13 Tiny Tennessee Seafood Shacks People Gladly Drive Out Of The Way For
A winding back road, a flickering roadside sign, and the faint promise of something sizzling just beyond the trees. That is often how the best seafood meals in Tennessee begin.
These tiny shacks may not look like much from the outside, but inside you will find baskets of golden catfish, shrimp piled high, hushpuppies still steaming, and sauces that locals fiercely defend as their favorite. Some sit near quiet rivers, others hide in small towns where everyone seems to know your order before you finish speaking.
They are the kind of places people happily detour for, windows down, appetite leading the way. Bring a little patience, a healthy hunger, and a love for honest cooking that lets fresh flavour do all the talking.
1. Ed’s Fish House
Old school in the best way, Ed’s has that paper-bag charm where the grease spot tells you good things await. The fish is seasoned to the bone, flaky under a shattering crust, and paired with white bread that soaks up every drop.
You order, you wait a minute, and suddenly you are carrying a hot parcel that perfumes the car.
Pull up to 1801 Dr D B Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, right in the heart of North Nashville. Catfish sandwiches are the move, stacked with pickle, mustard, and a shake of hot sauce that stings pleasantly.
The fries run crinkly and salty, perfect for scooping extra tartar left in the corner of the bag.
Service is friendly and fast, yet the food tastes unhurried, like someone respected the oil temperature and timing. Prices feel fair and portions generous.
If you love simple, great fried fish without fuss, Ed’s hits the sweet spot and then some.
2. JoJos Fish House
Name says more, and it delivers. The fryer hums, the griddle sears, and plates land heavy with catfish, shrimp, and sides that taste like somebody’s aunt has opinions.
Light cornmeal breading keeps the fish delicate, while the shrimp arrive snappy and dusted in a pepper blend that slowly warms.
Slide over to 1626 Middle Tennessee Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, where the parking lot fills fast at lunch. Order the catfish dinner and sample the mac and cheese, thick and custardy with a browned top.
Collard greens lean smoky, and the hushpuppies carry a little onion whisper that pairs beautifully with honey.
Staff greets you like a regular, even on your first visit. Portions skew hearty enough for leftovers, which reheat better than you expect.
Ask for extra lemon and a side of comeback sauce, then settle in for that satisfying clink of plastic forks against styrofoam.
3. Straight Drop Seafood Memphis
Boil lovers, this is your happy place. Steam clouds billow with Cajun spice, and the air pops with garlic, butter, and citrus.
You crack shells, lick fingers, and grin, because the heat is balanced and the seafood tastes bright and briny beneath the kick.
Find it at 615 Chelsea Ave, Memphis, TN 38107, where platters arrive stacked with snow crab, shrimp, corn, and potatoes. Choose your heat level carefully, then add sausage for that smoky snap.
The house blend clings to everything, so bring a roll of napkins or plan to wear your triumph.
What I love is the generosity of the sauce. It pools at the bottom like treasure, perfect for dipping bread or drizzling over rice.
The vibe is lively, the music leans fun, and service keeps the buckets coming until you surrender with a happy sigh.
4. Soul Fish Cafe (Poplar Avenue)
Comfort first, soul always. This cozy Memphis staple builds plates that taste like Sunday after church, with catfish fried whisper thin or meaty and cornmeal rich.
The greens, beans, and skillet corn make choosing sides a small crisis worth savoring.
Point your GPS to 4720 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38117, where service keeps tea filled and hot plates rotating. Try the catfish tacos for a lighter twist, or go classic with fried catfish and turnip greens.
The remoulade brings tang and spice, and the cornbread leans slightly sweet without going dessert.
What stands out is balance. Nothing is greasy, everything is seasoned, and the portions feel right, leaving room for banana pudding when wisdom fails.
Bring friends, claim a booth, and let the warm, retro playlist nudge the meal into memory.
5. Flava Shack Seafood
Flavor loud and friendly, this Riverdale favorite brings Gulf cravings straight to Memphis. The menu leans heavy on boils, lemon pepper wings, and jumbo shrimp dripping in buttery heat.
Pick a seasoning and watch it stain the gloves a victorious orange.
Roll up to 4780 Riverdale Rd, Ste 11, Memphis, TN 38141, where families gather and trays clang pleasantly. Get the shrimp and crab combo with extra corn and a side of Cajun butter for dunking.
The mild is still punchy, while hot sneaks up with a grin.
Expect sticky fingers and big smiles. Staff explains sauces with patience, and the vibe stays upbeat even when it is slammed.
Bring wet wipes, ask for extra lemons, and do not be shy about sopping up the last puddles with bread.
6. Uncle Larry’s
Fried fish so light it almost floats, that is Uncle Larry’s calling card. The breading is delicate, seasoned just right, and fried to a hush that crackles.
You get the classic sides, a friendly welcome, and a little sign that says It is all about the batter, which proves true bite after bite.
Make your way to 736 E Martin Luther King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403, where the line often tells you you picked correctly. Catfish, whiting, or tilapia are your core choices, all handled respectfully.
Ask for the spicy option if you like a tickle of heat without losing the fish.
What charms is the restraint. Nothing is overdone, flavors stay focused, and the hushpuppies ride the line between crisp and cakey.
Bring appetite, leave space for peach cobbler if it is on, and enjoy the easy rhythm of a well-run fryer.
