Retrograde Coffee

Retrograde opened in 2018 on Dickerson Pike, the historic edge of East Nashville, with a stated goal of being a true neighborhood stop. The roastery now owns Ugly Mugs and runs locations in Germantown and Inglewood. Sourcing leans toward coffees that say something about a specific place and harvest, with single-varietal lots that get handled carefully through the roast. The bar pulls Retrograde beans alongside other Southeast roasters. Toasts, bagels, and pastries cover the food side. Order a single-origin pour-over if you want the cup the roastery's reputation is built on. Order a latte and a toast if you want the East Nashville morning as Retrograde regulars run it.