Meh. Too cheesy and food wasn't worth the price. Basically a Red Lobster but more expensive. Atmosphere might be fine for a family dinner, but not for a romantic date.
(3)
Aaron S.
My wife and I stopped by to treat ourselves one night, and we weren't really all that impressed with Chesapeake's. We'd heard about Chesapeake's for years, but our visit really wasn't all that everyone else's had cracked up to be. The environment seemed stuffy to me--it's dark, and we were definitely the youngest there. As far as the food, it was meh, ok. It wasn't something that I'd go out of my way to get again. For me, it was a one-time visit, just to say I'd been.
(3)
Alexandra E.
A delightful find! Visiting from out of town and stumbled across this place for lunch. The salmon entree was slightly overlooked for my taste, but the flavor more than made up for it and the braised spinach it was served on was delicious. The boyfriend got the fried platter but requested the scallops blackened which were spot on. The fried oysters were also great. The service was great! We adored our waiter; he was matter of fact but straight to the point. And his delivery of the dessert menu was colorful and hilarious!
(4)
Amanda C.
This was the perfect location to have our send off from the end of my training program at my current job. The little private dining room was just the right space for us to be wined and dined. First off, the appetizers are great. We had large plates of fruit and cheese, fried calamari, raw oysters, crab claws, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp, bread, it was literally the whole nine yards. The entrees are good too, although I was too full from noshing on all of the apps to truly enjoy my Australian Lobster tail. Yet, always in the mood for something sweet, I JUST HAD TO HAVE DESSERT. The Delaware pie was so decadent with coffee ice cream and chocolate crust. The drinks are good. I may or may have not downed a lot of red wine sangria. It was really unique because I feel like they used vanilla vodka and pineapple juice in the mix. It really came through. I had a millionaire's coffee for dessert as well. It was a little on the strong side so I had to get a side car of coffee to dilute it. The service is very friendly and gracious. If you need to impress someone at dinner, I would so take them here!
(4)
Angie C.
Excellent service...food was delicious. Crab dip was amazing and fresh oysters on the half shell. Entree specials were impressive and salad is included!!! A little pricey but would definitely come back!
(5)
Ryan O.
This is probably the best dining experience I've had in Knoxville and I can't see how this is not the best seafood in the city. We ordered the seafood sampler and everything in it was surprisingly good, from the cod, to the oysters, to the scallops, and even the shrimp. For being located in a landlocked city I did not expect much but I have to say I was quite impressed. The house salad here was a nice medley of lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and almonds. It was one of the better house salads I have ever experienced. Another noteworthy item - they have a pretty good selection of draft beer since they carry all the brews from their sister restaurant, the Smoky Mountain Brewery.
(4)
Chuck C.
It's just good. And I find it cheaper than Red Lobster. I thought while I was eating there. Not surrounded by rednecks eating good food and listening to the nice, classical orchestra softly playing and being cheaper! How very nice it was. And the service was exceptional. Even other servers stopped to help you. My experience is always exceptional here. I would be willing to pay more than Red Lobster. Advertising must work on tv.
(5)
John D.
I'm giving it a four because I came in with high expectations. Everyone I talked to said this place is the jam. It was good. It was not the jam. The service was outstanding, the decor is fun, and the food is good. Good, not great. Especially for the price. We had the snow crab appetizer a half a dozen raw oysters to start and both were delicious. Our son had the fried fish kid dinner. It was good but for $6 it wasn't worth it. My wife and I both had entrees that were very average and lacking any wow factor. We might go back.
(4)
Michael Y.
We had dinner for six and have mixed reviews. First, and most important, the service was terrific. It was a Friday night and the restaurant was packed. We had a reservation, I suggest making reservations. Cautionary note, if you have hearing loss, like me, avoid busy nights, the noise level can make conversation difficult. First the terrific: the crab finger appetizer and the fried calamari was as perfect and terrific as it can get. The roasted chicken and baked potato was great. The fried seafood platter and baked potato were great. The wedge salad was perfect. My daughter had shrimp scampi which she said was ok. She did like the baked apple side. My wife ordered Shrimp Chesapeake, a featured house specialty. I was sooooo disappointed to find the taste a bit fishy. Now as for my food, I ordered my all time favorite fish, halibut. It was overcooked and just ok. Here is my beef, no pun intended, if an entree costs more than $30. It should be fantastic. Another comment: Also, fried fish is infinitely easier to prepare than broiled or grilled.
(3)
Sarah P.
This is one of my favorites for birthdays and celebrations! In my family, special occasions mean seafood, and all of Chesapeake's seafood is so delicious. I LOVE the crab cakes and you really can't go wrong with any of the platters. If you love seafood, don't let the prices deter you. It's fresh and it's beautifully prepared, and I've never found the derive to be lacking. I think it's important to patronize local businesses whenever possible, especially those who are deserving of your business, like ANY of the restaurants in the Copper Cellar family. Chesapeake's deserves a try!
(4)
Lan N.
The service is friendly and the food is good. Where else can you find seafood in Knoxville? This is your place. They offer a wide variety of seafood and preparation in several ways. It took a bit for our food to come out as the kitchen staff was working hard to get orders out. Yes that is fine with me, but I would also like my fish to be just as hot as my sides too please. It was busy for a fish fry Friday and restaurant week (even with our reservations), we still had to wait. You get bread on the table similar to what you would get at Calhoun's. For my appetizer, I had the half dozen oysters. Good but grainy. Grainy from the poor shucking skills. I forgive because I then realized that I don't really like raw oysters after that moment. I opt for the grilled salmon with spicy mac and cheese. Which were not spicy whatsoever. I also had the steamed spinach which were a nice break away from the starchy carbs. Flavor was on point. Nothing overly well seasoned nor overcooked. Overall, would I come back? It wouldn't be my first choice but yes, I'd give it another try.
(3)
Kerry G.
While working in Knoxville I was hitting the downtown restaurants. I was looking for seafood and a co worker suggested Chesapeake. It's a little hard to find. It's like the street its on was converted to a highway on ramp and the front entrance was closed. You have to enter from the back. The decor is great. It's broken up into separate areas so it does not feel like a warehouse. There are of course fishing nets and other seaside paraphernalia on the walls. The bar is elevated and well stocked. The music the night I was there was like listening to 1970s AM radio. I loved it. I had the blackened tuna and Neva potatoes. It was a little expensive but a great piece of fish. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their food as well. The wait staff is top notch. They all look very experienced. I recommend this place when you need some good seafood.
(5)
Emily B.
Alright, my husband and I were in Knoxville for a concert and decide on seafood. However, the thought of a grease filled platter of mostly frozen items, essentially cooked to order did not sound appetizing. Did a little yelping and found this gem. The atmosphere was pleasant, you have a full bar, outside seating, as well as in of course. The service we received was excellent, great attention without going over the top. Sometimes a waitress or waiter is overbearing throughout an entire meal, but not here! I had the broiled platter and an amazing wedge salad, which was way too much! I wanted the fried platter but was opting to be a little more healthy. Surprisingly, the baked/broiled platter did come and ended up being a little crispy which was so refreshing and made me feel like I got a little of the healthy boiled world, as well as a little of the fried world. My husband had the crab legs, which were the best he's ever had and GIANT. They were even served with his own warmer to keep his butter warm. Fabulous! Whoever said this is a pricier Red Lobster, I definitely do not agree. Pricier, yes, but you get what you pay for and our meal and good time was worth it. Cheers fellow helpers and happy dining!