7. The Shrimp Dock (Bearden)
Part market, part kitchen, this Knoxville gem lets you smell the coast from miles inland. Cases glisten with fresh catch while the fryer and steamer turn out quick, clean flavors.
Po boys come on crusty bread with lettuce, tomato, and a slather of zippy sauce.
Nudge toward 5210 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, and plan to grab something raw to cook later. The fried oyster po boy lands overflowing, and the gumbo tastes like someone nursed a roux with patience.
Ask what is freshest and build lunch around that suggestion.
Prices are fair for quality seafood, and the staff knows their fish. You leave smarter and happier, possibly with a bag of shrimp on ice.
It is a rare stop where lunch and grocery merge into one delicious errand.
8. Pinchy’s Lobster & Rawbar
Lobster dreams can come true in the Smokies, and Pinchy’s proves it with buttery rolls and a slick raw bar. The lobster roll leans Connecticut style with warm butter, though the chilled version holds its own.
Oysters arrive cold, briny, and neatly shucked with a proper mignonette.
Find them at 212 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862, near the courthouse square. The fries run skinny and crisp, ideal for swiping through garlicky aioli.
Ask the bar for a local beer; it plays well with the sea sweetness of scallops.
Service moves briskly, yet the room feels relaxed with coastal touches. Prices reflect the quality but do not shock, especially for inland lobster done right.
If you are craving a beach moment without leaving the mountains, this spot scratches that itch beautifully.
9. Smoky Mountain Trout House
Built for trout lovers, this Gatlinburg classic treats the native fish with reverence. Fillets arrive almondine, blackened, or pan fried, each version showing off tender flesh and clean flavor.
Rustic wood walls and old photos make it feel like a lodge dinner after a good hike.
Set your course to 410 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, just a short walk from the bustle. The trout almondine brings toasted nuts and lemon butter that smells like comfort.
Sides lean simple, with baked potatoes and slaw that keeps its crunch.
Servers are patient with questions and happy to steer you. Portions land Goldilocks perfect, leaving room for cobbler or coffee.
You leave calm, bellies warm, and pockets not too light for a downtown stop.
10. Huck Finn’s Catfish
Big family energy and endless fixings make Huck Finn’s a Pigeon Forge staple. Catfish comes fried or grilled, with skillet cooked white beans, hushpuppies, and dill pickles that disappear faster than plans.
The dining room hums with vacation chatter and the clink of iced tea. Plates travel past in steady procession, each one stacked high enough to make neighbouring tables quietly reconsider their order.
The aroma alone does half the convincing before the first bite ever lands.
Point to 3330 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and arrive hungry because refills happen quickly. Fried catfish lands crisp and clean, without lingering oiliness.
The vinegar slaw brightens everything, and the beans bring that comforting, peppery broth.
Service stays cheerful even during rushes, which says a lot. Kids leave happy, grownups leave full, and the check feels friendly for the volume.
If your road trip needs a reliable catfish feast, this is an easy, satisfying stop.
11. Fish Camp Restaurant
Country charm meets river cravings at this Centerville standby. The menu skews classic Southern seafood, with plates of catfish, shrimp, and frog legs if you are adventurous.
Expect generous portions and a dining room that feels like a small town reunion. Regulars swap stories across tables, and newcomers are welcomed like they have been coming for years.
Steer to 406 TN-100, Centerville, TN 37033, a short drive that rewards with hot, crispy fish. The catfish fillets hold their shape under a medium cornmeal crust, and the shrimp taste fresh with a peppery pop.
Baked potatoes arrive fluffy, ready for butter and chives.
Servers keep coffee warm and check in just right. Prices are comfortable, and the pace settles you into the evening.
For a simple, satisfying seafood plate that reminds you of family dinners, this place delivers exactly what you hoped for.
12. Hagy’s Catfish Hotel
River views and crispy catfish, that is the signature at this storied spot near Shiloh. The dining room looks out over the Tennessee River, and plates arrive hot with hushpuppies and slaw.
There is history in the walls and that comfortable hush of satisfied tables. Boats drift past like moving postcards, giving the whole meal a gentle, unhurried soundtrack.
Even first-time visitors tend to linger longer than planned, soaking in the calm.
Nestled at 1140 Hagy Ln, Shiloh, TN 38376, it feels like a destination as much as dinner. Catfish fillets are mild and flaky, fried in a batter that stays light.
Try the river fries and a cup of gumbo, surprisingly robust with a dark, savoury roux.
Service moves at a front porch pace, which matches the view. Sunset over the water adds extra flavour, somehow.
If you want a memory with your meal, this is a fine place to make one.
13. Chesapeake’s Seafood House (Downtown)
More polished than a shack, yet beloved for consistent coastal standards, Chesapeake’s downtown delivers the goods. Oysters arrive bracingly cold, shrimp cocktail snaps, and the crab cakes lean meaty with minimal filler.
The room feels clubby, comfortable, and quietly celebratory. There’s a steady hum of regulars mixed with first-timers treating themselves, which gives the space an easy, welcoming rhythm.
Even on busy evenings, it manages to feel relaxed rather than rushed.
Head for 415 Locust St, Knoxville, TN 37902, a block that lights up nicely at night. Order the seafood tower if you are sharing, or go simple with grilled trout and a squeeze of lemon.
The she crab soup tastes luxurious without heaviness, a neat trick.
Servers are pros who read the table and pace courses well. Prices match the quality, but happy hour softens the blow if timing works.
For date night seafood that still feels connected to the coast, this is a downtown standard.