Fried catfish is basically a food group in Arkansas, and folks here have strong opinions about where to get the best plate. Some of these spots sit right on the water, others hide out in tiny towns you would only find on purpose, and a few are old-school buffets that let you keep going back for more.
What they all share is catfish worth crossing county lines to eat. If you love crispy fillets, hush puppies, and homestyle sides, this list of nine restaurants spread across the state is one to bookmark.
Fair warning: you may end up planning a whole weekend road trip around fish.
1. Catfish Hole Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR
Up in the northwest corner of the state, this Fayetteville favorite has built its name on catfish that comes out crispy every single time. The fillets are cut small, breaded well, and fried until they earn their reputation.
Meals here are served family-style, which means all-you-can-eat slaw, tomato relish, and pickles keep coming while you eat. The hush puppies and homemade fries pull plenty of attention too.
If catfish is not your thing, the menu also runs to fried chicken, shrimp, and grilled or blackened preparations. There are even fried scallops and clams for anyone feeling adventurous.
The setting is casual and easy, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and room for groups. It draws a mix of college students, families, and visitors passing through.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, with the place closed on Mondays. Parking is plentiful and reservations are accepted, which helps on those busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
2. JoJo’s Catfish Wharf, Mountain View, AR
Eating catfish while looking out over the river is the whole draw here, and the food lives up to the view. Set along the water in Mountain View, this Ozark spot pairs comfort food with a deck overlooking the river.
The catfish is thin, crispy, and fried well, and the hush puppies rank among the best you will find anywhere. Pickled green tomatoes and brown beans make a fitting warm-up before the main event.
Portions run generous. A five-piece catfish dinner comes with a heaping basket of hush puppies, beans, slaw, and pickled green tomatoes, and it is easily enough for two people.
There is a salad bar, a solid tea selection, and even a slice of possum pie for dessert. Sweet potato fries and crab cakes round things out.
Dogs are welcome on the outside seating, and reservations are accepted. Hours run Monday through Saturday until evening, with a shorter Sunday afternoon window.
3. Murry’s Restaurant, Hazen, AR
Four generations of families keep coming back to this country spot along US-70, which tells you plenty before you ever taste the food. Sitting out away from town, this family-owned restaurant leans into a cozy, laid-back feel.
The catfish is breaded and fried with a batter that gets high marks, and it arrives with hot homemade bread on the side. Save room for the bread pudding, which is a genuine standout.
Beyond the fish, the kitchen turns out steak, fried shrimp, frog legs, and coleslaw that people rave about. The onion rings have their own fan base too.
Here is the catch: Murry’s only opens Friday and Saturday evenings, from 5 to 9. That limited window makes it worth planning around rather than swinging by on a whim.
Prices land in a comfortable range, parking is free and easy, and the atmosphere stays quiet and welcoming for groups.
4. Brown’s Catfish, Russellville, AR
Buffet lovers, this one is built for you. Fried catfish is the star at this family-run Russellville seafood joint, but the spread stretches far past the fish.
Along with fresh hot catfish, you will find fried chicken, shrimp, turnip greens, crab croquettes, and mashed potatoes. The fresh yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls give the buffet a bakery-style bonus most fish places skip.
Fried okra shows up too, and there is a salad bar for anyone wanting to balance out all that crispy goodness. Seafood options extend to a buffet with crab legs.
The room stays casual and family-friendly, with fast service and a good tea selection. It is a natural fit for groups and travelers rolling through the River Valley.
Hours split into lunch and dinner shifts Tuesday through Saturday, and it closes Sunday and Monday. With free parking and all-you-can-eat pricing, it makes an easy stop off Interstate 40.
5. Bubba’s Catfish & Seafood, Hot Springs, AR
The homemade tartar sauce here gets nearly as much love as the fish, which is saying something. This low-key Hot Springs nook works from a walk-up window, so you can eat in or take your order to go.
Catfish arrives with a thin, crispy batter that stays light rather than heavy, seasoned just right and never greasy. The batter holds together instead of flaking off, which is a small detail that fried-fish fans notice.
The menu goes well beyond catfish. Fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, fried crawfish tails, a seafood sampler, and crawfish pie all make appearances, plus fried pies for a sweet finish.
Sides like fresh fried okra and hush puppies round out the plate. There is a drive-through and outdoor seating for flexibility.
Open Tuesday through Sunday until evening, it does not take reservations, so plan for a wait during busy weekend stretches. Parking is free and simple.
6. Fred’s Fish House, Batesville, AR
Dinner inside an old church is a fitting setting for a place people call the best catfish in town. This family-run Batesville spot occupies a converted church building and keeps the mood relaxed and quiet.
Catfish fillets are the headliner, whether you go classic fried or try the blackened Cajun version. The hush puppies here have earned a strong following of their own.
Plates come loaded, often paired with a bowl of pinto beans, pickled green tomatoes, and onions. There are baked potatoes on the side for anyone wanting something hearty.
Steak is a serious option too, with ribeye and prime rib both drawing praise. Grilled catfish is available for folks who prefer to skip the batter.
Open Tuesday through Saturday until 8, it offers a drive-through, delivery, and reservations. Free parking and a good tea selection make it a comfortable stop in north-central Arkansas.
7. Bass Haven Restaurant, Taylor, AR
Way down in the southwest part of the state, this Taylor restaurant rewards the drive with an all-you-can-eat catfish setup and a lake view to boot. Sitting near Lake Erling, it keeps the atmosphere calm and casual.
Fried catfish is the main draw, but the whole catfish gets special attention from regulars who say you cannot find better. Fried shrimp and hush puppies fill out the seafood side.
Steaks are grilled well and pair nicely with the fish for anyone wanting surf and turf. Oysters and a salad bar add more range to the menu.
The place only opens Wednesday through Saturday evenings, so it takes a little planning to get there. Reservations are accepted, which helps for weekend groups.
Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand. Free parking and that water view make the trip out to Taylor feel like a small getaway.
8. Country Village Catfish and Seafood, Star City, AR
If your idea of a good time is a buffet line that keeps refilling, Star City has your number. This casual restaurant specializes in catfish, seafood, and frog legs served all-you-can-eat.
The spread is wide. Expect catfish fillets, fried shrimp, chicken strips, green beans, fried pickles, baked beans, a salad bar, and a rotation of desserts.
Fried shrimp is a highlight alongside the catfish, and the dessert lineup gets its own praise. The tea selection is solid too.
Service moves fast, which matters at a buffet where you want to get back in line. The room stays casual and works well for families and larger groups.
Hours are limited to Thursday through Saturday evenings, so treat it as a weekend destination in the southeast part of the state. Reservations are accepted, and parking is free and easy to find.
9. Eat My Catfish, Little Rock, AR
Right in the heart of the capital city, this spot puts farm-raised catfish front and center with a Cajun twist. Set on Cantrell Road in Little Rock, it keeps things casual and quick.
The fried catfish comes out hot and crispy with no fishy taste and a serious crunch in every bite. Plates often show up with an extra piece or two of fish, which never hurts.
Fried green tomatoes are a signature here, whether served alongside grilled catfish or piled into a salad with shrimp. Cajun rice, mac and cheese, and coleslaw make popular partners.
The menu stretches to crab legs, po’ boys, blackened shrimp, and fried chicken tenders, so nobody in your group goes hungry. Fried shrimp holds its own next to the catfish.
Open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday, it offers delivery, takeout, and catering. With free parking and a family-friendly vibe, it is an easy pick if you want great catfish without leaving Little Rock.
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