(5)
Valerie N.
My parent's 40th wedding anniversary fell on a Sunday, so my sister and I wanted to take them to brunch. They picked Chesapeake's, so I called and made a reservation and noted it was their 40th wedding anniversary. We were on time for our reservation and promptly seated, where I noticed that the "Daily Menu Specials" print out had "Happy 40th Anniversary!" written at the top. That was so thoughtful and classy - way to go Chesapeake's! Mom had a $3 screwdriver, I had a $5 mimosa, and hubby patroned the bloody mary bar, which was expansive and had everything under the sun that you could want in your blood mary. So. Many. Pickled. Things. YUM. It was about then that the live jazz kicked in, to really set a perfect, chill atmosphere for my parent's anniversary. Our waitress was also refined and poised, a tremendous contrast from our waitress the night before. She was thoughtful, quick with refills on bread and drinks, and pointed out so many off-menu options she thought we might like. We quickly ordered crab stuffed mushrooms as our appetizer. They were absolutely delicious, and honestly, quite large! We also enjoyed the sweet fresh warm croissants in the bread basket. As a lover of redfish, I couldn't bypass the fresh redfish special on the menu. I ordered it with grits instead of rice (omg, fish and grits is the best combo) and a side of spinach. The fish was cooked to blackened perfection - still moist and juicy, but yummy spicy. They still brought me the rice, but also brought me the grits, which had perfect texture and balanced well with the fish. The spinach was the same as I had the night before at Copper Cellar, but was good and less cheesy. I liked it with the fish and grits. My mom got the fried fish platter, but our awesome waitress informed her it could be broiled instead, so she had it that way and absolutely loved it. Again, our waitress really took great care of us and anticipated our needs before we even had them! We also got a comped dessert for the anniversary - their amazing strawberry shortcake! The shortcake was like a perfect crunchy buttery biscuit and the strawberries and Chantilly cream were fresh and delicate in comparison. A terrific dessert, even though the "small" was absolutely massive. I would highly recommend Chesapeake's for brunch. The live music, the bloody mary bar, the excellent service, and the wide variety of menu options (breakfast and lunch, seafood and not, fried or grilled, etc) means that everyone can find something they will enjoy. Absolute A+ - can't wait to return!
(5)
Christina D.
One of the only three restaurants that offer fresh fish in Knoxville. One of my favorite places to go when its not on my dime ha. The most delicious crab cakes you'll gave along with the spicy mac and cheese with spinach! Great sides and specials especially with the fresh fish of the day. located downtown without the hassle of the square or Gay st.
(5)
Alesa G.
Boy, did we have a great experience at Chesapeake's last night, from our reservation all the way through leaving after a wonderful meal. Kudos to the manager Ken for taking our reservation as it's SUPPOSED to be done. He asked if were there for a special occasion (we were, in fact) and told me he would stop by our table. He did. We loved meeting him. The lady who seated us also offered us congratulations, as Ken had obviously noted for the staff. I also must give my kudos to our fantastic wait staffer Stacy, who took great care of us. Not too much attention, and not too little. Just right! Our meal was perfect. I had the best drink in the entire world, a Cucumber Rain. My husband loved his ribeye steak, and the fried oysters and fresh tartar sauce were TO DIE FOR. I even ate my slaw, which I normally don't do. It seemed to have a drop of sesame in it. Whatever was in it, it was very fresh and tasty. Of course the Spinach Maria and my husband's veggies were on point, too. The key lime pie for dessert was wonderful, as expected. We even had a great conversation with one of the kitchen staff on the way out. Everything was simply fantastic, and I can't wait to go back. This is the way dining SHOULD BE! Thank you, Ken, Stacy and all others who gave their for us last night.
(5)
Rebecca L.
Was really good seafood and cute ambience with lots of aquariums. We split the seafood platter, which was plenty for 2. Their spicy Mac and cheese with spinach was really good and creamy and had an unexpected kick. Bread was actually amazing, every type. Servers were super nice. It's pricey, but seafood usually is. I'd come back though.
(4)
Tham N.
I love the atmosphere and the food are very good... Our server John-Michael was superb... Over all it was an awesome experience..
(4)
Ricky T.
The decor reminds me of being in Panama City Beach (or in Bikini Bottoms from Spongebob Squarepants), but in reality... you're still in Knoxville. Prices are reasonable considering the portions you receive. My friend and I came here and ordered one appetizer and one entree, and we left pretty full. Overall, not bad.
(4)
Rob G.
I grew up in Northern Virginia eating blue crabs and old bay shrimp. When we first came to Knoxville this was one of my favorite restaurants. When my dad came to town I took him here for dinner and apparently quality has gone down on their food. I ordered my usual favorite, a bowl of the crab bisque with a side of old bay to start and Shrimp Chesapeake. The soup arrived, but no side of old bay. By the time the waiter brought it my soup was luke-warm to cool, not yummy. The crab imperial that came on the Shrimp Chesapeake was over cooked, so it was very dry and the crab meat was chewy instead of tender they way it should have been. A sad let down, and a little embarrassing since I had told my dad it was a good restaurant.
(2)
Charles W.
Absolutely GODAWFUL experience!!! One of the worst restaurant experiences I have had in a long time and we didn't make it to the table....We came in at 7 on a Tuesday night, no reservations which concerned me a little but turns out we didn't need one by far and we were about to find out why.... There were three groups in front of us, all twos. There was no host in sight but we figured that she or they were seating someone...about five minutes later she came back to seat the reservation ahead of us and the other two parties. We are now ten minutes in to waiting at the door easily with less than a half full restaurant. So then came the awful part, my wife asked the host of she was the only host there tonight and she snapped back with "this is how we do it, we are a fine dining place, not like OCharleys or Applebees"?????? I don't know if her implication was that we weren't worthy of dining here?? Or if she was commenting on our attire (we weren't in suits or dresses) but she severely hurt my wife's feelings. We told her that we would go somewhere else and as we were leaving she made a comment to our backs.."Oh how sad..."?????? WTF!!!! I have never experienced this at Mc Donalds let alone at somewhere where we intended to spend a hundred dollars for two. I called back and spoke to the manager from the parking lot..to his credit Rodney asked us to come back in and that he would take care of us personally. At that point though there was no way that either of us was coming back. This host I believe her name was Alisha?? should be nowhere near customers at a restaurant, maybe not around humans period. Utterly ridiculous and shocking from a "Knoxville institution" SHAMEFUL
(1)
Joseph C.
