There’s something about the words “Want to go get a treat?” that can turn an entire school day around.
Whether we’re celebrating a good grade, surviving a particularly long Tuesday, or I just don’t feel like going straight home to homework and laundry, an after-school treat run is one of my favorite little ways to break up the week.
And Nashville has plenty of options beyond your standard scoop of ice cream. We’re talking chocolate-covered bananas, mochi donuts, adorable matcha bears, and even a place where you can order fries with your ice cream—which feels like it was specifically designed for moms and kids to both get what they want.
Here are a few Nashville-area spots to add to your after-school treat rotation.
If your kids think fruit doesn’t count as dessert, Nigel’s Bananas might change their minds.
Their frozen bananas are dipped in chocolate and loaded with toppings, making them one of those treats that feels a little nostalgic but way more fun than anything we had growing up. Plus, there’s something slightly satisfying about being able to say, “Sure, you can have a banana after school,” while knowing full well it’s covered in chocolate.
It’s a fun alternative when everyone wants something sweet but you’re looking to switch things up from the usual cookies and ice cream.
Mochi Donuts from Viet Tea Café
If your kids haven’t tried a mochi donut yet, this is your sign.
The mochi donuts at Viet Café have that perfectly chewy texture that makes them completely different from a traditional donut. They come in fun flavors and are great for ordering a few to share so everyone can try something different.
They also get bonus points for being an after-school treat that feels like a mini food adventure. Grab a box, let everyone pick a flavor, and suddenly an ordinary weekday afternoon feels a little more exciting.
Matcha Bears from Olle Korean Eats
This might win the award for cutest treat on the list.
OLLÉ Korean Eats serves adorable little matcha bears that almost look too cute to eat. Almost.
If your kids are into matcha—or you’re slowly trying to bring them over to the matcha side—this is such a fun one to try. It’s also the kind of treat that will absolutely require a photo before anyone is allowed to take a bite.
Ice cream and French fries for them. Beer for you.
Fryce Cream combines two foods that have no business being this good together: crispy fries and soft-serve ice cream. Go sweet, go salty or dip the fries directly into the ice cream like the sophisticated food critic you are.
And because Fryce Cream also serves beer, this may be the most parent-friendly after-school treat stop on the list. The kids get their ice cream, you get fries and a beer, and everyone leaves happier than they arrived.
Everybody wins.
For an after-school treat with a little French flair, stop by Little Gourmand.
This French market and café is a fun change from the typical cookie or ice cream run. Pick out a pastry, macaron, chocolate or another French treat and let the kids try something new. It feels a little fancy without needing a special occasion—which makes it perfect for turning a random weekday afternoon into something fun.
Not every treat needs to celebrate something.
Sometimes the reason is simply that everyone made it through the day.
Pick a spot you’ve never tried, let the kids choose what to order, sit down together for 20 minutes and ask about the best and worst parts of their day. These little after-school stops have a funny way of becoming the things kids remember.
And if French fries happen to get dipped into ice cream along the way? Even better.
