This Hidden Tennessee Market Serves Fresh Kurdish Bread, Shawarma And Imported Treats Worth Trying
A traditional barrel-shaped oven bakes fresh Kurdish bread here every day. The method behind it is described as thousands of years old.
I have to admit, that sounds like the best kind of stubborn tradition.
The bread is only the opening act. Behind the grocery aisles sits a small counter turning out shawarma, kabobs, and lentil soup.
There’s also a halal butcher section stocked with lamb, beef, and chicken.
This spot sits in Tennessee, but the shelves tell a much wider story. Middle Eastern, Turkish, and North African groceries fill the aisles.
Even hard-to-find imported sodas make an appearance.
I’d be tempted to grab a warm loaf before doing anything else. Then again, the baklava case might have other plans.
Follow Your Nose Straight To The Tannour Oven
Fresh Kurdish bread comes out of the market’s traditional oven every day. That oven is a tannour, a barrel-shaped bread oven used across the Middle East for generations.
Newroz Market leans on this old-school method at its Nashville shop. The bread-making style is described as thousands of years old, which makes your usual sandwich loaf look a little young.
Tannour bread gets slapped against the hot inner walls of the oven. That’s very different from sliding a pan into a kitchen oven.
The result is a flatbread with real roots behind it.
The market sells several breads beyond the tannour style. Tandur nan, stone bread, and Lebanese bread have all been part of the lineup.
That gives you options for wraps, dipping, or simply tearing off pieces in the car.
Grabbing bread first is a smart move. It pairs with nearly everything else in the store, from soups to grilled meats.
Buy an extra bag if you can. Fresh flatbread tends to vanish fast once it reaches a kitchen counter.
Freezing a few pieces for later is a handy trick, too. Future you will be grateful for it.
The Shawarma Counter Is Waiting Near The Back
Shawarma is the star that gets talked about most. At this market, chicken and beef are carved from a vertical rotisserie spit while they cook.
The meat gets grilled after carving. Then it’s tucked into homemade pita with lettuce, tomatoes, banana peppers, and pickles.
The whole sandwich hits the grill one more time before it reaches you.
That double grilling matters. It gives the outside a little toastiness while keeping the fillings snug inside the bread.
You’ll find the ordering counter right inside the market. The menu hangs above the grill, so take a second to scan it before stepping up.
Look for the shawarma sandwiches on the menu or ask the counter staff about the available options.
Can’t choose between chicken and beef? Plenty of folks split the difference with a mixed shawarma.
Lamb shawarma has also shown up on the menu.
Here’s a small heads-up. The sandwiches can be generous, so a half-for-later plan is realistic.
It’s also worth asking for extra heat if you like spice. Either way, this counter is the reason many people walk through the door in the first place.
Plates, Kabobs, And A Bowl Of Lentil Soup
Sandwiches are great, but plates let you sample more. The kitchen serves kabobs, chicken tikka, and beef tikka over rice.
Lamb shish kebab plates have come with two skewers, rice, chopped shepherd’s salad, soup, and hot bread. That’s practically a full tour on one tray.
Lentil soup is a quiet favorite here. It’s simple, warm, and made for dunking that fresh bread.
Some people say it reminds them of meals in Istanbul, which is high praise for a soup.
Chicken sambosa is another tasty pick. Think of a crisp, stuffed pastry that’s easy to eat and hard to share.
The menu also stretches into dishes like lahmacun, a thin flatbread topped with seasoned meat. Home-style items such as stuffed cabbage rolls have appeared, too.
A good strategy is ordering one plate and one soup for the table. That way everyone gets a taste without overloading.
Ask the counter staff about anything unfamiliar. They’ve been known to patiently walk newcomers through the menu, which helps a lot when every option sounds tempting.
Save Room, Because The Baklava Case Is Right There
Dessert at this market comes in layers. Flaky, nutty, syrupy layers, to be exact.
Baklava fills the case in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Some pieces are rolled, some are squares, and some look like tiny nests.
It’s a fun case to stare at while deciding.
If you’ve never tried baklava, here’s the quick version. It’s thin pastry dough stacked with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup.
One bite usually explains why it’s been loved for centuries.
The market also sells other homemade baked items and pastries. That makes the sweets section a nice stop even if you only came for groceries.
A small mixed box is the easiest move. You can try a few shapes and figure out your favorite at home.
Pair it with hot tea or coffee for the full effect. The sweetness balances nicely with a bitter drink.
Baklava also travels better than most desserts. It’s a handy gift to bring to a family dinner or office break room.
