Great food served hot, friendly service, and a good atmosphere. The barbecue chicken had good flavor.

When I worked in Nashville, I ate at the Calypso in East Nashville at least weekly. I've missed so much of their food and was excited when I saw this restaurant open while passing through South Nashville. The food is always solid while the restaurant & servers are always eclectic. You can't go wrong with the Beans & 3. (Also, if they have bean & barley soup on the menu, get it. Trust me.) read more

Calypso Cafe - Beans & Three - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The plastic chairs are surprisingly comfortable and the service attentive and friendly. I ordered quarter chicken with bbq sauce, orzo and muffins. The chicken was the smallest piece of chicken ive ever been served anywhere, much smaller than appears, toddler portion. The skin wasnt cripsy and the sauce was subpar and watery. The orzo, served cold, would be much better served hot. I expected more flavor from the corn coconut muffins. The fruit tea is delicious. I regretted nitnordering the same as my friend: half chicken with curry sauce, much tastier though the sauce should be served hot. Overall it was just average. read more

Calypso Cafe - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This has been one of my lunch go to's for years in Nashville. The Lucayan Salad is so fresh and flavorful. I never regret ordering. The dressing is out of this world! read more

The service can't be beat. The food was served rapidly. I ordered a hamburger, soup and greens. It was brought within 5-10 minutes. The hamburger is billed as "lean". It was served on a rather tough bun. I had trouble biting into the bun to get to the rather tough burger. I cut it with a knife and fork and gave up after I ate only half a "burger". Because they served it so fast, I suspect they make them in advance. The soup was white bean chili. I think it had too much cumin for my taste. The greens were good though. We wont go back. read more

Cannot recommend this lunch spot enough. The food was incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor. I had the white bbq pulled chicken with the citrus salad and corn muffins. My boyfriend had bbq chicken with beans and sweat potatoes. Everything was amazing. And the service was great too!! read more

I've been going to Calypso for over 15 years. A coworker took me to the West End location and I was instantly hooked! Anything I've tried - I love. I love their Black Bean Salad with chicken. Their Lucayan Salad is amazing. My favorite go-to is the Pulled Chicken Sandwich on a bun with a double house salad, no onion and their house vinaigrette. I could seriously drink the honey lime dressing. (And sometimes do!) My husband always orders the Jerk Chicken or the Beans and 3. The 100 Oaks location is the closest one for me now that I live in Murfreesboro. I hadn't been since the pandemic because I knew they had shut down that location for quite a while. The new hours are 11am-4pm. Closed on Sundays. My husband and I decided to get an early dinner on Saturday. We left north Murfreesboro at 3:00pm. Unfortunately, there was a ton of road construction and it took us 45 minutes to drive what should have been a 30 minute trip. We arrived at exactly 3:45 and I was so exited that we made it! However, once inside, a server told me that they quit seating at 3:45. I said, "Great! It's 3:45! We made it!" The server said, "No, we're done seating for today. But you can get something to-go and we have picnic tables outside." Seriously? If you're going to stop seating people at 3:45, then close at 3:45. We drove 45 minutes to place a to-go order. I was so disappointed. It has left such a bad taste in my mouth, that I'm done. I will not be giving this restaurant my money ever again, even after 15 years of loyal business. I'm aware that restaurants are having a hard time with staffing right now, but that wasn't the case here. I'm very understanding and empathetic with those situations. I've been to places where they only have 2 servers; I am patient, kind, and leave a double tip. But again, that wasn't the case here. I counted 7 employees behind the counter. I'm giving them 2 stars instead of 1 because their food is awesome. read more

Disappointed in this calypso location and the lack of consistencies across the different locations. Usually I frequent the East location, however, it closes early on Saturdays, so I decided 100oaks wasn't too far. I ordered the chicken and veggie salad (my staple meal). Upon receiving the meal, it looked sad :( the toppings were limited and way less than I usually receive. The tomatoes? Some finely chopped and others just sliced. The lettuce? Well I had multiple full sized lettuce pieces in my container. And to top it all off, the chicken was just plopped on top without being shredded or chopped up. How is one supposed to eat a big piece of chicken on top of a salad? I shouldn't have to prep it. Disappointed in this location, the lack of veggie toppings, and the inconsistent "chopping up" of items in this meal. read more

So I don't have much experience with Caribbean food or any version of it, but I do know that Calypso is definitely a unique take on pretty healthy yet delicious food! Coming from Los Angeles, I was surprised to find a restaurant in Nashville that served up deliciously different food than I what I was accustomed to. The flavor profiles and combinations here really pack a punch in unexpected ways. The tropical chicken salad is totally different than any other out there & it is divine. The BBQ sauce on the chicken is tangy and not too sweet. Even their black beans are just really flavorful and crave-worthy in their own right. And the sweet potatoes with coconut flakes on them?? Sounds weird but now I never want sweet potatoes any other way!! Everything is delicious here and prices are not bad at all. My only con is the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. Many times we get food to go because it's always so crowded--like not only with patrons, but the little tables are SO close together that it's a little uncomfortable. You feel like you're going to accidentally elbow someone walking past the table at any moment. Also, some of the staff can be...let's say, curt. And I understand it's because they are always busy. I'm coming for your food, not your smiles. But give their food a try and you will not be disappointed! read more

