Wondering where to eat in Clarksville? I just spent a long weekend in Clarksville, Tennessee, and one of the things that surprised me most was how much good food is packed into such a walkable downtown. Between a Dutch-inspired cafe, a distillery restaurant, two very different brunch spots, and a tea flight on my way out of town, I ate my way through the city from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon. This is every single place I ate and drank, exactly what I ordered, and the little tips that will make your visit easier.
Thank you to Visit Clarksville for hosting me on this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.
Table of Contents
In a Rush? Where to Eat in Clarksville
Breakfast: The Amsterdam Local
Lunch: Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park
Brunch: The Mailroom (Saturday) and The Mad Herbalist (Sunday)
Coffee: Asulon Collective
Dinner: Yada on Franklin
1. The Amsterdam Local
📍 518 Madison Street | Best for: breakfast and coffee
My first full morning in Clarksville started at The Amsterdam Local, a Dutch-inspired cafe and bakery just outside the heart of downtown. I ordered an iced salted honey cream latte and a bagel with cream cheese, which was exactly the easy, grab-and-go breakfast I wanted before a full day of exploring.
Tip: The Amsterdam Local is closed on Sundays, so plan to go on Friday or Saturday. The lot right next to the cafe is paid parking. There are often free, undesignated spots behind First Christian Church next door. Before you leave, walk a few doors up toward the Customs House Museum to see the Clarksville Starry Night mural. It’s a great quick photo stop, and the museum makes an easy next stop after breakfast.
2. Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park
📍 451 Alfred Thun Road | Best for: a casual lunch
Old Glory is the restaurant at Old Glory Distilling, just off the interstate on the west side of town. It’s about a 15 to 18 minute drive from Dunbar Cave State Park, so it’s an easy lunch stop if you’re exploring that side of town. I started with the Mexican street corn dip and a strawberry lemonade, then ordered the Grind burger with fries.
Tip: You don’t need a reservation for lunch. If you’re spending the day at Dunbar Cave or Beachaven Winery, Old Glory slots in nicely between the two. You’ll need a car to get out here, so if you’re flying into Nashville, rent a car at the airport.
3. The Mailroom
📍 116 North 2nd Street | Best for: Saturday brunch
Saturday started with brunch at The Mailroom, right in downtown Clarksville. I ordered a cherry lime agua fresca and a breakfast sandwich with a side of their potatoes. It’s an easy walk from the downtown hotel, and it puts you right in the middle of everything for the rest of the day.
Tip: Brunch starts at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, and most downtown shops open around 11 a.m., so the timing works out perfectly. Downtown Commons is right across Second Street, and shops like AndVinyl and Tailfeather & Co. (where you can make your own candle in about 10 minutes) are just around the corner.
4. Asulon Collective
📍 Downtown Clarksville | Best for: an afternoon coffee
After brunch, I needed a second round of caffeine, so I walked over to Asulon Collective, a coffee and pastry shop downtown. I got a maple vanilla iced latte, which felt like the perfect fall drink for a late October weekend. There’s plenty of seating if you need to sit down and get some work done, which I always appreciate as someone balancing travel with a full-time job.
5. Yada on Franklin
📍 111 Franklin Street | Best for: a sit-down dinner
For my sit-down dinner of the trip, I went to Yada on Franklin. I started with the parmesan fries and a non-alcoholic cocktail, then ordered the ribeye steak with a side of broccoli. If you don’t drink or you’re taking a night off, it’s great to have a real mocktail option instead of just a soda.
Tip: Yada is on the same block of Franklin Street as ArtLink Clarksville and River City Clay, so it’s an easy dinner before or after one of their stained glass or pottery workshops.
6. The Mad Herbalist
📍 1601 Madison Street | Best for: Sunday brunch and tea
My last meal in Clarksville was brunch at The Mad Herbalist, and if you like tea, this is the place to go. I ordered the tea flight so I could try three different flavors: Hocus Pumpkus, Autumn Berry, and Frosted Flora. For food, I got the avocado toast and a small order of French toast, which is a great way to get a little bit of sweet and a little bit of savory without overdoing it.
Tip: Make a brunch reservation, especially on weekends. If you’re flying out of Nashville that afternoon, an 11 a.m. brunch here still leaves you plenty of time to get to the airport.
7. The DoubleTree Hotel Bar
📍 50 College Street | Best for: a low-key night in
On Friday night, after a full day of exploring, I kept it simple and grabbed wings at the bar at the DoubleTree by Hilton, where I stayed. Sometimes the best dinner on a packed trip is the one that’s an elevator ride away from your bed.
More Places to Eat in Clarksville
If you’re still deciding where to eat in Clarksville after my top seven, here are a few more local spots that were on my list for next time:
- Strawberry Alley Ale Works: a downtown brewery right across First Street from the DoubleTree
- Blackhorse Pub & Brewery: a Franklin Street staple since 1992, known for its beer cheese dip, pizzas, and burgers
- Silke’s Old World Bakery: a European-style bakery on College Street, great for picking up treats
- Mug Shot Coffee Co.: a coffee shop on Strawberry Alley that opens early
- Kinlea’s Cheesecakes: cheesecakes, stuffed burgers, and fresh lemonade on Franklin Street
- Joe’s Garage: burgers and elevated pub food, with a rooftop bar, Skyline 500, on the top floor of the same building
- Insomnia Cookies: right across from the DoubleTree parking lot for a late-night sweet
FAQs About Where to Eat in Clarksville:
Where to eat in Clarksville if you want to stay downtown?
The Mailroom, Asulon Collective, and Yada on Franklin are all downtown and within walking distance of each other. The Amsterdam Local is a short drive or a longer walk up Madison Street.
Is Clarksville a good brunch city?
Yes. I had two brunches in one weekend, The Mailroom on Saturday and The Mad Herbalist on Sunday, and they were completely different experiences, so you could easily do both.
Do I need reservations?
Not for most places. I’d recommend one for Sunday brunch at The Mad Herbalist.
Final Thoughts: Where to Eat in Clarksville
Figuring out where to eat in Clarksville is the easy part, because the food scene is a big part of what makes a weekend here so fun. You can park your car downtown, walk to brunch, coffee, and dinner, and only drive out for spots like Old Glory and The Mad Herbalist. If you’re planning a trip, use this list as your starting point, pair it with my Clarksville weekend itinerary, and save room for a tea flight on your way out of town.
Until next time, happy wanderings!
More From My Clarksville Trip
Plan your trip: The Perfect Clarksville Weekend Itinerary | What to do: 11 Best Things to Do in Clarksville, TN | Day trip: Day Trip from Nashville to Clarksville
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