Indiana is a long way from any ocean, but that has never stopped Hoosiers from chasing a great plate of fish. From a family-run market on the northeast side of Indianapolis to a harbor dining room on Lake Michigan, the state has plenty of spots that take seafood seriously.
Some lean into crispy catfish and hush puppies, while others pile on oysters, scallops, and Cajun steam pots. This list covers six fish houses worth planning a trip around, with practical details on hours, menus, and what makes each one different.
Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always orders the fish.
1. Caplinger’s Fresh Catch, Indianapolis, IN
Half fish market, half cafe, Caplinger’s lets you pick up seafood to cook at home or sit down and let the kitchen handle it. The family-run spot sits at 7460 Shadeland Ave on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
The menu covers a wide range of seafood along with sandwiches and sides. The Caplinger’s Special fried fish sandwich is the headliner, and it comes with all the fixings if you want them.
Calamari fries make a fun side, and the jumbo shrimp come in a light batter that lets the shrimp stay the star. Green beans and Cajun slaw round things out if you want something besides fries.
Timing helps here. Friday afternoon and evening are the busiest stretch, while weekday and Saturday mornings tend to be quieter.
Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 AM to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. The shop is closed on Sundays, and free parking is available.
2. Bartlett’s Fish Camp, Michigan City, IN
Indiana may lack an ocean, but it does have a Great Lake, and Bartlett’s Fish Camp makes the most of it. The restaurant sits right on the harbor at 12 On the Lake in Michigan City, with big windows facing the water.
Oysters get plenty of attention. Crispy Creole Blue Point Oysters share the menu with char grilled octopus, ceviche, and a seafood tower built for sharing.
Comfort picks show up too, including fish and chips, a grouper sandwich, a fried shrimp platter, and seafood bouillabaisse. Pan-fried walleye and shrimp and grits nod to Midwest and Southern tastes.
Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand. Dogs can join you at the outdoor seating, and reservations are accepted.
Plan around the schedule, since it closes Monday and Tuesday. It opens at 3 PM Wednesday through Friday, at 11 AM on Saturday, and wraps up at 4 PM on Sunday.
3. The Fish Stand, Seymour, IN
Frog legs on a fish menu in southern Indiana tell you right away that The Fish Stand is not trying to be fancy. Located at 423 N Ewing St in Seymour, it serves catfish, cod, clams, shrimp, and those frog legs in a casual, down-home room.
Catfish is the main event. The catfish dinner brings a couple of large filets on a bun with hush puppies, French fries, coleslaw, and a drink.
The hush puppies are made in house, which earns them a spot on nearly every tray. Prices typically land between $10 and $20 per person.
Service is counter style, and the restaurant does not take reservations. Takeout is available if you want to eat elsewhere.
I would save this one for a weekday lunch run. Hours are 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday and 10 AM to 3 PM Saturday, with Sundays closed.
4. Big Eyed Fish, Fort Wayne, IN
Fish for breakfast hours might sound odd, yet Big Eyed Fish opens as early as 7 AM on many days and serves omelettes alongside its seafood. The easygoing, diner-style spot sits at 1502 N Wells St in Fort Wayne.
The Big Eyed Fish Sandwich is the namesake dish. Clam strips, battered onion rings, a Reuben, and the Big Eyed Burger fill out the menu for anyone in the group who wants something else.
All-you-can-eat fish is part of the appeal, with unlimited sides. The coleslaw is sweet and creamy, and the tartar sauce is made in house.
Prices usually run $10 to $20 per person. Kids are welcome, reservations are accepted, and Friday evening is the busiest time.
Monday hours run 11 AM to 9 PM. It opens at 7 AM Tuesday through Friday, 8 AM on weekends, and stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
5. McGraw’s Steak Chop & Fish House, West Lafayette, IN
Date night along the Wabash River gets a seafood upgrade at McGraw’s. The restaurant at 2707 S River Rd in West Lafayette pairs river views with a fireplace and a quieter, more upscale setting.
Steaks share the spotlight, but the fish side holds its own. The pan-seared scallops are known for their size, and blackened salmon is another standout.
Firecracker Shrimp makes a lively starter. If someone at the table wants beef, the 8oz filet mignon comes with a loaded baked potato.
Expect to spend roughly $30 to $80 per person. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Saturday evening, the busiest time.
McGraw’s serves dinner only. Hours run 5 to 9 PM Tuesday and Wednesday and 5 to 10 PM Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday and Monday closed.
6. Catfish Willy’s Seafood & Comfort Cuisine, Evansville, IN
Hand-painted murals, dark turquoise walls, and fish hanging from the ceiling give Catfish Willy’s an underwater look before the food even arrives. You will find it at 5720 E Virginia St in Evansville.
Cajun boils are the big draw. The steam pot packs crab, shrimp, crawfish, mussels, potatoes, sausage, and corn, with enough food for a group of four adults.
Steam bags come tossed in the house whole shebang sauce. Fried catfish fiddlers, oysters shucked raw or loaded, loaded gator fries, and a bubbly hot crab and shrimp dip keep the menu playful.
Willy’s Seafood Platter and the Cowboy Steak and Shrimp work well for bigger appetites. Kids’ menus, curbside pickup, and delivery make it easy for families.
Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 4 PM Sunday. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up fastest, so reservations help.
From the Lake Michigan shoreline to the Ohio River city of Evansville, these six spots prove a landlocked state can still serve up seriously good seafood. Pick the one closest to you, then start planning a road trip to the rest.
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