Not as good as you've heard, or it thinks it is. We went on our 10th anniversary dinner, where everything was so cold and the orders so mixed up they gave us a coupon for another meal - my wife got sick after. We went back, we ordered completely different things, and my wife got food poisoning. Again. Several of our friends have also had food poisoning from eating there. The meal should come with a sick bucket for later.
(1)
Karen V.
This place is SPECTACULAR! To keep this review simple, my husband and I got a couple of appetizers and two entrees. Everything was absolutely delicious. The hot artichoke and spinach dip was great...the fried oysters and broiled scallops were perfect...I just can't say enough! And our waitress Cherie was very attentive and friendly, she was awesome! This was by far the best dining experience we've had in a long time. WE WILL BE BACK!
(5)
Doug M.
Quality seafood prepared well with tasty side dishes. The service was attentive and friendly. The live music was pleasant. I opted to not get dessert but after trying a bite of the ke lime pie, I reversed that decision. This place served the best key lime pie I have ever eaten. I don't understand the low reviews. This place is as good as what i get in Seattle and the pie is better!
(4)
Aaron H.
I was staying at the Crowne Plaza for a conference and a local customer took us to Chesapeake's for dinner. If you have ever seen the show "Restaurant Impossible" with Robert Irvine, this place reminds me of some of the cheesy, gaudy, nautical themed seafood joints he remodels. We have been on a kick of eating eceltic small plates in Cincinnati (Zula, Abigail St., etc). Chesapeake's is the exact opposite, heavy, rich servings of seafood, but they do it very well. We had a group of 5 people, and started with the Hot Appetizer Platter ($38): grilled shrimp, baked oysters Rockefeller and baked oysters Chesapeake, fried calamari, steamed spiced crab fingers and crab-stuffed mushrooms, drawn butter, mustard sauce and cocktail sauce. This was a massive tray of the ocean which we devoured. The stars of the platter were the oysters Rockefeller and the crab-stuffed mushrooms... they were huge. All of us ordered the Fresh Maryland Crab Cakes ($24.50). They are two large crab cakes and come with a side of your choosing. I went with the Baked Spinach Maria which was delicious... rich creamy spinach with a crunchy topping (enough for two to share). The crab cakes were very good, all crab and no filler. Overall this isn't my ideal food experience, but it was very good.
(3)
Heather A.
Ate there least night on an overnight trip. Fantastic service and great food! I will be back!
(5)
Brett V.
Great downtown location. Oysters were large and tasty. Crab cakes are their specialty. Corporate pilot.
(5)
Jim T.
Nice location. I had a salmon dish on the daily special menu. The meal and dessert (key lime pie) were well prepared. I will eat there again next time I'm in town.
(4)
Sam B.
Visiting from Memphis with our friend, Linda Burkhart. Welcomed graciously by Ken and the meals were outstanding as always. My favorite in Knoxville hands down,
(3)
Jamie F.
best seafood in knoxville, oysters are to DIE for
(5)
Terrie W.
I'm impressed to find such a fine selection if fresh seafood at an inland restaurant. The Shrimp Chesapeake is absolutely delightful.
(4)
Channa P.
A few years ago I had my first Chesapeake's meal to celebrate my college graduation. I don't remember what I had, but in general I know it was good and my family still talks about "Knoxville and that good seafood place." Recently, I went back for brunch and LOVED it. Fresh squeezed mimosas for $3.50, great food, and a jazz duet playing softly in the background. Brunch is my favorite meal ever, so every couple of months I try to one up my current favorite. This place did the trick as soon as I saw cheddar-bacon grits on the menu. Seriously speaking, the brunch includes great seafood options like my tasty crab, mushroom, and spinach omelette and other treats like chicken and waffles ( it was yum too). I suggest going with a few others and each getting something different to share nibbles.
(4)
Susan C.
Sunday brunch at Chesapeake's Seafood House on a cold winter's day sounded romantic and a place where we'd enjoy a superior seafood meal after worshipping at a nearby church. The spouse and I envisioned ourselves sitting by a roaring fire in a nautical environment with fish tanks and theme-related memorabilia. We were dreading a long wait to be seated as the dining establishment would be filled with diners who were the movers and shakers of Knoxville. We were sadly wrong. The hostess immediately seated us when we entered, and she lead us through a cozy dining room where - indeed - fish tanks and nautical decorations lined the walls. Yet, the establishment was far from full. Expecting to choose from a brunch-like bar with a variety of seafood offerings, we instead learned that the brunch offering was a list of choices from the brunch section of the regular menu. So the spouse ordered crab cake benedict with a side of hash browns ($14). My choice, a Maryland seafood salad with shrimp, tiny scallops, crab, tomato, egg, avocado and my choice of ranch dressing ($13). In addition to water and the spouse's coffee, I ordered a Bloody Mary from the bar. It seemed strange that the bartender brought the order to our table himself and served it to me with drink spilling down the sides of the glass and onto our table, which required a number of extra napkins to clear away the mess. He asked me to taste it to see if it was good. Apparently it was not on the menu and not a drink he regularly fashioned for patrons. Our food arrived, and the waitress had ordered an incorrect entree. The spouse ate his crab cake benedict while I waited for the kitchen to prepare the correct salad for me. The food was okay; nothing special. When the tab arrived, the waitress had charged us for an entree neither of us had ordered -- in addition to the two we did. It took an extra bit of time to clear this issue, and we left the restaurant rather disappointed. We may give it a second chance in the future as every place deserves another try, yet we're in no rush to return.
(2)
Tara S.
I actually love this restaurant. I am "starring" it based on tonight's performance alone. If you read my other reviews, you'll see that I'm a fan of the Calhoun's family of restaurants (Calhouns, Copper Cellar, Chesapeakes, etc). I met a group of girlfriends here at 5 on the nose for a happy hour/ appetizers thing on Friday night. I could give you mad details, but I will keep it short. Our server clearly was not interested in dealing with us because she seems to have surmised that we were there to "eat cheap and not tip". We were rarely asked for refills, not given bread, asked "Don't you want to order more food?" and then presented with our checks before we were done. I ordered take-out for my boyfriend, and she was so impatient with my filing out the credit card slip that she asked if she could sit my to-go bag on the floor. Crappy service and attitude put a real stain on an otherwise good restaurant.
(3)
James A. S.
The crab cakes and onion rings are to die for. Had homegrown tomato salad. Service was outstanding
(5)
Lana S.
Chesapeake's reminds me of an "old school Florida seafood restaurant" complete with fish tanks throughout the dated restaurant. They've got a great little patio tucked off the main dining room. The menu is pretty basic seafood and have a daily special menu. Great oysters fried or fresh. If you're looking for that "classic seafood restaurant experience" this is the place. It's nothing too fancy but it's nice. Cheers! Enjoy!
(3)
Wendy M.
Absolutely awesome restaurant. Food outstanding, waiter superb, and music brought back memories!!
(5)
Michelle C.
Great service, delicious seafood & reasonably priced! A party of eight of us went recently & everyone loved their meals! Great oysters & highly recommend the cold sampler appetizer--super fresh!
(5)
Carmen H.
