Outdoor Dining at The Factory at Franklin: Where to Eat Al Fresco
Outdoor dining at The Factory at Franklin has never been better. Located at 230 Franklin Road near downtown Franklin, this historic site has evolved from a factory into one of the city’s most popular destinations for dining and shopping. The Factory is now a go-to destination for spending time with friends and family, whether you’re browsing the shops, catching a show, treating yourself to a meal, or just enjoying the fresh air.
The Factory’s original architecture, open-air walkways, and courtyards create a natural setting for outdoor seating. With new restaurants and cafés now calling the Factory home, more patios have been added or expanded, giving visitors more ways to sit back, relax, and take in the surroundings. In a place like Franklin, where people love being outside, these updates have made The Factory an even better spot to gather.
Meeting a friend, dining with family, or just passing through? The outdoor spaces at The Factory offer an inviting way to embrace the season. Grab a table, order something good, and stay awhile.
Here’s a look at the restaurants and cafés at The Factory at Franklin that offer patios, courtyards, and outdoor seating.
Honest Coffee Roasters
If you’re starting your day at The Factory, coffee is a good place to begin. Located just off The Factory’s main hall, Honest Coffee Roasters offers a calm outdoor seating area bordered by a scrolling iron fence and shaded with crisp white umbrellas. It’s a relaxed spot, ideal for sipping coffee, catching up with a friend, or getting a little work done outside.
Known for its direct sourcing model, Honest Coffee builds relationships with farmers around the world and roasts its beans right here in Middle Tennessee. The menu includes espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and a mix of fresh food options such as avocado toast, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, açaí bowls, and house-baked pastries. Whether you’re just waking up or taking a midday break, the patio offers a low-key, welcoming place to do it.
etch
Award-winning chef Deb Paquette opened The Factory at Franklin location of etch in 2024, building on the success of her original restaurant in downtown Nashville. Here, the restaurant’s outdoor patio is a standout feature, with an inviting courtyard-style space lined with evergreens and seasonal flowers. Tables with umbrellas offer a comfortable, shaded space for lunch, brunch, or dinner in the open air.
While the setting creates the tone, the food leaves the impression. The eclectic menu pulls flavors from around the world. Guests can enjoy creative small plates, bold entrées, and desserts made in-house, including a signature ice cream sundae. A full bar, draft beer, and an extensive wine list round out the experience, perfect for a leisurely meal outdoors.
Edley’s
For something hearty and perfect for a group, Edley’s brings a casual, come-as-you-are vibe to its spacious patio at The Factory at Franklin. Sparkling string lights and plenty of seating create a laid-back setting that’s ideal for everything from a quick lunch to a weekend hangout.
The menu features Southern staples like brisket, pulled pork, and catfish, along with shareables such as BBQ nachos and smoked wings. Traditional sides, like mac and cheese, green beans, and coleslaw, complement the meal, and pecan pie makes a classic finish. With a cold beer or a cocktail in hand, Edley’s patio is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon or an evening under the lights.
Saffire
Saffire offers a fresh take on classic Southern cooking, with comforting and creative dishes. The restaurant’s outdoor seating reflects that comfort, with its brick-walled courtyard, navy umbrellas, cushioned chairs, and planters all coming together to create a setting that feels more like a getaway than a weekday meal. The airy, open layout is ideal for a laid-back lunch, an unhurried dinner, or a catch-up with friends.
The menu spans Southern staples like gumbo, white beans, and grits, balanced by lighter options such as seasonal salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches. It’s a peaceful spot with a setup that encourages you to take your time.
Two Hands
Two Hands is an Australian café rooted in community and built around a health-conscious, all-day menu. Its patio stands out for its breezy, tropical atmosphere, with blue-and-white fringed umbrellas, leafy plants, and picnic-style tables with cushioned benches. The space invites guests to linger, whether you’re starting your morning or winding down in the late afternoon.
