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    Culamar

    3.9 (109 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Culamar Photos

    Business Info

    CULAMAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Upscale
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Culamar

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    Nikki D.

    Overall, decent restaurant. My cocktails were a little on the sweet side, but decent. My Sauvignon Blanc was $20 a glass and not with that. Tapas were good. We had the lamb, duck, and carrots. For dinner, we had the scallops and salmon. The salmon was good, but the scallops were very odd. There weren't many scallops and the ones they gave you were lying on a bed of some really weird flavors. They were out of the carrot cake, which everyone recommends so we got the Apple Olive Oil cake. It was extremely dry and flavorless, and the cappuccino was just ok. The service started out nice but then dropped off towards the end of our meal. As for parking, we paid over $17 for 2 hours and on a Sunday. I feel like with a few tweaks this could be an amazing restaurant.

    Muffuletta Sliders
    Luis M.

    Culamar knows how to set the mood. The sunset view? Unreal. Rooftop to ourselves, skyline all around, romantic lighting -- it felt like a scene out of a movie. And then the food came. Tuna Tartare: Pretty, but flavorless. Like someone seasoned it with air and prayed the chips would carry it. They didn't. Shrimp Po'Boy: More like a soggy bread mess with barely any shrimp. Sauce overload tried to distract from the sad sandwich underneath. Muffuletta Sliders: All name, no flavor. Tasted like a school lunch slider that sat in a fridge too long. Whatever the ingredients were supposed to be, they got lost in translation. The Good Stuff? Riley, our server, was wonderful -- attentive, warm, and clearly doing her best with a weak menu. And the drinks? Spot-on. The ambiance? Chef's kiss. It's just a shame the food didn't match the vibes. Price vs. Flavor: Not worth it. I came hungry and hopeful. I left full... of regret. Bottom Line: Come for the view. Sip something nice. But if you're here for the food? Might wanna eat beforehand.

    Cauliflower soup, salad
    Shemesh Y.

    Such a pretty spot in downtown Franklin, very gurgling service and reasonable price. Ah and the food was good too (a little light on the slices, but still very good) : We got the cauliflower soup, salad, and the tortellini (which looked like ravioli? ) - and enjoyed all.

    Menu
    Michael B.

    Food I don't even know where to begin because everything was very fresh, tender where it needed to be, crunchy when it needed to be!! First time eating here and I was impressed. Let me start this list of food. So, tried the fried calamari, seafood platter, and NY Strip. Needless to say, we had PLENTY of leftovers. My only gripe is that I wanted my steak mid-rare and it came out mid-well. I would've sent it back but it was still so tender and flavorful! Just wanted to point that out because when I go back I will send it back if it's cooked well. Service Outstanding! Emma B. was so pleasant and patient as we viewed the menus. She kept our glasses full and we really didn't have to ask for anything. They have a full bar, extensive wine list, various types of water. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Also, they boxed up our leftovers in some decent containers that did not leak with everything labeled. Very nice touch. Ambiance It's a lot bigger inside than it seems. They validate parking, which is right behind the building. Excellent lighting and wasn't too packed on an early evening.

    Linguini, clams, garlic, chili, pecorino and parsley (I requested no pancetta)
    Capitán D.

    Since it opened, Culamar has been the go-to spot for seafood in Franklin, and it consistently delivers. On our recent visit, I had the Linguini with clams, garlic, chili, pecorino, and parsley (no pancetta), and it was outstanding, rich, flavorful, and perfect with a piece of bread to soak up the classic clam sauce. A small note for pasta enthusiasts: while the menu calls it linguini, the noodles served were wider and more rustic, almost like hand-cut egg noodles. Technically not traditional linguini, but it didn't matter--the dish was absolutely excellent. Service was high quality, and the atmosphere lively. I did notice the menu doesn't clearly mention a credit card service charge, which the restaurant has a duty to disclose upfront. After dinner, we enjoyed drinks on the rooftop. On a chilly January night, having the fire pit going made it a truly enjoyable evening.

    Front desk entrance - you can scan the QR code when you walk in to avoid parking fees
    Patrick P.