I went with my family (6 of us) and we did not have a great experience at all. They have a specials menu. I believe 3 people at the table ordered off the specials menu. About 10 minutes later they had to reorder because the kitchen was out. Not only were they out of 1 dish, but they were out of about 3-5 of the specials. After that, they had to come back and tell us they were out of one of the sides 3 of us had ordered! My boyfriend's dad and I both got the filet (I'd seen the steak recommended on here), YIKES. The cut of meat was good, but NO flavor. Crabcakes- full of crab, but there was no oomph. That stated, I've been eating crabcakes in Charleston lately, so maybe I'm spoiled? My boyfriend had the crab imperial...same story as the crab cakes. Plus side- the staff was very friendly and apologetic for all our troubles and the deserts they gave us as a result were pretty tasty. Out of the 3 I tasted I'd go with the Delaware? pie. Some sort of concoction with kahlua, icecream and chocolate.
(2)
Ron S.
I just had a most satisfying meal @ Chesapeakes. The food- oysters on the half shell, crab bisque and an oyster/shrimp combo dinner was as good as I have had in a long time. The manager Ken, came by to check on me early on. I will definitely recommend Chesapeake's to everyone I know and will return. A great restaurant for downtown Knoxville and within walking distance of several hotels.
(5)
Tita P.
I had the pleasure of going to Chesapeake because of my sister's graduation from Univ of TN. They were extremely accommodating. My mother made arrangements for a private room and the restaurant created an abbreviated menu. The service: GREAT. The food: Wonderful The experience: memorable. The servers were available but were able to make themselves invisible when necessary. They even offered to take pictures of we wanted. My sister recently got a job in the Knoxville area so I am sure that I will be back in the city. I will make Chesapeake my go to spot in Knoxville.
(4)
Stephanie K.
We had oysters, mussels and clams in a delightful, orgiastic display of seafood far far from any coast. Server was nice, beer selection included interesting regional brews and overall was a great experience.
(4)
Emily M.
It was good but not great. And my clothes smelled of fish two days later. I have had fresher seafood but the servers were nice and knowledgeable.
(3)
Steven S.
You can not find such a variety of seafood anywhere along the coast. Everything is fresh and high quality. Crab Cakes are fantastic, even if you are from Maryland. Daily fish special have at least four different options; Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Grouper, Halibut, Snapper . . . the list goes on. If you want good seafood it is the only place to go. It is better than most places on the coast because they get quality fish from all over. It is expensive, but worth it.
(5)
Doug R.
Stopped in while in town for a conference, because my wife loves seafood and area guide in our room at the Crowne Plaza said they had the freshest seafood in Knoxville. Place is decorated on the inside like a touristy seafood house on the coast with lots weathered wood and fishing paraphernalia adorning the walls. We had called ahead and made reservations as we had a fairly large party and were ushered directly to our table. Service by the waitstaff was quick, friendly, attentive and very professional. I don't eat seafood, so I was leery of ordering a steak as so many seafood places can't do a beef right, but I took a chance and ordered the filet. It was tender and juicy, with wonderful flavor and cooked to perfection. My wife ordered the Crab Imperial and although she said it tasted wonderful, the was a lot of shell in it, so either someone in the kitchen was in a hurry preparing the crab or as she opined, they had actually used canned crab meat, but we don't know for sure. The shrimp on the bottom of the dish were huge and quite tasty though.
(4)
Deen W.
Had the lobster here and it was very good. The service was attentive and it was just a good all-around experience.
(3)
Leah P.
We came in from Chicago and I had found Chesapeake's on a website and it looked great. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our 1 year anniversary, so they were very accommodating. The food was very good, my boyfriend had the gumbo and the broiled platter. He was very happy that everything was not soaking in butter, the butter was on the side. I had the grilled shrimp and I couldn't believe they gave me 2 full skewers. We were stuffed! They offered us a complimentary dessert for our anniversary but we opted out. Our server Darren was very nice, and made great recommendations. This place definitely could use some updating, it is run down and kind of sad looking. Overall I give Chesapeake's 4 stars.
(4)
Tim C.
For being a land locked seafood house, they do a very good job. Fresh, great selection, and well prepared. Pricing is a little high for some dishes, but overall market value for what you get. Good atmosphere and great service. Parking can suck if you get there after 6:00 or so.
(4)
R B.
A favorite. Fresh food, nice atmosphere (though maybe a bit tired).
(4)
Andy P.
We only eat here about twice a year but we do that to keep it special. This is the best seafood restaurant I've found in Knoxville. If you live in Florida or one of the Gulf states, and know your seafood, I think you will be well pleased. If you've never eaten quality seafood - this is an experience. The place is sort of fancy without being arrogant about it, queit, and even a little romantic. The appetizers are excellent, the fish is good, the shell fish is outstanding, and we've never eaten steak or chicken here. Why would anyone eat steak at a fresh seafood house? Dinner will probably run you between $14 and $25 each. We don't drink but drinks would run that at least a little higher - depending on how much you drink. Service is always good and I've never been disappointed. There's not much choice for fresh seafood in this area but Chesapeake's is all you'll need.
(5)
Wanita N.
Your arteries will not thank you, but your taste buds will :-) We went for the shellfish + fish + more shellfish experience at Chesapeake's. Dinner started with fresh bread, a prompt waitress and a steaming bowl of mussels and clams. Much tastier than I expected, with plenty of saucy goodness left for sopping up with the crusty bread. The side salad was average, but the tomato based clam chowder was bright and lively. Main courses of blackened sea scallops and rare ahi tuna steaks were well above average for southern seafood. And definitely a value for the quality considering the mains came with sides as well as the aforementioned soup/salad option. The ahi was especially decedent served on cheese grits with a bleu cheese sauce. As for the sides, healthy is not really an option with spinach maria being the closest side item resembling a vegetable. Personally I indulged in the cheesy potato hash which was as rich as a good cheesecake. No room for dessert on this trip, but I'll be heading back soon to try another fresh catch special or maybe the crabcakes. As for price, it is a little higher than Bonefish, but portions are filling and the atmosphere comfortable. Also Chesapeake's rotates its fish selections to comply with sustainable fish harvesting practices, always a nice touch.
(4)
Susangela M.
We had an excellent dinner and experience here. Angie is a waitress extraordinaire! I had to smile the whole time b/c back in my days of waitressing I wore the exact same outfit. The spinach artichoke dip was very good, with mixed chips on the side. My crab cakes were a bit rich for me, but super fresh and tasty. My cuz had the swordfish which was excellent. Our hotel had given us free desert coupons (score!) so we indulged in the giant slice of ice cream, Oreo crust, chocolate and Kahlua and left happy.
(4)
R W.
Lunch with business colleagues. Recommend the platter!
(4)
Brad H.
Never a bad experience. Never short of wonderful hosts and table service...never. Highly recommend going when 100,000+ Vols are at the game. THE best non-coastal selection of fresh seafood in the South! Baked oysters, two very different ways, and Crab Imperial...just lots of crab meat, cream, and bread crumbs baked up right!....even the house salads are fantastic. You gotta try it all...especially the oysters...or baked crab...
