about
etch is a globally-inspired restaurant by award-winning chef Deb Paquette. The original location opened its doors in 2012 in lively downtown Nashville and expanded to The Factory at Franklin in 2024. The modern restaurants each house two private dining rooms, a full bar, and a chef’s bar, giving guests a look into Chef Deb and her teams’ culinary prowess.
etch’s eclectic menu incorporates innovative dishes inspired by Deb’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.
chef deb paquette
Deb Paquette is well known in Nashville where she’s lived and worked for the last thirty plus years. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, she became the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a certified executive chef. She’s been a trailblazer for chefs in the area, a mentor, and consultant to some of Nashville’s best talent. She’s won countless awards and accolades and was the chef/owner of Zola – named in Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Sixty Restaurants in the United States – where diners flocked to her big, bold flavors for thirteen years.
In 2012, Deb partnered with 4Top Hospitality to open etch in downtown Nashville. The restaurant was concepted to share the flavors, ingredients, and techniques she has explored through food worldwide. In the summer of 2016, Deb’s smaller, more intimate version of etch opened in the Green Hills neighborhood, serving lunch & dinner to a heavily local crowd that has been dining at Deb’s eateries for years. The second location of etch opened its doors in Franklin in fall of 2024, offering the same award-winning cuisine as the original location downtown.
“This town has supported and appreciated me, and I want to give back,” she says. She loves having locations around town where she can reach locals and destination-hunters alike. “This is what I do, and I will always do this. I just want to make good food that everyone can enjoy.”
Today, Deb leads a team of fellow culinary professionals to bring her creative concept to life while infusing their own talents, creativity, and passion for globally influenced food.
executive chefs
jess lambert & megan williams
Jess started her tenure with etch in 2014 as a cook before rising the ranks to Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, and now Executive Chef. Under the creative guidance of Deb Paquette, Jess oversees operations and menu development of the etch and etc. concepts. In this role, Jess creates seasonal menus for the restaurants, infusing her own talents and passion for global cuisine.
Megan was part of the original etch opening team, leading the pastry team to execute some of the best desserts to grace plates in Nashville’s booming culinary scene. Today, Megan is the Executive Chef of the etch and etc. concepts, where her creativity and execution continue to land her sweet concoctions in publications and local “best of” lists. You can find her delicious creations at both restaurants, including house favorites like the seasonal sundae with house-made ice cream and accoutrements.
loyalty program
Whether you’re a diehard Deb fan, local diner or frequent visitor, our loyalty program gives you access to members-only benefits like restaurant rewards and special access to gift card sales throughout the year. As a member, you’ll earn points on every purchase at our family of restaurants. For every $1 spent, 1pt will be added to your rewards account; for every 200pts earned, a $10 reward will be loaded onto your loyalty card. These rewards can be redeemed individually or saved up for a big night out on the town! Sign up on your next visit or online to start earning rewards at your favorite restaurants.
press
Wine Spectator has recognized 20-plus restaurants across the Nashville area in its annual awards program. Read more here.
For National Catfish Day (or any day), fry up this favorite from Nashville chef Deb Paquette. Read more here.
“This spring, etch, the globally-inspired Nashville restaurant owned by award-winning chef Deb Paquette, is opening its second location at The Factory. The restaurant will hold about 200 guests, and include two separate dining spaces for private parties. ” Read more here.
“Chef Deb Paquette made her mark on the Nashville culinary scene long before there was much of a “scene” to speak of. Get to know this trailblazing FACE of Nashville, and hear about her newest restaurant!” Read more here.
The Nashville chef dishes on where she eats around town, what motivates her to keep cooking in Nashville, and her dream dinner guests. Read more here.
Paquette shares her approach to New Years Day brunch with a twist on tradition. Read more (and get the recipe for Deb’s New Years Day Hushpuppy Bread Pudding) here.
In this week’s restaurant news, Etch reveals an opening plan for its Franklin location, a local taco shop and hot chicken joint expand and Dine Nashville continues. Read more here.
Toasting to an engagement, professional victory, or an extra-special birthday is especially fun in this ready-to-party city. A visit to one of these 12 restaurants makes any occasion extra-special—book one of Nashville’s top spots for celebrating right now.
