Calypso Cafe Nashville Restaurant Review

Looking for a place to grab a quick bite to grab lunch or dinner, somewhere that offers mostly healthy options and is inexpensive? My solution for you happens to be my favorite “fast” food in all of Nashville: Calypso Café. So what if I have eaten there three times in the last week? Those who have been will understand why, and those who haven't.. well, give it a try and you'll get it too.

Photo Courtesy of CalypsoCafe.com

A super casual, local-to-Nashville hot spot, Calypso offers several locations throughout the area, so you’re bound to be close enough to one for a quick meal. I must confess, when I first moved to town six and a half years ago, my mind/palette wasn't quite ready for Calypso. I thus ignored all of the local hype, which unfortunately caused me to miss many years of their delish cuisine (disclaimer/reminder: from small town, we only had those 'wonderful' super chains and maybe a gas station or two to choose from). Learn from my mistake, and do yourselves a favor and prepare to broaden your horizons just a bit.

Calypso offers what I would call fresh Caribbean inspired cuisine. Roasted chicken, creative sauces, incredible sides. My most beloved adjective best sums it up: FABULOUS.

Here are my fave items to order:

Nachos. Tortilla chips smothered in their bean dip. The other standard nacho ingredients; chicken, beef, or rice, and BBQ sauce. Simply divine.

Black Bean Salad. Lettuce, black beans, tortilla chips, cheddar, tomato, red onion; chicken beef, or rice, and a side of BBQ sauce. Try an extra side of their unbelievable house salad dressing too.

Pulled BBQ White Chicken. Fresh, tender, rotisserie chicken with an absolutely amazing sauce. Get it as a sandwich or a plate.

Bean and Corn Salad (side). A mixture of beans, corn, in a cilantro vinaigrette. Just yum.

Sweet Potatoes (side). The perfect amount of sweet and spice.

House Salad dressing. Simple: Pour it on everything.

Fruit Tea. Some of the best in town. When in Rome.

Calypso Bar. One of my favorite desserts, ever— their take on a cookie bar. Simple, sweet, a bit sour, just delicious.

Ok.. There's my take. What are your favorite dishes at Calypso?

Calypso Cafe
Locations throughout Nashville:
Vanderbilt, Cool Springs, 100 Oaks, East Nashville
Open Daily, hours vary by location