Calypso Cafe - Tropical chicken salad (so good!!) Amazing sweet potatoes and black beans - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I LOVE this place. The Lucayan salad is amazing!! I've gotten it multiple times and it never disappoints. Not only do you get the salad, but you get a side as well. I always get the bean and corn salad and it's beyond good! Tastes so fresh and flavorful. My lunch favorite and such friendly staff. Highly recommend read more

I have to admit, after reading some of the negative reviews I was worried. HOWEVER, after sitting down it was all positive. Fast service at 1pm. Friendly waitress. A healthy menu as promised. I wouldn't call it authentic Carribean. All the food was delicious with everything seasoned just right. I would come back again. read more

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I don't like writing bad reviews but I regret to inform anyone going to this location to beware of the rude service. This is a chain restaurant so the food is as expected similar to other locations but another deciding factor for loyal business is customer service. I came in during a busy hour and had snippy comments and unwarranted body language. I own my own business and I know how it feels to be understaffed or overwhelmed but this place needs to know how to not show that side to the customers. I wouldn't recommend this location. I personally love eating Calypso, though. read more

Ate lunch here with a friend on 22 February and we enjoyed the food. The restaurant was clean and packed. Parking was a little tight. I had a chicken sandwich with chi sweet potatoes. Service was quick and the cost was affordable for a lunch in Nashville. read more

Calypso Cafe - The food was mild and not overwhelming with sauces and spices. Taste really good. - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Stopped in for lunch. Ordered a quarter white chicken with jamiacan jerk sauce, side of rice, and soup. I also got a spiced hot tea. The flavors we're good, portions we're good, prices were affordable, and service was good. Plus- they have a military discount! read more

Calypso Cafe - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Their rotisserie chicken is delicious. The sweet potato and Black bean sides are great as well. Fast service and great food. Plus a full page on nutrition stats. read more

Pretty good chicken! I got the chicken and veggies salad, and the jerk sauce as dressing was delicious. Gets pretty crowded during lunch too! Would definitely recommend for a nice quick and tasty lunch. read more

I love everything about calypso! I don't know what they do to their black beans or sweet potatoes to make them so delicious. I could drink gallons of their fruit tea. It's hard for me to go often with their limited hours due to COVID (totally understand), but I hope and pray they get back to pre-COVID hours and locations opening at some point. read more

I don't know what 'Calypso' food is or Jamaican food is, but i like this place. They have salads and beans/rice/chicken dishes. I see some reviews about vegetarian/vegan choices. Not me. I need the meat. I recommend the Black Bean Salad. The only dish I've ever eaten here. You can add chicken or shrimp. Beware the chicken is usually 'chilled' and not warm. Some folks may think thats weird. I tried the cinnamon coffee today to go and so glad i did. They have these most delicious corn sweet muffins that are just so yummy. This location makes you feel like you're in a garage because there is some painted trees and vines on the walls, plastic chairs and small tables. No real like 'decorations' or feel. Or the decorator for this place was a 6th grade class project. Ek! Salads are about $9 each and the platters the same range. I chose to eat here when i want something 'healthy' to eat like a huge massive salad with sour cream and tons of cheese. Whenever I take out of town guests here, no one complains and can find something on the menu they like. Perfect for lunch! I think Calypso Cafe is a different type of place, with a interesting menu and a-ha, a local business! A alright place for me. read more

Calypso Cafe - black bean salad with the sour cream on the side. - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've never had a bad experience here, but to be transparent, I always order the same thing: the black bean nachos with chicken. I usually order it to go and normally I wait around 5-10minutes. The food is always perfect: chips are nice and crunchy, cheese is melty, jalapeños are spicy, and the sauce they use...I could drink it is so good! Service has always been good. The wait time for getting a table is minimal (I've usually gone on weeknights around 6pm). Overall always great. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is very chill and relaxed. read more

Meh. Service was, well, present. Food was flavorless, despite order what the menu described at "hot hot hot" jerk chicken. Black beans tasted nothing like any Cuban black beans I've ever had. More like canned black beans that were heated and served. Considering the long history of this place, I had expectations. If this is what Nashville is passing off as Caribbean food, they have failed miserably. read more

