14 Of Tennessee’s Best All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Restaurants Worth Visiting

All-you-can-eat seafood carries a certain promise, especially in a landlocked state where expectations can feel cautious. Tennessee surprises in the best way, offering seafood restaurants that lean into abundance without sacrificing quality.

Locals know which chains deliver plates worth revisiting, where crab legs keep coming, fried fish stays crisp, and shrimp baskets never feel skimpy. These spots succeed through consistency, fair pricing, and menus built for repeat visits rather than one-time splurges.

Some cater to families, others to road trippers chasing value, but each has earned trust over time. This list brings together seafood chains Tennesseans genuinely recommend when appetite matters and leaving hungry simply is not an option anywhere.

1. Harpoon Harry’s Crab House

Crack into a tower of snow crab and watch the butter pool like sunshine on a plate. Harpoon Harry’s Crab House brings carnival energy to comfort food, with servers hustling baskets of hushpuppies and buckets of peel-and-eat shrimp.

You feel the party vibe before you even lift a shell cracker, and the aromas of garlic and Cajun spice do the rest.

Set your GPS for 112 Community Center Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and arrive hungry. The spread swings big, from clam strips and fried catfish to steamed mussels and a salad bar that mercifully adds crunch.

I love pacing the feast: crab legs first, then shrimp, finally a saucer of chowder to settle the sea breeze in your chest.

Expect quick refills and no-nonsense tips like “squeeze lemon last for a cleaner snap.” Kids light up over crispy popcorn shrimp while grownups angle for the next tray of crab. Dessert is simple, but honestly you are here for the buttery crack-and-pull ritual.

Wear something you can roll the sleeves on, and do not be shy about asking for extra napkins.

2. Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet

Smells of fried golden goodness float before you see the neon. Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet is a throwback in the best way, where crab legs click like castanets and tongs keep a happy rhythm.

The fried cod is flaky and honest, and the cocktail sauce carries just enough horseradish lift to clear the deck.

You will find it at 3985 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, right along the action. The buffet line favors abundance, especially steaming crab clusters, clam strips, and buttery shrimp.

I like to alternate bites of hot, salty fish with cool coleslaw and then chase it with a buttery crab pull that leaves the table quiet for a second.

Do not rush the crab legs. Dip, breathe, repeat, then circle back for a hushpuppy or two.

Staff keep the trays full and the tea glasses topped, which matters when you commit to round three. It is the kind of place where you loosen your belt a notch and tell stories, because nothing pairs with seafood like laughter.

3. Storming Crab – Knoxville

Roll out the bibs and prepare for spice that sings. At Storming Crab in Knoxville, the seafood boil lands glistening with Cajun butter, pepper specks shining like confetti.

You pick your heat level, pick your catch, and the bag arrives steaming and fragrant, a savory sauna for your senses.

Head to 8355 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, where the servers walk you through combos like shrimp plus snow crab with corn, sausage, and potatoes. I prefer medium heat, which lets the garlic and paprika strut without blowing out your palate.

Squeeze lemon, toss everything, and chase a shrimp with a potato that has soaked up the sauce like a sponge.

Go hands on and do not apologize for the mess. The fun here is communal, noisy, and deliciously chaotic.

Ask for extra butter if you want a silkier glide, or a side of rice to catch the runoff. When the bag is empty, you will swear it evaporated, then realize you ate everything and still want more.

4. Storming Crab – Madison

Another bag, another blast of buttery heat, and somehow it tastes new each time. The Madison outpost of Storming Crab keeps the party going with crawfish that snap and crab clusters that slide clean from the shell.

It is rowdy in the best way and the servers know exactly when to bring more gloves.

Navigate to 2125 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN 37115, and prepare for sauce decisions. I lean garlic butter plus Cajun, medium-hot, with corn that drinks in every spice note.

Shrimp are plump, sausage adds smoky ballast, and the potatoes are little flavor vaults bursting when you bite.

Pro tip: toss everything to coat, then let it rest one minute so the sauce clings. You will wear some of it, and that is part of the joy.

