Little Gourmand

Introduction / Overview

For Tennessee residents with a discerning taste for truly authentic European baking, Little Gourmand is a treasured, local secret that offers a genuine escape to France right in the heart of Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood. Far more than a typical bakery, Little Gourmand is an immersive French market and café established by Paris native Guenievre Milliner, who brought her passion for high-quality French food to a city where such products were previously scarce. Since opening in 2014, the mission has been simple: to provide Nashvillians with the best, most authentic French food and gourmet items, emphasizing quality ingredients and simple, classic preparation.

The atmosphere itself is a key part of the experience. Customers consistently describe the café as having a cozy, Parisian ambiance, enhanced by French music, decor, and often the staff speaking French—which creates an authentic immersion experience. The aroma of freshly baked croissants, rich coffee, and delicate pastries is constant, setting a delightful stage for a quick visit or a leisurely moment. Unlike American pastries, Little Gourmand’s French patisseries are noted for being "not overly sweet" but rich in flavor and butter, allowing the pure taste of high-quality ingredients to shine through. This adherence to traditional French standards is what makes it a must-visit destination in Middle Tennessee for locals and visitors alike.

Whether you are craving a buttery, flaky morning pastry, a light and flavorful French sandwich for lunch, or gourmet imported goods for your pantry, Little Gourmand provides a distinct, high-end experience rooted in the charm and culinary excellence of France. The constant presence and warm hospitality of the owner, often found checking in on patrons, further reinforces the personal, caring touch that has made this local establishment hold a special place in the hearts of its customers.

Location and Accessibility

Little Gourmand is conveniently located in the vibrant Green Hills area of Nashville, making it a highly accessible destination for people across Middle Tennessee.

The address for this charming French market and café is:

2209 Bandywood Dr ste d, Nashville, TN 37215, USA

The location’s position in a cute shopping center, often described as a "hidden gem," offers distinct advantages. Parking is made easy and stress-free for customers thanks to a free parking lot. For all members of the Nashville community, accessibility is prioritized with a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. The business model, catering to those who desire either a quick visit or a brief sit-down, is designed to be highly convenient. This Green Hills location specifically operates as both a French market and a cafe, offering limited seating both inside and outdoors, providing a pleasant setting for enjoying a coffee and a pastry.

Services Offered

Little Gourmand offers a blend of market, café, and on-demand services to meet the diverse needs of the Tennessee clientele seeking authentic French cuisine and gourmet products.

Key services available at the Green Hills location include:

• Dine-in: Limited seating options are available both inside and outdoors for customers who wish to savor their meal or coffee in the cozy, Parisian café atmosphere.
• In-store Shopping and Market: The location functions as a French market, carrying a wide assortment of imported fine foods, including specialty French cookies, mustards, preserves, teas, olive oils, and gourmet items like caviar and French butter (such as the prestigious Beurre Bordier).
• In-store Pickup and Takeout: Perfect for busy locals, orders can be placed for a quick and efficient pickup of freshly baked goods and sandwiches.
• Onsite Services: The café offers a full coffee menu featuring quality coffee, and the availability of a clean restroom for customer convenience.
• Catering and Large Orders: While pre-orders are necessary for large desserts, the business offers catering options, including miniature desserts and other prepared items, ideal for special occasions and events across the Nashville area.

Features / Highlights

Little Gourmand’s appeal extends beyond its delicious food, focusing on a unique cultural experience that is hard to find elsewhere in Tennessee.

Highlights that make this bakery stand out include:

• Authentic French Patisserie: The bakery specializes in true French desserts, including a wide array of pastries likeéclairs (chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and seasonal fruit varieties), Millefeuille (Napoleon), Paris-Brest, and classic tartlets (lemon meringue, strawberry, mixed fruit).
• Gourmet Croissants: Famous for their perfectly flaky, buttery texture, the freshly baked croissants and viennoiseries, such as the Plain Croissant and Chocolate Twist, are prepared daily to an authentic French standard. Customer favorites also include savory options like the Ham and Cheese Croissant.
• Less Sugar, More Flavor: The owner notes that the patisserie recipes are deliberately lower in sugar than typical American sweets, allowing the quality of the ingredients—especially the high-butter content—to define the flavor, offering a more refined taste.
• Imported French Goods Market: The Green Hills location doubles as a market selling high-end, imported French gourmet items and ingredients, making it the premier spot in Nashville to find specialty products like Teisseire syrup and various French mustards and oils.
• Exceptional Customer Experience: The charming, cozy atmosphere and the attentive service from the owner and staff are constantly praised, with customers noting the hospitality and the feeling of being transported to a café in France.
• Freshly Prepared Savory Options: For lunch or a quick bite, the bakery offers savory options such as the Bistro Puff Pastry and the Classic Parisien sandwich, made with exclusive French baguettes and the finest French ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality every morning.

Contact Information

To plan your visit, place an order, or inquire about catering options at the Green Hills location, please use the following contact details:

Address: 2209 Bandywood Dr ste d, Nashville, TN 37215, USA

Phone: (615) 522-7134

Mobile Phone: +1 615-522-7134

What is Worth Choosing

For Tennessee locals seeking the definitive Little Gourmand experience, several items perfectly encapsulate the bakery's commitment to authentic French flavor and quality.

The most worthwhile choices start with the Freshly Baked Croissants. The Plain Croissant is essential for experiencing the bakery’s mastery of French baking—a perfectly flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pastry that truly tastes like Paris. Follow this with a selection from the Authentic French Patisseries. The Foret Noire (Black Forest) and the Chocolate Tartlet are excellent representations of the bakery’s skill in creating richly flavored, not-too-sweet desserts, which customers consistently find delicious and unique. For a lighter, colorful treat, sampling the French Macarons is highly recommended, as they are noted to be unique and delicious, offering a wide array of flavors.

On the savory side, the Classic Parisien sandwich is a must-try. Made with their signature French baguette and the finest imported French ingredients, it provides a simple yet exquisite example of authentic French lunch fare. Lastly, exploring the Imported Fine Foods section is essential. Customers often rave about the unique marmalades and the specialty chips (such as the Blue Potato or Camargue sea salt options), which are excellent choices for bringing a gourmet, authentic piece of France back home to your Tennessee kitchen. Little Gourmand is worth choosing because it delivers an exceptional quality of food paired with a genuine, warm Parisian atmosphere that transports you, without needing a flight.