First, let’s get the basics out of the way: The Aquarium is a theme restaurant with locations in Tennessee, Colorado and Texas. The Nashville iteration, which is situated in the sprawling Opry Mills shopping mall and near the airport, is easily accessible to the tourists who primarily frequent it. And like the Rainforest Cafe and the Planet Hollywood of yore, don’t go expecting gourmet eats—it’s really all about the kitsch.
If the adjacent gift shop overflowing with stuffed animals and aquatic toys wasn’t a dead giveaway, The Aquarium is for the kids. Think: Red Lobster meets Six Flags. Families make up just about all of the diners seated around the 200,000-gallon tank in the middle of the space, with little ones pressing their noses against the glass to ooh and ahh over the resident stingrays and reef shark. A diver makes feedings twice a day in full view of the dining room, which adds a bit more panache to the experience.
When it comes to the food, expect incredibly overpriced, overseasoned, and lackluster fare. Like a $22.99 Castaway Combo appetizer with fragile, greasy tortilla chips and chewy gator bites. Most of the items on the menu lean heavily seafood, with a couple of burgers and chicken platters for those who prefer more land-locked bites. Coupled with the dirty utensils that seem to accompany the plates and the delayed service, The Aquarium seems to sink more than it swims.
The vibe: A kid-friendly grotto that feels like a set piece from The Little Mermaid. Good for a lunchtime or early dinner outing for the fam.
The food: Large portions of lackluster, seafood-focused fare that feel very theme-park-restaurant adjacent.
The drink: Colorful, overly sweet mixed drinks that lean tropical. There’s also a small wine and beer selection, featuring popular, mass-marketed brands.
Time Out tip: Check the schedule for days featuring the Mystic Mermaids, a choreographed show in the aquarium tank featuring the restaurant’s infamous finned swimmers. The Aquarium hosts special Under the Sea breakfasts and dinner shows that include meet-and-greets with the Mystic team.