13 Tiny Seafood Spots In Tennessee That Are Absolutely Worth The Drive This Spring
Spring in Tennessee brings road trips, open windows, and cravings for something fresh and satisfying. While the state may be landlocked, small seafood spots continue to surprise diners with Gulf shrimp, crispy catfish, buttery crab legs, and baskets piled high with hush puppies.
These places may not look flashy on the outside, but the flavour coming out of their kitchens speaks loudly.
Across the state, independent seafood counters and compact dining rooms draw loyal regulars who know exactly what to order. Expect paper-lined trays, house-made sauces, and seafood served hot and generous.
A casual setting only adds to the appeal, making each stop feel relaxed and welcoming. When spring calls for a drive, these Tennessee seafood spots deliver plates that make the mileage feel worthwhile.
1. Krustaceans Seafood – Nashville
Walking into Krustaceans Seafood on Lebanon Pike in Nashville feels like stumbling upon a secret that only the locals know. The energy here is lively and welcoming, with the smell of seasoned seafood hitting you the moment you step through the door.
It is the kind of place where you settle in and forget about everything else for a while.
The kitchen leans hard into bold, Southern-spiced seafood boils that are messy in the best possible way. Piles of shrimp, crab, and corn arrive at your table in a bag or on a tray, ready for you to dig in with your hands.
The sauces are layered with flavor and carry just the right amount of heat for those who enjoy a little kick.
Nashville is already famous for its food scene, but this spot stands out by offering something different from the usual hot chicken and honky-tonk fare. Krustaceans draws in a crowd that keeps coming back week after week, and after one visit, you will completely understand why the regulars are so loyal to this gem.
2. Krustaceans Seafood – Murfreesboro
Just down the road from Nashville, the Murfreesboro location of Krustaceans Seafood on South Church Street brings that same crowd-pleasing energy to a slightly smaller setting. Murfreesboro has been growing fast, and this restaurant has grown right along with it, earning a loyal base of fans who drive from surrounding towns just for a taste.
The menu mirrors the Nashville location in all the right ways, offering a rotating selection of shellfish and seafood options that get tossed in your choice of signature seasonings. Spice lovers will find plenty to celebrate here, and those who prefer milder flavors are well taken care of too.
Every order feels generous and satisfying without being overwhelming.
What makes this location particularly special is the relaxed, neighborhood vibe that sets it apart from a typical chain experience. The staff treat every guest like a regular, and the casual setup encourages long, comfortable meals with friends or family.
If you find yourself in Middle Tennessee this spring, South Church Street deserves a spot on your food tour itinerary without any hesitation.
3. CATCH Land & Sea
Tucked inside a shopping center at 300 Indian Lake Boulevard in Hendersonville, CATCH land and sea manages to feel like a discovery every single time you visit. The name says it all: this kitchen celebrates both land and sea with equal enthusiasm and creativity.
Hendersonville locals have embraced it wholeheartedly, and the reputation has spread well beyond city limits.
The menu here leans toward a more polished presentation than your average seafood shack, but it never feels stuffy or pretentious. Fresh fish, beautifully prepared sides, and thoughtful flavor combinations make every dish feel intentional and satisfying.
It is the kind of restaurant that reminds you how good simple, quality ingredients can taste when handled with care.
Spring is a particularly lovely time to visit because the surrounding area near Indian Lake comes alive with color and activity. After a meal here, you can take a short walk and enjoy the scenery that makes Hendersonville such a pleasant destination.
Whether you are a seafood enthusiast or just someone looking for a reliably excellent meal, CATCH land and sea delivers a dining experience that feels genuinely special and memorable.
4. Cookeville Dock Lighthouse Restaurant
Few dining experiences in Tennessee match the charm of the Cookeville Dock Lighthouse Restaurant, situated right on the water at 13800 Cookeville Dock Road in Baxter. The setting alone is worth the drive, but the food ensures you will be talking about this place long after you leave.
Sitting beside the lake while enjoying fresh seafood is a combination that is hard to beat.
The restaurant has a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere that feels tailor-made for a slow spring afternoon. Families, couples, and solo adventurers all find something to love here, from the sweeping water views to the hearty, satisfying plates coming out of the kitchen.
The lakeside breeze adds an extra layer of enjoyment to every single bite.
Baxter is a small community, and this restaurant is one of its most beloved institutions. The staff carry a genuine pride in what they serve, and that pride shows up in the details: fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and portions that leave you happy rather than overwhelmed.
Road tripping through the Upper Cumberland region this spring? Make this lighthouse your destination and your reward at the end of a beautiful drive.
