NASHVILLE, TN – The recently opened Croquet Cafe, Centennial Park’s first nonprofit cafe and only permanent on-site dining destination, is now serving breakfast daily starting at 7 a.m. The expanded menu includes pastries from Dozen Bakery and bagels from Benji’s Bagels, in addition to the cafe’s popular selection of 8th & Roast coffee and espresso drinks, smoothie menu, and lunch offerings.
Croquet Cafe’s new breakfast menu includes a selection of Benji’s bagels, available toasted or untoasted with housemade schmears in a variety of flavors, including plain, pesto, sundried tomato, spicy giardiniera, smoked pimento cheese, or roasted garlic, horseradish and dill. The cafe is also offering a menu of breakfast sandwiches, including the classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese; a BLT&E made with bacon, arugula, tomato, scrambled eggs, and roasted garlic aioli; and the Italian, topped with capicola, salami, and pepperoni. Breakfast begins daily at 7 a.m. and is served all day.
In addition to breakfast, Croquet Cafe has expanded its lunch menu, including the addition of new hot pressed sandwiches like the Beef & Cheddar (roast beef, giardiniera spread, arugula, horseradish aioli, peppers & onions, white cheddar, focaccia); the Tuscan Turkey (smoked turkey, provolone, garlic aioli, arugula, focaccia); and the Italian Stallion (salami, pepperoni, capicola, provolone, tapenade, pickled red onion, focaccia).
Croquet Cafe is now serving tomato soup, as well as a broadened selection of sides that include pesto pasta, potato salad, fresh fruit, garden greens, and vegan elote. The menu also includes a new Cobb salad, Chop House salad, and Arugula, Apple and Farro salad.
“In the two months since we opened the Croquet Cafe, we’ve served more than 20,000 guests,” said John Tumminello, president of Centennial Park Conservancy. “The community has been incredibly supportive, and one thing became clear very quickly — they wanted us to expand our hours to include breakfast. We’re happy to announce that visitors to the park can now start their mornings at the Croquet Cafe while enjoying all the park has to offer.”
Created and funded by Centennial Park Conservancy in partnership with Metro Parks, Croquet Cafe transformed the park's historic 1963 Croquet Clubhouse into a welcoming gathering place where visitors can enjoy fresh, approachable cuisine while supporting the park they love. Every purchase directly benefits Centennial Park as proceeds go toward the Park’s beautification and revitalization, Parthenon preservation, and the Conservancy's mission to partner with Metro Parks to sustain Nashville's central park as a thriving public space.
Located just steps from the Parthenon, Lake Watauga, and the park's expansive green spaces at 2530 Park Plaza on the park’s north side, Croquet Cafe offers indoor seating, covered outdoor tables, and picnic spots on the adjacent lawn. Whether visitors stop in for a morning coffee, a quick lunch, an afternoon ice cream or a ready-made picnic to enjoy under the trees, the cafe is designed to seamlessly extend the Centennial Park experience.
Croquet Cafe is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Full menu and more details can be found at croquetcafe.com.
About Centennial Park Conservancy
Centennial Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve, enhance, and share the Parthenon and Centennial Park so all future generations may benefit from these cultural and enriching landmarks. The organization works in partnership with Metro Parks to protect and revitalize the Park’s green space, underwrite the Parthenon’s exhibition and educational programs, present accessible and inclusive community programming to sustain the Park’s vibrancy, and manage the new nonprofit Croquet Cafe. Visit conservancyonline.com.
ABOUT METRO PARKS AND RECREATION
The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Currently, Metro Parks oversees nearly 16,000 acres of open space, including 189 parks and 110 miles of greenways. It is the department’s mission to sustainably and equitably provide everyone in Nashville with an inviting network of parks and greenways that offer health, wellness and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community.
The Metro Board of Parks and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, or disability in admission, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. For TTY (relay service), call 1-800-849-0299. For questions, concerns, or requests regarding the American Disabilities Act call 862-8400.
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