Just don’t be surprised if the box arrives a little lighter than when you left.
Grocery Aisles That Feel Like A Trip Abroad
Shopping here feels a lot like visiting a real Middle Eastern corner store. The shelves stretch well beyond the usual international aisle at a chain supermarket.
Newroz Market stocks Middle Eastern, North African, and Turkish groceries. Arabic products fill plenty of space, too.
That mix makes it useful for home cooks and curious snackers alike.
Spices are a big reason to wander slowly. Buying them from a specialty shop can open up recipes you’ve been meaning to try.
Bring a short list if you’re cooking something specific. Then leave a little room for surprises.
Browsing labels from different countries is half the fun.
Not sure what something is? The staff can help point you in the right direction.
Many shoppers mention how friendly and welcoming the team is.
Families who grew up with these foods can find familiar brands here. Newcomers can treat the trip like a tasty classroom.
One easy tip: pick one unfamiliar item each visit. It might be a jar, a snack, or a spice blend.
Over time, your pantry gets a whole lot more interesting without much effort.
Thirsty? Check The Coolers For Rare Imports
Palestine Cola is not something you spot at a gas station. Yet it has turned up in the coolers here, among other imported drinks.
The refrigerated cases hold plenty of soft drinks. Some are familiar, and some come from much farther away.
It’s a fun spot to hunt for something new.
Trying a foreign soda is a low-risk adventure. If you love it, great.
If it’s not your thing, you’ve still got a good story for lunch.
Drinks also round out a meal from the counter. A cold bottle next to a hot shawarma sandwich is a solid combo.
Kids tend to enjoy this part of the trip. Letting them pick a bottle with an unfamiliar label can make the whole outing feel like an expedition.
Grab a few different flavors if you’re feeding a group. Pass them around and compare notes.
Everyone usually has a favorite by the end.
Hard-to-find drinks can sell out, so buy a couple if you spot one you like. Waiting until next time is a gamble not worth taking.
Home Cooks Should Head Back To The Halal Butcher
Kofta night just got easier. Toward the back of the store, a halal butcher section sells chicken, lamb, and beef.
Ground meat is a big draw. The counter offers a mix of ground lamb and beef, which works nicely for koftas and burgers.
That blend saves you from mixing it yourself.
Halal meat follows Islamic guidelines for how animals are handled and prepared. For many Muslim families in Tennessee, a reliable halal source is a big deal.
Lamb can be tricky to find at regular supermarkets. Here, it’s a normal part of the lineup instead of a special order.
Plan your meal before you shop. Knowing whether you need cubes for kabobs or ground meat for patties speeds things up at the counter.
Bring a cooler bag if you’ve got errands after. Fresh meat and a long drive don’t mix well on a warm Nashville afternoon.
Then grab bread and spices on your way out. You’ll leave with most of a full homemade dinner in one stop, which is a pretty efficient grocery run.
Pull Up A Chair In The Back For Lunch
Eating in the car is an option. Tables in the back are a better one.
Newroz Market has a small restaurant area where you can sit down with your food. It feels like a tiny mom-and-pop cafeteria tucked behind the shelves.
Nothing fancy, just a casual spot to eat while it’s hot.
That setup makes it great for a quick lunch break. You can order, eat, and shop in one visit.
Service is often described as fast and friendly. The staff includes people who speak several languages.
You might hear Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish, or Spanish while you wait.
That mix of languages adds to the experience. It’s a reminder that this place serves a wide community.
Small business owners run the show here. The team regularly responds to feedback and has made improvements to the space.
That kind of attention says a lot about how much they care.
Go a little before or after the noon rush if you want a calmer meal. Then take your time.
Lingering over soup and bread is perfectly acceptable behavior.
Plan Your Stop With These Easy Details
Good news for busy schedules. Newroz Market is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You’ll find it at 393 Elysian Fields Ct, Nashville, TN 37211. That’s in South Nashville, an area known for its wide range of international businesses.
It’s an easy add-on to a weekend errand loop.
Parking is available near the market, although spaces can be harder to find around Friday lunchtime.
The early opening time is handy, too. Showing up in the morning means first pick of bread and baked goods.
A late afternoon stop works great for grabbing dinner ingredients.
Some prices may not be posted on every item. Ask at the register if you want to know a total before checkout.
Tennessee has plenty of barbecue joints and meat-and-threes. This spot offers a different kind of comfort food.
Bring a reusable bag, a little curiosity, and maybe an empty back seat for bread.