Gate C12 sits right by MEEL in BNA’s Main terminal
MEEL runs as a fast-casual spot near C12 in Nashville International Airport’s Main terminal, on the post-security side. It’s part of the newer C Concourse upgrades, so it feels more modern than some older BNA options. You’ll see it in the central stretch of C, not far from several Southwest and American gates.
Hours at MEEL track with standard BNA daytime traffic, generally opening in the early morning window around the first bank of departures and closing in the late evening once the last C Concourse flights wrap up. If you have a 6:00 a.m. departure out of C10 or C12, you can usually count on grabbing something here on the walk to the gate. Late-night flyers after 9:00 p.m. should still have a backup in mind, since hours can tighten with the schedule.
Pricing at MEEL lines up with typical airport fast-casual numbers, so expect mains in the low-to-mid teens and drinks a few dollars higher than in-town Nashville. You pay the airport tax for being right by C12, but it’s still cheaper than sitting down at a full-service bar in the Main terminal. Figure roughly $20–$25 per person for food and a non-alcoholic drink.
Service is counter-style at MEEL, which helps if you’re on a 45-minute connection in the C gates. Order at the register, wait for your name, and either take it back to the gate or grab one of the nearby concourse tables. This setup beats waiting for a check when your boarding group is already showing on the screens at C11 and C13.
Practical tip: if you’re landing into A or B but departing from C, stop at MEEL on your first pass through C12 rather than “later” on the way back; the walk from A to C can easily eat 10–12 minutes in BNA’s Main terminal.