The Butter Milk Ranch

The Butter Milk Ranch

2407 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, United States

+1 615-465-8300

Breakfast restaurant
(1703)
Share Your Experience

About This Place

Nestled in the vibrant 12 South neighborhood of Nashville, The Butter Milk Ranch offers a breakfast experience that stands out as truly exceptional. This lively breakfast restaurant is famed for its creative twists on classic Southern-inspired dishes, boasting a rich menu that artfully balances homestyle comfort with elevated culinary flair.

From the moment you step in, the bustling yet warm atmosphere envelops you—a perfect blend of friendly service and the spirited energy of Nashville brunch culture. Its popularity is evident, as guests often find themselves joining a lively waitlist, all for a chance to savor some of the city’s most talked-about breakfast delights.

The menu is an ode to comforting breakfast favorites, elevated with playful sophistication. One cannot miss the Cubed Croissant Benedict with Smoked Salmon, where flaky, buttery croissant cubes meld perfectly with silky smoked salmon and a velvety hollandaise that sing on the palate. The Brown Butter Beignets with Lemon Curd offer an irresistible combination of crispy exteriors dusted with powdered sugar and a tangy-sweet burst that lingers invitingly. For pancakes lovers, the Stacked Pancakes with Strawberries and Syrup deliver that nostalgic breakfast charm with fresh, juicy strawberries piled high and draped in golden syrup.

Seafood fans gravitate toward the Summer Shrimp & Grits, a textured, savory dish where tender shrimp meet creamy, slow-cooked grits, while the Migas Scramble brings a lively Tex-Mex flair. The Salted Honey Butter Croissant epitomizes indulgence—each flaky, buttery bite coupled with a hint of honey sweetness and premium sea salt is a moment of pure brunch bliss. Heartier appetites delight in the Corned Beef Hash Skillet and the creatively named Dirty South Fried Rice, which are both packed with robust flavors and a satisfying finish.

Pastry lovers, in particular, will cherish the delicate craftsmanship behind the croissants, especially the unique Crannoli Croissant and the addictive Croissant Cube. These layered, buttery delights have become a standout feature for many visitors, earning raves for their perfect balance of flakiness and rich flavor.

Pair your meal with one of their inventive beverages—from the signature BMR House Bloody Mary or the refreshing Blueberry Lavender Mimosa to the sophisticated Espresso Martini or the uniquely flavorful Banana Bread Old Fashioned. The ice cream sodas add a whimsical twist, with options like the Rootbeer Float and the tangy Key Lime Float, blending nostalgic soda shop vibes with gourmet gelato.

Real guests frequently echo the sentiment that The Butter Milk Ranch’s food feels genuinely homemade, avoiding the cookie-cutter formulas of typical brunch spots. Its loyal devotees praise the atmosphere despite the bustling crowds—viewing the wait not as a burden but as part of the anticipation for a truly memorable meal. Friendly, attentive service only adds to the warm, inviting vibe that makes every visit special.

In essence, The Butter Milk Ranch is much more than a breakfast restaurant; it’s a destination where flavor, creativity, and Southern hospitality fuse beautifully. Whether you’re sneaking in for a quick bar seat or gathering with friends to savor a leisurely brunch, your taste buds are in for an authentic, deeply satisfying treat that celebrates the heart and soul of Nashville’s brunch scene.

Service options
Outdoor seating On-site services Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great cocktails Great coffee Great dessert Great tea selection Serves local specialty
Popular for
Breakfast Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Quick bite Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups Tourists
Planning
Usually a wait Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Paid parking lot

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Thursday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Sunday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • M B
    4 week ago

    11/16/2025 we lucked out and got a two top table pretty quick. This place was packed at 1:30 pm! I will start off by saying this place was phenomenal!!! The food tasted homemade not the cookie cutter breakfast bullshit!! We ordered iced coffee lattes, the biegnets as an appetizer they were absolutely delicious. For our main entrees we ordered the ham and hollandaise sauce eggs benedict and the breakfast plate with sausage and gravy. The food was phenomenal! Service as well. This place is a top pick for brunch but just be prepared for a wait. Also parking is terrible. The church next door doesn't allow you to park in their spots, would seem like they could charge $10/spot and make some money for the Lords good work! If they were thinking with their brains. I can't say it enough this food was so delicious!!! All of it! I highly recommend stopping here for breakfast!!! My bill was $84, yes that's expensive as hell but it was delicious and enough food for 4 people!!! Left a $10 cash tip.

  • Edward Chen
    1 month ago

    Tldr; Incredible brunch notable for their layered crispy pastry delights. Prior to arriving, add yourself to the wait-list via Google maps because this location is very busy. For us, the approx. wait was 35 mins. However, it is well worth the wait. Parking is difficult, but if you can get a spot beside the store, there is 2 hr free parking. Their pastries, especially croissants, were delicate and crispy delights, with tens of layers. It was like eating a crispy layered cloud. The portions are very generous for the price and the interior decor is on point with the holiday. Highly recommend making a stop here! Will be coming back in the future!

