Varallo's Restaurants

A small, unassuming business nestled in the middle of the world of high rises. It's astounding how many times I walked past this place and didn't even register it existed until I was looking for a good breakfast online - and Varallo's came up again and again.It did not disappoint either! Their omelet was everything I was looking for with lots gooey cheese and served hot enough that I had to wait for it to cool down. Yum! And at a price that was 1/2 what all of the other nearby breakfast places wanted!The biscuits were just as delicious with your choice of strawberry or grape packets to go alongside it. The biscuits didn't need it, though, with soft, flakey, lightly-buttered flavoring that was perfectly warmed and ready to eat. I was "meh" on the oatmeal. I'd guess it's made from standard, unflavored oats because it doesn't have much of a flavor to it at all. Make sure to get some sort of brown sugar or other topping to give it some flavor. All food is served in styrofoam, so the waste here isn't great, but sometimes the nice, cheap prices a restaurant can offer are reflected in how much it costs them to operate, so I get it. A small diner run by just a few employees, expect a little bit of a wait to order and get your food. Some people were calling in to place orders to get them ready for pick-up if you're in a time-rush. Lots of people got their orders to-go (still requires waiting, though, if you order at the counter!) if you don't want to eat at one of their 8-ish four-person tables with armless chairs. Did not see a restroom here for customers.

As other reviews have mentioned, this is a small tucked away breakfast joint that's sitting in the middle of modern buildings and close to the central WeGo transit hub. Once inside, you're immediately hit with a sense of stepping a little bit back in time, given the old fashioned decor and the history of news clippings and pictures on the wall. Like others have said, you can spend quite a while perusing the wall content. The ordering process is pretty straight forward as you walk towards the counter and the staff greeted me and asked what I would like. I already read the previous reviews which recommended the chili and biscuit with sausage gravy so that's what I went with. I added cheese and onions of course to the chili which I think is the bare minimum you should need. The staff wrote down the order on a check and handed off to the owner who promptly wave me over to the cash out spot where I paid in cash. The seating is cafeteria style so I picked a table close to the window. The prices were very reasonable given the location and the place isn't that big. My meal arrived promptly and my first stab into the chili was phenomenal. It was flavorful but not too spicy. It was hearty with the right amount of seasoning and thick consistency. The biscuit was warm and soft. The sausage gravy wasn't too salty but gave the biscuit just the right amount of flavor so that it wasn't too overwhelming. Overall, a filling meal just for me as I wasn't too hungry that early in the morning but I will definitely come back for the fine chili and wholesome atmosphere. Please take the time to read some of the postings on the wall, very interesting.

I travel a lot and go out of my way to find places like Varallo's. They are known for what they call "a 3 way" which is chili with beans, cut noodle pieces, and a tamale. No chili is alike and everyone has their own interpretation. The Varallo version reminds me of a mild red beans and rice from Louisiana; no heat to it at all. I really like it and I've had it twice this week. I also had a biscuit breakfast sandwich which was outstanding. And their coffee tastes like coffee. This is my kind of place. Super nice owner and staff. Clean and well lit. Varallo's deserves our support. It is a rare gem that has survived because they serve simple food done correctly at a fair price. Go there!

I have eaten here once years ago when I was downtown working. This was before I was working downtown exclusively, so it was before 2016. Now that I've worked downtown for a while I always passed this place but never went in, until today. I was very pleased they served breakfast. When you enter the restaurant, it smells like a museum, which seems kind of fitting because it is the oldest restaurant in Nashville. also when they first opened, they were at a different location which I learned from looking at the interesting photos on the wall. I opted for a breakfast wrap. All the prices are very reasonable, especially for being downtown and especially after all the inflation that's been going on on my visit. It was before 8 AM on a Wednesday and there were two people working one guy back on the grill and another guy taking orders and checking people out, the guy was very nice. He took my order and the others behind me so that the order could be placed and the food made as quick as possible. They give a discount if you pay cash because they have one of those new machines or you tap to pay I opted to pay cash, which was a bonus, it helps if you pay cash in places for people because I think they get charged a fee. The food was made very quickly and I didn't mind waiting because there was plenty on the walls to look at. There were a few drivers that came in to pick up orders as well. He handed me my food and a brown paper bag, and I walked back to my office. the breakfast burrito was small, but still a great value for the price. Everywhere else downtown if you're gonna pay twice as much, for example across the street at the café at the Bobby hotel. Their prices are extremely high, but I suppose it's because its a high priced hotel and their customers.Overall, friendly service, quick service and decent food at a decent price

I stumbled upon Varallo's when I saw it from my hotel window. I researched it and read that they were known for the best chili in Nashville. I highly recommend getting the classic chili with onions and cheese. It was amazing! if the manager/owner is not busy ask him for the history story. It is a must try!

Quick and FRIENDLY service!! Food was delicious and the history is cool!! The prices can't be beat either!!

I loved the atmosphere! It felt like a New York deli and the food was excellent! If you're downtown skip the chains and come here!

Great little diner, I'm glad I stopped in and didn't pass this place by.Breakfast hit the spot,

We came for breakfast but had to try they famous chili too. Their biscuits sausage and eggs are great and so is the chili. The owner is very nice too. This is the oldest restaurant in Nashville from long ago and prices are not as high as everywhere else. Be sure to stop in for lunch or breakfast!

I don't know what boo boo taste like but I'm sure your food is the definition of shit the most horrible chili taste like a can of veyettie patty melt taste like a sponge fries had no season at all I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER ORDER FROM THEM AGAIN. do not order from this place 0 out of 10!!! nasty nasty nasty!!