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Luke S.
Meh. Too cheesy and food wasn't worth the price. Basically a Red Lobster but more expensive. Atmosphere might be fine for a family dinner, but not for a romantic date.
(3)Aaron S.
My wife and I stopped by to treat ourselves one night, and we weren't really all that impressed with Chesapeake's. We'd heard about Chesapeake's for years, but our visit really wasn't all that everyone else's had cracked up to be. The environment seemed stuffy to me--it's dark, and we were definitely the youngest there. As far as the food, it was meh, ok. It wasn't something that I'd go out of my way to get again. For me, it was a one-time visit, just to say I'd been.
(3)Alexandra E.
A delightful find! Visiting from out of town and stumbled across this place for lunch. The salmon entree was slightly overlooked for my taste, but the flavor more than made up for it and the braised spinach it was served on was delicious. The boyfriend got the fried platter but requested the scallops blackened which were spot on. The fried oysters were also great. The service was great! We adored our waiter; he was matter of fact but straight to the point. And his delivery of the dessert menu was colorful and hilarious!
(4)Amanda C.
This was the perfect location to have our send off from the end of my training program at my current job. The little private dining room was just the right space for us to be wined and dined. First off, the appetizers are great. We had large plates of fruit and cheese, fried calamari, raw oysters, crab claws, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp, bread, it was literally the whole nine yards. The entrees are good too, although I was too full from noshing on all of the apps to truly enjoy my Australian Lobster tail. Yet, always in the mood for something sweet, I JUST HAD TO HAVE DESSERT. The Delaware pie was so decadent with coffee ice cream and chocolate crust. The drinks are good. I may or may have not downed a lot of red wine sangria. It was really unique because I feel like they used vanilla vodka and pineapple juice in the mix. It really came through. I had a millionaire's coffee for dessert as well. It was a little on the strong side so I had to get a side car of coffee to dilute it. The service is very friendly and gracious. If you need to impress someone at dinner, I would so take them here!
(4)Angie C.
Excellent service...food was delicious. Crab dip was amazing and fresh oysters on the half shell. Entree specials were impressive and salad is included!!! A little pricey but would definitely come back!
(5)Ryan O.
This is probably the best dining experience I've had in Knoxville and I can't see how this is not the best seafood in the city. We ordered the seafood sampler and everything in it was surprisingly good, from the cod, to the oysters, to the scallops, and even the shrimp. For being located in a landlocked city I did not expect much but I have to say I was quite impressed. The house salad here was a nice medley of lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and almonds. It was one of the better house salads I have ever experienced. Another noteworthy item - they have a pretty good selection of draft beer since they carry all the brews from their sister restaurant, the Smoky Mountain Brewery.
(4)Chuck C.
It's just good. And I find it cheaper than Red Lobster. I thought while I was eating there. Not surrounded by rednecks eating good food and listening to the nice, classical orchestra softly playing and being cheaper! How very nice it was. And the service was exceptional. Even other servers stopped to help you. My experience is always exceptional here. I would be willing to pay more than Red Lobster. Advertising must work on tv.
(5)John D.
I'm giving it a four because I came in with high expectations. Everyone I talked to said this place is the jam. It was good. It was not the jam. The service was outstanding, the decor is fun, and the food is good. Good, not great. Especially for the price. We had the snow crab appetizer a half a dozen raw oysters to start and both were delicious. Our son had the fried fish kid dinner. It was good but for $6 it wasn't worth it. My wife and I both had entrees that were very average and lacking any wow factor. We might go back.
(4)Michael Y.
We had dinner for six and have mixed reviews. First, and most important, the service was terrific. It was a Friday night and the restaurant was packed. We had a reservation, I suggest making reservations. Cautionary note, if you have hearing loss, like me, avoid busy nights, the noise level can make conversation difficult. First the terrific: the crab finger appetizer and the fried calamari was as perfect and terrific as it can get. The roasted chicken and baked potato was great. The fried seafood platter and baked potato were great. The wedge salad was perfect. My daughter had shrimp scampi which she said was ok. She did like the baked apple side. My wife ordered Shrimp Chesapeake, a featured house specialty. I was sooooo disappointed to find the taste a bit fishy. Now as for my food, I ordered my all time favorite fish, halibut. It was overcooked and just ok. Here is my beef, no pun intended, if an entree costs more than $30. It should be fantastic. Another comment: Also, fried fish is infinitely easier to prepare than broiled or grilled.
(3)Sarah P.
This is one of my favorites for birthdays and celebrations! In my family, special occasions mean seafood, and all of Chesapeake's seafood is so delicious. I LOVE the crab cakes and you really can't go wrong with any of the platters. If you love seafood, don't let the prices deter you. It's fresh and it's beautifully prepared, and I've never found the derive to be lacking. I think it's important to patronize local businesses whenever possible, especially those who are deserving of your business, like ANY of the restaurants in the Copper Cellar family. Chesapeake's deserves a try!
(4)Lan N.
The service is friendly and the food is good. Where else can you find seafood in Knoxville? This is your place. They offer a wide variety of seafood and preparation in several ways. It took a bit for our food to come out as the kitchen staff was working hard to get orders out. Yes that is fine with me, but I would also like my fish to be just as hot as my sides too please. It was busy for a fish fry Friday and restaurant week (even with our reservations), we still had to wait. You get bread on the table similar to what you would get at Calhoun's. For my appetizer, I had the half dozen oysters. Good but grainy. Grainy from the poor shucking skills. I forgive because I then realized that I don't really like raw oysters after that moment. I opt for the grilled salmon with spicy mac and cheese. Which were not spicy whatsoever. I also had the steamed spinach which were a nice break away from the starchy carbs. Flavor was on point. Nothing overly well seasoned nor overcooked. Overall, would I come back? It wouldn't be my first choice but yes, I'd give it another try.
(3)Kerry G.
While working in Knoxville I was hitting the downtown restaurants. I was looking for seafood and a co worker suggested Chesapeake. It's a little hard to find. It's like the street its on was converted to a highway on ramp and the front entrance was closed. You have to enter from the back. The decor is great. It's broken up into separate areas so it does not feel like a warehouse. There are of course fishing nets and other seaside paraphernalia on the walls. The bar is elevated and well stocked. The music the night I was there was like listening to 1970s AM radio. I loved it. I had the blackened tuna and Neva potatoes. It was a little expensive but a great piece of fish. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their food as well. The wait staff is top notch. They all look very experienced. I recommend this place when you need some good seafood.
(5)Emily B.
