The Cookery Brings Australian Cafe Fare to Nashville

What public feedback says

The Cookery earns a 4.7 Google rating from 630 reviews, with the available feedback repeatedly praising its food, staff and relaxed atmosphere. Diners describe a small, welcoming 12 South cafe where Australian influences distinguish the menu from Nashville’s more familiar breakfast and lunch options. Several reviewers also mention the restaurant’s community service mission, which appears to add meaning to the experience without overshadowing the food.

Service is another consistent strength. Public comments characterize the staff as friendly, kind, knowledgeable and eager to offer recommendations. One account also notes a conversation with the Australian head chef, describing clear enthusiasm for the cooking. Taken together, the reviews present a personable operation rather than an impersonal counter-service stop.

The curry pie leads the menu

The chicken curry pie is the clearest recurring recommendation. It appears under both “Aunt Josie’s Chicken Curry Pie” and the shorter “curry pie” description, with diners highlighting tender chicken and crisp puff pastry. One reviewer ordered it with fries, while another included it in a broad meal and still singled it out among several dishes. For a first visit, this is the most strongly supported choice in the sample feedback.

Other named orders show the menu’s range. Reviewers report enjoying a beef meat pie, Black Tiger shrimp tacos, avocado toast, a loaded baked potato, cinnamon roll, cheesecake and Lamington. The DUWB, Ultimate DUWB and Crepe Ape are also praised, though the reviews provided do not explain their ingredients. A side salad receives a mention, and one diner specifically notes that the sauces are made in house.

Value and atmosphere

The listed price level and diner comments both position The Cookery as budget friendly. One reviewer directly calls the food reasonably priced, while others praise the portions and broad selection. That combination should suit a casual breakfast, coffee stop or lunch where distinctive food matters more than formal surroundings.

The atmosphere receives warm but general approval. Reviewers call the space beautiful and pleasant, while the restaurant’s smaller scale seems to contribute to its charm. No repeated concerns about food quality, service or value appear in the supplied feedback. The enthusiasm is notably consistent, including from diners who sampled a large portion of the menu rather than judging the restaurant from a single item.

Editorial verdict

Based on the public rating, review patterns and menu details supplied, The Cookery looks like a strong next stop for diners interested in Australian cafe cooking. The chicken curry pie is the safest opening order, backed by multiple positive mentions and specific praise for its filling and pastry. House-made sauces, friendly guidance and a budget-friendly price level round out the case.

The broader menu appears flexible enough for breakfast, lunch, coffee or something sweet. Most importantly, the feedback converges on the same points: flavorful food, generous portions, engaged staff and a community-minded purpose. That consistency makes The Cookery one of the more distinctive casual options to consider in Nashville’s 12 South area.