Wash down the spice with sweet tea or a cold beer, then go back for a crab add-on because restraint is overrated. Leave this Tennessee spot satisfied, slightly spicy, and smiling.

5. Krustaceans Seafood – Murfreesboro

First bite, and the seasoning wakes you up like a drumroll. Krustaceans Seafood in Murfreesboro builds boils with swagger, piling crab, shrimp, and sausage under a lacquer of garlicky butter.

It is the kind of plate that makes you instinctively lean over the table so nothing escapes.

Find it at 2858 S Church St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, where locals swap spice-level stories. I recommend the house blend with a lemon squeeze and extra corn for sauce mop-up duty.

The shrimp carry a sweet pop, and the crab legs deliver long, satisfying pulls that deserve a pause and a grin.

Order gloves if you want, but bare hands make better memories. Keep napkins close and do not abandon your potato halves, which transform into flavor grenades after a minute in the butter.

The vibe is relaxed, friendly, and focused on big portions over frills. You will walk out smelling like victory and Cajun spice, which is a compliment.

6. Krustaceans Seafood – Nashville

Spice rides shotgun here, but flavor drives. At Krustaceans Seafood in Nashville, the boil arrives glistening, and the aroma broadcasts garlic and cayenne across the room.

You feel the heat build gradually, the kind that teases you into one more bite before you reach for a sip.

Point your ride to 2260 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, and expect generous portions that do not skimp on crab or shrimp. I like to order extra sausage for smoky balance and a side of rice to capture that buttery runoff.

Lemon cuts the richness, and the shells crack with a deeply satisfying snap.

Service is brisk and friendly, even when the room hums with a dinner rush. Bring friends who can keep up and trade bites, because sharing is half the fun.

Wipe your hands, then dive back in when the corn cools a notch. You will swear you found your new weekly ritual by the last bite.

7. Bubba Gandy Seafood

Simple can be sensational when the seafood is fresh and the seasoning hits right. Bubba Gandy Seafood leans Cajun but keeps things approachable, with boiled shrimp that peel easily and crab that tastes bright and sweet.

You can smell the spice from the parking lot and that is a good omen.

Drop by 370 S Lowe Ave, Ste C, Cookeville, TN 38501, where the staff talk you through portions and heat. I like the shrimp by the pound, extra lemon, plus a side of buttery potatoes.

The crab platters make a convincing case for lingering, and the Cajun rub leaves a warm trail without overpowering the seafood.

Grab napkins, claim a corner table, and let the boil do the storytelling. If you love a no-fuss feast that still feels special, this is your move.

Bring a friend for taste swaps, then promise yourselves you will return for round two. It is comfort food with a Gulf breeze attitude.

8. Cajun Seafood

Tucked into Mount Juliet, this little spot punches above its weight. The boils burst with garlicky warmth and that Cajun spark that nudges you into happy silence.

Portions land generous, and the shrimp have a clean snap that tells you the kitchen respects the product.

Slide over to 538 Bass Ln, Mount Juliet, TN 37122, where regulars know the drill: pick your mix, pick your heat, then roll up your sleeves. I go medium spice and ask for extra corn to soak the buttery drippings.

Crab legs pull nicely, and the sausage gives the whole plate a smoky backbone.

Expect friendly guidance, quick refills, and a cozy room that feels like a neighborhood secret. You will be licking fingers and joking about needing a bib within minutes.

Save a cool bite of slaw for the finish to reset the palate. On a rainy night, it feels like a warm lighthouse.

9. The Seafood Place

Markets that cook their catch are my weakness, and this one nails it. The Seafood Place doubles as a market and kitchen, so the platters feel fresh and focused.

Fried fish arrives crisp without grease, while boiled shrimp carry that gentle brininess you want.

Head to 105 NW Atlantic St, Tullahoma, TN 37388, and browse the case before ordering. I like to build a plate with shrimp, crab when available, and a side of hushpuppies for crunch therapy.

Portions skew large, and the staff steer you toward the best of the day with the confidence of people who know their seafood.

Grab a table, add lemon, and do not skip the tartar sauce. You will appreciate the unfussy atmosphere that lets the food lead.

