The 14 Best Restaurants In Downtown Nashville 2024

"You know those comfy pair of Vans in your closet that you refuse to give up? They may not be as cool as they were 10 years ago (daaaamn Daniel), but slipping them on always feels comfortable and effortless. That’s how we feel about Etch. It opened in 2012, and it’s still as good as ever. Plenty of wine-soaked business lunches go down here, as do solo dinners at the chef’s counter overlooking the buzzy kitchen. The food on the menu may not feel as edgy as it once did, but the flavor and quality always hit the mark. You’ll find the Etch standards on there—like the roasted cauliflower and the eponymous salad—along with some seasonal additions like a tomato galette or a za’atar-crusted venison. The wine list is interesting and features some unexpected picks, too." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak