12 Tennessee Waterfront Restaurants Where The Scenery Outshines The Menu
Tennessee offers some of the most beautiful waterfront views in the South, with restaurants perched along rivers and lakes that serve up scenery as the main course.
While the food at these establishments ranges from decent to delicious, what truly captivates diners is the stunning backdrop of sparkling waters, dramatic sunsets, and boats drifting by.
These waterfront gems prove that sometimes where you eat matters more than what you eat.
1. Blue Moon Waterfront Grille: Nashville’s Floating Paradise
Nestled in Rock Harbor Marina along the Cumberland River, this floating restaurant sways gently with the current while offering Nashville’s most relaxing dining backdrop.
The casual marina vibe draws both boaters and landlubbers seeking refuge from city chaos. During my last visit, a great blue heron stood sentinel nearby, completely upstaging my fish sandwich.
Arrive early for sunset seating – tables fill quickly when the sky puts on its nightly color show.
2. The Rudder: Hendersonville’s Lakeside Playground
Anchor High Marina’s crown jewel delivers Old Hickory Lake views that will make you forget whatever food you ordered. The dockside tables near the tiki bar offer front-row seats to a constant parade of boats and water activities.
Live music creates an infectious energy as families and friends gather beneath string lights. The menu serves up standard pub fare, but honestly, you’re here for the lake breeze and vacation atmosphere.
Boat owners simply pull up to the dock for dinner.
3. Sam’s Sports Grill: Harbor Views With Your Burger
Sam’s at Blue Turtle Bay transforms typical sports bar fare into something special simply by adding panoramic Old Hickory Lake views. The covered patio facing the harbor creates the perfect setting for watching sailboats glide by while munching on wings.
I once spent three hours here during a summer thunderstorm, mesmerized by lightning dancing across the water while staying perfectly dry.
Daily lunch specials attract locals, but the constantly changing lake view keeps everyone’s attention more than the numerous TV screens.
4. Riverview Restaurant: Cumberland River’s Catfish Capital
Ashland City’s waterfront gem sits directly on the Cumberland River, where the back deck offers unobstructed views of passing barges and pleasure craft.
The restaurant specializes in fried catfish platters, though they could serve cardboard and still draw crowds for the scenery.
Boaters can tie up at the restaurant’s dock and walk straight to their tables. The rustic, unfussy atmosphere perfectly complements the natural beauty surrounding it.
Summer evenings here showcase the river’s golden glow as the sun sets behind distant trees.
5. Liberty Park Grill: Clarksville’s Marina Masterpiece
Overlooking a picturesque marina cove, Liberty Park Grill serves reliable American classics with a side of tranquility. The patio offers the prime viewing spot where diners can watch boats bob gently in their slips while enjoying burgers and sandwiches.
The restaurant’s large windows ensure even indoor diners don’t miss the waterfront charm. I’ve spent countless afternoons here watching kayakers paddle by, completely forgetting about my half-eaten meal.
Consistent hours and online ordering make this spot as convenient as it is scenic.
6. Lakeside Tavern: Knoxville’s Golden Hour Hotspot
Fort Loudoun Lake creates a shimmering backdrop at this Concord Park favorite. The aptly named “Sunset Room” features wall-to-wall windows that frame the water like living art, especially during golden hour when the lake turns to liquid amber.
While the menu offers crowd-pleasing American fare, regulars know to time their reservations for that magical pre-sunset slot. The wraparound patio lets you feel the lake breeze while sipping cocktails.
Consistent lake panoramas guarantee memorable dining regardless of what you order.
7. Calhoun’s on the River: Knoxville’s Game Day Tradition
Perched directly on the Tennessee River, this Knoxville institution serves its famous ribs with a side of stunning waterfront views. The upstairs deck becomes electric on University of Tennessee game days, when orange-clad fans arrive by car and boat.
The restaurant’s location along the riverwalk makes it perfect for pre-meal strolls. When I brought my parents here last fall, they spent more time photographing passing boats than eating their BBQ platters.
This longtime favorite proves that location truly is everything in the restaurant business.
8. Cheers at Choto: Lake Life Central
Fort Loudoun Lake provides the perfect backdrop at this marina-based eatery, where the tiki-bar patio hovers just above the boat slips. The restaurant captures the essence of lake life with its casual vibe and panoramic water views.
Cocktails taste better when sipped while watching boats come and go below. The menu offers standard pub fare, but nobody remembers the food when the setting sun turns the lake into a mirror of oranges and pinks.
Always check posted business hours; entertainment is seasonal.
9. Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar: Chattanooga’s Riverside Institution
The Tennessee River flows lazily past this Chattanooga mainstay, where the riverfront terrace offers front-row seats to river traffic. Diners can watch rowers, paddleboarders, and massive barges glide by while sampling seafood specialties.
The restaurant’s industrial-chic design incorporates massive windows to maximize river views. During my sister’s birthday celebration here, we spotted a blue heron fishing mere feet from our table – nature’s dinner theater upstaging our oyster platter.
This long-standing river staple remains popular for its location more than its menu.
10. Scottie’s on the River: Chattanooga’s Upscale Water View
Prime positioning along the Tennessee River near the Market Street (Chief John Ross) Bridge makes Scottie’s a scenery superstar.
The patio rail offers the best seats, where diners can watch boats on the river and take in views of nearby bridges; the Walnut Street Bridge is upstream and currently closed for renovations. The upscale steak and seafood menu comes with a polished lounge atmosphere.
Yet even with fancy plating and quality ingredients, most diners spend more time gazing at the river than at their plates.
Steady hours make this reliable for special occasions when you need guaranteed scenic beauty.
11. Blue Bank Fish House: Reelfoot Lake’s Hidden Wonder
Cypress trees rise mysteriously from Reelfoot Lake’s waters, creating an otherworldly dining backdrop at this Hornbeak treasure. The porch tables offer unobstructed views of this unique ecosystem, formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812.
Wildlife steals the show as eagles, herons, and waterfowl make regular appearances. Resort guests and locals alike gather for sunset, when the cypress silhouettes turn dramatic against the colored sky.
The fish-focused menu uses local catches, but nature’s spectacle consistently outperforms what’s on your plate.
12. Terrace at The River Inn: Memphis’ Mississippi Masterpiece
Memphis reveals its genteel side at this Harbor Town gem, where the mighty Mississippi and city skyline create an unforgettable tableau. Window tables and the elegant terrace provide sweeping views of America’s greatest river and the graceful Hernando de Soto Bridge.
Small plates and craft cocktails complement the sophisticated atmosphere. The river’s constant movement hypnotizes diners as barges push massive loads upstream against the current.
When night falls, the bridge’s lights reflect in the water, creating a magical dining ambiance no chef could ever plate.