5. The Seafood Place
Sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that look the most unassuming from the outside, and The Seafood Place on NW Atlantic Street in Tullahoma is a perfect example of that truth. Locals here have been counting on this spot for dependable, delicious seafood for years, and the word has slowly started spreading to visitors passing through.
It has the comfortable, lived-in feel of a place that has never needed to try too hard.
The menu sticks to what works: fresh fried fish, shrimp, and other seafood staples paired with classic Southern sides that feel like a warm hug on a plate. Nothing here is overly complicated, and that simplicity is exactly what makes it so satisfying.
Good food cooked well, served without any fuss or pretense, is always a winning formula.
Tullahoma is a charming small city with a surprising amount of personality, and The Seafood Place fits right into that character. Spring brings a lovely energy to the area, making it a great time to explore the town before or after your meal.
A visit here feels less like dining out and more like being welcomed into someone’s kitchen for a home-cooked feast.
6. Ace’s Steak Seafood & Italian Restaurant
Smithville is a small town with a big personality, and Ace’s Steak Seafood and Italian Restaurant on West Walnut Street reflects that spirit beautifully. This is the kind of place where you can bring your whole family, each person with a completely different craving, and everyone leaves happy.
The menu spans land, sea, and Italian tradition in a way that somehow feels completely cohesive.
Seafood lovers will find plenty to celebrate here, from well-prepared fish dishes to satisfying shellfish options that hold their own against any coastal restaurant. The kitchen clearly takes pride in versatility, and the quality remains consistent across every section of the menu.
It is a rare and welcome thing to find a restaurant that does this many things this well.
The atmosphere at Ace’s is warm and inviting, with the kind of comfortable energy that encourages lingering over dessert and good conversation. Smithville sits near Center Hill Lake, which makes the entire area a lovely spring destination for outdoor lovers and foodies alike.
After a day on the water or hiking nearby trails, pulling up a chair at Ace’s feels like the perfect reward for a well-spent day in DeKalb County.
7. Moby Dickys
With a name like Moby Dickys, you already know this place has personality before you even walk through the door. Located on Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, this restaurant has built a strong following among locals who appreciate honest, no-frills seafood served in a fun and laid-back environment.
The nautical nods in the decor add a playful touch without feeling overdone.
The menu focuses on the classics that seafood fans crave: crispy fried fish, golden shrimp, and hearty combination platters that give you a little bit of everything. Portions are generous, the flavors are spot-on, and the whole experience feels refreshingly straightforward.
There is something deeply satisfying about a restaurant that knows exactly what it is and delivers on that promise every single time.
Hendersonville has two great seafood options on this list, and Moby Dickys earns its spot by offering a completely different experience from its neighbor CATCH. The two restaurants complement each other nicely, making Hendersonville a surprisingly strong destination for a seafood-focused spring road trip.
Bring the family, bring your appetite, and prepare to leave with a very full and very happy stomach after a meal here.
8. Juicy Seafood
Juicy Seafood on North Lowry Street in Smyrna lives up to every single word of its name. The food here is bold, flavorful, and absolutely dripping with the kind of seasoned sauces that make you want to lick your fingers between every bite.
Smyrna might be known for its manufacturing and growing population, but this restaurant is quickly becoming one of its most talked-about food destinations.
The seafood boil format is front and center here, with guests selecting their protein, seasoning blend, and spice level before watching the kitchen do its thing. The result is a completely personalized experience that feels interactive and exciting, especially for first-time visitors who are still learning the ropes.
Regulars have their go-to orders memorized and will happily offer recommendations if you ask.
Spring is a fantastic time to visit Smyrna, and adding Juicy Seafood to your itinerary makes the trip even more rewarding. The casual, energetic atmosphere inside the restaurant creates a social dining experience that is as fun as it is delicious.
Groups of friends and families alike tend to linger here long after the food is gone, enjoying the company and the afterglow of a truly satisfying meal.
9. Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant
Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant on Parkside Drive in Knoxville has been a cornerstone of the local dining scene for longer than many of its customers can remember. The name is a nod to the Atlantic seafood traditions of the Chesapeake Bay region, and the kitchen honors that heritage with dishes that feel both classic and carefully crafted.
Knoxville is lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber within its city limits.
The atmosphere here leans toward the refined side, making it an excellent choice for a celebratory dinner, a date night, or any occasion that calls for something a little more elevated. The dining room has a warmth to it that keeps the experience from feeling stiff or formal, which is a balance that many restaurants attempt but few actually achieve.
