Located in the heart of Smyrna's Historic Depot District, Carpe Cafe is a coffee shop whose aim is to create and foster a community of creatives who will positively impact the world around them. Carpe Cafe is an extension of Carpe Artista, a non-profit organization that promotes positive culture by developing artists and creatives.
This is done by being the community touch point, training environment and arts venue of the organization while serving hand crafted coffees, teas, food and desserts. We are quickly gaining the reputation as Smyrna's go-to place for live entertainment due to a full schedule of local musicians, performers, book authors, spoken word artists and others.
This is done by being the community touch point, training environment and arts venue of the organization while serving hand crafted coffees, teas, food and desserts. We are quickly gaining the reputation as Smyrna's go-to place for live entertainment due to a full schedule of local musicians, performers, book authors, spoken word artists and others.
Services
Being so close to Music City, a place where national touring artists can be found nearly every night, it is easy for the hard work and incredible talent of local musicians and artists to go unnoticed and under appreciated. However, in the communities in and around Nashville, there are hidden gems that deserve a chance to shine and display their work for both familiar faces and new potential fans.
It has always been a vision of ours to see a rotating display of local art on our walls at Carpe Cafe. Each and every time that a customer enters through our doors, we aim to provide them with not only a great cup of coffee, but also an experience that will leave them wanting to come back with friends.
Reviews (27)
Corey Robertson
Dec 27, 2021
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Carpe Cafe is a wonderful way to support small business. It also is very closely tied to the art scene in Smyrna as they have art and trinkets for sale. They cover the walls with local art, and you can purchase any of the paintings that you like. More over, they have a box on the wall by the front door that you can use to write letters to our soldiers across the globe. Aside from a small menu it is a wonderful place to go for lunch. From their front windows you can see all of the smyrna depot district and its old faceted buildings. Stop in, have a chicken salad sandwich and relax with a brunch
Bulatt Cyan
Nov 23, 2021
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The gentleman at the counter always makes my coffee here and he is TRULY a gem. Always kind and courteous, and always makes things exactly as ordered with special attention to my milk allergy. The food here is also fantastic, please try the cuban sandwich or the bacon-asperagus quiche sometime if you havent!! This is my new favorite regular spot as they serve all-day breakfast and are open pretty late for a cafe!
Kelly Barcroft
Nov 05, 2021
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Shane Webb
Oct 22, 2021
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Deanna T.
Oct 07, 2021
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Amazing experience! Everything was excellent! My son has been a student of the Academy for years and we rarely make it to the square. Our breakfast was terrific. The quiche melts in your mouth and the breakfast burrito was perfection. My Canon coffee was very large and better than all the popular places. And my son, he tried a steamed milk. That in itself was a fun and surprisingly yummy experience. Wow! We have been missing out. Not the easiest place to find parking for, but more than worth any trouble. Last, but not least, the price per value and amount served, is also a delightful surprise
Diane M.
Oct 02, 2021
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Angie Smead
Sep 14, 2021
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3 stars because the food and coffee were good. The service is terribly slow - like astonishing slow - and the atmosphere was not as expected. That part wasn’t the staff or decor, but the patrons. It’s supposed to support the artistic community yet we got nothing but dirty looks from the few parties present - all pairs doing some sort of Bible study/discussions. I suppose, yeah, all are welcome - but are not required to be welcoming.
Weston Partin
Aug 05, 2021
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Tara Allen
Apr 30, 2021
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Shameeka E.
Feb 21, 2021
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Kathy M.
Oct 17, 2020
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First time here although we've lived in the area for 3 years. It's a quaint atmosphere with friendly, helpful staff. As previous reviews mentioned we waited longer than the usual fast food restaurant for our drinks and meal but they were each made to order. Fresh food and delicious recipes made for a charming breakfast. We lived the decor - lots to look around at while waiting for breakfast. We will be back
Hailey G.
Aug 10, 2020
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Sam S.
Jan 29, 2020
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Karen P.
Dec 22, 2019
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Abraham S.
Nov 07, 2019
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Nice little gem tucked away in the Depot district. Great coffee all made with locally roasted beans. Delicious breakfast ranging from breakfast sandwiches to warm cinnamon rolls. Nice selection of sandwiches for lunch as well. Not a chain, thank goodness, and the staff is always friendly!!! Prices are great too.
