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A new all-day wellness cafe opened a few weeks ago, replacing The Jam Coffee House near the intersection of 12th and Wedgewood in Edgehill. Cafe Ma’kai has new owners, cocktails, and (clearly) a new name — plus a new locally-sourced menu, and 8th & Roast coffee.
The cafe opened in August, at 1210 Wedgewood Avenue, with a welcoming interior refresh. Bright whites, light wood accents, and plenty of pops of greenery fill the space. Patio seating and couch seating, coffee bar seating, and tables give options for those work-from-home days out and coffee meetings. Wooden shelves hold locally made items for purchase.
Co-owners Rowan Miller and Susan Richardson of The Old School Hospitality Group (who also own popular restaurant, farm, and event venue, The Old School on Old Hydes Ferry Pike) took over the space this summer.
Plenty of options are on offer for vegans, vegetarians, and those seeking gluten-free meals. Served all day, look for breakfast offerings like a biscuit sandwich with sausage or country ham, a chorizo breakfast burrito, and tacos with scrambled eggs and red onion. There are four toast options — sourdough plus choice of avocado, fried apples, mushrooms, or country ham. Lighter fare includes a smoothie bowl, probiotic bowl with turmeric shortbread, a vegan Caesar salad, and roasted beet salad.
Irish-born co-owner Miller moved to Nashville nearly 20 years ago, and says he sort of fell into the restaurant industry. With a passion for local sourcing, helping provide employment for special needs adults, sustainable sourcing and practices — the Old School Farm and gardens display a lot of the driving forces of the hospitality group he owns with Richardson.
Cafe Ma’kai’s menu will change, but focus on using organic, locally-sourced, hyper-seasonal ingredients like they do at The Old School. The Old School group prides itself on its focus on environmentally conscious practices. The frequently changing menu highlights fresh provisions from neighboring farms, as well as the group’s own non-profit farm. They are a leading member of the Nashville Food Waste Initiative, by keeping food waste reduction at the forefront of our efforts and utilizing scraps for compost.
Cafe Ma’Kai is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, but becomes available after hours to rent as a private event space.
See the current menu in its entirety below.
Cafe Ma’Kai [Official Site]