Restaurants Near Center Hill Lake Offer Flavor and Friendly Service
Located in central Tennessee, Center Hill Lake has become a top destination for lake living and water recreation. All the action outdoors leads to some hearty appetites, and these local restaurants near Center Hill Lake know how to serve great flavor. Scroll to find places to eat.
Top-rated Local Restaurants Near Center Hill Lake
EL Lago Mexican Restaurant – Lancaster, TN
This Mexican restaurant is located in Center Hill Marina and Yacht Club. Guests enjoy bold Mexican flavors paired with waterfront views.
El Lago opens for lunch and dinner on Wednesday through Sunday. On the menu, customers will find nachos, salads, soups, mixed entrees, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos and tacos. Plus, there are vegetarian options and burgers. Some favorites include chiles poblanos reales, tamales el chilango and pollo limon.
Rose Garden Restaurant – Silver Point, TN
This cozy spot is best known for country cooking in a casual, low-key atmosphere. Visitors may even hear stories from local fishermen dining together after a day on the water.
Rose Garden serves all three meals. For breakfast, try a platter with meat or hotcakes, omelets, and biscuits. Lunch and dinner offer burgers, catfish, salads, fried chicken, pulled pork, meatloaf, and hamburger steak. Sides include fried okra, pinto beans and turnip greens. Online reviewers also rave about the homemade pies.
Kilgore’s Restaurant – Smithville, TN
This family favorite serves Southern comfort food. Visitors come here for daily specials and homestyle cooking.
Perfect for brunch, lunch and dinner, Kilgore’s Restaurant opens every day but Sunday. Specials feature meatloaf, chicken tenders, country fried steak, roast beef, chicken and dumplings, and sides such as pinto beans and mac and cheese. Each day has something different.
Patty’s Restaurant – Smithville, TN
Patty’s Restaurant specializes in home cooking and is best known for breakfast. Locals love the mom-and-pop atmosphere paired with large portions.
Breakfast is served all day, and there is a lunch bar that changes daily. Platters, three-egg omelets, French toast and biscuits are all popular menu items. Lunch includes a meat and two sides, with options such as fried chicken and cheeseburgers.
Bumpers Drive-In of America – Smithville, TN
Bumpers is one of a few restaurants near Center Lake that is a chain. However, it is the only location in Tennessee.
Guests love the drive-in dining experience here. This location serves lunch and dinner seven days a week and features a no-frill menu. Try the burgers, chili cheese fries, catfish, tenders, Philly steak, and cheese coney. For sides, order fried pickles, fries, and mozzarella cheese sticks.
Earl’s Fish Camp – Silver Point, TN
Located in Edgar Evins Marina, Earl’s Fish Camp specializes in seafood. Please note that Earl’s closes during the winter season, which usually runs from December until March.
For starters, try the deviled eggs or dill pickle dip. For the main course, select from salads, seafood baskets, burgers, sandwiches and large plates. Favorites include crab stuffed flounder, trout, catfish and shrimp. Pair them with grits, greens, white beans or smashed potatoes.
Hillcrest Restaurant – Sparta, TN
Among the best local restaurants near Center Hill Lake, Hillcrest is family owned and operated and pairs with Flour Child Bakery.
Hillcrest Restaurant opens for lunch and dinner three days a week. The menu changes often, but popular items include lasagna, homemade soups, kolache – soft bread wrapped around meat and cheese – and chili. Visitors also enjoy fresh baked goods such as breads, cakes, cookies and pies.
Ready to explore? Book a vacation rental on Center Hill Lake and begin the adventure by reading about the best waterfalls in Tennessee.