Tennessee might not have a coastline, but it's making waves in Yelp's 2024 "Top 100 Seafood Spots" list. Gatlinburg restaurant Chesapeake's has hooked a spot on the list, standing out as the premier seafood destination in the landlocked state, according to a recent Yelp ranking.

The restaurant, nestled in the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has earned its acclaim despite Tennessee's lack of direct access to the sea. Knox News highlighted Chesapeake's commitment to fresh, wild-caught seafood and included Yelp's praise for the spot's "award-winning crab soup to wild-caught rockfish, fresh-hauled blue crab, and dock-to-dine oysters."

Yelp's 2024 list, sourced from community reviews and ratings, features restaurants across 25 states and D.C., with Chesapeake's ranking at number 77. While coastal states like California and Florida dominate the list, Chesapeake's is a reminder that great seafood can be landed anywhere, even in an unlikely location like Tennessee. WATE reported.

The locals and tourists alike seem to agree with Yelp's assessment. Gatlinburg has long been known for its tourist appeal, but it's not just the scenic mountains that draw the crowds—it's also the mouthwatering seafood offerings, even if that means trucking it in from farther shores. Yelp said it considered "community’s favorite places (and dishes) from coast to coast," ensuring that Chesapeake's is the real deal for seafood lovers visiting Gatlinburg. For social media-savvy diners, Knoxville Dotcom echoed the sentiments via an X post, noting Chesapeake's climb to the top of Tennessee's seafood scene.

Best seafood in Tennessee? Why Chesapeake's in Gatlinburg made Yelp's top 100 list https://t.co/YDbh9LkekK

— Knoxville Dotcom (@KnoxvilleDotcom) March 12, 2024