  • Pejmaan Yazarlou
    2 month ago

    There was a lot of hype for us going into Butter Milk Ranch and it didn’t disappoint. Walked in on tuesday at 9:45am and the wait was nearly an hour. We were lucky to sneak in 2 seats at the bar. We were promptly greeted by the bartender and given menus and followed by water. Tried the apple spiced chai and fresh squeezed orange juice (both were great). We had biscuits and gravy and the 12th south scramble. The eggs were prepared well, the chicken sausage was delicious, and the biscuits were the best biscuits I have ever had. Will definitely come back before I leave and will tell anyone going to nashville to give it a try.

  • Miller C.
    2 month ago

    Worth the Wait for Outstanding Brunch in 12 South I recently visited Butter Milk Ranch for brunch on a Sunday morning in Nashville’s 12 South shopping district. We arrived around 11:00 AM with a group of 4 and were told there was a 2.5-hour wait! This was outrageous, but we were able to find one seat at the bar with the possibility of more coming available, so we hung close, enjoying some coffee and megmosas (grapefruit mimosas). We were able to snag 3 more seats in less than 30 minutes. The bartenders were friendly and shared just enough conversation to make things interesting while we waited for our food. The Food: We shared the “Croissants” & Queso - delicious croissant basil garlic twists baked to order and served with warm bacon queso that was an interesting twist on what felt like biscuits and gravy. That was followed by one of the best folded omelets I have seen or tasted in quite a while. The Gruyere & Chive French Omelet was deliciously cheesy and herb-infused. I enjoyed the open-faced Forager’s Omelet that was covered with Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms, baby kale, heirloom tomatoes, chimichurri, and watermelon radishes and finished with Maldon sea salt. We all shared a side of the Ranch Potatoes and stone-ground grits - both sides were definitely large enough to share, even for our group of 4! Overall: It was a marvelous dining experience that I would go back for. The prices were perfect for the experience and the level of care shown in the preparation of the food. I must say, I am not sure it would be worth a 2.5-hour wait if you were really hungry, but the shopping in 12 South could easily occupy your time while waiting if you can fend off your growling stomach. Pro tip: Join the waitlist online before arriving to try and avoid the surge at the restaurant!

  • Abby Barr
    3 month ago

    I don’t typically like bustling crowds and loud spaces (and I don’t really wait more than 30min for a table). We waited 1.5 hrs for this table and though it was a bustling atmosphere the wait was well worth it. The food was very yummy. And our server (Cara I think her name was) was super sweet. She came frequently to check on us and was super helpful with the menu. The service was awesome and the food was delicious and tasted fresh. It is expensive so I definitely wouldn’t go often because it is more about the experience, but we enjoyed it and would recommend at least trying out the pastries if you are traveling from out of town. Our favorite thing on the menu were the beignets. Chefs kiss. But we also got eggs, house bacon, The BMR sandwich, and the Nashville sunrise drinks. All yummy. O and those potato’s on the side. Those were phenomenal. - get those. Those were delicious.

  • Alex Knodel
    3 month ago

    I finally made it to the buttermilk ranch, after living in Nashville for over 6 years. I finally was able to go at 8am (when they open) on a Thursday morning, in order to avoid the droves of tourists that frequent this place. It actually makes me mad that this place is inaccessible to locals as the food is really good and the tourists don’t deserve to get full reign over it. I didn’t realize that there were two parts to this place - a coffee and pastry counter and bar and then a full service restaurant. There were the most stunning plants and decor all I’ve the restaurant that I was in awe of. The service was really great, as our server was very known about the menu and all of the top items we should try. The food was really great - but the lemon beignets really took the show. They were even incredible as leftovers the next day. The biscuits were also really great - during the meal and as leftovers. The potatoes were a little dry, but the items served with them made up for it. I also got a snickerdoodle iced coffee that was delectable. My friend got the loaded ranch potatoes that she really enjoyed and the sausage balls which were also good. My breakfast sandwich had the crispiest bacon and was fantastic. I just wish this wasn’t located in 12 south so that more locals could go regularly.

  • Mrs. Haney
    3 month ago

    This place was AMAZING and a MUST visit if in the area! The gingerbread Christmas decor was nice. Service was excellent and the food was even better! They have an extensive menu with everything made fresh in-house along with a little gift shop. The partridge pearloma cocktail was great! The breakfast croissant was so much bigger than I expected and so very fresh and flaky! The loaded ranchers' potatoes were delicious. The Yule log & crème brûlée croissants were delicious as well. I hated that they were closed on Monday because we tried to come back before leaving town.

  • Alex Zhang
    4 month ago

    This place is super popular. The only downside is that they don’t take reservation so expect a long wait especially if are a large group. If you are just one of two person, highly recommend to get the seat by the counter first come first serve, you just need to wait around the counter. The food is great, I have the southern dirty fried rice is really good flavor and the bacon is really delicious. Make sure you order the salted honey butter croissant, the savory and sweetness balanced so well and it’s to die for. The pancake are alright, nothing stood out. The fried chicken biscuit is not recommended, it’s not really the normal biscuit that does not hit the spot The service is amazing, the waitress at the counter are really friendly and happy

Share Your Experience

Your Rating

Discover What Travelers Love About This Place

Real experiences, honest impressions, and insights shared by the Wherevi community to help you explore with confidence.