Memphis During Lent: 10 Seafood Dishes We Love

Friday Lunch Idea: 10 Places To Eat Seafood In Memphis During Lent

Whether you're observing the no-red-meat-on-Fridays rule for Lent, or you're just looking for some tasty lunch on Fridays, here are ten restaurants in Memphis that serve up a seafood-friendly Friday lunch or dinner.

Where's your favorite place for seafood in town, on Fridays or otherwise? Let us know in the comments.

Article updates provided by Gaye Swan.

fish and chips on a platter
Craig Thompson

Fish Pudding at Calvary Waffle Shop


Since 1928, the Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis has sold lunch in their basement on weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. This year, it's every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch, plus 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Wed. nights. Try out this Memphis tradition this year—their seafood staples are fish pudding and shrimp mousse, but they also have waffles, tomato aspic, and lots of daily specials. We have a whole blog on the Calvary Waffle Shop to learn more

Fish 'n' Chips at Celtic Crossing 

You might think of Celtic Crossing Irish Pub as a place for pints, brunch, or late night shenanigans, but the restaurant offers up some great lunch specials. They, of course, have the Irish and Lenten favorite, fish 'n' chips. They're in Cooper Young at 903 S. Cooper. Bonus: their sister restaurant Bog & Barley is also a great spot for fish 'n' chips.

Lobster & Shrimp Bruschetta at The Half Shell

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Half Shell (@thehalfshell) on

The Half Shell offers rotating weekly specials at each location that you can check out here with dishes like tequila shrimp scampi, Southern fried catfish, and tuna poke bowls (as past examples) – plus daily fish selections! They have two locations: the original location in East Memphis at 688 S. Mendenhall and The Half Shell at Southwind at 7825 Winchester. 

While you can have pretty much any seafood you can think of (including oysters prepared any way you like) let me give you an appetizer suggestion: the lobster and shrimp bruschetta is a longtime Half Shell favorite, with lobster meat and shrimp tossed in a mayo-based Cajun dressing, served with toasted bread.

Catfish Plate at The Genre

The Genre downtown opened in 2021, and they're serving up crispy, tender fried catfish for dinner or brunch (on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) with your choice of a delicious side. Choose from hand-cut fries, sweet potato fries, okra, or broccoli. For a more brunch-y meal, try the catfish with grits instead!

Catfish at Soul Fish Cafe

Get your catfish grilled, blackened or fried at Soul Fish's four locations around town. Get a platter with greens and mac 'n' cheese, get' em in tacos, get fish on poboys, on salad, basically any way you want! You can find Soul Fish in Cooper Young, East Memphis, and Germantown.

 

Fish & Shrimp Tacos at Babalu

Babalu serves tuna tacos, grilled shrimp tacos, and plenty of other seafood-friendly small plates. They have two locations: 6450 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis and in Overton Square in midtown. Read more about Babalu here.

San Francisco Cioppino at Coastal Fish Company


This hearty and delicious seafood stew has it all: sea bass, mussels, swordfish, and white shrimp in a spiced seafood and tomato broth, seasoned with shaved fennel. You’ll find plenty of other seafood options at this coastal themed fine dining restaurant – including a delightful selection of raw, dressed, or broiled oysters. Located at Shelby Farms Park along Hyde Lake, Coastal Fish is also a perfect dinner at sunset spot.

 

Cornbread Dusted Redfish at Char Restaurant


Served up with Delta Grind cheddar grits, spinach, and an Abita Amber crab and crawfish pan sauce, the redfish at Char is a tasty lunchtime treat. Oyster poboys, salmon, and crab, shrimp, and andouille gumbo are also on the menu. Char is located in East Memphis at 431 S. Highland St. 

 

Shrimp Poboy at Huey’s

A Memphis institution, Huey’s is best known for burgers – but their seafood options are just as yummy. Try a shrimp poboy, a mouthwatering combo of deep-fried, golden brown shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and remoulade sauce. With several locations all over the 901, you are never far from a Huey’s. 

Tuna Avocado Stack at Ciao Bella

While you can add shrimp or salmon to a salad or pasta dish (the Capillini Toscano with shrimp is a flavorful option), we’d like to recommend another appetizer: the tuna avocado stack at Ciao Bella. With marinated sushi-grade tuna, toasted almonds and basil, and served with microgreens, it is pretty filling by itself, but you could round out the meal with soup or salad.

 

I'm hungry now. Gonna go find some fish. Where else has great seafood in Memphis? Let us know in the comments.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Don’t miss out on all the Memphis goodness!

About the Author

Hey, I’m Jalyn Souchek! Director of Content for the I Love Memphis Blog and a full-time Memphis hype woman. I’m proud to call the 901 home, and when I’m not sharing the best of the city online, you’ll probably find me repping the Grizzlies, taking coffee walks down South Main, catching live music, posted up at a dive bar or brewery, or chasing down my next favorite bite to eat. Come explore Memphis with me. I’ll show you why this city is easy to love.

Comments Make Us Happy

3
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Beth Brock
Amerigo serves Lake’s Catfish on their Catfish Friday’s! Earl Lake can be found selling his awesome catfish at the Memphis Farmers Market beginning in April when the market opens. His catfish is delish! ❤️
March 15, 2019 12:43pm
Ali Butler

You forgot that Soul fish has a 4th location near Wolfchase.

March 9, 2022 9:48pm