Serving thoughtfully prepared dishes from breakfast through dinner, the café focuses on seasonal ingredients and globally influenced flavors. Standout items include crispy Brussels sprouts, piri piri chicken, and a refreshing coconut-key lime pavlova. Drinks range from expertly made flat whites and iced lattes to natural wines, local beer, and cocktails. With its colorful setting, the outdoor seating at Two Hands offers a comfortable spot to enjoy something light, sip something cold, or simply take a break in the open air.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
A go-to for those craving Nashville’s signature heat, Hattie B’s offers a casual patio setup with bold red umbrellas, picnic-style tables, and plenty of surrounding greenery. It’s an easygoing space, perfect for families, groups, or anyone looking to have a quick bite outside. A standing heater helps keep the patio comfortable when temperatures drop, making it a year-round option for outdoor dining.
The menu centers on hot chicken, served in heat levels ranging from mild to the famously fiery Shut the Cluck Up level, alongside Southern staples like fried pickles, mac and cheese, and banana pudding for dessert. It’s also a solid spot for snacking or sharing; Dirty Bird Fries, piled with chicken, sauce, and pickles, are a popular pick. To drink, guests can choose from cold beer, cocktails, and rotating boozy frozen drinks, making the patio a great choice for an al fresco hangout with family or friends.
Fork of the South
If you’re in the mood for something sweet or sipping a drink while you shop, Fork of the South covers both in one stop. A woman-owned business with Southern roots, Fork of the South has long been a go-to for locally made goods and unique gifts. Its expanded Food Hall brings even more to enjoy, both inside and out. The open-air seating is one of the most cheerful at The Factory, with lavender umbrellas, pink-and-green picnic tables, and lush planters creating a colorful place to recharge. It’s also directly across from the Carousel of Dreams, adding to the fun, family-friendly atmosphere.
Inside Fork of the South, visitors can stop by Sips at the Silo for slushies, dirty sodas, or lemonades; grab a handcrafted treat from the Franklin Milkshake Bar; or sip freshly brewed coffee and specialty lattes from the Franklin Coffee Bar. The Southern Tea Room offers a refined experience with tea service, sandwiches, and pastries in a charming indoor setting. Whether you’re cooling off with a milkshake or taking your coffee outdoors, the patio makes Fork of the South a great place to take a break and treat yourself.
Water Tower Plaza: A Place to Relax Outdoors
Even if you’re not grabbing a bite or a drink, you can still spend quality time outside at The Factory. Located beneath the iconic red water tower, Water Tower Plaza offers an outdoor space designed for gathering or simply taking a moment to pause. With tables and comfortable chairs scattered about, it’s a welcoming spot to read, meet a friend, or kick back between stops.
The addition of greenery, updated seating, and a park-like atmosphere makes it more than just a pass-through; it’s a destination in its own right. Whether you’re waiting for a concert, enjoying your coffee outdoors, or just soaking in the surroundings, Water Tower Plaza adds yet another reason to visit The Factory at Franklin.
Patio Season at The Factory at Franklin
With its mix of shaded tables, casual hangouts, and inviting spaces, The Factory at Franklin offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re flying solo with a laptop and latte, catching up with family over a meal, or meeting friends for drinks, the variety of patio options makes it easy to find a space that fits the moment.
As the days grow longer, there’s no better time to grab a seat outside and make the most of all The Factory has to offer!
More to Love at The Factory at Franklin
There’s always something happening at The Factory, and its outdoor spaces are just the beginning. To explore more stories about this historic destination, check out Discover the Charms of The Factory at Franklin, a great starting point for new visitors. Learn about the hand-carved artistry and story behind a major new attraction in The Factory at Franklin to Welcome Ken Means’ Carousel of Dreams in 2025, and step inside a creative studio with Jeremy Cowart’s The Portrait Lab: Innovative Photography at The Factory at Franklin.
For seasonal shopping, live music, and local produce, read The Factory at Franklin Farmers Market: Shop Local Every Wednesday. And to learn more about the new businesses, restaurants, and experiences that have recently opened at The Factory, check out What’s New at The Factory at Franklin. Whether you’re planning your first visit or coming back to explore more, there’s always something new to discover at The Factory at Franklin.
