I don’t know if it’s my upcoming trip through Louisiana or just the change in weather, but I’m craving seafood and feel a trip to Costco for king crab legs in my immediate future. I’m confined to my house taking care of my recovering dog, so I won’t be eating out this weekend. But tell me where you’d go for the best seafood–and what you’d order. Best oysters? Best grouper sandwich? (Pearl’s has a mighty good one). We know the sea bass at Tsunami is hard to beat. Let’s leave sushi out, and clearly we can’t even begin to address catfish here. Seafood only; we’ll find a place for sushi and fresh water fish down the road.
Top 10 lists
Responses to “Best seafood restaurants”
March 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Well, the tuna steak at Cafe Society is brilliantly prepared. Bonefish Grill, too, is excellent for seafood. Now don’t scoff…my husband has made fun of me for years because whenever we go to Pete and Sam’s, I never get Italian food, but always the shrimp. It’s delicious!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:36 am
the fresh fish tacos served up by Pepe at Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana on Germantown Parkway are pretty much unbeatable! Freshly sauteed NOT FRIED red snapper or tilapia, wedges of fresh avocado, freshly made small soft corn tortillas….YUM!! Although not a seafood restaurant…these tacos are too fabulous to go without mention. From looking at the crowds in there I know I am not alone in my opinion.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am
now that Wendell’s World Beat Seafood Bar & Grill is gone, my vote goes to Tsunami, hands down.
especially now that they do small plates, always interesting and new seafood choices, usually some i have to ask what on earth they are. i love eating things i’ve never heard of before!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:35 am
The fish tacos at Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana are so, so delicious.
The Half Shell has amazingly good oysters Rockefeller.
For dinner, Tsunami or Bluefish both are consistently excellent choices.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I like Mortimer’s for seafood. The shrimp Louis salad is particularly good & so are the fried shrimp & oysters. I also can’t leave there w/o having fried mushrooms. It’s usually not hard to get a table & it’s very casual. During the wk. they serve plate lunches, & my bro-in-law always got red beans & rice there. A friend who lived in New Orleans at one time used to say that it was the best seafood he’d found in Memphis. I also like the trout and grouper at Bonefish Grille.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
The fish tacos at Las Tortugas really are amazingly good. I love the scallop sandwich, too.
We really like the chargrilled oysters at Pearl’s.
Tsunami is our favorite for seafood at supper.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Napa cafe would be my first choice for seafood. Every fish or shellfish dinner I’ve ever had there was excellent.
Mortimer’s has that really great Trout Pontchartrain with the scallions and shellfish on top.
I’m not generally a fan of oysters, but I like the half-and-half appetizer of Oysters Bienville and Rockefeller at the Half Shell. Their shrimp or catfish with Voodoo stuffing is first rate too.
Yia Yia’s used to have excellent lobster specials on the weekends when Brian Vaughn was the chef, so I’d bet that River Oaks has great seafood. (Can’t definitely say so from personal experience though.)
March 28th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Wow, lots of good seafood in the city. I have always likes Jarretts. I think Rick does a great job on his seafood, he always watches over what is going out and nothing leaves unless it is first rate. The smoked trout ravioli is still one of the best app’s in the city. Also for a great fish dish go to Royal Panda ( forrest hill shopping center) and try the steamed sea bass. Delicate with ginger, green onions, bamboo shoots and covered in a little sizzling oil and light soy sauce. Delicious and good for you.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
For consistently good and grilled fresh fish I like the Outback on Union. (I know it is a chain but the folks in that place seem to know how to put a good scald on a piece of fish!) I love the sea bass at Tsunami and the king crab tortugas and fish tacos at Las Tortugas are amazing! Bonefish is also delish but a bit pricey! When I want shrimp I like the pasta contidina at Ciao Bella with grilled shrimp - garlic galore!
March 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Bill H., you’re right on about Royal Panda. Their Empress Shrimp is wonderful, too. And the Cranberry Shrimp at Lobster King rates right up there, too.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I agree Las Tortugas has good fish tacos. I love, love Tsunami… they have the best fried calamari. Other than that, I think it is hard to find good seafood around Memphis.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
No love for Mr. B’s? They have HUGE oysters, some of the best anywhere, and reasonably priced.
Also, no mention of Flying Fish????
March 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I also love Tsunami but I recently ate at Roustica in midtown which has a tasty lobster bisque and the red snapper over lobster risotto melted in my mouth. My friend who dined with me raved about her cod as well, which I haven’t seen as an entree at many restaurants in memphis.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
What about Blue Fish in at Cooper-Young? I have always enjoyed the food there, although it is a bit pricey. I haven’t been in a while because of that.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Bill H reminded me of my favorite horseradish crusted grouper at Jarrett’s. I used to love that dish at Bosco’s in Germantown before it closed. Since I’m allergic to crabmeat, I can’t have a lot of seafood chowders, gumbos & stuffings, so I have to ask before I order. If chowder counts in this category, I still swear by the clam chowder at The Pier. Now everybody who mentioned Las Tortugas has got my attention. I think I could find a lot to love about a scallop sandwich.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Sauces is has the best she-crab soup in town.
Mantia’s usually has a tilapia special each week that is always creatively prepared and there are never any leftovers.
Bittersweet’s in Germantown has great salmon and a wonderful seafood salad with crab, lobster, and shrimp.
And if the mood hits for coconut shrimp, then we head for Bahama Breeze.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Oops - I just noticed that we weren’t to consider ‘freshwater’ fish here. To me, if it swims, its ’seafood’. 
Sorry ’bout that!
March 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Above and beyond some of the hands down winners already mentioned:
Blue Fish - scallops au moutard appetizer and scallops with red eye gravy entree - both WOW!