I got the tropical chicken salad sandwich with chips and black beans. Not sure which was the mistake. The food choice or getting it togo, because the experience was overall pretty awful for my first time. 1st - yes I saw the signs for where to order, but it was my first time going here and no seeing anyone under those signs behind the counter, and only seeing one person at a register....that's exactly where I went to order. She got a serious attitude with me over it, even after I apologized and said I had never been there before. Lord help me, because I asked if the spiced sweet potatoes were cut up or mashed and apparently it was an issue, even there was literally no one in line behind me. (Mashed by the way...) 2nd - I work less than 5 minutes away and when I got back to my desk, opened the box...HUGE MESS. Soggy chips from sitting in the black beans and the beans were all over. Okay fine, no biggie, whatever. 3rd - black beans have ZERO flavor even with the sour cream and onions in them. Oh and they were crunchy (took a bite w/ no onion). That's sad. As I mentioned, half the chips were soggy. Then the part I was really excited about was the sandwich. Completely fell apart when I tried to eat it. Found like 4 or 5 TINY pieces of pineapple...and in general it didn't have a whole lot of taste either. Definitely not a tropical one. 4th - the fruit tea is fabulous (so good job there I guess) Overall, very disappointing, underwhelming and just all around bad experience. But kudos on the fruit tea. Can't say I'll be going back though: read more

I decided to stop at Calypso Cafe and get some Takeout. I had never been here before so it was all new to me and Tony was not with me so I opted to get two separate plates and then we would mix them up on to our plates at home and try a little bit of everything. I got him the Jamaican Curry Rotisserie Chicken Dark Meat quarter size with Native Cole slaw and Martinque Calloloo ( mustard greens with onions and stewed tomatoes) and the Jamaican Curry is like a strange applesauce with onions and spices...Not sure if I like that Curry or not, but it was definitely different. The Native coleslaw was like normal coleslaw with a mayo vinaigrette sauce..and the mustard Greens are vinaigrette flavored with onions and stewed tomatoes ( you can taste the vinaigrette in the tomatoes)..I like the collards very much and so did Tony.. The other plate was Rotisserie White Quarter Chicken with a Jerk sauce (hot hot hot on the side) and Cuban Black Beans with raw red onions and sour cream ( very good..highly recommend) and St Lucian Rice..another very good taste.. I would definitely eat here again, but next time stay at the restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere there with the island music playing and the beachy feel to the restaurant. Everyone was friendly. The food cost $14 with taxes..but next time we are going to try the family package with a whole chicken and 6 six sides for only $15.95 plus taxes...ummmm good !!! read more

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Calypso is great for a quick flavorful salad on a weekday. Today, I stopped in for my "regular," the Lucayan Salad which is a bed of greens topped with heavily marinated (read: moist) chicken, a pile of mandarin orange pieces, and a large handful of almond slices. It comes with their "special" vinaigrette (quite good, but the oranges and chicken provide enough flavor for me). The boija muffins are like a sweet Caribbean cornbread and for the first time ever came out hot from the oven - delicious!! Environment is fine, but nothing to write home about. Service was prompt, but disinterested. The checkout man was downright surly and didn't leave you with a good feeling (adding on the dessert bars they have at the register seemed like an inconvenience to him!) All in all, would recommend for lunch, but don't try to impress your boss or date with it. read more

Calypso Cafe - Lucayan Salad with warm Boija muffins - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I ordered a 1/4 chicken all dark, with Jamaican curry sauce on the side, with rice and black beans. This place is normally very good, and still was despite the fact that all but my chicken was served cold. : ( The rice had the distinct texture of rice that had been cooled and then nuked and gone cold again. The black beans were tasty but cool. The chicken was warm. Hoping for better next time. read more

I entered the place with it's lotus flower emblum thinking, "Everything is going to be made from tofu." I saw the sweet faces of the people working, and the pretty hippie dreds I sometimes envy, and thought, "Yup, tofurky it is." Then we got the menu. Wow. There's chicken! The place has quite a few healthy options, and some not so healthy, so I'd say it's great for your average omnivore. I really enjoy this place for it's ample parking, nice people, and roomy interior. Sometimes you're elbow to elbow with people at Baja and Sam and Zoe's down the street, so having room to stretch out like Al Bundy is kind of nice, if not rude on my part. The food is great, and at a fair price, so we were able to afford a dessert to go. I can't remember what it was called, it was some type of brownie thing, but it was good. read more

Calypso Cafe - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Ive been to the other locations and enjoyed it thoroughly, however this location is just plain awful. Besides the restaurant being incredible dirty, there are flies surrounding you as you eat. The water was served warm and the chicken I ordered was cold. My girlfriend ordered the beans and 3 option and they forgot the beans. When we were done eating we had to wait 15 minutes to get our check, and when they finally handed it to us we had to wait another 10 minutes for anyone to pick it up. Service is incredibly subpar and our waitress seemed a little out of it. Will not be returning and have warned all my friends about this location. read more