From buzzy Manhattan eateries to lesser-known gems in the Music City, the spots on our list have a “Reputation” of being some of Taylor Swift’s favorite restaurants in America. See the full list here.
Deb became the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a certified executive chef, and has since won countless awards and accolades. Today, she oversees the kitchen at etch, a globally-inspired restaurant located in Nashville, as well as its sister restaurant, etc. Read more here.
Click through here to watch Deb Paquette, the first female certified Executive Chef in Tennessee, talk about Etch and etc and share an easy recipe you can make at home!
Some of Music City’s best spots to grab a late-night slice of pizza or a fancy dinner when the parents are in town aren’t necessarily within short walking distance of campus, and may require some other transportation to get there. Here’s Eater’s college guide to dining around Nashville.
Once you’ve secured tickets to a game, the next most important thing is where to eat and drink beforehand. Here is Nashville Guru’s Guide on where to eat and drink before a game and includes casual spots and upscale options.
If you’ve ever eaten at etch, you know we mean it when we say that Jess Lambert is a rockstar! Learn more about her culinary influences, the new etch location coming to The Factory at Franklin, and more here.
Need some recommendations on accommodations, food and activities while visiting Music City? Check out these recommendations from Forbes here.
Use this handy guide to experience the best dining Nashville restaurants have to offer—no cowboy boots, matching pink tank tops, or pedal taverns required. Check out the guide here.
If you’re looking for an alcohol-free alternative that offers all of the refreshment without the hangover, try a mocktail from these spots around town. Read more here.
Dining out in the city center has never been better, whether you want Italian fine dining or comforting Southern meat-and-three plates. Here are downtown Nashville’s top restaurants.
Four of Nashville’s most established, beloved neighborhoods are going through a transformation. Here’s a look at plans for new developments that will fuse time-honored traditions with new amenities. Read more about the developments here.
If there’s one thing that draws travelers to Music City more than the music and the Grand Ole Opry House, it’s the cuisine scene. Read more here.
Knowing where to start when choosing a restaurant can be daunting. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants in Nashville that cover several neighborhoods, cuisines, and price points. Read more here.
College around the corner for your teenagers? Don’t let touring schools become a chore. Instead, turn your summer college visiting plans into a vacation the entire family can enjoy. Read more here.
Wine Spectator released its 2023 Restaurant Awards, and more than 20 restaurants in Greater Nashville made the cut. Read more here.
Looking for an intimate space to host your next event? These Nashville restaurants offer private dining rooms — along with fabulous food and drink — to help you set the scene. Read more here.
“I was raised on yellow squash and grandma made it best,” says Chef Deb Paquette, chef/owner at etch and etc. in Nashville. “There is nothing better than a freshly picked squash—the flavor is heaven.” Ready to start cooking? Read more here.
Paquette said etch leadership had searched for the “perfect spot to grow the etch footprint” and believes The Factory is the “right place, the right time, and the right community for us to expand.” Read more here.
Perhaps one of the most exciting facets of the development, the restaurant lineup includes everything from hot chicken and traditional Southern barbecue to sweet treats and fine dining. Read more here.
Details of the restaurant shared by the Business Journal state it will seat 150 with 5,000 square feet that includes a dining room, bar, and patio seating. Read more here.
After over a decade, etch, by chef Deb Paquette, will open a second location this winter. Read more here.
Deb Paquette became Tennessee’s first woman to qualify as a certified executive chef over 30 years ago. She now leads some of Nashville’s best restaurants, including etch. Read more here.
Nashville is celebrated for its trademark arts community and vibrant culinary scene. With murals, museums, green spaces, and local eateries decorating every nook, visitors are presented with myriad options for the best things to do in Nashville. Read more here.
Named one of Nashville’s best restaurants, etch serves up dishes inspired by chef Deb Paquette’s favorite regions of the world — Cape Code, The Bahamas, and so many others. Read more here.
“Chef Deb Paquette has run some of the best kitchens in Nashville over her long career. The result is the globally-inspired etch, the standout SoBro restaurant that was the first (and is still the best) dining destination on the south side of Broadway.” Read more here.
Photo: Eric England “If all you know about nonalcoholic beverages is the term “mocktail,” it may be time to level up on your zero-proof knowledge and expect more from sans-booze specialty drinks.” Featuring etch’s Cucumber Mint Fizz, read more here.