Encore - mussels appetizer is a meal and a bargain, then splurge on a Dive cocktail.
Pearl’s - flash grilled oysters - smoky and tender - delicious.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:33 am
The pan roasted grouper with crabmeat at Circa is excellent as are the oysters with Bloddy Mary granita.
Also, Interim has excellent fresh oysters with a lemony granita.
March 29th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
New GM at Jarrett’s here, thanks for the positive remarks on Jarrett’s, I know Chef Farmer appreciates the feedback. Attention diners, we now are accepting reservations for any size party, previously they were only taken for parties of 6 or more. Come see me soon and let Chef Farmer please your palate!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Since my family moved up here from Louisiana 20 years ago, we have been searching for a good seafood restaurant. We’re still looking. Seafood in Memphis is appallingly bad. Pearl’s showed some promise but quickly went downhill. The best I’ve found is Blue fish in Cooper-Young, though it is overpriced. Why do we have so many upscale steakhouses but not a single upscale seafood restaurant? Oxford is getting a Brennan’s. Looks like I’ll have to make the trip down there to get decent seafood.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
The best fish I’ve ever had - Memphis or beyond - was the skate at Wally Joe’s. I have not seen it on the menu at Interim and don’t know if Wally offers it at the Brushmark - but it was transcendental.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I forgot to mention in my previous post that Automatic Slim’s tends to have really good fish specials. (I’ve had a red snapper over lobster risotto there that was excellent). I mostly go for the lamb or the out-of-this-world lunch sandwiches, but it’s definitely a good place for seafood lovers to eat too.
I haven’t been impressed by what I’ve eaten at Blue Fish, but maybe I just caught them on bad days? With four of my favorite restaurants either on the same block or across the street, I haven’t been inclined to give them too many chances.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:00 am
Tsunami (HANDS Down!) — Scallops with Tomato Beurre Blanc, Mussels, Small Plates
Ruth’s Chris — Ahi Tuna Appetizer & Lobster Bisque
Sauces & Bonefish — Pick Your Own Sauce Fish Dishes
Bayou Bar & Grill — Oysters & Spicy Seafood Pasta
Never been to Blue Fish or Roustica, but I have heard good things about both.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:07 am
Assuming Tsunami wins out my votes go to the seared scallops at McEwen’s and the raw oysters at Pearl’s. Also, my signifigant other swears by any fish dish at Erling Jensen.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:36 am
GrantParish, I had hoped for the skate at Wally Joe too. But it closed shortly after the one time I was there & the skate wasn’t available the evening I went. I gather it might be hard to find &/or must be rather expensive. Have you had it at other restaurants (probably in other cities)? From what I have read about it, skate sounded like a mild sweet fish & I thought the appearance/texture of it would be appealing. I haven’t found it anywhere else I’ve been.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I agree with GrantParish, the skate at Wally Joe was the best fish ever served at any restaurant in Memphis. They had a way with getting the freshest, best seafood in town. I loved the live sea urchins they had, and the bluefin tuna
o-toro was like a piece of super prime beef streaked with fat. I haven’t seen any other restaurant even come close in town.
And Carole H., skate is as wonderful as you have heard. Sweet, succulent flesh if cooked properly. Wally Joe has served it a couple of times at the Brushmark.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Bill H. is right about trout ravioli @ Jarretts. But my favorite of Chef Farmers’ is the CRUSTACEAN COCKTAIL! I order 2 appetizers of it for dinner with a salad.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I believe the best I’ve ever had was the horseradish encrusted grouper at Jarrett’s. Also the seabass was excellent. I guess I’ll go again this week.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
I agree that Jarrett’ Horseradish encrusted Grouper is one of my favorite but the Parmesan Tilipia at Cafe Toscana gets my vote too. For shrimp none is better than Shrimp N’ Grits at City Grocery in Oxford. Nobody in Memphis makes it as well.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 am
Brenda, Owen Brennan’s isn’t a real Brennans like the ones in New Orleans or Houston. I don’t know his connection to the family, but the standards are not the same.
April 13th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Automatic Slims always comes threw with an inspired and creative seafood selection.
I agree that Blue Fish does an excellent job but is fairly over priced for the service received.
My favorite hands down though is the Sea Bass with Brown Butter Sauce at Interim. They also have a wonderful trout salad with a very creative presentation.
The service has been excellent every time with multiple servers so you can’t say it’s a fluke. Not to mention you are allowed to bring in personal wine and pay corkage. Bringing in your own wine and 3 courses normally ends at a check average of about 60 per person with a 21% gratuity.
The only draw back is the noise - unfortunately the surfaces in the restaurant do not absorb noise well and create a dull roar in the background making it hard to hear what your guest is saying right in front of you. But still - it’s my best hands down!
April 13th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
The sea bass with caviar beurre blanc (sp?) is excellent at Circa.
Jarrett’s horseradish grouper and trout ravioli are always excellent as well.
Blue Fish is usually good, but am tired of the Copper Young area.
April 13th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Where in the world is Las Tortugas? I have searched all over Cordova but cannot find it.!
April 13th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
It’s on Gtown Pkwy right off Wolf River across from Chick-Fil-A. The sign says Deli Mexicana, it’s worth the search…very yummy! Try the pork tacos with pineapple.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Kurt, it is actually in Germantown, just over the Wolf River. If you’re coming from Cordova south on G’town Pkwy, take your first right when you cross the River. It’s in the strip shopping center on your right, and janiam is right, it says “Deli Mexicana” over the restaurant. The pork tacos are excellent, and you can’t beat their fish tacos or tortugas, if you want something a little different.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:33 am
THANKS! I was looking for the Las Tortugas sign and calling the number from information but no one answered.
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