Highest Rated Seafood Restaurants In All Of Tennessee
Fresh seafood might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Tennessee.
Most visitors picture barbecue, hot chicken, and comfort food served on big plates. But anyone who has spent time eating around Tennessee knows there is another side to the story. A surprisingly good one.
Across the Volunteer State, talented chefs are serving oysters, crab, shrimp, lobster, and fresh fish dishes that keep diners talking long after the meal ends.
Some restaurants focus on coastal flavors with a Southern twist. Others keep things simple and let quality ingredients do the work. The result is a seafood scene that continues to impress locals and travelers alike.
So where should you go when a seafood craving strikes? Which restaurants have earned the strongest praise and the highest ratings?
We searched through the places people return to again and again to find the seafood spots that stand above the rest. Bring your appetite.
Tennessee has more great seafood than many people ever expect.
1. Aquarium Restaurant, Nashville
Eating surrounded by thousands of fish is not something most people get to do on a Tuesday night, but at the Aquarium Restaurant in Nashville, that is just a regular evening.
This one-of-a-kind spot sits inside the Opry Mills shopping complex and pulls in visitors and locals alike with its jaw-dropping 200,000-gallon aquarium centerpiece.
The giant tank wraps around the dining room and is filled with tropical fish, stingrays, and sharks, making it feel more like an underwater adventure than a dinner reservation. Kids absolutely love it, but adults are equally amazed by the spectacle.
The seafood menu leans into the ocean theme with shrimp, salmon, and crab dishes that are fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
The atmosphere here is unlike anything else in Tennessee. It is loud, colorful, and full of energy, which makes it a great choice for families or anyone looking for a dining experience that goes beyond just the food.
Service tends to be warm and attentive, and the staff clearly enjoy working in such a unique environment.
Whether you are visiting Nashville for the first time or you have lived there for years, a meal at the Aquarium Restaurant is something you genuinely remember long after the check arrives.
2. Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant, Knoxville
Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant in Knoxville has been a local favorite for decades, and the loyalty of its regulars says everything you need to know.
This beloved spot has built a rock-solid reputation for serving fresh, well-prepared seafood in a comfortable and welcoming setting that feels nothing like a chain restaurant.
The menu is extensive, covering everything from classic fried shrimp and fish platters to more refined preparations of salmon and crab. The kitchen clearly takes pride in quality, and you can taste that care in every dish.
The portions are generous without being sloppy, and the flavors are consistently on point visit after visit.
Inside, the atmosphere leans warm and relaxed, with wood tones and soft lighting that make the space feel like a real neighborhood restaurant rather than a tourist trap.
The staff here tend to be friendly and knowledgeable, happy to walk you through the menu and make suggestions based on what is freshest that day.
Chesapeake’s also does a great job of balancing a wide variety of options so that both seafood purists and more adventurous eaters can find something to love.
For anyone spending time in Knoxville and craving a proper seafood meal, this place consistently delivers exactly what you are hoping for without any fuss or pretension.
Find it at 9630 Parkside Dr.
3. Coastal Fish Company, Memphis
Coastal Fish Company brings a fresh, market-style approach to seafood dining that feels different from most restaurants in the Memphis area.
This spot has earned a loyal following by focusing on quality sourcing and preparations that let the natural flavors of the fish shine through without overcomplicating things.
The concept here leans into the idea of a working fish market crossed with a proper sit-down restaurant, which creates an interesting and approachable dining experience.
You can see the freshness in the food, from the bright, clean taste of the fish to the way each dish is plated with care and intention. The menu rotates based on what is available and at its best, which keeps things exciting for repeat visitors.
The space itself feels modern and airy, with a design that gives a nod to coastal aesthetics without going overboard with the nautical theme. It strikes a nice balance between casual and polished, making it work equally well for a quick lunch or a more relaxed dinner.
The staff are attentive and clearly passionate about what they are serving, which adds to the overall positive experience.
For Memphis residents who want access to genuinely fresh seafood prepared with skill and care, Coastal Fish Company at 415 Great View Dr as positioned itself as one of the most reliable and exciting options in the city.
4. Riverfront Seafood Co, Kingsport
Riverfront Seafood Co at 1777 Netherland Inn Rd in Kingsport is the kind of place that makes you understand why some restaurants develop a near-legendary reputation.
This spot was ranked the number two Hidden Gem Restaurant in the entire United States by TripAdvisor in 2024, and one meal here makes it very easy to see why that recognition was well-earned.
The setting alone is worth the trip, with views of the river creating a backdrop that feels genuinely special rather than manufactured. The menu is built around seafood done right, with perfectly seasoned shrimp, fried oysters, and salmon that regulars rave about consistently.
Nothing here feels rushed or mass-produced, and the kitchen’s attention to seasoning and technique sets it apart from most seafood spots in the region.
Kingsport does not always get the food travel attention that Nashville or Memphis receive, but Riverfront Seafood Co is a very compelling reason to make the drive out to the Tri-Cities area.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the service matches the quality of the food, and the overall experience feels like something genuinely special rather than just another dinner out.
Locals vote it the best seafood restaurant in the area year after year, and that kind of consistent community love is one of the most honest endorsements any restaurant can receive.
