You walk into a coffee shop in 12 South and the first thing someone says to you isn't "What can I get for you?" It’s a compliment. They like your shoes. They think your hair looks great. It feels weird at first, honestly. We’re so used to the transactional, head-down grind of a typical morning caffeine run that a genuine human interaction feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But that’s the whole point of La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville. It’s not just a place to grab a matcha latte; it’s a social experiment wrapped in bright yellow branding and high-end espresso.
Nashville is a city that thrives on "Southern Hospitality," but as the city grows and gets more expensive, that charm sometimes feels like it’s being replaced by corporate efficiency. La La Land is trying to claw that back. Founded by Francois Reihani, the concept landed in Nashville with a very specific mission that goes way beyond selling beans. They want to normalize kindness. That sounds like a cheesy marketing slogan you'd see on a throw pillow at Target, but when you look at their hiring practices—specifically their focus on youth aging out of the foster care system—the fluff starts to look a lot more like real-world impact.
The 12 South Vibe and Why Location Matters
Nashville’s 12 South neighborhood is basically the epicenter of "curated vibes." You’ve got the murals, the high-end denim shops, and a constant stream of tourists looking for the perfect Instagram shot. Putting La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville right here was a calculated move. It’s a high-traffic area where people are already looking for an experience, not just a drink.
The space itself is airy. It’s clean. It’s very white with pops of that signature yellow that’s basically become a symbol for the "Kindness First" movement. If you’ve been to their locations in Dallas or Santa Monica, you know the aesthetic is consistent. But Nashville feels different. There’s a specific energy in the 12 South shop that feels a bit more communal. Maybe it’s the large outdoor seating area or the way the staff actually seems to enjoy being there. It’s a far cry from the soul-crushing silence of a library-style coffee shop where everyone is buried in a MacBook.
The Foster Care Mission: More Than Just Coffee
We have to talk about the foster care component because that’s the soul of the business. Every year, thousands of kids "age out" of the foster care system. One day they have a state-provided bed, and the next, they’re on their own with zero safety net. The statistics are heartbreaking. We’re talking about high rates of homelessness and unemployment within the first year of leaving the system.
La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville operates through its "We Are One" project. They provide job placement, mentorship, and a stable environment for these young adults. It’s a transitional bridge. When you buy a "Butterfly Latte," you’re technically funding a program that teaches someone how to navigate a workplace, manage a schedule, and build a resume. It’s a business model that prioritizes social ROI over just standard profit margins. It’s hard to be cynical about a $7 latte when you realize the person making it is getting a genuine shot at a stable life.
✨ Don't miss: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
What to Actually Order (Beyond the Hype)
Let’s be real: the mission is great, but if the coffee sucks, people won't come back. Fortunately, the menu is actually pretty inventive. They’ve leaned heavily into the "wellness" side of cafe culture, which fits the Nashville fitness scene perfectly.
The Butterfly Latte is the poster child. It’s blue. It has butterfly pea flower, maple syrup, and milk. It’s sweet, but not "sugar-crash" sweet. If you’re a coffee purist, you might roll your eyes at the colorful drinks, but they use high-quality beans. Their espresso has a brightness to it that holds up even in the more complex "signature" drinks.
- The La La Latte: This is their flagship. It’s got a secret "la la" sauce. It’s creamy, slightly honey-forward, and dangerously easy to drink.
- The Perfect Latte: Bold claim, right? It’s basically a vanilla latte but elevated with better syrups and a more balanced ratio.
- Matcha Options: They take matcha seriously here. It isn't that dusty, bitter powder you find at some chains. It’s vibrant green and whisked properly. The "Strawberry Field" matcha is a local favorite in Nashville—it’s basically dessert in a cup.
The food menu is mostly toasts. Don’t expect a full brunch spread. We’re talking avocado toast with red pepper flakes or the "Queen" toast with almond butter and berries. It’s light. It’s designed for people who are on the move or sitting outside in the Nashville sun.
The "Kindness" Culture: Is It Too Much?