“We can all agree that the pre-concert festivities are just as important as the main event. Whether you’re heading out for a date or a girls’ night, why not make the most of your evening with dinner and/or drinks beforehand?” Read more here.
Situated in downtown Nashville, this year the restaurant led by owner Chef Deb Paquette celebrates 10 years of serving tourists and locals alike. Read more here.
Each year since 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards reviews restaurants and chefs across the United States to select the best of the best. Read more here.
From the best rooftop views to haute cuisine, parking hacks to happy hours, we polled locals to weigh in on their favorite Downtown Nashville hidden gems, old-school hotspots, and tried and trues. Read more here.
Nashville’s food scene is booming. There are new restaurants opening almost every week and long-time favorites that still deserve attention. While breakfast, brunch, and dinner typically steal the spotlight, everyone needs a bite to eat at lunch time, too. Read more here.
The roasted cauliflower at etch is just one of Chef Deb Paquette’s many mouthwatering culinary creations. The popular appetizer features beautifully charred cauliflower served with three flavorful sauces — truffled pea pesto, feta cream, and red bell pepper essence. Order it as a precursor to your meal, or try it during happy hour. Read more […]
etch has turned regular cauliflower into what it was always meant to be — at least in our minds. Served with truffled pea butter, salted almonds and feta crema, with a red pepper sauce, this Roasted Cauliflower dish will almost make you forget you’re eating something healthy. Almost. Read more here.
Chef Deb Paquette is beloved by local diners for her deeply layered and flavorful international cuisine. Her roasted cauliflower with pea puree and feta crema is a must-order appetizer. Read more here.
Deb Paquette’s etch has been around since 2012, yet it remains one of the most revered restaurants in the city, serving unexpected items like duck tart, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, and carrot enchilada. Read more here.
What are the best-reviewed upscale restaurants in Nashville? We ranked Nashville’s upscale restaurants by a composite score of online reviews. Read more here.
Chef Deb Paquette is known for being full of surprises. Reading one of her menus at etch is like taking a master course in international cuisine, with unexpected global flavors layered on top of each other to create taste sensations that are delightfully unfamiliar to most palates. The fun of the experience is discovering upscale […]
Chef Deb Paquette has a knack for creating bold and flavorful dishes and is a welcome alternative to the barrage of bar food served just blocks away. Read more here.
Date night, girls night, graduation dinner…you name it, these local dinner spots are great for any occasion in Nashville. We’ve listed the very best places to enjoy a nice dinner in Nashville’s most popular neighborhoods. Sometimes just a simple list of ideas is the best resource. Happy dining! Read more here.
After decades running kitchens in some of Nashville’s most beloved restaurants, chef Deb Paquette shows little sign of slowing down. She continues to tantalize the taste buds of local diners with multiple layers of exotic international flavors as part of a tight menu at lunch and dinner. Read more here.
For fine dining, head to Sobro for a Nashville classic dinner from Etch. It’ll definitely be a night (and meal) to remember! Read more here.
Deb Paquette found the ideal match in Megan Williams to serve as etch pastry chef. Her desserts are consistently creative and stunning constructions that are pure pleasure to eat. Read more here.
According to the most recent census data, women-owned businesses in Nashville are on the rise. Even though they only still represent 35% of the businesses in the city, that is a 10% increase over the past decade—and a clear indication of what important contributors they are to Music City’s economy. Read more here.
Especially around Valentine’s Day, Nashville teems with fun and romantic opportunities to show your ardor or kindle some new flames. Here are some Nashville date ideas to steer you in the right direction. Read more here.
Chef Deb Paquette and her partners at 4Top Hospitality are quite good at making the best of a bad situation. Read more here.
Our favorites include some of this destination’s best local restaurants—from fine dining to simple fare. Read more here.
From casual diners to award-winning high-end restaurants, there’s a wide choice of places to eat in Nashville that will satisfy all tastes and budgets. Read more here.
Uproxx asked some of their favorite bartenders to tell them their go-to Scotch whiskies to imbibe during this snowy, sunless month. Rob Guimaraes, manager at Etch in Nashville chose a Benromach 10 year Speyside Single Malt. Read more here.
