cozy, warm, inviting space, Cafe Nonna has some of the best food Nashville has to offer. Definitely call ahead for reservations since there aren't many seats in the joint. If you're dining alone, there are a few seats at the bar for you to enjoy your dinner.
I took my parents here to eat last fall and they loved their meal. My mom and I got the same delicious pasta special. There was some kind of steak on the menu, so Dad was happy as well...although I think the gnocchi that came as a side kind of threw him for a loop. Our server was great and definitely made it a welcoming dining experience.
Cafe Nonna is another reason that Sylvan Parks is a great place to live (and eat!). -
Review from Katherine M.
Nashville, TN
7/1/2008 1 photo
This is one of my favorite places in Nashville. Located in quaint Sylvan Park, this Italian restaurant is as good as it comes. Wonderful food with a combination of traditional dishes (spaghetti w/ meatballs and lasagna) to lighter fare such as baked fish and steak. Everything on the menu is wonderful. Their appetizers are great. Try the bruchetta. The bread is fresh, warm, and they have wonderful garlic herb dip. All homemade.
I like the fact that they have mix and match pasta dishes. Pick the type of pasta you want, the sauce and the meat. I got the spinach gnocchi with pesto and grilled chicken. It's one of the best meals of my life. It wasn't light, but it was my birthday, so hey - splurge!! They have great salads and soups. The Tuscan White Bean Soup looked great and my friend really enjoyed it. You just can't go wrong!
Can we talk about the desserts? Try the bread pudding. Divine! All the desserts looked wonderful. The tiramisu got rave reviews as well.
The place is small, so make a reservation. There are only about 8-10 tables. But it's a great date place, or just a good dinner spot. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Heather R.
Nashville, TN
12/6/2008
Finding this place was a bit of an accident, but I'm glad we did. It is one of those places that make you feel at home, and I'm not even remotely Italian. The place is very small and intimate. You begin with an olive oil mix and bread, which I hoarded to myself once I realized how good it tasted. My husband attempted to order sweet tea, but what we were given was so much better. Out with a tea came a small container with what we could only guess contained orange, cinnamon, and other goodies that sweetened in a very unique way. My next visit I'll be having that over my water.
I wish I could remember the name of the salad, but there were strawberries galore, and a fried ball of cheese that I considered eating whole, but settled for spreading it all over my salad. While I did not order wine, the group next to us went on and on about whatever red they were partaking of, so I thought I'd relay the message.
If this is Italian, I'm all for it. I'd say this place is perfect for an anniversary dinner or just a night out period.
Get the tea and homemade sweetener. You're southern. You know you want to. -
Review from Megan C.
11/8/2011
A Tuesday night and a Nashville Originals gift certificate brought the bf and I to try out Caffe Nonna. The atmosphere was cozy...a little dim and crowded for my taste, actually. We were so close to our neighboring table (two college girls that clearly hadn't seen one another in a long time...they were oversharing all of their dating woes) that we often were distracted by listening in. As for the food, however, I was very, very pleased. My smoked gouda ravioli was phenomenal, and I also loved the Tuscan Bruschetta- it had the perfect amount of smoky-salty-crunchiness. Yum. The bf ordered the veal roulade which sounded amazing on the menu (stuffed with ricotta, sun dried tomato, prosciutto, and basil) and piled high with a tasty stack of fancy shoestring fries. The meat was cooked perfectly, but he was a little disappointed that the filling didn't pack more of a punch. All in all a delicious meal, and we had excellent service.
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Review from Kristen W.
Wheelersburg, OH
7/27/2011
Where to begin, how about the yummy bread and olive oil with herbs & Parmesan cheese. Our seafood bruschetta appetizer was equally delicious with a nice balsamic vinegar flavor. The helpful, friendly staff recommended the Seafood Angelina for our main dish. This was a culinary treat for my taste buds with it's generous amount of seafood and light cream sauce with a kick. Our only suggestion is to get it with the capellini instead of the fettucini. There is also a rather large selection of wine for such a cozy, intimate dining experience, but don't be afraid to ask for suggestions, as we did. The house red was pleasing, as was the peach Bellini. While there was no room for dessert after devouring our meal, we did get the tiramusu to go and it was a delicious treat to enjoy later that evening. Caffe Nonna is definitely a hidden gem in Nashville.
