Bongo Java
Bongo Java is Nashville's oldest and most celebrated coffeehouse. The cafe opened Sunday, March 28, 1993 at 4pm and became world famous in December 1996 for the discovery of a cinnamon bun that many believe looks remarkably like Mother Teresa.

The NunBun was featured by media outlets around the world including The Tennessean, Washington Post, CNN, BBC, Paul Harvey, David Letterman and (so we've been told) a Calcutta newspaper.

The cafe itself was featured in 2004 on The Food Network's $40 a Day show with Rachel Ray.

Bongo Java is a gathering place for all of Nashville. Located across the street from Belmont University in the hip Belmont-Hillsboro Village neighborhood, Bongo attracts musicians, students, artists and a few employed people as well.

Customers can sit inside at the tables hand-painted by local artists or outside on Nashville's largest outdoor deck. As we like to say, some coffee chains need 3,000 stores to attract the babes. We just have a big deck.

Awards
1994 Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene
1995 Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene
1996 Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene
1997 Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene

1998 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
1999 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
        

2000 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)2001 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
2002 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
2003 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
2004 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)
2005 2nd Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene  (behind sister store Fido)

2006 Best Coffeehouse     Nashville Scene 

One of 10 Great Places for Coffee & Conversation     USA Today

Menu
The popular cafe serves a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and, of course coffee, which is roasted daily by it's sister operation Bongo Java Roasting Co.
                                               BONGO MENU


History
The building formerly housed Manuel Zeitlin Architects, one of Nashville's most noted designers. When Bongo opened in 1993, Manuel and crew moved upstairs. He welcomed lost caffeine junkies for a couple of years before moving his offices and with wife Janice opening the art gallery Zeitgeist.

Theater/Music Venue
Upstairs at Bongo, is Nashville's most intimate theater and music venue, Bongo After Hours Theater, created by Kenny Bernstein.   The theater is the founding home of Broadaxe Theater Company, started by singer Steve Earle, and the original home of the Nashville's Best Musical 2006 "The Doyle & Debbie Show."