Ugly Mugs

Super friendly staff. Their space is very comfortable. The beverages are prepared well and service is brisk. This is my go to coffee house when I want excellent service and room to get some work done.

Hands down best place to get coffee on the east side.
It’s roomier than it looks from the outside. There is plenty of tables to work at or cozy chairs to relax in and outside tables to enjoy on a nice day. If the line is to the door it’s worth the short wait, the workers are always quick upbeat and know what they’re doing. The coffee always taste fresh and the tea selection is pretty good too.
The food is simple and fabulous. The scones are always perfect they flavor is amazing (my favorite is the bacon and cheddar but the rosemary and pear was to die for) even the bran muffins are delicious!
Definitely a place to check out and a coffee drink is a great compliment to Jenis ice cream.

I think this place fits in a certain hipster, young professional niche. The music is catchy yet indie and most of the clientele is well-​dressed and… perhaps well-​meaning. Seating can be difficult to find unless you’re in the mood for communal-​style picnic benches. Most other seating arrangements are made for coffee date duos.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Coffee coffee coffee. They make a quality brew here. I have had the cortado, an americano, and an iced Vietnamese drip coffee here now. I really appreciated the cortado and americano, but I would suggest you skip the Vietnamese iced coffee. It’s a bit pricey, brewed with Café du Monde rather than the Vietnamese coffee you were hoping for.
If you’re hoping for a quiet, quaint café to work in, Ugly Mugs is not it. Like the rather brash name, volume levels can fluctuate between moderately loud to can-​you-​even-​hear-​me chatter level. As musicians perform here on certain nights, the student who needs a quiet location will be sorely disappointed. However, if you’re interested in experiencing a taste of authentic East Nash in a moderately sized coffee shop with a more than decent cup of joe, this is your new place.

This place is one of its kind from the ambiance and atmosphere to the perfect music contemporary art and Delicious food! This is a must stop! You will not be disappointed! –Business Traveler

Cute coffee shop with a decent amount of outdoor and indoor seating. Baristas are nice and now how to create your beverage swiftly and sweetly. Prices are as expected.
A few local bakeries have items represented here– including a vegan, gluten free item (maybe 2). Lots of merchandise you can buy.
Coffee is good and strong.
Popular area. Parking is tough.

The iced blackbear latte (blackberry honey latte) is pretty darn delicious. And there are a bunch of places to sit and work or just hang out-​both inside and outside. The bagel sandwiches are with a try, and for lunch their paninis are also pretty good.

Coffee was lovely and the oatmeal was hot and fresh and full of fruit. Great vibe and service. Wish there were more options for breakfast but enough for something little

My new favorite place for working.
Plenty of tables and outlets — there are even some large communal tables where you can sit with strangers
Coffee are good. I got a hand brewed and a macchiato on 2 separate occasions and they are both strong and taste nicely.
If you come here often, which I think you should (because why not), they have a «buy 10 get 1 free» card that you can make use of!

When I first moved to Nashville I lived fairly close to Ugly Mugs and it quickly became my new hangout spot. I like the fact that it is a large space and there is plenty of seating.
But aside from the overall atmosphere of Ugly Mugs, they make a great roast. I don’t get too crazy when it comes to coffee drinks — I stick to a good cup of hot, black coffee. They also have several different pastries to choose from. I think the last time I was there I had a warm chocolate croissant and it was very tasty. I’ve never had their food or breakfast sandwiches but they look good and I’ve also heard from several people they are delicious.
Highly recommend!

Great coffee shop, lots of seating and parking. The menu is not vast but what they have is great. I am still working my way into drinking coffee so I’m a bit nervous trying something new but I’m glad I did. I got the black bear latte (blackberry, honey latte) and it was delicious!

Lovely coffee shop with plenty of free parking, friendly service, lots of seating and relaxing new age music. The crowd here is predominantly 20 somethings on their lap tops. Very quiet atmosphere.
Get the Black Bear Latte with blackberry syrup. It sounds strange, but trust me, it’s delicious. The syrup is plenty sweet, so ask them to hold the honey. Made with almond or soy milk on request. It’s
.
They serve breakfast sandwiches, pastries and even gluten-​free vegan cupcakes. Get there before 11 am and you can order a warm bowl of steel cut oats topped with fresh berries, banana and brown sugar. Just what the doctor ordered on a cold February morning. Love love love.

In my week in Nashville, I’ve yet to stop at a place that doesn’t pass the Americano test. Their shots were pulled to perfection and I could really taste the different notes in the espresso.
It’s sad to see some of the bad reviews for this joint. The place is spacious, the baristas are wonderfully pleasant, and the coffee was great. The food seemed sparse, but I didn’t dig into it too deep. This seemed like a great place to work from home, study, or meet up with friends all while keeping it relatively quiet and to yourself. The space wasn’t crammed, but was still cozy.
I’ll definitely keep this on my list of places to return to when I come back here.

