Not only does The Café at Thistle Farms offer a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, but it also gives women survivors a safe place to work and an understanding community. The staff often bonds by participating in group meditation sessions and spending time learning how to run a restaurant.

“I love being in the kitchen, making food and having those humbling conversations. While you’re chopping onions or cutting potatoes, you’re learning about your fellow coworker and getting to hear their story, and then you get to share yours. It builds relationships and community,” café director Courtney Sobieralski said.

The first feature you see when you enter the space on Charlotte Avenue is a unique display of teacups hanging from the ceiling. According to Sobieralski, over 2,000 teacups that are used for service and decoration were donated from people around the world. This community support is a prime example of what makes The Café at Thistle Farms special.

“[Nashville customers] have absolutely loved us and wrapped their arms around us in every way, and we’re so grateful for that,” Sobieralski said.

When I visited the café, I enjoyed the egg stack. This filling breakfast features an over medium egg, avocado and homemade pesto on toast topped with sriracha, feta and microgreens. It is one of the cafe’s most popular items and has been on the menu since the space opened.

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