Nashville is a culinary treasure, known for meat-and-three diners, fiery fried chicken and fluffy biscuits as well as a strong farm-to-table community. Eat like a local with this guide to some of the best places to eat and drink in Music City. Read more here.
Read more about why Rob Guimaraes, manager of Etch in Nashville recommends Boulevard Ginger Lemon Radler for his Super Bowl parties here.
The food is art here, combining unexpected flavors and presented in an exciting way. Read about the romantic atmosphere of Etch here.
Etch owner Deb Paquette will be partnering with the Titans at this year’s Taste of the NFL Party with a Purpose on Feb. 1 in Miami, marking the seventh time she will represent the franchise at the Super Bowl. Read more here.
Six local chefs visit the 3rd hour of TODAY to offer Sheinelle Jones, Al Roker, Craig Melvin and guest Kathie Lee Gifford a sample of Nashville’s best eats. Watch the video here.
Chef Deb Paquette is beloved among Nashville foodies for her use of global flavors. Read more here.
Local heroes appearing under the tents on Saturday include Nick Pellegrino of Mangia Nashville, Hathorne’s John Stephenson and Joey Molteni, David Tieman from Five Points Pizza, TomKats Hospitality’s Matt Farley, Derek Brooks from the Capitol Grille and the dynamic duo of Deb Paquette and Jess Lambert from etch and etc. Click here to read the […]
From Holler and Dash’s shrimp and grits to Deb Paquette’s compressed watermelon, here are some of MCF+W’s best bites. Click here to read the full article.
Here’s your guide to finding wine around town, in between a little two-stepping at honkytonks. Click here to read the article.
I scream, you scream, we all scream because the sociopolitical climate in this country is threatening to tear us all apart. One thing we can (almost) all agree on? Ice cream is awesome. Click here to read the article.
There’s never been a better time to be a diner in Music City, and we’re here to help you make the most of it. Here’s where to eat in Nashville right now. Click here to read the article.
Here are the top-rated restaurants in Nashville, TN for every wine-lover out there. Click here to read the article.
Take a break from your busy work day to visit one of these fine establishments. Click here to read the article.
From barbecue and burgers to steak and seafood destinations, Nashville has a great variety of noteworthy dining destinations. Click here to read the article.
Randy Rayburn, Margot McCormack and Deb Paquette look back at 30 years of Nashville’s dining scene. Click here to read the article.
Nashville has become a premier dining destination not only just for tourists, but also restaurateurs. Here are some appreciated additions to the local dining scene. Click here to read the article.
Nashville is a culinary treasure, known for meat-and-three diners, fiery fried chicken and fluffy biscuits as well as a strong farm-to-table community. Eat like a local with this guide to some of the best places to eat and drink in Music City. Click here to view the gallery.
Unofficial, highly opinionated information about Music City. Brought to you by Kristy Lucero, Delia Jo Ramsey, and Matt Rogers. Click here to read the article.
Chef Deb Paquette is featured in the season 2’s first episode of Foodable’s Smart Kitchen & Bar. Read the full article here.
A rundown on the 10 essential women-led restaurants in Music City. Read the full article here.
Exploring Living Coral through food choices. Read the full article here.
Here are some great options to get the romance stirring… Read the full article here.
Nashville’s best happy hours, day by day. Read the full article here.
Advice from a Nashville native on where to find good food, what to do, and what to avoid while you’re in town for the draft. Read the full article here.
The people who eat for a living weigh in on their restaurant standbys this year. Read the full article here.
Etch works with fellow local restaurants to reduce excess food waist. Read the full article here.
etch ranks among the top 15 best Nashville restaurants in 2019. Read the full article here.
etch’s “Percy’s Request” made it on this top 11 drinks of the summer list. Read the full article here.
etch made it into CNN Travel, again! Read the full article, A chef’s guide to the best of Nashville, here.
etch made CN Traveler’s “19 Best Restaurants in Nashville” list! Read the article here.
Watch as Deb makes a Butternut French Toast and Ginger Hot Chicken here See the recipe here.
The business lunch is alive and well in Nashville. Here are 10+ places to sit and schmooze over a tasty meal.
Visit our sister restaurant in Green Hills for lunch, dinner, or drinks!