Alright, my husband and I were in Knoxville for a concert and decide on seafood. However, the thought of a grease filled platter of mostly frozen items, essentially cooked to order did not sound appetizing. Did a little yelping and found this gem. The atmosphere was pleasant, you have a full bar, outside seating, as well as in of course. The service we received was excellent, great attention without going over the top. Sometimes a waitress or waiter is overbearing throughout an entire meal, but not here! I had the broiled platter and an amazing wedge salad, which was way too much! I wanted the fried platter but was opting to be a little more healthy. Surprisingly, the baked/broiled platter did come and ended up being a little crispy which was so refreshing and made me feel like I got a little of the healthy boiled world, as well as a little of the fried world. My husband had the crab legs, which were the best he's ever had and GIANT. They were even served with his own warmer to keep his butter warm. Fabulous! Whoever said this is a pricier Red Lobster, I definitely do not agree. Pricier, yes, but you get what you pay for and our meal and good time was worth it. Cheers fellow helpers and happy dining!
(5)Valerie N.
My parent's 40th wedding anniversary fell on a Sunday, so my sister and I wanted to take them to brunch. They picked Chesapeake's, so I called and made a reservation and noted it was their 40th wedding anniversary. We were on time for our reservation and promptly seated, where I noticed that the "Daily Menu Specials" print out had "Happy 40th Anniversary!" written at the top. That was so thoughtful and classy - way to go Chesapeake's! Mom had a $3 screwdriver, I had a $5 mimosa, and hubby patroned the bloody mary bar, which was expansive and had everything under the sun that you could want in your blood mary. So. Many. Pickled. Things. YUM. It was about then that the live jazz kicked in, to really set a perfect, chill atmosphere for my parent's anniversary. Our waitress was also refined and poised, a tremendous contrast from our waitress the night before. She was thoughtful, quick with refills on bread and drinks, and pointed out so many off-menu options she thought we might like. We quickly ordered crab stuffed mushrooms as our appetizer. They were absolutely delicious, and honestly, quite large! We also enjoyed the sweet fresh warm croissants in the bread basket. As a lover of redfish, I couldn't bypass the fresh redfish special on the menu. I ordered it with grits instead of rice (omg, fish and grits is the best combo) and a side of spinach. The fish was cooked to blackened perfection - still moist and juicy, but yummy spicy. They still brought me the rice, but also brought me the grits, which had perfect texture and balanced well with the fish. The spinach was the same as I had the night before at Copper Cellar, but was good and less cheesy. I liked it with the fish and grits. My mom got the fried fish platter, but our awesome waitress informed her it could be broiled instead, so she had it that way and absolutely loved it. Again, our waitress really took great care of us and anticipated our needs before we even had them! We also got a comped dessert for the anniversary - their amazing strawberry shortcake! The shortcake was like a perfect crunchy buttery biscuit and the strawberries and Chantilly cream were fresh and delicate in comparison. A terrific dessert, even though the "small" was absolutely massive. I would highly recommend Chesapeake's for brunch. The live music, the bloody mary bar, the excellent service, and the wide variety of menu options (breakfast and lunch, seafood and not, fried or grilled, etc) means that everyone can find something they will enjoy. Absolute A+ - can't wait to return!
(5)Christina D.
One of the only three restaurants that offer fresh fish in Knoxville. One of my favorite places to go when its not on my dime ha. The most delicious crab cakes you'll gave along with the spicy mac and cheese with spinach! Great sides and specials especially with the fresh fish of the day. located downtown without the hassle of the square or Gay st.
(5)Alesa G.
Boy, did we have a great experience at Chesapeake's last night, from our reservation all the way through leaving after a wonderful meal. Kudos to the manager Ken for taking our reservation as it's SUPPOSED to be done. He asked if were there for a special occasion (we were, in fact) and told me he would stop by our table. He did. We loved meeting him. The lady who seated us also offered us congratulations, as Ken had obviously noted for the staff. I also must give my kudos to our fantastic wait staffer Stacy, who took great care of us. Not too much attention, and not too little. Just right! Our meal was perfect. I had the best drink in the entire world, a Cucumber Rain. My husband loved his ribeye steak, and the fried oysters and fresh tartar sauce were TO DIE FOR. I even ate my slaw, which I normally don't do. It seemed to have a drop of sesame in it. Whatever was in it, it was very fresh and tasty. Of course the Spinach Maria and my husband's veggies were on point, too. The key lime pie for dessert was wonderful, as expected. We even had a great conversation with one of the kitchen staff on the way out. Everything was simply fantastic, and I can't wait to go back. This is the way dining SHOULD BE! Thank you, Ken, Stacy and all others who gave their for us last night.
(5)Rebecca L.
Was really good seafood and cute ambience with lots of aquariums. We split the seafood platter, which was plenty for 2. Their spicy Mac and cheese with spinach was really good and creamy and had an unexpected kick. Bread was actually amazing, every type. Servers were super nice. It's pricey, but seafood usually is. I'd come back though.
(4)Tham N.
I love the atmosphere and the food are very good... Our server John-Michael was superb... Over all it was an awesome experience..
(4)Ricky T.
The decor reminds me of being in Panama City Beach (or in Bikini Bottoms from Spongebob Squarepants), but in reality... you're still in Knoxville. Prices are reasonable considering the portions you receive. My friend and I came here and ordered one appetizer and one entree, and we left pretty full. Overall, not bad.
(4)Rob G.
I grew up in Northern Virginia eating blue crabs and old bay shrimp. When we first came to Knoxville this was one of my favorite restaurants. When my dad came to town I took him here for dinner and apparently quality has gone down on their food. I ordered my usual favorite, a bowl of the crab bisque with a side of old bay to start and Shrimp Chesapeake. The soup arrived, but no side of old bay. By the time the waiter brought it my soup was luke-warm to cool, not yummy. The crab imperial that came on the Shrimp Chesapeake was over cooked, so it was very dry and the crab meat was chewy instead of tender they way it should have been. A sad let down, and a little embarrassing since I had told my dad it was a good restaurant.
(2)Charles W.
Absolutely GODAWFUL experience!!! One of the worst restaurant experiences I have had in a long time and we didn't make it to the table....We came in at 7 on a Tuesday night, no reservations which concerned me a little but turns out we didn't need one by far and we were about to find out why.... There were three groups in front of us, all twos. There was no host in sight but we figured that she or they were seating someone...about five minutes later she came back to seat the reservation ahead of us and the other two parties. We are now ten minutes in to waiting at the door easily with less than a half full restaurant. So then came the awful part, my wife asked the host of she was the only host there tonight and she snapped back with "this is how we do it, we are a fine dining place, not like OCharleys or Applebees"?????? I don't know if her implication was that we weren't worthy of dining here?? Or if she was commenting on our attire (we weren't in suits or dresses) but she severely hurt my wife's feelings. We told her that we would go somewhere else and as we were leaving she made a comment to our backs.."Oh how sad..."?????? WTF!!!! I have never experienced this at Mc Donalds let alone at somewhere where we intended to spend a hundred dollars for two. I called back and spoke to the manager from the parking lot..to his credit Rodney asked us to come back in and that he would take care of us personally. At that point though there was no way that either of us was coming back. This host I believe her name was Alisha?? should be nowhere near customers at a restaurant, maybe not around humans period. Utterly ridiculous and shocking from a "Knoxville institution" SHAMEFUL
(1)Joseph C.