On weekend afternoons, the room buzzes with families comparing plates. It is the kind of place that turns first-timers into regulars after one good meal.

10. The Crab Shack – Lebanon

Nothing fancy, just the right kind of messy. The Crab Shack in Lebanon serves crab and shrimp the way you want on a hungry weeknight, hot and generous.

Butter cups sweat on the tray, lemon wedges wait like little reset buttons, and the smell makes good decisions easy.

Navigate to 300 E High St, Lebanon, TN 37087, and come ready to crack and peel. I like the shrimp basket for momentum, then switch to crab legs when the appetite finds its groove.

Fries add the salty crunch that keeps you going, and the hushpuppies are worth a dedicated pause.

Ask for extra napkins and a second lemon if you are chasing brightness. Service is friendly and quick, and there is always someone celebrating with a platter the size of a steering wheel.

It is casual, cheerful, and comfort-forward. You will leave happier than you arrived.

11. Fishmonger

Plates here feel like a seafood mixtape with great production value. Fishmonger balances polish with portions, so your table looks sharp and still satisfies that bottomless craving.

The grilled fish hits with a citrusy glaze, and the shrimp cocktail snaps with cold-brine confidence.

Make your way to 1316 Adams St, Ste 112, Nashville, TN 37208, where the room hums with date-night energy. I like a shared spread: a seafood platter to start, a rich fish entree, and a side that gives contrast.

The kitchen seasons assertively but not aggressively, letting the fish speak in full sentences.

Servers know their list and will guide you to sauces that amplify without shouting. Add lemon, pass the hot sauce, and take your time.

The vibe encourages conversation between bites, which is how great meals stretch into great nights. You will think about that platter later and smile.

12. Moby Dicky’s

Sometimes you want seafood with a side of game day. Moby Dicky’s brings the sports bar buzz with portions that qualify as event-level.

Fried shrimp stay crisp through the fourth quarter, and crab legs make halftime feel like a celebration.

Steer toward 155 Sanders Ferry Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075, and pull up a chair where the screens are bright and plates are brighter. I like a sampler approach: fried fish, shrimp, and a crab add-on for the grand finale.

Coleslaw cools things off, and the fries offer that necessary salty counterpoint.

Service keeps pace even when the place is roaring, and refills arrive without flagging anyone down. Bring friends, order broad, and do not underestimate how fast a pile of crab legs disappears.

It is rowdy, fun, and fundamentally satisfying. You will cheer for overtime if it means more bites.

13. Cookeville Dock Lighthouse Restaurant

Water views make seafood taste even better, and this spot proves it. The Cookeville Dock Lighthouse Restaurant delivers hearty plates that feel like an afternoon on the lake.

Fried catfish arrives flaky, shrimp come hot and quick, and the hushpuppies seem engineered for dipping.

Point your map to 13800 Cookeville Botdck Rd, Baxter, TN 38544, and settle into the relaxed dock-side rhythm. I like a mixed plate and a squeeze of lemon to brighten the crunch.

The portions lean generous, which suits a sunset appetite and pairs well with a slow drink.

Take your time between bites and watch the water settle. Service is friendly and unhurried, just what you want in a place where the view is part of the meal.

When the basket is empty, you will still be tasting the lake breeze. That is a win in my book.

14. The Holy Crab Shack

Joy shows up here as a mountain of crab legs. The Holy Crab Shack goes big on portions and lets you build momentum with fried fish and shrimp on the side.

Butter cups and lemon wedges are practically required gear, and the vibe is happily casual.

Set your course for 1731 N Main St, Ste G, Shelbyville, TN 37160, and expect fast, friendly service. I like to start with shrimp for warmup, then commit to crab legs and a pile of fries.

The fish is crisp, well-seasoned, and sturdy enough to survive a dunk in tartar sauce.

Ask for extra napkins and do not apologize for a messy table. Laughter, shell cracking, and enthusiastic nods are standard.

At this Tennessee place, cravings get satisfied without ceremony. You will walk out smelling like butter and victory, and honestly that is the point.