This place is great! Support game stores!!! We spent a few hours here. Great coffee. Great specialty sodas and snacks. Tons of games that you can play for free and then plenty for sale at competitive prices. We'll be back next time we're in town! Thanks for a fun time! read more

This is probably the busiest bathroom I've seen in the greater Nashville area. It's kind of quirky but in a way that caters less to us gentrifying hipsters. Some highlights: V accessible bathroom cause there's zero steps to get to it, you've just got to head to the back of the shop. Also it has a large layout w lots of space. Yay! The water flow in the sink was excellent and there was instantly warm water. Score! You have the urinal option, which I wanted to try but I forgot my funnel Also you aren't bored while using the facilities. Thanks Bongo! read more

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Bongo has a great selection of rotating espresso drinks, beer and wine, and then a great staple list of "typical" drinks. They also offer a decent sized menu, but don't expect any fancy dish to be served. For a coffee shop, price and taste are what I expect aka not super cheap but not expensive either. Staff are super sweet and personable too. I would not recommend this place for super studious works (although I see many here doing so) because of limited plug ins and the volume level (everything seems to echo and carry). But that's just my opinion. Fun place to grab a drink and play some games (check out game point which is attached), while catching up with some friends. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Banana muffin latte and the PC MUFFIN (pumpkin, chocolate chip). - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

On our way to the Grandel Opry, we stopped at bongo East for a quick breakfast burrito and breakfast bagel sandwich. We appreciated their organic fair trade materials. They're located in East Nashville far from most of downtown area. You will need a car to get to this place. The café was filled with a lot of man buns and laptop workers. It seemed like the sit down place that you go to relax and spend most of your morning. It had a large hipster vibe, though that seem to be true of most of east Nashville. The cafe offered gluten free options and cute card games. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Breakfast burriot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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OMG, the smell of fresh roasting coffee beans is filling the whole neighborhood. This is a real neighborhood coffee shop, complete with Great Coffee, a few outside seats and plenty of tables within. Parking may be a problem as the only have three (3) parking spaces out front, I was glad to see that one (1) was a handicapped space. I have always been lucky to find a spot on the street just up the block, well worth the walk I assure you. Bongo Java is perfect in the 5 Points area, a classic unique coffee shop in this unique area of shops, restaurants and art galleries. Maybe the best cup of coffee ever, stimulating ! Oh Yea, Bongo Java is Pet Friendly, they have a spot for you to tie your pets leash and offer a Bottomless Water-bowl just out front. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - A real coffee roasting coffee house - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

If you want a place you can hang out at and have some beer and/or coffee, this is the place to go! I got a matcha latte and it was decent. It was a bit powdery and it had some residue which wasn't a good sign. But it says a lot--this means they use actual matcha powder. They have plenty of board games to purchase and walls of board games to play while you sip on your drink. If you want a temporary escape from reality and hang out with your friends, I would highly recommend this place. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Loved loved loved this coffee shop! I wish I'd had enough time to sit and enjoy one of the many games that lined the wall! The coffee was awesome and the red velvet cake was a true southern treat read more

My girlfriends and I came here for some coffee and tea because our boyfriends were watching sports across the street. I love the open concept of this place, it's very comforting! I ordered an iced tea and it was less than $2.00. They had a large menu of seasonal drinks that sounded delicious. There were a lot of people playing board games which is a fun concept in general. Great coffee spot! read more

On my walking tour of East Nashville, I came across Bongo East. Cool coffee stop with parking right in front near 5 points. They have a sign that says you can't be on your cell phone while you are ordering - LOVE THAT!. They also have this whole section in the back that seems to be a board game rental area. Plenty of tables and the most board games I have ever seen. I'm not sure how it works, but it definitely looked like fun. I heard that they also serve beer, but I only had an american and a super yummy chia pudding from their refrigerator case. Both delicious. Good coffee, plenty of seating and games! What is there not to like? read more

huge fan of this spot. been coming for years but just started posting to yelp so it goes. the energy in here is always upbeat and lively. a good start to any day. i love coming here to eat, write, read, and people watch. met some dope souls here. food and coffee is great honestly and all of the staff are friendly always. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This may be the coolest place ever for me. And Catan nights?! I will absolutely be coming back! I loved the staff, environment, food, coffee, all of it. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I am astonished to say that yesterday was my very first visit to this Bongo Java location in East Nashville. This is a tad strange considering that it is the closest to my home. I have just never considered it as I am usually shopping or getting my drank on in 5 points. With that being said, I appreciate the low-key tone of this spot and also the fair-prices! I set up my pseudo-office for a few hours yesterday after I ended a meeting a few blocks away. The barista and staff were kind and service was good. I ordered up Med Veg Bomb Bagel sandwich ($5) that was slathered with a delish garlicky hummus and topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce. You may think $5 is a lot to ask for a bagel sandwich, but I can assure you that this wasn't a run of the mill bagel. This sucker was stuffed to the brim and very filling! In hindsight, I really didn't need to order the Hummus + Tortilla chips ($2.50) as a side because the sandy got the job done. This location lacks the expansive patio that the Belmont location offers but this is the perfect place to go if you need to really get some work done for a few hours or if you are seeking a quiet meeting spot. TIP: If you plan to spend some time on the phone while working, this may not be a great place for you as this is where they produce and roast coffee beans so the noise level can be a little invasive at times. read more