I really like this place. I get the same thing every time I go- black bean salad with white meat chicken and the corn muffins. They're just delicious! The salad is huge. Like fall off your plate when you mix it huge. I LOVE the dressing so I always use all mine then some. I really crave the muffins too with the actual corn pieces in it and that little bit of coconut on top. Overall, it's quick service, good pricing and great food! read more

Calypso Cafe - Black bean salad with chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Food tasted fine, and the staff was friendly...unfortunately my fiance got food poisoning from the Tuna and has been sick for two days now. I would not recommend this place to anyone... We'll never go back. It's really too bad, because Nashville needs more healthy options and this place has potential. read more

I love their Fruit Tea! I highly recommend it if you like tea. Four stars, because the service was a little slow and some people were unattended . read more

Love this place.... but every time I go, most of the employees act like I'm ruining their day by coming in. I walked in 45 mins before closing to get a simple dish last night and the guy was hesitating whether or not he wanted to let me get a table. Maybe just close earlier or hire better staff? read more

Eating Environment: meh. Service: meh. Food: outstanding. This place serves up tasty dishes, especially if you're looking to eat on the healthy side. Their food is made from very pure and simple ingredients. The stars that I give are for the food. Their wait staff is just so-so, but you can always walk up to a take-out counter. The eating environment just seems old/sticky. I will be back, but only for the food. :-) read more

Calypso Cafe - This is what it looks like at night! - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

My month is not complete without stopping in for my black bean nachos. I've been coming to Calypso regularly for over 12 years. My daughter practiced her restaurant skills here and can dine anywhere without drama. The staff knows is and asks about family when only one of us comes. read more

Calypso Cafe - Black Bean Nachos without the hands. - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

My wife and I love calypso cafe. We are there once or twice every couple of weeks. I usually get the black bean salad with chicken. It is a huge meal (a dinner plate full of lettuce, chicken, black beans, tostitos type chips, onions, and tomatoes) which comes with their kinda spicy, kinda liquidy, barbecue "sauce". That is my favorite part of the salad. I don't like salads and, at first glance, it looks unappealing to me because, well, it's salad. Upon digging in and tasting it, I am a believer. We also always get a side order of their boija muffins as well. They are a sweet cornbread type of muffin with coconut on top. The coconut isn't overwhelming, but there is enough to give it the flavor. My wife typically gets the beans and three and loves their sweet potatoes and black beans. And the fruit tea. I would come here just to get cup of this stuff to go. It seems to be iced tea with orange and pineapple juice mixed in. Very good. After tax and tip, for the muffins, salad, beans and three combo, and 2 drinks it was $25 for 2 people to eat and get VERY full. read more

Calypso Cafe - Bean and three with fruit tea and black bran salad in the background. So good! - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Meh. Definitely not my favorite restaurant in Nashville. Service was fine, not rude, but not friendly. The food was decent. They put everything on one small plate and all my food was touching. They have weird combinations of food-like mashed sweet potatoes with coconut. The restaurant also isn't incredibly clean. Not a bad place, but you definitely have better options in the area! read more

Calypso Cafe - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Best collard greens this aging hipster reared in New Orleans has ever had. The food here is flavorful and they have ice tea mixed with orange and pineapple juice. I had a quarter white meat rotisserie chicken with two sides and a tea for under $10. The environment is casual and laid back. Servers were friendly. Overall, healthy, flavorful food for reasonable prices. read more

Calypso Cafe - Clean plate and tea to go. - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The food here is great, but the hygiene and service was shocking at the weekend! Half the tables were taken, the other half were filled with dirty plates. We took the only 'clean' table, but it was filthy. My drink cup was chipped and sharp, the server was overworked and as a result, super slow and didn't listen properly. Maybe we caught them at a bad time, but they need to clean that place! read more

Calypso Cafe - You can see the gross walls and broken cup - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This is the restaurant I craved the most when I lived out of state. I'm sad to see the one by the parthenon has closed but I did get there one last time before that happened. The dipping sauce for the nachos is awesome! read more

Calypso Cafe - Chicken and black bean nachos. - Caribbean Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Always a solid spot. Super quick and very friendly. However, I hope the tropical chicken salad returns to the menu!

These 2 starts are not for the food, the food was fantastic. On the other hand the minute you walk in you are instantly treated like if you are an unwanted guest that has to be alive in a world nobody likes you in, the faces of every single person working here will tell you that there's no more hope for anything anymore , their faces are as if they aren't saying GO SHOOT YOURSELF. I definitely expected a more outgoing, happy, friendly staff...especially with the great happy music that plays here. Will come back for takeout food but not for the environment. Would recommend getting a more friendly happy staff, you cant make unhappy people Pretend to be happy and friendly. read more

Hot, crowded, food was cold and unimpressive. This place has really gone downhill. Used to love it.