What One Word Sums Up the 2016 Nashville Restaurant World?

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. Sum up the 2016 Nashville restaurant world in one word.

Nancy Vienneau, food writer and critic for The Tennessean:

Diverse.

Collin Czarnecki, founder and writer for NOBLE Nashville:

Flourishing.

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:

Freshified.

Lizzy Alfs, retail reporter for The Tennessean:

Crowded. It’s hard to keep up with all the openings and I feel like I try a restaurant once and it takes me forever to get back, just because there are so many new openings. Nationwide, the restaurant industry is struggling and some experts point toward a restaurant recession. It will be interesting to see what happens locally.

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

Busy.

Matt Rogers, editor Eater Nashville:

Unchecked.

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

Evolving.

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

Dizzying.

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

Explosive.

Kristy Lucero, associate editor Eater Nashville:

Exciting! The city continues to rapidly add a diverse mix of restaurants that help draw in people from different parts of the country.