One big Hell Yes for Bongo East!!!! I stayed in East Nashville for only 3 days and spent 2 of my mornings there. Their coffee and food is delicious and it's a great place to hang out, with all the games you'd ever need. The egg sandwich is super good as well as the PBG wrap. Miss it already. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Bey! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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At first I really liked Bongo Java but over the past year it has dwindled, even to the point that I avoid Fido because they are part of the same group. Here is my reasoning. 1. I find the breakfast sandwiches to be pricey, very pricey, especially when you deviate from the menu. 2. My boyfriend ordered a breakfast sandwich with veggie sausage and they gave him a garden burger. Anyone who is ordering veggie sausage knows what veggie sausage is and we aren't fooled by your garden burger. Now even so, the staff has been friendly, it is conveniently located, they do have good coffee but I can't lie, I find myself going East to Ugly Mugs or Portland Brew more often. So I'm on the fence, maybe next visit I'll get pushed one way or another. read more

Awesome coffee and tea beverages, but such a long line. Love the fun drinks!

Wide selection of fun games and tasty food and drink options. A great atmosphere as well!

I am in Nashville for a bachelorette party. My flight arrived a good four hours before everyone else and I decided to check out Five Points for a few hours. I was told by Uber driver that we were going to the 'hipster' part of town - East Nashville, and according to Yelp, he also dropped me off at the most hip coffee place in the city. Thank god I didn't wash my hair today and chose to wear a black wide brimmed flimsy hat and combat boots (seriously). For what this place has to offer, it does its job well. Great coffee, and a good place to read or laptop browse for a few hours. I would say this isn't the best place is you're looking to study intently- People watching is distracting and in general there are no nooks or crannies that you can stick yourself in to have some privacy. It is great for what it is- a little hide away to grab some coffee to start your morning and do some reading with a generally quiet crowd that keeps to itself. The baristas weren't assholes to me but maybe it was my hat that helped me blend in ;) read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Medium Mocha. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

OMG board game lovers delight! I have never seen so many board games in a single place before. Even though we went here for coffee, i wish we had come for the games. The cappuccino and matcha latte were amazing. Jealous of the people who get to come here often read more

I love reading other reviews. I don't think I've experienced bad service here. It is the east side, so I kind of expect the hipster/indie vibe. That's where all the hipsters live! I have a friend who visits and goes here quite often. She says she always runs in to people she knows when she goes here. I find that hilarious since she lives in Louisville and it only confirms what a small town Nashville is. I think my friend is still a little mad at me that our house is on the west side. Anyway, I give Bongo props for being a local business. This Bongo location is where they roast the beans, I believe. Although I think I read they are moving the roasting from here to some other space. I'd rather support this place than Starbucks or some such. I'm sure that will come to East Nashville soon. Oh, and the coffee is good as far as that goes. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Bongo Java is a run-of-the-mill coffee and bagel type of joint. While it's a perfectly acceptable place to grab an iced coffee and read The Scene, I wouldn't say there's anything exceptional about the place. Bongo Java's prices are a little steep, but I suppose that's to be expected with most coffee shops. Their bagels (known as "bombs") are pretty tasty but certainly not cheap. I enjoy the East Side Bomb, which is your choice of toasted bagel with bacon, egg, cheddar and cream cheese. They offer juices and all of the espresso concoctions you'd expect to find, among the finest being the iced mocha. B.J. displays some pretty good local art and provides wireless internet access, but service is sometimes slow and the staff is occasionally unapproachable. The sandwiches aren't bad, but, again, you can probably find the same items for cheaper elsewhere in the area. The location is prime, and while you're in the area you can hit The Groove or have a drink at countless spots in Five Points. Short of being the only good spot in the Bar Hole for a cup of coffee, there's nothing too impressive going on. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