5. Half Shell, Memphis
Raw oysters, cold drinks, and a crowd that clearly knows good seafood. That is the energy at Half Shell, one of Memphis’s most enduring and beloved seafood restaurants.
Sitting at 688 S Mendenhall Rd, this spot has been feeding the city’s seafood cravings for years and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
The raw bar is the star of the show here, drawing in regulars who come specifically for the fresh oysters served on the half shell. Beyond the raw bar, the menu covers a solid range of seafood options including fried catfish, shrimp, and crab dishes prepared with real Southern know-how.
The flavors are bold, the portions are satisfying, and nothing on the menu feels like an afterthought.
The vibe at Half Shell is casual and unpretentious, which is honestly part of the charm. You are not walking into a stuffy dining room here.
Instead, you get a lively bar atmosphere, friendly servers who have probably been there for years, and the kind of easy comfort that makes you want to stay for a second round.
Memphis has a rich food culture, and Half Shell fits right into that tradition by prioritizing honest cooking over flashy presentations. If you are looking for a seafood spot in Memphis that delivers real flavor in a laid-back setting, this is a genuinely great pick.
6. Connors Steak & Seafood, Franklin
Some restaurants just feel right the moment you walk through the door, and Connors Steak and Seafood in Franklin is exactly that kind of place. The address is 1916 Galleria Blvd, near the Cool Springs Galleria.
The seafood menu features standouts like Blue Point Oysters and a rich, crowd-pleasing Lobster Dip that regulars keep coming back for. Alongside the seafood, the restaurant also serves impressive cuts of meat, making it a great choice for groups where not everyone wants fish.
The balance between land and sea on the menu is handled with real skill, and both sides of the menu hold up to serious scrutiny.
The interior is polished and sophisticated without feeling cold or unwelcoming. Dark wood finishes, warm lighting, and attentive service create a dining environment that works equally well for a date night, a business dinner, or a celebratory meal with family.
Franklin has grown into one of the most food-forward communities in Tennessee, and Connors fits right into that elevated dining culture while still maintaining a level of warmth that keeps things from feeling stuffy. It is a genuinely impressive restaurant by any measure.
7. The Seafood Place, Tullahoma
Not every great seafood restaurant needs a waterfront view or a famous zip code to earn its stripes. The Seafood Place in Tullahoma proves that point beautifully.
This no-frills spot has built a devoted local following by simply focusing on cooking good seafood and treating customers right, which turns out to be a winning formula every single time.
The menu here is straightforward and satisfying, leaning into classic Southern seafood preparations like fried shrimp, catfish, and fish platters that are served hot, fresh, and generously portioned.
There is something deeply comforting about food like this, and The Seafood Place delivers it with a consistency that keeps people coming back week after week. The flavors are honest and bold, without any unnecessary fuss layered on top.
The atmosphere is relaxed and community-oriented in the best possible way.
This is not a restaurant trying to be something it is not. Instead, it embraces its role as a beloved neighborhood spot and does that job with real pride. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the overall experience has the kind of easy warmth that is surprisingly hard to manufacture.
For anyone passing through Tullahoma or living in the area, 105 NW Atlantic St is a genuinely satisfying stop that reminds you great food does not require a big-city address.
8. Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar, Chattanooga
Chattanooga has one of the most scenic riverfronts in the entire state, and Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar makes the most of that natural advantage in a way that very few restaurants manage to pull off.
This spot sits right along the water and offers a large outdoor deck where guests can enjoy fresh seafood with the river flowing by just a few feet away.
The raw bar is a major draw here, with fresh oysters that locals and visitors consistently praise for their quality and presentation. Beyond the oysters, the menu covers a range of seafood and rotisserie options that showcase real kitchen versatility.
The food is flavorful and carefully prepared, and the combination of great cooking with a stunning outdoor setting makes for a dining experience that is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else in the city.
On a warm Tennessee evening, the outdoor deck at Boathouse feels like one of the best seats in the state. The atmosphere manages to be relaxed and celebratory at the same time, drawing in everyone from casual diners to couples marking a special occasion.
The staff bring a friendly professionalism to the experience that matches the quality of the setting and the food. Chattanooga already has a lot going for it as a destination, and Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar is one more excellent reason to make the trip.
9. Krustaceans Seafood, Nashville
Seafood boils have a way of bringing people together around the table in a way that few other meals can match. Krustaceans Seafood in Nashville has turned that communal experience into something genuinely special.
This lively spot at Lebanon Pike serves up bold, flavor-packed seafood boils that have quickly earned it a passionate and growing fan base in the city.
The concept is built around fresh shellfish and seafood cooked in heavily seasoned broths and served in bags right at your table, which makes for a messy, fun, and deeply satisfying meal.
Crab legs, shrimp, clams, and corn all come together in combinations that are as generous as they are delicious.
The seasoning options let you control your heat level, which means the menu works for both spice lovers and those who prefer something a little milder.
The atmosphere at Krustaceans is casual, energetic, and unabashedly fun. There is nothing pretentious about this place, and that is exactly the point. You come here to eat well, enjoy good company, and leave happier than when you arrived.
Nashville’s food scene is incredibly diverse, and Krustaceans adds a flavor-forward, crowd-pleasing dimension to that landscape that stands apart from the city’s more refined dining options.
For anyone craving a bold and interactive seafood experience in Nashville, this is absolutely the place to be.