Honestly, I’m doing this bc I saw someone leave a 1 star review because a cat was outside. Unfair and uncool.
Ugly mugs is a great spot. Good coffee, good vibe. Nice people. Honestly ⁴⁄₅.

Love love love this place. As a grad student, I am always looking for coffee shops that have an atmosphere conducive to studying, and Ugly Mugs really hits the nail on the head.
The music is great, from Fleetwood Mac to The National, there’s lots of seating (and a new layout that made even more seating), and the speciality drinks are interesting and delicious. The hayride is one of my favorites: spice tea steeped in hot apple cider. For food, I love the Bonny Doon, which is eggs, tomato, avocado and sprouts on a bagel of your choice.
Their hours are amazing, open until 10pm. The staff are a bunch of friendly people, and they have a loyalty card — for every 10 coffees you buy, you get one free.
This is my go-​to spot and I recommend it to everyone I know. Same goes for you, Unilocalers.

I stopped at this place on my way back to Memphis after a huge meal at Monell’s…I needed a wake up! I was pleasantly surprised. The location is in a trendy social center in East Nashville that contains a few bars/​eateries. The latte was great, with a distinct espresso flavor — not bitter and not overly sweetened by the flavor/​syrup used. The place was really laid back and the staff aided in reflecting that atmosphere with their easy going and welcoming attitude. It is definitely a good setting to read or work. They brew Drew’s Coffee, a local roaster and the pastries looked great. I was just too full to try any. I would not mind stopping here when my main stop is closed or not convenient.

Walking into this spot with my sister and cousin, I remembered that I had been here two years earlier. The décor and quality have remained the same and this was a perfect Sunday breakfast spot on our last day in town.
Between the three of us, we split a rosemary pear scone, the Bonny Doon, and the Italian Job. All three were simple and delicious! The rosemary pear scone was sweet and savory. We were all HUGE fans of the plethora of sprouts on the Bonny Doon and we were all amazed that we had never thought of making the Italian Job ourselves (tomatoes, basil, and cream cheese – what’s not to love?)
Also, while unrelated, we saw a cat on a leash chillaxing outside as only cool Nashville cats do. The staff was friendly, the coffee was steamy, and the food was delicious. Stop by if you’re in the area!

I found this joint on Unilocal,and decided to give it the ol’ college try. Especially after seeing that they had a special lavender flavored coffee, lavender being my weakness. It was a touch hidden on the backside of an upper class strip mall, so don’t give up, first timers!
The drink selection is rather limited, which I prefer. Keeping it simple, keeps it superior in flavor. Although I was bummed I didn’t get my lavender, I did get a maple pumpkin soy latte! And it was delicious!!! Honestly one of the best I have had. My compatriot ordered the same thing and said it was the second best he has ever had. So we were well pleased with our life decisions.
Although we enjoyed what we ordered, I would have preferred if my coffee was hot, it was a touch less than luke warm. Also, the prices are a little high. It was 3.95 or something for an 8oz drink. Other than that, the place is fantastic. Great décor, comforting atmosphere, and really comfortable/​spacious seating.

Good
Coffee
With a big
Space for laptops
Or chatting. The baked treats were tasty too.

I like Ugly Mugs. I like it a lot. It’s not perfect but it’ll get the job done. How many more ways can I describe why it’s four stars?
Ugly Mugs is a cool little location on the East Side of town next to Silly Goose and Jeni’s. They have all sorts of local treats and locally-​roasted Drew’s Brews coffee on tap. Their food is pretty darn good in a pinch. There’s not a lot not to like about Ugly Mugs. It’s also one of the few coffee shops in Nashville open past 9:00 PM on a weekday, which is important for studying reasons.
The atmosphere is a tad loud and the lighting a little lacking but overall, this place can feel like a cozy little amalgamation of all things East Nashville.
Pros:
Local local local. I love Drew’s Brews coffee so the fact that it’s one of the cheaper options on the menu makes me a happy camper.
Cons:
Lighting in the back corner is too dim for studying and the atmosphere isn’t as comfortable as many of the other coffee shops around Nashville. The wifi often runs slow as well. All nitpicking but it’s why I’m choosing to give it a four and not a five.
Overall:
Great little coffee shop for the Eastsiders and little touches of the owner’s personality are everywhere. I wish it were more comfortable and well-​lit but overall it’s pretty great! So many local goods!

I really love Ugly mugs as a later night alternative coffee shop. I say this because of the ridiculous idea that a coffee shop should close at 7 PM. The staff have always been so friendly to me every time I go in. I love the pastries. Last time I went in I got a Pain au chocolat with an Iced coffee.
Wonderful coffee house environment. And a great location.