My friends and I go here all the time! The coffee drinks are great. They offer seasonal specialty drinks. The beer is also good. They have 1000 games you can play! The food is always perfect. I recommend the breakfast burrito. The hummus plate is also great - very fresh! I also highly recommend the adult grilled cheeze sandwich. The service here has never once been anything other than great! Also, they serve mimosas in the morning. LOVE THIS PLACE! Local treasure! read more

Stopped in for a couple of breaky sandos and a coffee and it did not disappoint! Staff were friendly and helpful in solving my indecisiveness when ordering. 10/10 recommend. read more

Solid place for an egg and cheese bagel and a cup of joe, but it's nice to be able to drink some of the coffee before the bagel, or during, or within 10 minutes of finishing your bagel. Coffee was super hot. If you are a hipster, you should avoid this place at all costs, as you will no longer feel unique in this sea of Buddy Holly/James Dean look-a-likes. read more

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We were staying in East Nashville for a business trip and needed a good spot for breakfast. Bongo East popped up on Yelp as being close to us, so we checked out the menu. There were close to two-dozen breakfast items and they offered a lot of variety. We decided to go and we were very glad we did. The food and drinks were great. I ordered an iced mocha and it was perfect. It was just the right amount of coffee and chocolate without being too sweet. The lox bagel is enough of a portion for two, and was also delicious. We also ordered the taco bowl, which was very tasty. We had enough left over for a second meal practically. The other surprise was that they had tons of boardgames! I think they offered over several hundred board games. So, if you have the time to sit and hang out, you won't be bored or leave disappointed. Really enjoyed the space and would recommend to anyone. Staff was also really friendly. read more

This place is a great spot in East Nash. Lattes are delicious and huge selection of games to choose from. We loved it so much we came back the next day! read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Great affordable local coffee shop! My go to spot on my morning walks, best in east in my opinion! No

This is a super cute place in East Nashville. I was in town for a girls trip and staying down the street so this was the most convenient place to stop and get breakfast. The Eastside Bomb with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and an added piece of veggie sausage was really good. I put it on an everything bagel and it was the perfect breakfast for someone who doesn't have time to sit down for a full brunch at a restaurant. I had the masala chai with it (forgot what it's called on the menu but it's easy to spot) and I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. My friends ordered the vegetarian Grateful Bomb and seemed to love it as they went back to this place twice. As someone who loves eggs and meat for breakfast, I would say this place is just average but I really think it's wonderful for vegetarians. However, I would go back based on the atmosphere and wonderful customer service. read more

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Great spot to start the day in this hipster paradise. As a older person I enjoy the vibe of this place and the positive energy it gives me to get through my day. The food is good and I would recommend the fishy bomb or the east bomb. Great place... read more

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Done with this place. Not once have they given me a cup discount for bringing my own mug. Which is every single time.

I came here after reading rave reviews and was quite underwhelmed. I ordered a plain cappuccino and my wife ordered the milky way drink. I tend to try and get a plain coffee to get a taste of the quality of the coffee beans themselves. I ended up trying to add ingredients to it to try and cover up the taste. On my wife's milky way drink there was so much flavor added that you could not taste the coffee at all. The foam was very artistic, it had a swirl intentionally added. All this being said, I love supporting local coffee shops and I think you can get better coffee at most than your average chain coffee shop. But this one lacked a certain 'wow' that I usually get from other local coffee shops. I might also add that the decor of the place was laid out in a way that is ideal for students, meaning large tables with many chairs, great for study groups. Very limited parking but there are spaces on the street to park, if available. read more

Bongo East + GamePoint - The intentional foam art. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Let's start with the positives. Everyone in our group of 8 loved their coffee and I had the most amazing apple cider, it was remarkably delicious!!! We spent quite a bit of time looking for games (huge selection) and once we found a table we began to have fun! However, our fun was cut short when one of the employees asked us to quiet down. At a board game cafe? I thought that was weird and a bit off putting. Now there were several people there studying or working, so maybe someone complained, I'm not sure. I'm just confused about what this place is. Who plays games silently?!?! I have no plans to return. read more

Cute little place. The menu looked so good I was bummed I didn't have time to eat! Walked here from our Airbnb and got a the salted caramel cold brew with cold foam. I'm usually a tea drinker and they did have lots of tea options but the walk had me warmed up so a nice cold brew was refreshing! read more

Great patio outside area and dog friendly but the coffee was bitter and watery. Not worth the almost $15 for two drinks.

Best coffee in town! Caters to locals and has best drip coffee. Order the breakfast sandwich!

