What Was the Best Dining Neighborhood of 2016?

In keeping with Eater tradition, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types and bloggers. To kick it off in Nashville, Eater asked the group eight questions, ranging from the restaurants they frequent most to the biggest surprises of the year. Responses are in no particular order, and readers are encouraged to leave answers in the comments.

Q. What was the best dining neighborhood of 2016?

Nancy Vienneau, food writer and critic for The Tennessean:

Charlotte Pike/West Nashville.

Collin Czarnecki, founder and writer for NOBLE Nashville:

I'm cheating a little bit here, but I really feel like it's a toss-up between The Gulch and Sylvan Heights/The Nations. West Nashville's dining scene has really blown up this year with Bajo Sexto, Salt and Vine, The Nations Bar and Grill as well as Nicky's. The Gulch is also a hot spot with newcomers Marsh House, L.A. Jackson and Fin & Pearl. With EIO & The Hive coming to West Nashville and Maneet Chauhan's Tànsuǒ and The Mockingbird opening in The Gulch, both neighborhoods will definitely continue to be on foodie radars in 2017.

Chris Chamberlain, food writer for Nashville Scene’s Bites Blog, Food Republic and author of The Southern Foodie: 100 Places to Eat Before You Die:

For volume, 12South. For quality, Germantown.

Lizzy Alfs, retail reporter for The Tennessean:

I still think it’s hard to beat Germantown. City House, Rolf & Daughters, Butchertown Hall, Germantown Café, Cochon Butcher, etc. I like to make dinner reservations at one place and grab a drink beforehand somewhere nearby.

Lesley Lassiter, food writer for Nashville Scene’s Bites Blog and Lesley Eats:

The Gulch. Hard to beat the quality and variety that spans from Biscuit Love and Arnold's to Otaku, Watermark, and Prima.

Matt Rogers, editor Eater Nashville:

It’s a tough call, but I think I’d have to say East Nashville, with Butcher & Bee, The Treehouse, Two Ten Jack and many others holding it down. Margot Cafe is still a stalwart, and the new Urban Cowboy Public House has some really interesting things going on.

Vivek Surti, founder of VEA Supper Club and Sabrage Society:

East Nashville.

Beth Wallace Sachan, founder and food writer at Eat. Drink. Smile.:

For me, it's East Nashville, maybe because I'm completely obsessed with Butcher & Bee. But that neighborhood is also home to some other favorites like The Treehouse, Lockeland Table, Marche, and Mas Tacos.

Kristin Luna, travel and food writer and founder of travel blog Camels & Chocolate:

I feel like it's pretty evenly distributed throughout town these days—East Nashville/Five Points, SoBro, the Gulch, Edgehill Village and even Green Hills have welcomed some great new additions—but Germantown, the Nations seem to have seen the biggest boom in the past year or so.

Kristy Lucero, associate editor Eater Nashville:

Sylvan Park – It added Bajo Sexto, Salt & Vine and Farm Burger this year.