Nashville’s downtown location of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, a Cincinnati-based chain, evokes old Vegas with its over-the-top interior and nightly live entertainment. It’s a lively setting for sushi and raw bar treats like a seafood tower; Nashville hot oysters; USDA Prime and wagyu steaks; sides such as sweet potato mash and grilled asparagus; and even a couple of classic steak preparations like Steak Diane, served with mushrooms and brandy cream.

Deacon’s New South claims to have the largest dry-aging facility in the Southeast; take a peek at the meats maturing on-site then taste the exquisite results in the form of a porterhouse, Kansas City strip, or even a 48-ounce tomahawk. Other entrees at the attractive downtown restaurant show off local ingredients and Southern influences, from country-fried eggplant to spicy crawfish noodles.

The glamorous Justin Timberlake-backed Twelve Thirty Club sprawls across several floors, as do many of its Broadway neighbors. Aside from a honky-tonk and a rooftop lounge, the supper club has 400 seats and thousands of bottles of wine, stored on a head-turner of a glass wall. Sink into a plush red velvet chair to catch a live show and indulge in butter-poached king crab, a regal seafood tower, and steaks like a grass-fed, dry-aged rib-eye.

Per the name, the Southern Steak & Oyster puts a distinctively Southern spin on its menu, from deviled eggs dripping with Louisiana hot sauce to barbecued shrimp to a burger topped with pimento cheese. This downtown gem also serves meaty options such as grilled beef tenderloin biscuits and the Nudie Suit entree, which lets diners choose their own custom-cut steaks.

The Nashville location of Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak chain boasts 280 seats on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott hotel downtown, so the views are top-notch, especially from the outdoor terrace. The more-is-more approach carries through one of the city’s most extensive whiskey lists and opulent dishes ranging from black truffle mac and cheese to lobster pot pie to a tomahawk rib-eye carved table-side.

Adjacent to the Westin hotel downtown, Oak Steakhouse’s Nashville location incorporates regional ingredients into entrees like a heritage pork porterhouse with a veggie medley and a half chicken with aligot potatoes and dandelion greens. Naturally, the high-profile Charleston-based chain also offers plenty of steaks and sauces, like dry-aged bone-in rib-eyes and horseradish cream.

When Italian American chophouse Carne Mare opened in New York City, Eater named its gorgonzola-cured wagyu strip one of the city’s greatest steaks. Just months later, lauded chef Andrew Carmellini opened a second location of the handsome restaurant in the Gulch, where you can watch the team prepare that fabulous wagyu strip and other impeccable steaks in the glass-walled show kitchen with a wood-fired grill. Save room for dessert, anchored by a 17-layer chocolate espresso cake and baked spumoni for two, flambéed table-side.

A West End landmark where political power brokers cut deals over stiff martinis, Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse has served crowd-favorite blue cheese-stuffed filets and corn cakes since 1934. Much of the staff has been at this stately steakhouse for decades too, putting diners in especially adept hands.

Urban Grub converted a former 12 South car wash into a stylish destination for seafood, charcuterie, and dry-aged steaks. Stake out a seat at a fire pit or in a private cabana and order a filet with caramelized shallots and Worcestershire butter, then add sides like smoked gouda chipotle grits and ham-hock collards. Finish strong with anything pastry chef Alyssa Gangeri turns out, from banana pudding pie to peanut butter cheesecake.

Sperry’s Restaurant is a bona fide Belle Meade classic, serving steaks, prime rib, and bacon-wrapped filets stuffed with blue cheese for five decades; the restaurant also has a sibling in Cool Springs. Nostalgia adds a certain seasoning here, though it’s not the only reason to come. Be prepared for a crowd at the salad bar (get that green goddess dressing), and don’t miss the bananas Foster — prepared table-side, of course. You can also take home prepared foods, house seasonings, meat from the butcher, and other groceries from Sperry’s Mercantile next door.

As the name of chef Jason McConnell’s swanky downtown Franklin steakhouse suggests, Cork & Cow focuses on wine and meat, serving cuts like bone-in filet mignon, a rack of lamb, and a massive tomahawk grilled over hickory and oak and topped with lemon butter. Pile on the extras like garlic shrimp, sweet scallops, and a Maine lobster tail.