Where to find the best seafood in Columbia, TN?

Columbia, Tennessee, may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find delicious, fresh seafood any night of the week. With options ranging from casual spots to grab fish and chips with friends to candlelit restaurants with date-night-friendly dishes, there are plenty of places to get great seafood in the Columbia area. You’re especially in luck if you’re dreaming of Cajun seafood. Here are Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia’s recommendations for the best seafood in Columbia, Tennessee. View our inventory of New Chevrolets or If you have any questions give us a call at 931-548-1370 today!

River Terrace

shrimp by arielaot is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

For a taste of the Big Easy right here in Columbia, make a reservation at River Terrace. With an award-winning Creole-inspired menu designed by a New Orleans local, River Terrace is an upscale dining experience that’s perfect for a date night or a celebration. The Shrimp Elizabeth, fresh shrimp and a crab cake atop a bed of rice and beneath a creamy, fruity sauce, is a popular pick. You could also opt for the Crawfish & Shrimp Etouffee, a favorite Creole dish, or the Bourbon & Maple Glazed Salmon, a simple but flavorful entree.

There are plenty more seafood dishes to enjoy, including ones with oysters, catfish, and scallops. The delicacies aren’t limited to seafood, either. River Terrace also serves excellent steaks and decadent chicken dishes. Finish your meal by sharing a rich dessert like Flourless Chocolate Torte or White Chocolate Raspberry Marscapone Layer Cake. You could also toast to a romantic night out with one of their sweet dessert cocktails. In addition to delicious food, the restaurant also offers a peaceful dining experience. Patrons rave about River Terrace’s relaxing atmosphere and the attentive staff.

Catfish Campus

If you’re looking for the best catfish in town, Catfish Campus, as the name may suggest, is a safe bet. This family-owned local spot is beloved for its fresh, farm-raised ingredients, like catfish, pickles, steaks, and fried green tomatoes. You can enjoy your catfish as a combination plate with another piece of fresh seafood, like Fried Clam Pops, Cajun Shrimp Pops, Regular Shrimp Pops, or Stuffed Crab. All catfish dishes come with hush puppies and your choice from the restaurant’s list of sides, like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, turnip greens, or fries.

Other seafood options on the menu include Crab Cakes, an Oyster Plate, Shrimp Scampi, Crab Legs, or Frog Legs. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you could opt for Grilled Catfish Fillets, Grilled Shrimp, or Grilled Tilapia. Steak, chicken, and burgers are on the menu too, so even picky eaters can find something to love. With a casual, cozy ambiance, this local spot is an excellent option for a quick dinner with friends.

Farmers Family Restaurant

An inconspicuous buffet spot with plenty of charm, Farmers Family Restaurant is a seafood lover’s dream on weekend evenings. Make a plan to join Farmers on a Friday or Saturday night for the weekly all-you-can-eat Seafood Dinner. Come hungry because, for just $18.99, you can get the following from the buffet:

• Clam strips.
• Baked fish.
• Fried fish.
• Scallops.
• Oysters.
• Steamed shrimp.
• Jumbo fried shrimp.
• Salmon.
• Crab cakes.
• Seafood delight.

If you’re hungry for a little something more, Saturday’s special is a Surf & Turf plate from the buffet. You can choose from steak, roast beef, chicken, ribs, or all of the above if you’re hungry enough. You can then pair your pick with crab legs, shrimp, catfish, or the seafood buffet. Locals love the rustic environment, friendly team members, and expansive salad bar filled with fresh vegetables.

Southern Tré Steakhouse The Original

Sometimes, style matters just as much as taste. Hip, comfortable, and delicious, Southern Tré Steakhouse The Original is a perfect lunch or dinner spot in quaint downtown Columbia. The inside of the aesthetically pleasing restaurant features exposed brick walls and rustic-chic decor, while the outdoor patio is decorated with fresh greenery and umbrellas, so it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to the atmosphere. Though it’s named for beef, seafood is one of the specialties at Southern Tré Steakhouse The Original.

If you’re craving seafood, consider the Seafood Platter, which features oysters, shrimp, a fish fillet, cole slaw, fries, and a side salad. It might even be enough to share with a friend or date. You could opt for a charred salmon fillet or the Salmon Orleans, topped with New Orleans-inspired crawfish etouffee. For a salty-sweet option with a hint of heat, order the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, three skewers coated with barbecue or bourbon sriracha flavor.

If you’re in the mood for something creamier, you could try the Cajun Seafood Pasta, which features crab, shrimp, and plenty of fresh veggies atop noodles, dressed in a white sauce. There are also American classics like burgers, chicken sandwiches, and wings, so no matter your party’s preferences, there’s something for everybody. Citrus and seafood tend to agree, so if you have room, consider finishing the meal off with a slice of Key Lime Pie.

Joie’s Cajun Market

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to pile into with a big group of friends, plan for an evening at Joie’s Cajun Market. This retail market offers large batches of fresh seafood to take home, but they’re also open for dine-in customers. They’re a BYOB establishment too, so you can share wine and crab legs with friends or family. The fun doesn’t stop there. Joie’s Cajun Market hosts karaoke regularly, so leave the stage fright at home.

Your party can build your own seafood bucket with your pick of fresh catches like oysters, shrimp, crab legs, and more. You can add sausage, corn, and potatoes to supplement your fish, plus tangy cocktail sauce for oysters. Oysters come baked or raw, and you can order them in counts of six or 12. Locals appreciate the restaurant’s energetic atmosphere and authenticity. Joie’s Cajun Market is open Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., so plan to stop by on the weekend.

It’s hard to beat a crisp seafood dinner on a warm day, and if you’re looking for seafood in Columbia, Tennessee, we hope one of these restaurants is satisfying. Do you know of a restaurant we missed that offers great shrimp, fish, and oysters? Message us to tell us more, and we’ll try it out. If you’re looking for a head-turning new vehicle to pile friends and family into before heading to dinner, explore our inventory at Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia.