Big Bad Breakfast Opens at Former City Cafe

The new restaurant is now serving customers in the historic space on East Main Street.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Gouache-painted illustration of a single wooden chair on a sidewalk in front of a historic brick facade. — Big Bad Breakfast has opened its doors in Murfreesboro, taking over the historic East Main Street location previously occupied by City Cafe. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Big Bad Breakfast officially opened its doors to the public on October 27, 2026, at 113 East Main Street. The location replaces the legendary City Cafe, which shuttered its doors in early 2025.

Why it matters

The arrival of Big Bad Breakfast marks a new chapter for the prominent downtown address following the departure of a business that served the community for over a century. The local community sees a transition from a historic institution to a modern dining concept focused on scratch-made morning dishes.

The new restaurant occupies the 113 East Main Street building that housed the City Cafe for a 124-year period. Construction crews maintained the original exterior sign despite extensive interior renovations.

The players

Big Bad Breakfast

This restaurant chain specializes in breakfast-centric cuisine and is known for scratch-made dishes and house-cured meats.

City Cafe

This former Murfreesboro institution served the local community for 124 years before closing in 2025 due to rising operating costs.

The details

The restaurant specializes in scratch-made morning fare, including fresh biscuits and house-cured meats. Although the interior was updated to meet new operational standards, the renovation preserved the iconic sign from the former City Cafe building.

January 23, 2025: The City Cafe closed after 124 years of service.
October 24, 2026: An invitation-only preview event was held for the new restaurant.
October 27, 2026: Big Bad Breakfast began full service for the general public.

Market Landscape

This opening follows the broader national trend of new hospitality concepts occupying legacy commercial footprints in historic districts. The transition highlights the ongoing evolution of downtown retail spaces as established businesses face rising operational expenses.

Residents can now visit the location for breakfast and lunch featuring scratch-made menu items. The site remains a focal point of downtown dining, offering a different culinary style than its long-standing predecessor.

The takeaway

The transformation of the East Main Street space preserves a piece of local history while introducing a new dining option to the area. Customers should expect a change in menu offerings as the site shifts from a long-running cafe to a modern breakfast concept.