Not as good as you've heard, or it thinks it is. We went on our 10th anniversary dinner, where everything was so cold and the orders so mixed up they gave us a coupon for another meal - my wife got sick after. We went back, we ordered completely different things, and my wife got food poisoning. Again. Several of our friends have also had food poisoning from eating there. The meal should come with a sick bucket for later.
(1)Karen V.
This place is SPECTACULAR! To keep this review simple, my husband and I got a couple of appetizers and two entrees. Everything was absolutely delicious. The hot artichoke and spinach dip was great...the fried oysters and broiled scallops were perfect...I just can't say enough! And our waitress Cherie was very attentive and friendly, she was awesome! This was by far the best dining experience we've had in a long time. WE WILL BE BACK!
(5)Doug M.
Quality seafood prepared well with tasty side dishes. The service was attentive and friendly. The live music was pleasant. I opted to not get dessert but after trying a bite of the ke lime pie, I reversed that decision. This place served the best key lime pie I have ever eaten. I don't understand the low reviews. This place is as good as what i get in Seattle and the pie is better!
(4)Aaron H.
I was staying at the Crowne Plaza for a conference and a local customer took us to Chesapeake's for dinner. If you have ever seen the show "Restaurant Impossible" with Robert Irvine, this place reminds me of some of the cheesy, gaudy, nautical themed seafood joints he remodels. We have been on a kick of eating eceltic small plates in Cincinnati (Zula, Abigail St., etc). Chesapeake's is the exact opposite, heavy, rich servings of seafood, but they do it very well. We had a group of 5 people, and started with the Hot Appetizer Platter ($38): grilled shrimp, baked oysters Rockefeller and baked oysters Chesapeake, fried calamari, steamed spiced crab fingers and crab-stuffed mushrooms, drawn butter, mustard sauce and cocktail sauce. This was a massive tray of the ocean which we devoured. The stars of the platter were the oysters Rockefeller and the crab-stuffed mushrooms... they were huge. All of us ordered the Fresh Maryland Crab Cakes ($24.50). They are two large crab cakes and come with a side of your choosing. I went with the Baked Spinach Maria which was delicious... rich creamy spinach with a crunchy topping (enough for two to share). The crab cakes were very good, all crab and no filler. Overall this isn't my ideal food experience, but it was very good.
(3)Heather A.
Ate there least night on an overnight trip. Fantastic service and great food! I will be back!
(5)Brett V.
Great downtown location. Oysters were large and tasty. Crab cakes are their specialty. Corporate pilot.
(5)Jim T.
Nice location. I had a salmon dish on the daily special menu. The meal and dessert (key lime pie) were well prepared. I will eat there again next time I'm in town.
(4)Sam B.
Visiting from Memphis with our friend, Linda Burkhart. Welcomed graciously by Ken and the meals were outstanding as always. My favorite in Knoxville hands down,
(3)Jamie F.
best seafood in knoxville, oysters are to DIE for
(5)Terrie W.
I'm impressed to find such a fine selection if fresh seafood at an inland restaurant. The Shrimp Chesapeake is absolutely delightful.
(4)Channa P.
A few years ago I had my first Chesapeake's meal to celebrate my college graduation. I don't remember what I had, but in general I know it was good and my family still talks about "Knoxville and that good seafood place." Recently, I went back for brunch and LOVED it. Fresh squeezed mimosas for $3.50, great food, and a jazz duet playing softly in the background. Brunch is my favorite meal ever, so every couple of months I try to one up my current favorite. This place did the trick as soon as I saw cheddar-bacon grits on the menu. Seriously speaking, the brunch includes great seafood options like my tasty crab, mushroom, and spinach omelette and other treats like chicken and waffles ( it was yum too). I suggest going with a few others and each getting something different to share nibbles.
(4)Susan C.
Sunday brunch at Chesapeake's Seafood House on a cold winter's day sounded romantic and a place where we'd enjoy a superior seafood meal after worshipping at a nearby church. The spouse and I envisioned ourselves sitting by a roaring fire in a nautical environment with fish tanks and theme-related memorabilia. We were dreading a long wait to be seated as the dining establishment would be filled with diners who were the movers and shakers of Knoxville. We were sadly wrong. The hostess immediately seated us when we entered, and she lead us through a cozy dining room where - indeed - fish tanks and nautical decorations lined the walls. Yet, the establishment was far from full. Expecting to choose from a brunch-like bar with a variety of seafood offerings, we instead learned that the brunch offering was a list of choices from the brunch section of the regular menu. So the spouse ordered crab cake benedict with a side of hash browns ($14). My choice, a Maryland seafood salad with shrimp, tiny scallops, crab, tomato, egg, avocado and my choice of ranch dressing ($13). In addition to water and the spouse's coffee, I ordered a Bloody Mary from the bar. It seemed strange that the bartender brought the order to our table himself and served it to me with drink spilling down the sides of the glass and onto our table, which required a number of extra napkins to clear away the mess. He asked me to taste it to see if it was good. Apparently it was not on the menu and not a drink he regularly fashioned for patrons. Our food arrived, and the waitress had ordered an incorrect entree. The spouse ate his crab cake benedict while I waited for the kitchen to prepare the correct salad for me. The food was okay; nothing special. When the tab arrived, the waitress had charged us for an entree neither of us had ordered -- in addition to the two we did. It took an extra bit of time to clear this issue, and we left the restaurant rather disappointed. We may give it a second chance in the future as every place deserves another try, yet we're in no rush to return.
(2)Tara S.
I actually love this restaurant. I am "starring" it based on tonight's performance alone. If you read my other reviews, you'll see that I'm a fan of the Calhoun's family of restaurants (Calhouns, Copper Cellar, Chesapeakes, etc). I met a group of girlfriends here at 5 on the nose for a happy hour/ appetizers thing on Friday night. I could give you mad details, but I will keep it short. Our server clearly was not interested in dealing with us because she seems to have surmised that we were there to "eat cheap and not tip". We were rarely asked for refills, not given bread, asked "Don't you want to order more food?" and then presented with our checks before we were done. I ordered take-out for my boyfriend, and she was so impatient with my filing out the credit card slip that she asked if she could sit my to-go bag on the floor. Crappy service and attitude put a real stain on an otherwise good restaurant.
(3)James A. S.
The crab cakes and onion rings are to die for. Had homegrown tomato salad. Service was outstanding
(5)Lana S.
Chesapeake's reminds me of an "old school Florida seafood restaurant" complete with fish tanks throughout the dated restaurant. They've got a great little patio tucked off the main dining room. The menu is pretty basic seafood and have a daily special menu. Great oysters fried or fresh. If you're looking for that "classic seafood restaurant experience" this is the place. It's nothing too fancy but it's nice. Cheers! Enjoy!
(3)Wendy M.
Absolutely awesome restaurant. Food outstanding, waiter superb, and music brought back memories!!
(5)Michelle C.
Great service, delicious seafood & reasonably priced! A party of eight of us went recently & everyone loved their meals! Great oysters & highly recommend the cold sampler appetizer--super fresh!
(5)Carmen H.