You feel taken care of from the moment you arrive.
Fresh fish, expertly prepared shellfish, and beautifully constructed plates are the hallmarks of what Chesapeake’s does best. East Tennessee visitors and Knoxville locals alike have made this a beloved institution, and its longevity speaks volumes about the consistent quality inside the kitchen.
Spring evenings in Knoxville are gorgeous, and finishing one with a meal here is a genuinely wonderful way to spend your time.
10. Halls Catch Nashville
On West End Avenue in Nashville, Halls Catch occupies a spot that feels both stylish and completely approachable. The restaurant draws from a coastal culinary tradition and translates it into a Nashville-friendly experience that hits all the right notes.
From the moment you sit down, the attention to detail in both the food and the service is immediately apparent.
Raw oysters, fresh fish, and creative seafood preparations anchor a menu that changes to reflect what is best and freshest at any given time. This commitment to seasonal, quality-driven cooking is something that serious food lovers will deeply appreciate.
It is the kind of restaurant where you want to try a little bit of everything rather than sticking to just one dish.
Nashville’s West End neighborhood is one of the city’s most vibrant areas, full of energy and activity especially in the spring months. Halls Catch fits right into that scene while still maintaining a sense of calm and focus inside its walls.
Whether you are a Nashville regular or visiting the city for the first time, this restaurant deserves a spot on your must-eat list. The experience here is one that genuinely stays with you long after the last bite.
11. Coastal Fish Company
Memphis is famous for barbecue, but Coastal Fish Company on Great View Drive East is quietly making a case that the city deserves equal recognition for its seafood. Perched with a view that lives up to its address, this restaurant brings a fresh, coastal energy to a city that already knows how to celebrate good food.
The contrast between Memphis traditions and ocean-inspired cooking makes for a dining experience that feels genuinely exciting.
The menu here is built around fresh fish and creative preparations that go well beyond the standard fried seafood platter. Grilled, blackened, and thoughtfully sauced options give diners a range of choices that feel both approachable and adventurous at the same time.
The kitchen clearly enjoys what it does, and that enthusiasm comes through in every dish that leaves the pass.
Spring in Memphis is a beautiful season, with blooming trees and warm afternoons that make the city feel especially alive. Adding a meal at Coastal Fish Company to a Memphis spring itinerary makes perfect sense, especially if you want to explore a side of the city that often goes overlooked by visitors chasing ribs and pulled pork.
This restaurant is a genuine gem hiding in plain sight.
12. Symon’e Seafood Station
Symon’e Seafood Station on Campbell Street in Jackson carries the kind of energy that only comes from a restaurant deeply connected to its community. Jackson is a city with a rich food culture, and this spot has carved out an important place within it by serving bold, satisfying seafood with a Southern soul.
First-time visitors often become regulars after just a single meal here.
The menu leans into Southern seafood traditions with confidence and flair, offering dishes that feel familiar and exciting at the same time. Fried catfish, seasoned shrimp, and hearty sides create a lineup that speaks directly to comfort food lovers while still keeping things interesting with well-chosen flavor combinations.
Every plate tells you that someone in that kitchen genuinely cares about what they are sending out.
West Tennessee does not always get the same food tourism attention as Nashville or Memphis, but Symon’e Seafood Station is exactly the kind of place that should change that conversation. Jackson has plenty to offer visitors, from its history to its parks, and a stop at this restaurant makes any trip to the area feel more complete.
Warm, generous, and full of flavor, this is small-town seafood done with serious heart.
13. Hillbilly Seafood
The name alone is enough to make you smile, and Hillbilly Seafood on West College Street in Pulaski delivers on the promise of that personality with every single plate. This is Southern seafood without any pretense, served in a setting that celebrates the honest, unpretentious spirit of small-town Tennessee dining.
Pulaski is a quiet town, but this restaurant gives locals and road-trippers alike a very good reason to stop and stay a while.
Fried seafood is the heart of the menu here, and the kitchen executes it with the kind of practiced confidence that only comes from years of doing something really well. Crispy coatings, fresh fish, and classic sides like hushpuppies and coleslaw round out a meal that feels both nostalgic and deeply satisfying.
It is the sort of food that reminds you why simple things done right are always worth celebrating.
Giles County is a beautiful part of Tennessee, especially in spring when the countryside is green and the roads are pleasant to travel. Making Hillbilly Seafood the anchor of a day trip through southern Middle Tennessee is a decision you will not regret for a single moment.
Come hungry, come with good company, and leave with a very big smile on your face.