Cafe Babu - Nashville, TN (2024)

This 800 sqft café has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, known for its warm hospitality and strong sense of community. Its design embraces natural, textured materials, creating a welcoming and tactile environment.

Thick concrete walls, finished in an earthy red-brown plaster, give the space a raw yet inviting feel. This warm color palette extends to the bar, countertops, and floors, creating a cohesive and calming atmosphere. Large windows flood the café with natural light, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors.

Raw, live-edged wood is a key feature, used in tables, benches, walls, and ceilings. Its natural imperfections add character and depth, complementing the textured concrete and plaster. A fabric-draped ceiling softens the space, improving acoustics while adding movement and contrast to the solid materials.

Inspired by wabi-sabi, the design highlights imperfections and craftsmanship, celebrating the beauty of natural materials. Outside, a craftsman-style patio features large concrete tables and a shou sugi ban fence, reinforcing the organic aesthetic.

Every detail in this café is intentional, creating a timeless space that feels both grounded and connected to the community.