Where to Eat Near
Center Hill Lake

The crown jewel of dining on Center Hill Lake — voted "Best Restaurant on the Water" by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine and the most-talked-about meal in the area. Blue Water Grille floats literally on the dock at Hurricane Marina, extending out over the water, and the sunsets from this perch are almost unfair. Inside is air-conditioned and comfortable; the patio is where you want to be. Chef-inspired specials change weekly, the full bar pours creative lake cocktails, and live music hits the dock at least once a month.

The menu hits all the right notes for a post-lake dinner — crab cakes, fish tacos with baja sauce, BBQ nachos, smoked chicken quesadillas, seared shrimp with spicy corn, and a rotating lineup of fresh catch. The key lime pie is non-negotiable.

A lakeside fish camp in the truest sense — casual, fresh, and specializing in exactly what you want after a day on the water. Earl's does seafood right: crab-stuffed flounder, Tennessee trout, catfish, and shrimp paired with sides that make the South proud — smashed potatoes, white beans, greens, and grits. Start with the deviled eggs or the dill pickle dip, and don't overthink the rest.

The most consistently acclaimed restaurant in Smithville — and the clear first choice for a proper sit-down dinner. Ace's covers serious ground: hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and Italian classics done with real care. Reviewers call it "well worth the price" and return trip after return trip. If you're celebrating something or just want a genuinely excellent meal away from the lake, this is it.

Located in historic downtown Smithville, it's an easy drive from The Little Lake House and a completely different vibe from marina dining — quieter, more polished, and the kind of place that earns its reputation.

A Smithville institution — brick oven pizza, karaoke, and a room full of people who clearly come back every week. Singer's Landing does NY-style brick oven pizza that reviewers call "one of the better pizzas in Tennessee," and the atmosphere is pure local energy. Wings, garlic knots, calzones, handmade spaghetti noodles, and a Saturday night that stays alive until midnight.

This is the place to go when you want to feel less like a tourist and more like someone who actually lives here. The karaoke is earnest and enthusiastic. Order the Rockstar pizza, get some garlic knots, and stay longer than you planned.

The best Mexican in Smithville — and people are emphatic about it. New ownership brought real seasoning and personal attention back to a spot that locals now treat as a weekly ritual. Bold flavors, generous portions, excellent shrimp cocktail, and a salsa that hits right. The go-to for a quick, satisfying lunch after a morning on the water.

A Smithville charmer — part café, part boutique shop, entirely worth a stop. Locals rave about the chicken salad, the Southern cooking, and the warm, unhurried atmosphere. The kind of place where you sit longer than intended because nobody's rushing you out. Perfect for a late breakfast or early lunch before a day on the lake.

A reliable, unpretentious bar and grill that shows up consistently in local top-ten lists. Good burgers, cold drinks, and a casual vibe that fits naturally after a day on the water when you want something solid without fuss. A neighborhood joint doing its job well.

The only Bumpers location in Tennessee — a classic drive-in experience with a no-frills menu that hits every craving: burgers, chili cheese fries, catfish, tenders, Philly steak, and cheese coney. Fried pickles and mozzarella sticks as sides. The drive-in format is genuinely fun, and it's one of the most family-friendly stops in Smithville. Don't overthink it.

A welcome addition to Smithville's dining scene for guests looking for something lighter and fresher. Café Healthyish brings a wellness-forward menu to downtown Smithville — a good option for breakfast or a midday reset when you want something that won't slow you down for an afternoon on the water.