Fried catfish is basically the state dish of Mississippi, and everybody around here has a favorite spot they will argue about. Some places have been frying it up in old country buildings for years, while others pile it high on all-you-can-eat plates with hush puppies and slaw.
If you love that golden, crispy crunch, this list is your road map. Here are nine catfish joints across Mississippi that are worth pointing your car toward, no matter which corner of the state you start from.
1. Taylor Grocery, Taylor, MS
Just a short drive south of Oxford sits an old-timey country store that traded groceries for catfish plates long ago. Taylor Grocery has become one of the best-known catfish stops in north Mississippi.
The menu leans into fried and grilled catfish, with Southern sides and other comfort food filling out the plate. If you save room, the pecan pie and cobbler are both worth ordering, and the sweet tea selection keeps glasses full.
Live music is part of the experience here, and the casual, historic setting draws college students, families, and travelers alike. Expect a wait during peak dinner hours since the place fills up fast.
Hours are limited, so plan around them. It serves dinner Thursday through Sunday only, closing earlier in the week.
Reservations are accepted, and there is plenty of free parking in the lot and along the street. You will find it at 4 First St in Taylor.
2. Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence, MS
You cannot miss the building. Jerry’s sits inside a giant igloo-shaped structure along Highway 49, and plenty of drivers have wondered what was cooking inside.
The answer is thin, crispy catfish fillets fried fresh and served hot straight out of the grease. The small catfish plate is a solid starting point, and there is an all-you-can-eat option for bigger appetites.
Popcorn shrimp baskets round out the seafood side, and the coleslaw and sweet tea earn their spot on the table. It is a family-friendly spot with quick, friendly service and a country feel.
The restaurant keeps a tight schedule, open Thursday through Saturday evenings plus a Sunday lunch stretch. Fridays and Saturdays get busy in the evening, so aim early if you want to skip the wait.
Reservations are accepted, parking is easy, and you will find it at 3326 US 49 in Florence.
3. Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant, Ocean Springs, MS
Down on the Gulf Coast, catfish comes with a water view. Aunt Jenny’s occupies a charming 19th-century house in Ocean Springs, complete with wainscoting, ceiling fans, and windows looking out over the back bay.
The fried catfish is the benchmark here, breaded just enough for crunch while staying tender inside. Fried shrimp is a close second, and meals often come with biscuits and coleslaw.
Look for house favorites like the fried green tomatoes, fried okra, and combination platters that let you mix and match. The setting is cozy and historic, and sunset over the water makes an early dinner reservation a smart move.
It opens Tuesday through Sunday with varied hours, closing Mondays. There is a private dining room for groups, plus dine-in, takeout, and delivery options.
Find this one at 1217 Washington Ave in Ocean Springs.
4. Shivers Creek Catfish House | Crystal Springs, Crystal Springs, MS
Fresh, never-frozen, and raised right here in Mississippi. That is the catfish standard at Shivers Creek in Crystal Springs, where farm-raised fish comes out hot and crispy.
The all-you-can-eat filet catfish is the big draw, and it arrives with complimentary greens, slaw, and hush puppies. Blackened catfish is on the menu too if you want something other than fried.
Beyond the fish, there are options for the whole table, including a kid’s smash burger and a fried shrimp plate for little ones. The homey, welcoming atmosphere makes it an easy family stop.
Dogs are welcome outside, and there is a private dining room for larger groups. Hours run Thursday through Sunday, with Friday and Saturday evenings being the busiest.
Catering is available, parking is plentiful, and the address is 24188 MS-27 in Crystal Springs.
5. Moss Creek Fish House, Pearl, MS
Thin and crispy is the name of the game at this family-owned spot in Pearl. Moss Creek Fish House turns out lightly battered catfish that stays fluffy inside and crunchy outside.
Plates come loaded with sides like fries, mac and cheese, hush puppies, and fried okra. The gumbo is worth a look, and the boom boom shrimp adds a little kick if you want to branch out.
Prices here sit a bit lower than some others on the list, which makes it an easy pick when you are feeding a crowd. Save space for a root beer float to finish things off.
It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with weekends and Sunday afternoon running busiest. Delivery and takeout are both available alongside dine-in, and there is a private dining room for groups.
You will find it at 413 Riverwind Dr in Pearl.
6. Rocky Creek Catfish Cottage, Lucedale, MS
Whole catfish is the specialty that sets this Lucedale cottage apart. Rocky Creek fries it up crunchy on the outside with flaky, melt-in-your-mouth meat inside.
If you prefer a cleaner plate, the catfish fillets deliver the same crispy result. Seafood sampler platters and crawfish tails give the table more to share, and the sides pull their weight.
The hush puppies, coleslaw, and sweet tea round out a meal that feels made for a group. The cozy, casual room has a friendly staff that keeps regulars coming back.
Keep the schedule in mind, because it only opens Thursday through Saturday from late morning into the evening. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest windows.
Catering is available, parking is free, and the spot sits at 4196 Old 63 N in Lucedale.
7. Cravin’ Catfish, Sherman, MS
For folks in northeast Mississippi who want to load up a plate, the buffet at Cravin’ Catfish is the answer. Grilled and fried catfish share the line with hamburger steaks, vegetables, and a dessert bar.
Fried whole catfish and fillets are the headliners, seasoned nicely and cooked to order. The spread also includes salad, soup, potatoes, chicken strips, and fried green tomatoes, so nobody leaves hungry.
It is an all-you-can-eat setup in a large, homey dining room built for groups. The great tea selection and dessert bar make it a comfortable place to linger.
Hours are limited to Thursday through Saturday evenings, with Saturday drawing the biggest crowds. There is a private dining room, and takeout is available if you would rather eat at home.
The address is 101 Cemetery Lane, 7100 Co Rd 700 in Sherman.
8. Walnut Grove Fish House, Walnut Grove, MS
Small-town catfish done right is what you get in Walnut Grove. This fish house keeps things simple with fried catfish, either fillet or whole, plus steaks, seafood, and burgers.
The two whole catfish platter is a favorite for good reason, and broiled catfish gives you a lighter option. Fried oysters, shrimp, and chicken share the menu for anyone at the table who is not in a catfish mood.
Coleslaw and a solid tea selection round out the meal, and prices stay reasonable. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, which fits the come-as-you-are crowd.
It opens Thursday through Saturday evenings only, so plan your trip accordingly. Those three nights all draw a steady dinner crowd.
Takeout is available, parking is free and easy, and you will find it at 120 MS-492 in Walnut Grove.
9. Newt’s Catfish Seafood & Steaks, Hattiesburg, MS
Straight from the oil to the table is the approach in Hattiesburg. Newt’s fries up fresh catfish, oysters, and shrimp and gets them to you while they are still crisp.
The seafood platter for two is a showstopper, stacking catfish fillets, fried oysters, shrimp, and stuffed crab with your choice of sides. Whole stuffed flounder and an oyster po’boy give you even more reasons to study the menu.
House-made hush puppies, seasoned fries, and coleslaw hold up their end of the plate, and the sweet tea keeps things classic. Blackened catfish is there for anyone skipping the batter.
Hours run Wednesday through Saturday, closing Sunday through Tuesday, with Friday and Saturday busiest. Reservations are accepted, and there is catering plus a salad bar.
Find this Pine Belt favorite at 503 Elks Lake Rd #30 in Hattiesburg.
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