Honestly, some people find the over-the-top kindness a little jarring. If you’re having a terrible morning and you just want to grumble into your black coffee, being told "I love your outfit!" might feel like a lot. There’s a segment of the Nashville coffee community that prefers the moody, dark, "industrial-chic" vibe of places like Crema or Barista Parlor. And that’s fine.
But La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville isn't trying to be a dark corner for brooding poets. It’s trying to be a bright spot. The staff is trained to break the fourth wall of customer service. They’re encouraged to be themselves. This leads to a weirdly refreshing atmosphere where the barrier between "worker" and "customer" is thinner than usual. It’s a bold experiment in emotional labor, and for the most part, it works because it feels earned, not scripted.
🔗 Read more: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
Why Nashville Was the Right Choice for Expansion
Nashville’s growth has been explosive, but with that growth comes a sense of "New Nashville" vs. "Old Nashville." There’s a tension there. A lot of the new stuff feels cold and gentrified. La La Land manages to feel "new" and "trendy" while maintaining a mission that feels grounded in something meaningful.
The 12 South location specifically taps into a demographic that values conscious consumerism. People in Nashville—especially the younger crowd moving into the city—want their dollars to do something. They want to know that their morning routine isn't just feeding a corporate machine. By bringing their foster care initiative to Middle Tennessee, La La Land tapped into a community that is already very active in non-profit and charity work. It’s a match made in heaven for a city that calls itself the "Third Coast."
The Reality of Running a Social Enterprise
It’s not all sunshine and yellow cups. Running a business that employs at-risk youth comes with massive operational hurdles. You aren't just managing baristas; you're often managing people who are dealing with significant trauma or lack of traditional support systems.
Francois Reihani has been open about the fact that this isn't the "easy" way to run a cafe. It requires more training, more patience, and a higher tolerance for turnover as kids move on to other careers. But that’s the point. The cafe is a stepping stone. Success for a La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville employee isn't necessarily staying at the cafe for five years; it’s using the skills they learned there to get a job in tech, healthcare, or whatever else they dream of doing.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning to head over to the 12 South location, here’s the ground truth. It gets crowded. Like, really crowded. Especially on Saturday mornings when the 12 South Farmers Market is happening nearby or when the weather is nice.
💡 You might also like: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
- Parking is a nightmare. Don't even try to park right in front. Look for street parking a few blocks over in the residential areas, but be respectful of the locals.
- Order ahead if you're in a rush. They have an app. Use it. The line can wrap around the building, and while the "kindness" makes the wait better, it doesn't make it shorter.
- Try the seasonal stuff. They often do limited-run drinks that aren't on the main board. Sometimes it's a lavender-infused cold brew; sometimes it's something more experimental.
- Take the compliment. Seriously. Don't get awkward when the barista tells you that your glasses look cool. Just say thanks. It’s part of the experience.
Final Thoughts on the La La Land Effect
We’re living in a time where everyone is "connected" but everyone feels lonely. A coffee shop that forces you to look someone in the eye and hear something nice might seem like a small thing, but it’s actually kind of radical. La La Land Kind Cafe Nashville isn't just selling caffeine; they're selling a brief moment of humanity.
Whether you’re there for the social mission, the blue lattes, or just a place to sit outside and people-watch in 12 South, it’s hard to deny that the place has a soul. It’s a reminder that businesses can actually be a force for good without being boring or "preachy."
Next time you're in the neighborhood, skip the massive national chains. Go get a yellow cup. Listen to the music. Talk to the person behind the counter. You might find that the "kindness" thing is actually a lot more contagious than you thought.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Best Time to Visit: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 9:00 AM to avoid the massive weekend tourist crowds.
- The "Must-Try" Food: The Miso Avocado Toast. It’s a savory twist that stands out from the typical Nashville brunch offerings.
- Support the Mission: Check out their website to see how you can get involved with the "We Are One" project beyond just buying coffee; they often have mentorship opportunities or donation drives.
- Photo Op: The "Kindness is Cool" neon sign is the classic shot, but the outdoor patio has better natural light for those who actually want a good photo of their drink.