Gigi
Jul 26, 2019
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This place is super clean, neat, cozy & the staff was very nice. Thank you Christian for taking my order & telling me a little history about Carpe Cafe. I had a London Fog Hot Tea made with almond milk, quiche & cinnamon roll. They also have coconut, regular or soy milk. You have to see this place for yourself. They have a great menu for breakfast & lunch. They also have nice art that you can purchase & few other things. You can sit inside or outside.
Aspyn G.
Jun 28, 2019
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This is my go to coffee shop when I'm near Smyrna. They always have BOGO coffees and typically that's what I get. My absolute favorite is the lavender latte with whip cream. It's a tiny little shop with lots of local art. Which is a plus in my book. All the staff has been very nice and I really don't have any complaints.
Lisa K.
May 30, 2019
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This little out of the way coffee house and cafe has great ambiance with original art by local artists and small seating areas for maybe 20 or so people inside and a few more out front.
I had the Carpe Grog decaf coffee and it was really, really tasty; so tasty, in fact, that I bought some to take home. As the name suggests, there is a sweet and alight boozy taste to it which is enhanced with a little cream.
My traveling companion has been there before and said the quiche is to die for!
Service was great. The young man who helped me was personable and a little chatty but so was I.
I had the Carpe Grog decaf coffee and it was really, really tasty; so tasty, in fact, that I bought some to take home. As the name suggests, there is a sweet and alight boozy taste to it which is enhanced with a little cream.
My traveling companion has been there before and said the quiche is to die for!
Service was great. The young man who helped me was personable and a little chatty but so was I.
Thomas B.
Apr 26, 2019
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Most likely one of the WORST cups of coffee I have ever have. The staff seemed absolutely clueless about their own menu and how to work their own Point of Sale system. These 5-Star reviews must be fake. The staff had no idea what we were saying when all we ordered was a small hot coffee, and one cold brew coffee. Pretty easy order I would say... when asked for a refund they just stared at me. We each had one sip of our coffee and it was absolutely putrid. Never ever again. Buyer beware!!
Danny M.
Mar 21, 2019
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EricA C.
Mar 07, 2019
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My wife and I were in town visiting her niece. I found this place wayyy before we got to Smyrna because I know that she needs her coffee in the morning (I know my wife). People seemed to rave about this place and, once we stepped inside, we could see why.
This place is all about the arts, which you can see in the decor and the community sponsored events that they hold.
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the lady and young man who were working. They have a bunch of different drinks as well as lots of food choices. If we weren't getting on the road to head back to Florida, we would
This place is all about the arts, which you can see in the decor and the community sponsored events that they hold.
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the lady and young man who were working. They have a bunch of different drinks as well as lots of food choices. If we weren't getting on the road to head back to Florida, we would
Lauren S.
Nov 13, 2017
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Really cute place! Good variety of tea and coffee and I like how they have the menu displayed. That said, it is soooo slooooow. I haven't been there yet and gotten even a basic drink in under 15 minutes. I think they also have a lot of regulars/staff that hands out when it's shift which can be a little distracting, but ya know. Cute place if you have a lot of time to burn!
Ana D.
Jun 23, 2017
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Stephanie J.
Mar 11, 2017
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Chris A.
Oct 18, 2016
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Went in for a visit on 4 May 2016 because I was in the area for work. On Yelp's recommendation. A nice little cafe with outdoor seating and on the inside it was very cosy and it appeared to have an area for music performances though during my brunch time visit there was no one singing or playing. I wanted a nice light breakfast with vegetables so I ordered the breakfast casserole. It was a simple $4 light fare dish that was served in a nice little earthenware dish. I also got some of the house coffee. The coffee was decent. The casserole was like an omelette and had all the vegetables I wanted
T. R.
Feb 09, 2016
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The atmosphere is nice...homey. I really enjoy their coffee selections. The staff is friendly.
The food is basic. Their signature stack sandwich is something anyone could make at home. It took quite a while just to get the sandwich, too. The place didn't seem that crowded so that couldn't have been their excuse for slow service.
I like that they offer free wi-fi. It's a nice place to sit and drink a cup of coffee and relax. Their desserts looked good but I did not try any.
Parking is also an issue. There isn't any close by.
The food is basic. Their signature stack sandwich is something anyone could make at home. It took quite a while just to get the sandwich, too. The place didn't seem that crowded so that couldn't have been their excuse for slow service.
I like that they offer free wi-fi. It's a nice place to sit and drink a cup of coffee and relax. Their desserts looked good but I did not try any.
Parking is also an issue. There isn't any close by.
John G.
Jan 17, 2016
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