Friday fish fry is a real Michigan tradition, and folks around here take it seriously. From Great Lakes perch to fresh walleye, the best spots pull in crowds who show up early just to grab a table.
Some of these places have been frying fish for generations, and the regulars know exactly what to order. Here are eight Michigan fish fry stops worth planning your Friday around.
1. Lakeside Inn, Alpena
Up in the northeastern corner of the state, Alpena sits right on Lake Huron, so fresh fish feels like a natural fit for the town.
Local spots here lean into the region’s fishing roots, with perch and walleye taking the spotlight on Friday menus. Battered and fried until golden, the fillets usually come paired with fries, coleslaw, and rye bread.
The town itself is a nice road trip stop, sitting along the Sunrise Coast where the lake views come free. If you are driving through the Thunder Bay area, timing your visit for a Friday makes the trip feel a little more special.
I like this stop because it pairs a classic fish fry with a laid-back small-town setting that does not rush you out the door.
2. Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is famous for chicken dinners, but the town’s German heritage restaurants also know their way around a Friday fish plate.
The Bavarian Inn Restaurant has been a Frankenmuth staple for decades, serving hearty meals in a setting full of old-world architecture and detail. Their menu features fried fish options alongside the classic family-style dishes the town is known for.
Walking around Frankenmuth afterward is half the fun, with the covered bridge, riverside paths, and shops all within easy reach. It turns a simple fish dinner into a whole afternoon outing.
For families looking to combine a meal with a little sightseeing, this one covers a lot of ground in one stop.
3. Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips, Detroit
Detroit has plenty of dining trends, but Scotty Simpson’s has stuck with one simple idea since the 1950s: do fish and chips well and keep doing it.
The northwest Detroit spot is known for hand-battered fillets fried to order, served with fries and homemade tartar sauce. The menu stays focused, which is part of the appeal.
It is a small, no-frills place, so expect a wait when Friday crowds roll in. The longevity alone tells you the neighborhood has stayed loyal for a reason.
If you want a fish fry with real staying power and a classic Detroit backstory, this old-school counter earns its reputation the honest way.
4. Fishbones, St. Clair Shores
Being close to the water gives St. Clair Shores a built-in seafood advantage, and Fishbones leans right into it.
The restaurant serves a range of seafood dishes, with fried fish options that fit the Friday tradition nicely. The lakeside area makes it a natural stop for anyone spending time near Lake St. Clair.
Portions here tend to run generous, so come hungry. The setting is more upbeat than a tiny fish shack, which makes it a solid choice for a group dinner.
I would save this one for a Friday when you want a little more of a night-out feel without losing the fried-fish comfort.
5. The Gandy Dancer, Ann Arbor
Housed in a beautifully restored 1886 railroad depot, the Gandy Dancer brings a bit of history to your Friday fish plans.
The stone building near downtown Ann Arbor is worth admiring on its own, with arched windows and detailing that nod to its train-station past. Inside, the seafood-focused menu offers a more refined take on the fish dinner.
Fresh fish preparations are the specialty, so the Friday crowd here often skews toward a dressier dinner rather than a quick counter meal. Reservations are a smart move given how popular the space stays.
For a fish fry outing that comes with architecture and a sense of occasion, this one stands apart from the paper-basket crowd.
6. Dockside Fish & Chips, Grand Rapids area
West Michigan does its fish fry a little more casual, and counter-style spots around Grand Rapids keep things quick and satisfying.
Fried cod, perch, and classic chips tend to anchor the menu, with tartar sauce and coleslaw filling out the plate. The focus stays on getting good fried fish out fast on a busy Friday.
These kinds of spots work well for families who want a reliable meal without a long sit-down commitment. Portions are usually filling and the ordering is straightforward.
When the goal is simple, honest fried fish without any fuss, a Grand Rapids counter delivers exactly that.
7. Bay Port Fish Company, Bay Port
Bay Port earned a name in Michigan fishing history as a hub for Great Lakes commercial fishing on Saginaw Bay.
The Bay Port Fish Company continues that legacy, working with fresh Great Lakes catch including perch and whitefish. The small Thumb-region town is deeply tied to its fishing heritage.
Buying fish straight from a working fish company gives your Friday fry a farm-to-table kind of authenticity, right down to the source. The area’s annual fish sandwich festival is a well-known local tradition too.
For anyone curious about where Michigan’s Great Lakes fish actually comes from, this stop connects the meal to the water it came from.
8. Clam Lake Beer Company area spots, Cadillac
Cadillac sits between two lakes, which makes it a fitting place to close out a Michigan fish fry list.
Local restaurants in this northern Michigan town serve walleye and perch that match the region’s strong fishing culture. Being surrounded by Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell keeps fresh-fish traditions front and center.
The town works well as a road trip base, with outdoor recreation and lake access all nearby. A Friday fish dinner here fits naturally into a weekend up north.
I like ending with Cadillac because it captures what these lists are really about: good fried fish in a town that lives close to the water.
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