    The Italian Seafood Spot That's Classy, Cozy, and Practically in Your Neighbor's Lap I decided to cash in my Resy/AmEx dining credit like a responsible adult who clearly eats fancy seafood instead of tacos in the car. I landed on Culamar (Franklin, TN) -- because nothing says "treat yourself" like pasta, whiskey, and pretending I understand wine pairings. Appetizers: We started with the Roasted Beet Salad and Calamari, and honestly? Both were excellent. The beets were earthy in that "I feel healthy" kind of way, and the calamari hit the perfect fried-to-fancy ratio. I briefly considered ordering more and calling it dinner, but self-control (and the credit limit) prevailed. Dinner: My friend ordered Linguine and Clams, while I went all in with the Cioppino -- a seafood stew that felt like Poseidon personally seasoned it. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and slightly too good to be eaten while discussing Monday meetings. Drinks: An Old Fashioned made with Nelson Brothers Whiskey (because we're in Tennessee and loyalty matters), and a White Lotus cocktail -- classy, citrusy, and one sip away from making me think I was in a resort scene from HBO. Atmosphere: We sat by the window -- great view, very close neighbors. Like, "could share breadsticks without asking" close. The tables are roughly a foot apart, so if you're shy, just pretend you're on a double date. Final Verdict: Culamar is upscale, flavorful, and unintentionally intimate. The food is top-notch, the drinks are strong, and the only thing tighter than the table spacing is their service.

    Casey K.

    This is a great spot in the heart of downtown Franklin. They have cozy fire pits and a nice view of the main street. Drinks and food are decent, definitely on the pricier side but it is a higher end cocktail lounge. Service was slow, we were waiting for a while before a server came over to check on us and it was difficult to get their attention throughout the time we were there even though they were not overly busy. This will always be one of my go to spots in Franklin.

    Old Fashioned, check out the Ice!
    Jeff D.

    Just stopped by for a drink. The service was great and the atmosphere was perfect, I got an Old Fashioned, on point! You know it's going to be good if the Ice is crystal clear and it was, check out the picture. The other drink was really Awesome as well, but I forgot the name, show the picture to the bar tender and they will know what it is! Worth It!

    Dessert
    John M.

    Chef Pullara falls short on dinner, the Faroe Islands Salmon is a rather thin filet, was overcooked, and too highly seasoned with pepper. The Sea Scallops are on the small side, but are excellent, the sweet potato purée and accompaniments are excellent. The Arancini starter is intense, but full of flavor if you scoop some of tomato conserva into each bite. Service at the full bar was very friendly and prompt. The wine list is diverse. The sound in the open floor plan of the ground floor is good.

    William W.

    It's a good thing Italian American chef Frank Pullara moved to our neck of the woods during the pandemic, because he's created two great restaurants. Culamar is a relatively new addition to downtown Franklin, opened in 2023 as Bestia Mare. If their new moniker sounds familiar, its sister restaurant Culaccino was opened by Pullara across the street. In fact, Culamar is literally a portmanteau of CULAccino and MARe (the Italian word for sea). But Culamar's specialty lies in Italian seafood dishes, something we've been lacking in Middle Tennessee far less common on Nashville's Italian scene. With a tremendous variety of fresh a la carte oysters, and dishes highlighting fish, lobster, crab, octopus, and clams, this is an excellent destination for seafood lovers. I found the Cioppino, one of my favorite dishes, to be on par with the best versions in San Francisco! And it's a hard dish to find in Middle Tennessee! As an artichoke lover, I wasn't crazy about the Artichoke Cianfotta side dish nor the Crema Catalana dessert, a Spanish custard akin to a crème brûlée. But I can absolutely vouch for the quality of the seafood here!

    Italian white wine
    Candace C.

    The tuna tartare is so fresh and delicious! Enough to make it a meal for one and gluten free.

    Menu

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    10 months ago

    Brunch was underwhelming. We were one of two groups in the bldg. will try again for dinner maybe...

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    1 year ago

    The sword fish is amazing and the steak! Highly recommend eating here. Great open kitchen concept, and staff is great!

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    2 years ago

    Food and service are very solid. Menu is a little extreme (many selections). Totally recommend; be prepared for good but expensive dinner.

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    Had the oysters. Amazing and fresh. Service was great and personable. Can't wait for the rooftop

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    1 year ago

    Absolutely horrible service. Bad food bad drinks 45 minutes to even get our check. Will not be back

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    Page 2 of 3

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    Culamar - italian - Updated May 2026

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