Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Nashville

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Nashville? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bastion

5.0

5 (102)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

South Nashville

About the restaurant

Bastion is the 24-seat restaurant of James Beard Foundation Award Nominee Chef Josh Habiger. It is located in a separate area within the casual cocktail bar of the same name, and it is a part of the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Bastion's dining room features counter seating around the kitchen for parties of 2 as well as three tables for parties of 3 to 6. Bastion's small team serves a weekly set menu of six dinner courses featuring many dishes with a wide variety of flavors, ingredients, and inspirations. Friendly service guides you through the culinary experience, which also features wine pairings, creative cocktails, and a curated vinyl soundtrack. Come early or stay late in the hidden Little Bar, which is a private offering for guests of the restaurant.

Top review

PamelaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Love this place! Their menu changes often and all dishes are creative and delicious. It is a really special experience to sit at the counter and watch these amazing chefs at work!

Pelican & Pig

4.8

4.8 (82)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

East Nashville

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by husband and wife team Nick & Audra Guidry, Pelican & Pig operates with playful creativity and service in mind. Drawing inspiration from places they have lived and from their many travels, in name and through the menu, the restaurant is a nod to the inspirations and influences from the past and present. By bringing a fine-casual dining service experience to a comfortable, cozy atmosphere, it is our goal to provide exceptional service through attention to details and knowledge of products and menus.

Upon entering you are greeted with a view of the completely open kitchen and wood-burning hearth. Let our staff welcome and guide you through the night with our list of craft cocktails, exceptional wine and spirit offerings and our hand-selected craft beer menu.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food and service. Loved the staff and the open kitchen. If you're in Nashville, this spot is a must!

The Catbird Seat

4.8

4.8 (232)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

The Gulch & North Gulch

About the restaurant

Award-winning The Catbird Seat will soon open in its new home inside the Bill Voorhees Building on 8th Avenue South. Be among the first to experience this next chapter, where Chefs Tiffani Ortiz and Andy Doubrava will offer a fun and approachable 15-course tasting menu rooted in seasonality and creativity. Beverage pairings - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be available upon arrival.

The Catbird Seat welcomes most dietary restrictions, including allergies, vegetarian, and celiac diets with advanced notice.

Come early, or stay late, and visit The Patterson House, our adjoining cocktail bar, for a pre- or post-dinner drink.

Top review

SuzanneVIP

Dined on 28 Mar 2025

This was a super cool taster menu experience, filled with lots of creativity and new ingredients, even for a person who is lucky enough to eat out often. I was delighted to chat with the chef and was also excited to hear that they are moving to a new location that sounds like it may be more becoming of the excellent standard of food they are producing. With only 20 covers at a time, its a great spot for a special evening (with or without wine pairing).

etch - Nashville

4.8

4.8 (8691)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / Sobro

About the restaurant

Featuring an array of global flavors and decadent desserts by Chef Deb Paquette and Pastry Chef Megan Williams, Etch is located in the ground floor of the Encore tower in Nashville's SoBro district. The restaurant is equipped with two private dining rooms, a full bar and an open kitchen with bar-style seating, allowing guests to interact with the culinary team. Lunch and dinner are available Monday-Friday, as well as dinner on Saturday.

In her 13 years as Chef/Owner of Zola, Deb received accolades for Nashville's best chef and Nashville's best restaurant multiple times. Nashville restaurants are many, but Etch sets itself apart with bold flavors and colorful presentations.

The cuisine at Etch is complemented by our comprehensive wine list, featuring an extensive collection of wines from around the world. Guests can also enjoy our modern take on classic cocktails, along with a variety of eclectic beers and regional drafts.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The scallops were fantastic! Servers all veery friendly and attentive. This place earns its great reputation!

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4.7

4.7 (5112)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Mere Bulles offers superb food, outstanding service, and a beautiful setting. With a 'make it happen' attitude, our goal is always to exceed your expectations. Lunch can be in and out or a leisurely meal with important clients. Dinner is there for any special occasion or another perfect evening out.

Mere Bulles reminds you of what was once the grand manor house of Maryland Farms. In Spring and Summer, relax in our bright, cheerful Indoor Patio with its floor to ceiling windows. Surrounded by majestic old maple trees, the outdoor patio is the place to be when the weather permits. In Fall and Winter, cozy up to the fireplace for a great meal in The Living Room. We have eight inviting private dining rooms. which can be booked by phone or E-mail through our friendly and astute Events Staff. Join us for Sunday Brunch 9:30am-1:30pm.

For parties larger than 7, please call the restaurant @ 615-467-1945 or email us at info@merebulles.com

Top review

donnaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Always a good time. Happy hour is the best. One of our favorite places to meet up with friends.

