Mississippi does small-town seafood better than almost anywhere, and the proof is on the plates at these eight restaurants. From fried catfish in a converted grocery store to charbroiled oysters right off the Gulf, each of these spots has earned a loyal following in towns you might drive right past.
Some sit in historic homes, others in buildings shaped like igloos or cabins, but they all take their catfish, shrimp, and po’boys seriously. Keep this list handy the next time your travels take you off the interstate and your stomach starts asking questions.
1. Taylor Grocery, Taylor, MS
A former general store just a short drive from Oxford has turned into one of the state’s most talked-about catfish destinations. The historic building keeps its old-timey charm, and the menu leans hard into fried and grilled catfish done the Southern way.
Come hungry, because the plates arrive generous and the sides do the classics justice. Save room for the pecan pie or the cobbler, both of which round out a meal built on comfort food.
One thing to plan around: the hours are limited, with dinner service Thursday through Sunday only. Reservations are accepted, and there is usually a wait, so it pays to call ahead at 662-236-1716.
The atmosphere runs casual, cozy, and a little trendy, drawing college students, families, and travelers alike. Live music, sweet tea, and free parking make it an easy stop when you want a real taste of Mississippi.
2. Bozo’s Seafood Market, Pascagoula, MS
Part fresh seafood market, part quick-serve deli counter, this Pascagoula favorite gives you two ways to eat Gulf seafood. You can grab a po’boy from the counter or pick up fresh catch from the market in back.
Portions run big and prices stay friendly, usually landing in the ten to twenty dollar range per person. The menu covers shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, firecracker shrimp, butterfly shrimp, and fried green tomatoes for the vegetarians in the group.
Weekends bring live music and a lively crowd, with Friday evening and Saturday afternoon the busiest stretches. It does not take reservations, so expect a wait during peak hours.
Open seven days a week with generous hours, it works for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite. Dogs are welcome outside, there are high chairs and a kids’ menu, and parking is easy to find.
3. Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant, Ocean Springs, MS
Housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century home overlooking the Bay of Biloxi, this Ocean Springs restaurant pairs water views with down-home Southern cooking. The wainscoting, ceiling fans, and historic setting make the meal feel like a visit to a relative’s place near the water.
The draw here is the all-you-can-eat fried catfish and shrimp, both fried to a crisp that keeps people coming back. Start with Jan’s fried green tomatoes or Paw-Paw’s favorite fried okra, then move on to Gunny’s Combination Platter or the Catfish Anthony.
Hours shift by day, with dinner service Tuesday through Thursday and full lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a shorter lunch window, and Monday is closed.
Reservations are accepted, there is a private dining room, and the setting stays quiet and relaxed. With free parking and a bay view, it is a fine choice for groups or a leisurely meal.
4. Pirate’s Cove, Pass Christian, MS
Walk up to the counter, place your order, and grab a seat at one of the picnic tables. That simple setup is exactly why this Pass Christian spot works so well for families and quick lunches.
The po’boys are the headliners, with fried shrimp and oyster versions built on batter that people rave about. Adventurous eaters go for the French fry po’boy, while the roast beef version keeps the non-seafood crowd happy.
Portions are generous, and half-size options make it easy to mix shrimp and oysters on one sandwich. Prices sit in the ten to twenty dollar range, so it is a budget-friendly stop on the Coast.
Open Monday through Saturday from mid-morning to evening and closed Sunday, it does not take reservations. There are changing tables, high chairs, a kids’ menu, and plenty of free parking, which makes it an easy family stop.
5. Lil’ Ray’s Restaurant, Long Beach, MS
Generations of Long Beach locals have grown up eating here, and it still holds a spot among their favorite hometown meals. Set in downtown Long Beach, it turns out an array of seafood plates, gumbo, and po’boys at prices that stay reasonable.
The shrimp po’boys get plenty of attention, whether dressed the classic way or loaded with fried green tomatoes and remoulade. Beyond the sandwiches, the menu runs deep with boiled crawfish, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, shrimp tacos, and royal red shrimp.
Save space for the bread pudding, and try the fried pickles or crab fingers to start. The sweet tea selection is a point of pride here.
Open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday, it accepts reservations and offers delivery, dine-in, and takeout. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, so timing your visit helps.
6. Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence, MS
You cannot miss the building, shaped like a giant igloo right off US 49. Inside, the country atmosphere sets the stage for what may be the crispiest fried catfish in central Mississippi.
The catfish arrives fresh, hot, and crackling straight out of the fryer, and the all-you-can-eat option keeps the plates coming. Beyond catfish, the kitchen fries up shrimp and oysters, and the broiled catfish gives lighter eaters a solid choice.
Sides do their part too, with coleslaw, fries, and hush puppies rounding out the meal alongside a pitcher of sweet tea. The small catfish plate and popcorn shrimp basket are easy picks for smaller appetites.
Hours are limited, with dinner Thursday through Saturday and lunch on Sunday, so plan accordingly. Reservations are accepted, there is a private dining room, and Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds.
7. Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill, Bay St Louis, MS
Right on South Beach Boulevard in historic Bay St. Louis, this family-owned spot has built its name on oysters. Both the charbroiled and fresh raw oysters keep locals and visitors filing in.
The rest of the menu covers Coast favorites in full, from shrimp po’boys and catfish platters to blackened redfish and ahi tuna steak. The seafood swamp fries and gator bites give you something a little different to try.
With a full bar onsite, live music, and spots to watch the game, it doubles as a lively neighborhood hangout. Outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio make it easy to enjoy the coastal setting.
Open seven days a week with happy hour offerings, it accepts reservations and handles delivery, dine-in, and takeout. Weekend evenings fill up fast, so an early arrival is smart.
8. Catfish Cabin, Boyle, MS
The name fits the building, which really does look like a cabin, but the menu reaches far past its namesake fish. This Delta-style spot in Boyle serves up Southern cooking that includes steak, seafood, and a salad bar that regulars single out.
Fried catfish fillets lead the way, joined by fried oysters, grilled lemon pepper shrimp, and Cajun shrimp. Hush puppies, fried okra, fried corn, and fresh salads fill out the plates nicely.
Lunch brings a buffet during the week, and there is an all-you-can-eat angle for the catfish faithful. Prices land in the ten to twenty dollar range, keeping it accessible.
Hours split between weekday lunch windows and Thursday through Saturday dinners, with a Sunday lunch too. It accepts reservations, offers a drive-through and outdoor seating, and has live music, making it a versatile Delta stop.
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