When you are in the mood for seafood while visiting Nashville, you won’t be disappointed. Full of restaurants that range in every niche, sometimes even making combinations, Nashville has more than enough places to get your fix. Keep on reading to find out about Nashville’s top rated seafood restaurants. Here at Nashville Bar Bike, we only feature the highest rated and most reputable options on our lists. You can’t go wrong when you eat with any of these locations.
Red Perch
4.6 ★
Known by anyone who comes in as the spot to hang out after a long day, Red Perch is a relaxing setting on Charlotte Ave that will feel like home early on. Locally owned and operated, Red Perch has kept their prices reasonable in regards to a menu that is sure to satisfy. Try out their Vietnamese style shrimp for something a little different from the normal menu options. From 11 am through 8 pm every day except Monday and Tuesday (closed) you can plan to experience one of Nashville’s local treats.
Seafood Sensation
4.2 ★
Jefferson Street is home to the shall we say, sensational casual restaurant Seafood Sensation. When you’re craving something fishy but don’t quite feel dedicated to a full on sit down experience, this quick restaurant will give you everything you’re wanting. From noon until 11 pm every day except Sunday when they are closed, you can come around and try out one of their specials. Rumored to always serve plates that are packed to the brim with any menu option, don’t come to Seafood Sensation unless you are ready to eat and probably even take home some leftovers.
Urban Grub
4.5 ★
Charcuterie board lovers will want to run, not walk to 12th Ave for a chance to sit down with Urban Grub. While Urban Grub does not actually count as just a seafood restaurant, their water based selection is fresh, flavorful and handled by a local butcher who cares more about quality than quantity on every day of the week. Alongside classic menu selections like Shrimp & Grits or Seared Scallops, you can take the option to CREATE YOUR OWN CHARCUTERIE BOARD. That’s right, get all the fun and fashion that comes with a chic hand chosen board, but with none of that dreaded cleanup. Urban Grub is one of those new wave style eateries that makes your average experience feel like a fully specialized date no matter when you come in.
The Optimist
4.7 ★
Historic, full of charm, and just dramatic enough to make an impression without feeling overbearing, The Optimist on Adams St is an adventure through a piece of Nashville that is pretty timeless. If a variety of oyster styles all on one menu sounds like a party to you, this is the restaurant that will give you everything you need. Ask about their Smoked Fish Chowder appetizer to start the whole meal off right. Stop by for dinner from 5-9 pm (10 pm on the weekends) and sit out on the patio during the warmer seasons.
The Gumbo Bros
4.6 ★
Have you ever had any variation of the “Po’ Boy” sandwich? Originating in Louisiana, this style of meal comes with some type of meat served on French bread. Over the years, countless variations of the dish can be found all over the country and The Gumbo Bros on 12th Ave offers their fair share of Po’ Boys. Honestly, the Hot Honey Fried Chicken Po’ Boy sounds like enough of a reason to add a meal with The Gumbo Bros to your list but wait, there’s more. Like the name suggests, this restaurant is rumored to have some top notch gumbo on the menu as well. Chicken and Sausage, Seafood and a Vegan choice are the trifecta of gumbo meals ready for you at The Gumbo Bros. From 11 am – 9 pm (10 pm on the weekends) come out and take a taste of Nashville’s finest po’ boys and gumbo.
The Southern Steak & Oyster
4.5 ★
From brunch through dinner and holding down dessert after, The Southern Steak & Oyster on 3rd Ave has gotten the whole “surf & turf” concept down to a perfect science. Gumbo, fish sandwiches and bbq shrimp pair nicely with menu choices such as chicken fried chicken and steak biscuits. Perfect for a stop on your exploration of downtown Nashville, the restaurant does have varying hours so don’t hesitate to visit their website if you’re unsure of availability. Despite the odd hours, you can procure free parking in the Pinnacle Garage if you aren’t planning to stick around for more than three hours. Come in Friday-Sunday from 3 pm – 5 pm for Oyster Happy Hour and get a great value.
Voodoo Gumbo
4.7 ★
Seafood that tastes this good has to be made with a bit of magic, and you will know exactly what we mean when you take part of the Voodoo Gumbo menu. Find this neat establishment inside of the Bellevue Plaza Mall and sit down to crawfish, catfish, and house made potato salad that will make you want your own bottle of creole mustard. Open every day outside of Monday, come in after 11 am and ask about their specialty catfish.
