Leaving Crema off a guide of the best coffee shops in Nashville would be a crime akin to insulting Dolly Parton. Crema is an institution in this city, and the Downtown location is a real gem, complete with a large working space and a nicely sized wooden loft patio against the street. The drip coffee here is easily the smoothest on this list, and the specialty drinks are interesting and flavorful without masking the quality of the beans. One of them usually comes with some sort of tiny shortbread cookie as a bonus. Plus, Crema is so much more than just a spot to grab a latte—they often hold coffee classes in the back room and have a commitment to zero waste within their building.