Cafe Lula at the Ryman
For more than 125 years, the Ryman Auditorium has been serving up historically cool entertainment experiences for Nashvillians and visitors alike. Cafe Lula expands the Ryman’s offerings with a menu of noteworthy Nashville-centric food and drink.
The Food is Fresh and Flavorful.
Cafe Lula features chicken, turkey, and pork, carved for a sandwich or served as an entrée. Our Nashville Hot Chicken is a menu standout with its signature spicy glaze, and the juicy 1982 burger is made with locally-sourced meat. Flavorful side dishes, sauces, mustards and dressings are created in-house by Lula’s culinary team. If you’re looking for a salty snack, Cafe Lula’s house-made chips will hit the spot.
The Beverages Are Local.
From coffee to cocktails, our menu features coffee beans roasted by 8th & Roast Coffee Co., wine from Arrington Vineyards, vodka from Pickers Vodka, and a rotating assortment of beer from local breweries.
The Location is Prime
Cafe Lula is located at the center of the Music City universe: outside the front doors of the Ryman. Dine inside and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the action on lower Broadway through the floor-to-ceiling windows. If the weather is nice, choose a seat on the covered porch.
The Vibe is Casual and Friendly
Order from the counter and have your meal delivered to your table. Take a seat at the bar for a great view of the open kitchen. Grab a meal to go or have it delivered through Grubhub. Whatever your choice, you’ll be well cared for by Cafe Lula’s warm and welcoming staff.
Hours
Closed For Now
Location
116 5th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37219
Parking
For parking options near Ryman Auditorium please visit Park It! Downtown
Valet parking available on concert evenings
About Lula C. Naff
The cafe is named in honor of Lula C. Naff, longtime manager of the Ryman. Lula began working with the Ryman in 1904 as a secretary for the building’s booking agency.
When the agency closed in 1916 she went into business on her own, bringing in speakers and performers. Lula was hugely successful and in 1920 was hired as the Ryman’s manager, a position she held until her retirement in 1955. Lula’s business and booking savvy garnered respect and prestige for both Ryman Auditorium and the city of Nashville as a performance arts center for the region.
Known as the “first lady” of theater management, she brought the greatest performers and Broadway plays of the day to the Ryman including: Bob Hope, Charlie Chaplin, Enrico Caruso, Harry Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, Mae West, Ziegfeld Follies, “Guys and Dolls,” “Oklahoma!” and many more.
Lula also ushered the Grand Ole Opry into the Ryman in 1943 where the show resided until 1974. Under Lula’s leadership, the Ryman became a showplace for great diversity, a tradition that continues today. She also was a trailblazer for working women, branching out on her own before women even had the right to vote.
“For decades Lula C. Naff brought the world to Nashville through the stage door of the Ryman. We’re excited to honor her legacy with the naming of our new cafe.”
Ryman Auditorium General Manager
For more information on Lula, click here to visit the Ryman Auditorium website.
Menu
Small Plates
Add Chili of the Day to any Small Plate for $3.50
Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffle Sliders
Two miniature waffles with maple reduction, hand-breaded boneless hot chicken thighs, and house-made pickles
$8
Chips and Cheese
House chips smothered with smoked gouda cheese sauce, sour cream, and pickled jalapeños
$6
Hummus
Freshly made pimento hummus with fried pita chips
$6
Pimento Cheese
Cafe Lula’s pimento cheese with Ritz crackers
$5
Salads
House-Made Dressings: Balsamic Vinaigrette, Nashville Hot-Style Ranch, Ranch, and Caesar
Add Chicken Breast for $4 or Add a Cup of Soup for $3.50
Cafe Salad
Shredded kale, roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries with a balsamic vinaigrette
$9
Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce, house-made Caesar dressing, parmesan, and house-made croutons
$8
Nashville Hot House Salad
Romaine and arugula blend with roasted chicken, bacon, egg, and heirloom grape tomatoes with a Nashville hot-style ranch dressing
$12
Soup
Chili of the Day
$6
Soup of the Day
$5
Sides
$3.50 each
- Fried Potatoes
- Mac and Cheese
- Side Caesar Salad
- Brussels Sprouts
- Kale and Sun-dried Tomato Salad
- House Chips
- Green Beans
- Cup of Chili or Soup
Sandwiches
Served with House-Made Chips
Turkey Sandwich
Our turkey breast with a sweet paprika and sage rub served with house mayo, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce greens, and tomato
$10
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Our chicken with house-made mayonnaise, cranberries, red onion, celery, preserved lemon, and fresh tarragon with greens, and tomato
$10
Nashville Hot Chicken Salad Sandwich
Cafe Lula’s chicken salad smothered with a spicy Nashville hot glaze, and topped with pickled jalapeño
$10
1892 Burger
1/3 pound dry-aged Porter Road Butcher Angus beef with coriander mustard, cheddar, lettuce greens, tomato, and pickles
$12
Hot Chicken Sausage Burger
Spicy ground chicken with hot ranch, jalapeño and ghost pepper cheese
$12
Steak Sandwich
Beef tenderloin, garlic aioli, goat cheese, roasted red pepper
$12
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Cafe Lula’s slow-roasted pork with house barbecue sauce topped with house-made pickles and slaw$10 Hummus Caprese SandwichHummus, tomato, mozzarella, pesto
$10
Dinner Entrees
Served with choice of one side from 5 p.m. to Close
Fish of the Day
Market price, see menu board
Coffee-Crusted Pork Chop
Coffee-crusted boneless-pork chops with a bourbon pan sauce
$14
Desserts
Assorted Cookies and Brownies
$3.50 each
By the Cup
All of our coffee is locally roasted by 8th & Roast Coffee Co.
12 ounces / 16 ounces
8th and Roast Coffee
$2.75 / $3.25
Espresso
Single $2 • Double $3
Cappuccino
$5
Americano
$3 / $4
Latte
$4 / $5
Hot Chocolate
$3 / $4
High Garden Hot Tea
$3.25
Iced Tea
$2.75
Lemonade
$2.75
Iced Coffee
$3
Bottled Pepsi Products
$3
Aquafina Bottled Water
$3
Beer and Wine
Draft Beer
Local Options Available
$6
Bottles and Cans
Local and Domestic Options Available
$5
Red and White Wine
Local Options Available
Specialty Cocktails
Rymanhattan
Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Cherry
$12
Kentucky Mule
Bulleit Burbon, Ginger Beer, Simple Syrup, Lime Juice
$12
Booze Scootin’ Boogie
Corsair Vanilla Bean Vodka, Ginger Ale, Lime
$12
Fancy
Koval Gin, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Love & Exile Prosecco
$13
Luscious Latte
Chocolate Vodka, Vanilla, Espresso, Milk (Iced or Hot)
$12
Specialty Lattes
$5 for 12 ounces / $6 for 16 ounces
Sweet Blonde
Espresso, Caramel, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Steamed half-and-half
Cuban
Espresso, Brown Sugar, Condensed Milk, Steamed Milk
London Fog
High Garden Earl Grey Tea, Vanilla, and Steamed Milk
Milky Way
Chocolate, Caramel, Espresso, and Steamed Milk
Bee Sting
Honey, Cayenne/Cinnamon Blend, Espresso, and Steamed Milk
Private Rentals and Catering
For inquiries regarding private rentals and catering, please contact:
Stacey Moore
Restaurant Manager
615-458-8706 • smoore@ryman.com
Cameron Creasy
Catering Coordinator
615-458-8761 • ccreasy@ryman.com
Contact
116 5th Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37219
Call: 615-458-8760