Here on vacation from NC, stayed down the street from the coffee shop and found its the best hidden gem in Nashville as pertains to coffee. We grabbed coffee from here, always a hot mocha, four times in three days and loved every drop. Heavily recommend to anyone in or out of state over chains like Starbucks or Dunkin. read more

Like most things over in East End, BJE is hip. That means bikes, 'industrial everything', beards, babies in ironic double-wide strollers, angry-looking young people... you know the drill. If this isn't your cup of tea (hyuck), you might not want to darken the doorway. But, if that kind of stuff doesn't cause a blip on your radar or you're part of the zeitgeist, c'mon in. For me, I take a positively Burrussian view of things: don't start none, won't be none. For those who don't speak [redacted], what I mean by this is, I'm all for letting people be who they are and do what they do so long as everyone's able to able by that same axiom. I've never had a problem with any of the above at BJE so all's well that starts and ends well. And what they do (coffee) starts & ends pretty well. Typically, I head here in the morning hours, so I'm looking for the standards breakfast-y items. My usual go-to is an everything bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese. Thankfully, I've never had the experience of finding mold on said bagel but you can trust & believe that if something like that ever happens, I'll be the first to post about it. To the contrary, the bagel options have always been fresh and pretty satisfying. I played around with the coffee selection before settling on the Bollywood. As the name suggests, the dominant flavors harken to India with a spice flavor that boasts cardamom and a silky, chai-like appearance/texture. In addition to being delicious, it's quite a relaxing beverage. It's the kind of drink that doesn't require conversation or debate. Simply sip on it, type away using BJE's free wifi and think about all the things the day has to offer. If the Bollywood doesn't strike your fancy (or disappears; it might have been a summer seasonal drink), BJE offers plenty of coffee concoctions to delight your tastebuds without sacrificing street cred. I've been a fan of Bongo/Fido since my Vandy days. Its eastside outpost acquits itself nicely. read more

Downgrade: From 4 to 2 stars. A few weeks ago I stopped going to Bongo Java because the service had become so atrocious (you know who you are Mr. Thursday morning I'm in a band and I always wear black so I won't even adress you when you're ordering guy). It takes forever to order, no one is nice, no one smiles, and the coffee began tasting burned and bitter. It's too bad too, because I used to really enjoy spending time there working and drinking coffee. Here are my previous thoughts: Bongo Java is cooler than you, and if you don't know that, the staff will gladly fill you in. But, their coffee is excellent - it's free trade and is roasted in house. It's better quality than you'll find other places in town, and the prices are reasonable. They have free internet and plenty of places to work or relax, including some seating out front. These are the reasons why I keep going back, day after day. But, I really don't like their service, which prides itself on being slow - even when the line is growing out the door - and more than a little cold. read more

As a student, I'm always looking for new coffee shops to provide some scenery for studying, and Bongo Java East is a definite 'win.' The drinks are good, especially this time of year as the cold's setting in. My favorite has to be the hot cider; on a windy day, it's a cup of sweet, cinnamon goodness. And at $2, I like that I'm not shelling out for a drink like at most other cafes. I also appreciate the decor: the stripped-down industrial look is simple, but there's a real charm to it. Also, with plenty of open space, reliable wi-fi, and plenty of outlets, it's not at all a bad place to camp out for a few hours with a book and a nice beverage. And certainly, since most other customers are surfing the web or minding their own business, you don't have to worry much about chatty groups being a distraction. The only reason I'll dock a star is that parking can be a pain. There are a number of small parking lots scattered about in the neighborhood, but Bongo Java East only seems to have about 4-5 of its own that are always difficult to nab. read more

I grew up in Seattle and was knee-deep in the cultural phenomena of grunge and the coffeehouse. I've spent many years as a barista in some of the most touted coffeehouses on both coasts. So, pretentious, pseudo cool doesn't bother me much. Unfriendly service doesn't even bother me much. However, slow service does. How can they, with a long line of customers ordering espresso drinks, have only one person making drinks?!! It's called efficiency, folks. Now, I didn't work at a Starbucks or anything but at a locally owned, small coffeehouse that also roasted its own beans; and we knew how to get through a line. One barista pulls the shots, and another makes the drinks. Sheesh! In regard to the coffee/espresso drink itself, it's okay. I rarely go to Bongo Java these days, especially with so many other alternatives, and will only go if I want slow and unfriendly service and an okay Americano. I'm sure this will be any day now. read more

ATMOSPHERE- get a friggin' couch or two!! How hard is that? I feel like I'm in school with the crappy desks and surrounded by people with their ipads and laptops pretending to do some work but really just wanting to be seen. FOOD- mediocre at BEST! They couldn't even toast a bagel right, eggs came straight from the microwave....GROSS! Oh, and they were out of JUICE?!?! WTF?! OK, as you have read, I am NOT a fan of this place,so sue me for those that can't live without it. Coffee was good and that's about it. read more