I went with my family (6 of us) and we did not have a great experience at all. They have a specials menu. I believe 3 people at the table ordered off the specials menu. About 10 minutes later they had to reorder because the kitchen was out. Not only were they out of 1 dish, but they were out of about 3-5 of the specials. After that, they had to come back and tell us they were out of one of the sides 3 of us had ordered! My boyfriend's dad and I both got the filet (I'd seen the steak recommended on here), YIKES. The cut of meat was good, but NO flavor. Crabcakes- full of crab, but there was no oomph. That stated, I've been eating crabcakes in Charleston lately, so maybe I'm spoiled? My boyfriend had the crab imperial...same story as the crab cakes. Plus side- the staff was very friendly and apologetic for all our troubles and the deserts they gave us as a result were pretty tasty. Out of the 3 I tasted I'd go with the Delaware? pie. Some sort of concoction with kahlua, icecream and chocolate.
(2)Ron S.
I just had a most satisfying meal @ Chesapeakes. The food- oysters on the half shell, crab bisque and an oyster/shrimp combo dinner was as good as I have had in a long time. The manager Ken, came by to check on me early on. I will definitely recommend Chesapeake's to everyone I know and will return. A great restaurant for downtown Knoxville and within walking distance of several hotels.
(5)Tita P.
I had the pleasure of going to Chesapeake because of my sister's graduation from Univ of TN. They were extremely accommodating. My mother made arrangements for a private room and the restaurant created an abbreviated menu. The service: GREAT. The food: Wonderful The experience: memorable. The servers were available but were able to make themselves invisible when necessary. They even offered to take pictures of we wanted. My sister recently got a job in the Knoxville area so I am sure that I will be back in the city. I will make Chesapeake my go to spot in Knoxville.
(4)Stephanie K.
We had oysters, mussels and clams in a delightful, orgiastic display of seafood far far from any coast. Server was nice, beer selection included interesting regional brews and overall was a great experience.
(4)Emily M.
It was good but not great. And my clothes smelled of fish two days later. I have had fresher seafood but the servers were nice and knowledgeable.
(3)Steven S.
You can not find such a variety of seafood anywhere along the coast. Everything is fresh and high quality. Crab Cakes are fantastic, even if you are from Maryland. Daily fish special have at least four different options; Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Grouper, Halibut, Snapper . . . the list goes on. If you want good seafood it is the only place to go. It is better than most places on the coast because they get quality fish from all over. It is expensive, but worth it.
(5)Doug R.
Stopped in while in town for a conference, because my wife loves seafood and area guide in our room at the Crowne Plaza said they had the freshest seafood in Knoxville. Place is decorated on the inside like a touristy seafood house on the coast with lots weathered wood and fishing paraphernalia adorning the walls. We had called ahead and made reservations as we had a fairly large party and were ushered directly to our table. Service by the waitstaff was quick, friendly, attentive and very professional. I don't eat seafood, so I was leery of ordering a steak as so many seafood places can't do a beef right, but I took a chance and ordered the filet. It was tender and juicy, with wonderful flavor and cooked to perfection. My wife ordered the Crab Imperial and although she said it tasted wonderful, the was a lot of shell in it, so either someone in the kitchen was in a hurry preparing the crab or as she opined, they had actually used canned crab meat, but we don't know for sure. The shrimp on the bottom of the dish were huge and quite tasty though.
(4)Deen W.
Had the lobster here and it was very good. The service was attentive and it was just a good all-around experience.
(3)Leah P.
We came in from Chicago and I had found Chesapeake's on a website and it looked great. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our 1 year anniversary, so they were very accommodating. The food was very good, my boyfriend had the gumbo and the broiled platter. He was very happy that everything was not soaking in butter, the butter was on the side. I had the grilled shrimp and I couldn't believe they gave me 2 full skewers. We were stuffed! They offered us a complimentary dessert for our anniversary but we opted out. Our server Darren was very nice, and made great recommendations. This place definitely could use some updating, it is run down and kind of sad looking. Overall I give Chesapeake's 4 stars.
(4)Tim C.
For being a land locked seafood house, they do a very good job. Fresh, great selection, and well prepared. Pricing is a little high for some dishes, but overall market value for what you get. Good atmosphere and great service. Parking can suck if you get there after 6:00 or so.
(4)R B.
A favorite. Fresh food, nice atmosphere (though maybe a bit tired).
(4)Andy P.
We only eat here about twice a year but we do that to keep it special. This is the best seafood restaurant I've found in Knoxville. If you live in Florida or one of the Gulf states, and know your seafood, I think you will be well pleased. If you've never eaten quality seafood - this is an experience. The place is sort of fancy without being arrogant about it, queit, and even a little romantic. The appetizers are excellent, the fish is good, the shell fish is outstanding, and we've never eaten steak or chicken here. Why would anyone eat steak at a fresh seafood house? Dinner will probably run you between $14 and $25 each. We don't drink but drinks would run that at least a little higher - depending on how much you drink. Service is always good and I've never been disappointed. There's not much choice for fresh seafood in this area but Chesapeake's is all you'll need.
(5)Wanita N.
Your arteries will not thank you, but your taste buds will :-) We went for the shellfish + fish + more shellfish experience at Chesapeake's. Dinner started with fresh bread, a prompt waitress and a steaming bowl of mussels and clams. Much tastier than I expected, with plenty of saucy goodness left for sopping up with the crusty bread. The side salad was average, but the tomato based clam chowder was bright and lively. Main courses of blackened sea scallops and rare ahi tuna steaks were well above average for southern seafood. And definitely a value for the quality considering the mains came with sides as well as the aforementioned soup/salad option. The ahi was especially decedent served on cheese grits with a bleu cheese sauce. As for the sides, healthy is not really an option with spinach maria being the closest side item resembling a vegetable. Personally I indulged in the cheesy potato hash which was as rich as a good cheesecake. No room for dessert on this trip, but I'll be heading back soon to try another fresh catch special or maybe the crabcakes. As for price, it is a little higher than Bonefish, but portions are filling and the atmosphere comfortable. Also Chesapeake's rotates its fish selections to comply with sustainable fish harvesting practices, always a nice touch.
(4)Susangela M.
We had an excellent dinner and experience here. Angie is a waitress extraordinaire! I had to smile the whole time b/c back in my days of waitressing I wore the exact same outfit. The spinach artichoke dip was very good, with mixed chips on the side. My crab cakes were a bit rich for me, but super fresh and tasty. My cuz had the swordfish which was excellent. Our hotel had given us free desert coupons (score!) so we indulged in the giant slice of ice cream, Oreo crust, chocolate and Kahlua and left happy.
(4)R W.
Lunch with business colleagues. Recommend the platter!
(4)Brad H.
Never a bad experience. Never short of wonderful hosts and table service...never. Highly recommend going when 100,000+ Vols are at the game. THE best non-coastal selection of fresh seafood in the South! Baked oysters, two very different ways, and Crab Imperial...just lots of crab meat, cream, and bread crumbs baked up right!....even the house salads are fantastic. You gotta try it all...especially the oysters...or baked crab...
(5)