The Best Restaurants In Clarksville, Tennessee

A popular neighborhood watering hole, the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery first opened its doors in 1992 when it became Clarksville’s first (and still only) microbrewery. Residing in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville, the pub is a reliable option for a few handcrafted beers brewed freshly onsite, like its flagship Barnstormer Red Ale. It also serves a mean brunch on weekends. Its main menu features a wide range of salads, sandwiches and specialty gourmet pizzas alongside entrees like New York strip steak and grilled Norwegian salmon with lemon dill butter on a bed of rice.

Providing Clarksville natives with a relaxed Southern dining experience since it was opened by the Ellis family in the late 1970s, The Catfish House is a local mainstay nestled on the banks of the Cumberland River. It is famous for its catfish and seafood dishes. From its casual, down-home style dining room to its large veranda, The Catfish House exudes Southern charm. This charm is also reflected in its menu with dishes like lump crab cake and fire-grilled hamburger steak alongside desserts like chocolate chess pie. Of course, it would be a sin not to try its famous catfish—which comes fresh, farm-raised, breaded and fried to perfection.

Located within Miss Lucille’s Marketplace, an antique and thrift store, Miss Lucille’s Café is a quirky dining experience. It offers guests the opportunity to mix a delicious light lunch with a day of sifting through rare collectible items, vintage furniture and handmade crafted goods. Like the items sold in the marketplace, the cafe has a slightly vintage theme with mismatched tables and decorative reclaimed furnishings. Meanwhile, its menu is based around simple but tasty fare like soups, salads, and sandwiches alongside daily specials, sweet treats and drinks. Treat yourself to the California gobbler wrap stuffed with turkey, Swiss cheese, chipotle sauce, avocado and lettuce followed by a slice of pie.

For Japanese dining with creative flair, Kohana is a must-try. Originally opened in 2007 the chic and stylish restaurant, with two new branches in neighboring Nashville and Hendersonville, brings a modern twist to Japanese fare, brining global flavors and artful presentation to dishes. Try a delicate appetizer of agedashi tofu—tofu flash-fried and paired with shaved bonito, scallions, grated daikon and tempura sauce. The teriyaki rib eye steak entree and signature redefined sushi dishes with options that include Cajun tuna and egg custard are also highly recommended.

Joining the growing number of restaurants jumping on the fast-casual bandwagon, Smokin’ Chikin serves fresh, homemade fare at a fast food speed but with fine dining quality. As its name would suggest, the venue specializes in serving chicken, which it sources locally and marinates in interesting flavors overnight before grilling it to perfection on a rotisserie grill. Guests can choose from chicken in variety of flavors—like the spicy Peruvian La Brasca chicken with hints of aji pepper, aromatic tandoori or fragrant but fiery Jamaican jerk.

For a taste of old-world Germany in the heart of Tennessee, look no further than Silke’s Old World Breads. This is a cafe, bakery and deli established by owner and talented artist Silke Taylor offering authentic German breads and pastries. Open from morning until early evening Monday to Saturday, the cafe menu features a range of handcrafted German bread-based options like bratwurst with brötchen. A number of soups, salads, sandwiches, handmade pizzas and artisan burgers are also available. All can be perfectly accompanied by its exclusively roasted German-style coffee. In tribute to the owner’s love of art, Silke’s Old World Breads also displays local art on its walls and hosts bi-monthly ‘Evening with the Artists’ events.

Named after owner John Shepherd’s grandfather, Edward’s Steakhouse was established in 2009 in collaboration with his parents Gary and Linda and serves the best steaks in Clarksville. Based in downtown Clarksville, the restaurant occupies a prime location directly across from the historic Roxy Regional Theatre, the city’s oldest live professional theater. The steakhouse features original brick walls updated by a contemporary red and black theme, modern lighting and live piano music. Menu highlights include steaks like the eight-ounce filet mignon alongside other classic steakhouse fare like beef brisket and pork chops and an extensive wine list featuring global selections.

At Harbor Café you can sip on an exotic cocktail to the sounds of live music on a picturesque patio on balmy summer evenings or cozy up next to a beautiful stone fireplace in its lodge-like dining room with a hearty meal on chillier evenings. This local, family-owned restaurant offers an eclectic menu of predominantly American steakhouse-style fare with a select few Chinese options. Appetizers include fried calamari with marinara sauce or honey BBQ chicken wings. For mains, choose crispy catfish fillet or the classic surf-and-turf dish of sirloin steak with fresh lobster tail.