Kahawa Coffee House
★ 4.8 · 190 reviews Nashville Opened September 2025
Swahili street food and saffron espresso by Vanderbilt
Kahawa put a tropical hut on 21st Avenue in September 2025, surrounded by Vanderbilt brick and concrete, and it looks nothing like its neighbors. The espresso drinks come tinted with rose and saffron.
The food is the real reason to stop: golden-fried kaimati with dips, sambusas, and spring rolls stuffed with spiced chicken. Cheaper than anything else on the block.
What guests say
Reviews by Google-
Janelle Schultz 101 reviews · Local Guide 7 August 2026
This place is so cool! We visited here in June and the drinks were so delicious! My friend and I met in Africa and so when we traveled to Nashville together and found this coffee shop we just had to check it out. I'm so glad we did! Highly recommend this place if you are ever in Nashville!
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Kayla Rodgers 22 reviews · Local Guide 6 August 2026
What a nice little hidden gem! The decor is really eccentric and warm, the drinks have been great, and the staff seems super friendly for the short time we interacted with them. The matcha was a little too weak for my preference, but my sister got the Mint refresher and it’s delightful. Would definitely recommend giving this cafe a try!
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Wifu2Will 8 reviews · Local Guide 11 May 2026
Wow wow wow! This place is so cool! Iced chai was perfect and I got the Kahawa roll. Y'all I don't even like greens but the combo mixed with the sweet chili sauce was chef's kiss. So glad I bought extra to take home. I just happened to stop by here while at work and the atmosphere, the staff, and the food was such an experience. Great prices especially for the rolls. These are not your typical spring rolls. They are BIG! I can't even tell you how the spring rolls are because I'm full after a single roll. (I got spring rolls in case I didn't like the Kahawa rolls) Now I have enough to take home and share with my husband. If they ever come Huntsville way they'll already have one eager customer!
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CHRIS PERRY 216 reviews · Local Guide 19 April 2026
Had an amazing experience at KAHAWA in Nashville! Such a unique spot with a warm atmosphere, great service, and incredible coffee. The drinks were flavorful and made perfectly, and the food was just as impressive. You can tell a lot of care goes into everything they serve. Definitely one of the best hidden gems in the city plus the food was amazing. I can’t even pronounce the names of the food but I’ll absolutely be back! 
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Erin Hurst 58 reviews · Local Guide 8 April 2026
This place is amazing. I can’t get enough. The atmosphere is the most unique café atmosphere I think I’ve ever been in, so novel and well executed; I am excited to bring friends and family back to experience this. Also, the sambusas are so delicious - I want to eat them every single day! and the coffee perfectly done. I’m thrilled to have found this place and really eager to return.
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