Uncle Bud’s Catfish Chicken & Such
4.5 ★
Uncle Bud’s Catfish Chicken & Such is unmistakable from Lebanon Rd, you won’t miss the massive neon yellow letters set against the red porch. From the food truck to their family restaurant, you can’t miss at Uncle Buds. Affordable, everything on the menu from a fried shrimp platter to the all you can eat catfish is made with a side of true southern charm. Finish off an already satisfying plate with some peach cobbler or banana pudding and if you don’t need a nap afterwards, we would be surprised. Take your pick from the sit down experience or take advantage when you see that the truck is out and you’re bound to need a doggy bag. Uncle Bud’s is the kind of establishment that takes care of their customers.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
4.6 ★
Fifth + Broadway is one of Nashville’s recent additions, a mixed-development that is full of shopping, music, food and much more. Broadway St is known for hosting many restaurants and bars that have made our lists before and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is another great addition. Whether you are more of a Shellfish Tower kind of patron or more of a caviar connoisseur, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is the upscale experience that will make you want to become a food blogger. If you’re in the mood, ask about the jazz lounge and have some live music along with the evening. From 4 – 10 pm every day (closed at 9 pm on Sundays) you can take your dining experience to the next level at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood at Fifth + Broadway.
Marsh House
4.5 ★
Elevated dining with a main portion of chic on every plate, Marsh House on 11th Ave is open seven days a week with a variety of meal options for whatever celebration or get-together you can think up. Right in the heart of The Gulch, this restaurant uses locally sourced and sustainable ingredients so you can feel great about the meal that is bound to fill you up. Honorable mention to the Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup, which sounds like an epic time just from the name alone. From takeout to sit down and even a full party, Marsh House is good to everyone who walks through their doors.
Boston Commons
4.5 ★
Combining New England and Southern culinary styles, Boston Commons on Woodland St is a piece of Nashville that has weathered many storms over the years. Taking immense pride in being a comfortable dining experience, Boston Commons has all the charm you could ask for in this pub. Try out their Maine Lobster Roll to get a real taste of some grand slam shellfish. Outside of Monday and Tuesday, be sure to take a visit to their website for the varying open hours schedule. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a photo outside by their Nashville Strong mural for a nice keepsake.
Aquarium Restaurant
4.2 ★
Ambiance is the word when you have a meal at Aquarium Restaurant on Opry Mills Drive. Take a seat beside the 200,000 gallon tank, full of additional dinner guests in the form of varying fish, sharks and stingrays. From 11 am – 8 pm Monday – Saturday, closing at 6 pm on Sundays, you can take your pick from splendid menu options like Shrimp Kisses (bacon wrapped shrimp) or Cajun style fried alligator. Even their children’s menu is pretty expansive and is bound to keep all the little ones happy, along with the massive fish tank resting in front of them. Maybe you’ll even be around when the scuba divers come out to feed the tank’s residents.
Crab Fever Nashville
4.2 ★
Around Nashville, you’re sure to find restaurants that keep food from all areas of the world so don’t be surprised when you see Louisiana style eateries like Crab Fever Nashville on West End Ave. From 4 – 9 pm, except when they open at 11 am on the weekends, plan your dinner with Crab Fever Nashville and find out why folks can’t seem to stop coming back to this place. Start out your meal with a Corn Cheese appetizer and take your time making your way through any of the Boil Specialty selections before ending with some cheesecake or fried ice cream. Sake is even on the menu if you’re in the mood for something a little out of the norm.
Blue Moon Waterfront Grille
4.3 ★
Basswood Dr is home to the Blue Moon Waterfront Grille, a casual but classy dining experience that comes with one heck of a view. Nashville’s very own Cumberland River is gorgeous and already enough of a reason to want to put this restaurant on your list. Step on to the floating barge and make your way down the dock to gain entrance to this establishment, there’s a boat entrance for those who are already taking in the full cumberland experience. First come, first serve is the way they go about things at Blue Moon so no reservations are taken. Open from 3 pm to 10 pm on most days (open at 11 am on the weekends) you won’t want to miss out on the fresh catch of the day or anything else that the menu has to offer.
Conclusion
Well that’s the end of that! Thank you so much for taking some time to read up about the best seafood restaurants that Nashville has to offer. Here at Nashville Bar Bike, we are constantly on the search for new topics to cover in regards to our favorite city. From entertainment to dining and everything in between, The Nashville Insider is where you can find out everything you need to know about a visit to hang out with us.
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