Park Cafe

4.8

4.8 (1429)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sylvan Park & Sylvan Heights

About the restaurant

Park Cafe is one of West Nashville's hidden gems, serving elevated American cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for nearly twenty-two years. Chef Jeffrey Martin crafts delicious daily specials from local, high-quality ingredients. With a talented kitchen and curated service, Park Cafe is sure to provide an excellent dining experience with local flair. Gluten-free & vegetarian options are available.

Whether you're dining on our spacious, peaceful patio, at a high-top in the bar, upstairs in the bungalow, or in one of our main dining rooms, you'll be glad you chose Park Cafe for lunch, brunch or dinner. We can't wait to see you!

P.S. Looking to book a private party? Please visit us on our parties page on our website or give us a call. We can't wait to make it special!

Top review

Logan

Dined 3 days ago

Christian was a great server and bartender! We will definitely be back!

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4.8

4.8 (4685)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Franklin

About the restaurant

Since it opening in 2006, Red Pony Restaurant has impressed guests by staying true to a mission focused on cuisine and service.
Chef owned and operated, Red Pony changes its menu about six times a year with the intention of keeping ingredients the season’s freshest and the variety of dishes dynamic.
While a great deal of the menu pays homage to the Sophisticated Southern foods Chef Jason McConnell grew up on, you will also see a reflection of his travels, that drive his creativity.
It is our belief that food is something to be celebrated. We also believe that experience is a huge part of dining. Whether it be enjoying a crafted cocktail at one of our bars or enjoying dinner at the table, we want each guest to be seamlessly guided through their time at Red Pony Restaurant.
We love our community and we love food.

Top review

JenVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Red Pony never disappoints. I’ve been going here for years. Best Resturant in Franklin.

The Mockingbird Nashville

4.7

4.7 (3272)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

The Gulch & North Gulch

About the restaurant

Modern Diner. Global Fare. Delicious Fun. This is The Mockingbird. Led by talented culinary duo executive chef / partner Brian Riggenbach and front-of-house extraordinaire / partner Mikey Corona, The Mockingbird offers a menu of comfort classics with a global twist and an ambiance of art deco diner whimsy. Walls are covered in beautiful custom-made wallpaper, painted tin tiles on the ceiling, windows open to two patios as weather allows and a larger-than-life mirrored bird sculpture overlooking the dining room. And then there’s the food and drink! Munch on a Mockingburger or Mac N Cheese (aka Feeling Grate!) while sipping an Old-Fashioned-ish or a Punchin’ Bag (ask about it – they are famous!). We also love hosting group events! We have a private dining room, an upstairs dining room and an enclosed patio, all perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette parties plus business lunches and corporate dinners. Y’all come see us! **Reservation cancelation policy is strictly enforced**

Top review

BrittneyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We loved the Bulgogi Steak and Chicken Fried Chicken! We also loved how the kid’s dinners were served in these retro “tv dinner trays!” So fun! Thanks for the good vibes!

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4.7

4.7 (337)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Franklin

About the restaurant

etch is a globally-inspired restaurant by award-winning chef Deb Paquette. The original location opened its doors in 2012 in lively downtown Nashville; the second location opened in fall of 2024 in The Factory at Franklin. The modern restaurant houses two private dining rooms, a full bar, and a chef’s bar, giving guests a look into the restaurants' culinary prowess.

etch’s eclectic menu incorporates innovative dishes inspired by Deb and Executive Chef Jess Lambert's favorite regions of the world to leave a lasting impression, or etch, on every diner. A wine list with over 80 choices is available, along with high-gravity local beers and hand-crafted signature cocktails.

Desserts are prepared in-house by Pastry Chef Megan Williams, whose creations top the list for the city’s sweet confections. House-made ice creams and artfully plated desserts change seasonally, providing a revolving array of treats that will keep you coming back for more.

Top review

RussVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Another masterpiece by Deb! Creative dishes served by a friendly staff. The salads are amazing, as are the scallops and the salmon. Wonderful pineapple dessert. Can’t wait to go back!

Gannons - Nashville

4.6

4.6 (555)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / Sobro

About the restaurant

Gannons Nashville is a Casual Fine Dining restaurant located at The Marriott Courtyard in the heart of Downtown Nashville. We offer a wide variety of dishes including fresh oysters and highly curated cocktails designed by our experienced team of mixologists. Join us for live jazz and a dinner experience you wont soon forget!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Everything great! Music was good not too loud. Great Atmosphere! Food very good! Waitress very nice, but Service very very slow. It seemed other tables were being served, but we waited a long appetizers and even longer fir our meal!

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