This cajun establishment, owned by a family from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been in business at different locations for over 30 years. Known for it's cajun delights with soul, Bro's is one of Nashville's premier hot spots for authentic southern fare. The short menu includes succulent dishes like crawfish etoufee and steaming hot gumbo. The small size of the building and the primary focus on lunch emphasize how popular the catering part of the business is. Watch for special events and parties, like Mardi Gras parties and the crawfish boils!
Recommended for Seafood because: Cajun food done correctly is surprisingly hard to find in this Southern city. Once you find Bro's you really don't have to look anywhere else.
Hollie's expert tip: Crawfish broils in season give you the whole NOLA experience.
Fans of waterside dining have been rejoicing since Blue Moon reopened in April 2013 after it was crippled by the May 2010 flood. One of only a few spots in the area you can get to by boat, the atmosphere is most definitely flip-flop casual. Service and food has been up and down in the past, but hopes are high for the new iteration. The fried lobster tail with mango salsa is a delicious way to start your meal when you exit the dock. Fish tacos are a favorite at lunch while steak medallions and pan-fried catfish with sesame seeds, lemon zest and a hot mustard and plum sauce shine at dinner. Brunch on Sunday adds omelets, pancakes and shrimp and grits with a roasted tomato sauce.
Recommended for Seafood because: Pull up and dock your boat for waterside casual dining or head over for late night bites and beer into the early morning hours.
Hollie's expert tip: Don't even bother in the winter months. Blue Moon shuts down operations in January and February.
If you are looking for a romantic experience with some intricately prepared dishes, look somewhere else. If you are looking for big plates of fresh, buttery seafood, this is your spot. Steamed mussels, crab legs, crab cakes, lobster all make the menu, but so does chicken and steak sandwiches. Originally from Philadelphia, the owners came to Nashville with their style of cooking and very own in-house seasoning mix. A second location is located in the food court at Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch, open seven days a week.
Recommended for Seafood because: Fancy and romantic it's not, but hearty and delicious it is. Fans south of town love the recently-opened Antioch location in the mall.
Hollie's expert tip: Don't think you are getting off without making a mess, so dress accordingly and leave easily-stained silk at home.
One of the local outposts of the Florida-based chain - the other is in Murfreesboro - Bonefish is obviously all about... fish. Diners first choose their fish from grilled, sauteed or baked options like flaky Mahi Mahi or melt-in-your-mouth sea bass. Then, it's time to top with a sauce, maybe a classic lemon butter or spicy Chimichurri. It may be a chain, but it does know it's way around seafood. Not that you can't find something to enjoy if you are craving red meat with your meal. The Fontina Chop features a boneless pork chop with Fontina cheese, garlic, prosciutto and mushroom marsala wine sauce -delicious.
Recommended for Seafood because: With locations in Cool Springs and Murfreesboro, Bonefish does solid interpretations of seafood classics.
Hollie's expert tip: Try the nightly fresh specials, which can include New England-style lobster rolls made in house, perfect with a hand-muddled watermelon martini. Dinner only except for Sunday brunch.
The casual, pub-like confines of the Batter'd and Fried Boston Seafood House offers good seafood at inexpensive prices. The menu focuses on different-size baskets of fried seafood, though there are a few pasta and nonfried entrees. The Wave Sushi Bar is also located in the restaurant, providing traditional favs like the California roll alongside more creative choices like the Crazy Calvin roll with fried soft shell crab, unagi, avocado, cucumber, radish sprouts an spicy barbecue sauce. Don't leave without dessert - the fried dessert sampler with its delicious bites of bananas foster, cheesecake and chocolate brownies is one of the most decadent on the East Side.
Recommended for Seafood because: The owner is fully committed to the neighborhood with multiple restaurants all within a block of each other.
Hollie's expert tip: No fighting with friends over whether to get sushi or a crispy basket of fish and chips. Adjoined with Wave Sushi Bar, you can get both.
Cascades Restaurant is surrounded by gardens and waterfalls, which lend a tropical note to Music City's scene. Fresh seafood is key, and Australian lobster tails crown an impressive menu that also includes pan-seared Atlantic cod, diver scallops, swordfish with bacon-rosemary aioli, and halibut with lobster stuffing. Inside the restaurant, Wasabi's offers traditional sushi, sake cocktails, and Japanese beers. From Low Country crab cakes or creamy shrimp and grits and sustainable entrees, such as Gulf triggerfish or beef bistro filet, served with Southern hospitality under the sunny atrium.
Recommended for Seafood because: Get over any aversion to what you might think is too touristy. The gardens are too gorgeous and the people watching is perfection.
Hollie's expert tip: Special requests are accommodated, even vegetarian and vegan.
This killer seafood restaurant serves up southern fare and features live music in the evening Wednesday through Saturday. Whether it's our open mic night, blues night or Cajun dances, Puckett's Boat House is more than just seafood - but the menu can hold its own. Surf and turf kebobs, seafood mac and cheese, and barbecue shrimp and grits are a few top choices. You can't do better than their fresh Apalachicola raw oysters, Gulf Coast grouper and shrimp, along with wild caught catfish and salmon. Finish it off with one of their famous Puckett's fried pies.
Recommended for Seafood because: Housed in Franklin's old Boat Locker, Puckett's serves up the freshest in Gulf seafood, delivered daily right to their kitchen.
Hollie's expert tip: Stop by for Happy Hour specials, including two-for-one wine and beer, as well as half-priced oysters.