Fish camps are a real Piedmont tradition, and they still serve whole fried catfish the way families in this part of North Carolina have loved for generations. These are casual, no-frills spots where the portions are big, the salad bars are stocked, and the tea comes sweet.
Most of them are only open a few days a week, usually Thursday through Saturday, so timing matters. If you grew up eating fried fish on a paper-lined plate, this list will feel like home.
1. Twin Tops Fish Camp, Gastonia, NC
Some restaurants earn loyalty by simply refusing to change, and this South New Hope Road institution has kept its deep-fried seafood tradition alive for decades.
The setup is exactly what a Piedmont fish camp should be. It runs casual and cozy, with a salad bar, counter service, and table service all under one roof.
Catfish fans have a couple of ways to go here. The salt and pepper catfish is a standout, and the whole catfish keeps the old-school bone-in tradition on the plate.
Beyond the fish, the menu stretches to crab legs, oysters, and green shrimp, plus an all-you-can-eat option and Wednesday chicken specials in the mix.
Plan around the hours, since it opens Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9 PM and Saturday from 3 to 9 PM, and stays closed the rest of the week. Reservations are not accepted, but parking is easy and free.
2. Catfish Cove, Belmont, NC
Word gets around when a place serves whole catfish, and folks have driven close to 45 minutes just to sit down at this Belmont spot.
The portions here lean toward the ridiculously large end of the scale. Plates come loaded with catfish fillet, shrimp, scallops, and hushpuppies, served alongside fries or a baked potato.
What sets it apart is a reputation for fish that is cooked clean and not greasy, which is not always a given at a fried-seafood joint. The calabash shrimp and catfish on the bone are both worth ordering.
It sits in a historic small town along the Catawba River, and the dining room stays on the quiet, comfortable side.
Hours run Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, Friday until 9:30, Saturday from 3 to 9:30, and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. It also accepts reservations, which helps on a busy Sunday afternoon.
3. Forest City Fish Camp, Bostic, NC
Finding a true fish camp gets harder every year, which is part of why this Bostic spot has such a devoted following.
The food leans fresh and simple, with salt and pepper perch and whole catfish anchoring the menu. There is also flounder, popcorn shrimp, clam strips, and a salad bar to round things out.
People have been known to drive over from South Carolina for a catfish dinner here, and the salt and pepper catfish in particular has fans who call it the best they have had in years.
Set along Old US Highway 74 in the Rutherford County foothills, it keeps a cozy, comfortable feel with friendly service and large portions at a fair price.
The kitchen opens Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 9 PM, closed Sunday and Monday. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and plenty of free parking.
4. Captain Steve’s Family Seafood Restaurant, Harrisburg, NC
Order the whole catfish dinner here and you may be surprised by the sheer count on the plate. It has come out with seven pieces of whole fish, which is a genuine feast for one person.
That kind of generosity is the theme. The catfish strips are fresh and crunchy, the salt and pepper catfish comes in a portion big enough to split, and the whitefish and fried scallops both have their fans.
The menu runs wide too, with broiled lobster tails, salmon filet, and stuffed flounder for anyone not going the catfish route. Sides like potato salad and collard greens keep it feeling like a proper Southern meal.
Located on State Highway 49 in suburban Cabarrus County, it carries that old Southern fish camp feel while staying firmly kid-friendly.
Hours are wider than most on this list, running Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday with lunch service, plus later closings Friday and Saturday. Reservations are accepted.
5. Tex’s Fish Camp, Connelly Springs, NC
Walking in here feels like stepping back to the fish camps people ate at as kids, and that nostalgia is a big part of the draw.
Family-run and set on its own namesake road in Burke County, it does more than fried fish. The menu carries steaks, hamburgers, shrimp, and crab, plus cakes and other desserts.
Catfish still takes center stage. There is whole catfish and salt and pepper catfish, and the hushpuppies here have a serious reputation.
Even the deviled eggs get talked about.
Folks in the western part of the county who have tried every perch, flounder, and catfish plate within miles have pointed to this one as the place that finally met their standards.
The dining room is cozy and quiet, with free wi-fi, a drive-through, and a private dining room. Hours run Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 8 PM and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9 PM.
6. The Captain’s Cap – Gastonia, Gastonia, NC
Crispy golden fried catfish made by authentic Southern cooks is the pitch here, and the plates back it up with big portions at reasonable prices.
The Linwood Road location leans into the family fish camp identity. There is a salad bar, a large menu, and a mix of seafood, steaks, and fried chicken to keep everyone at the table happy.
Catfish and perch are the fried favorites, and the whole catfish comes piled high in decent portions. Green shrimp, fried oysters, and fresh whole flounder fill out the seafood side.
Don’t skip the extras. Hushpuppies, homemade onion rings, and broiled scallops all make the menu, and there is a baked sweet potato worth pairing with a catfish plate.
It sits within Gaston County in the Piedmont, with a casual, cozy feel and a drive-through for takeout. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, closed Monday, and reservations are accepted.
7. Cotton’s Seafood of Lincolnton, Lincolnton, NC
Small, friendly, and easy on the wallet, this Lincolnton restaurant keeps the old-time fish camp feel alive without a lot of fuss.
The catfish is the reason to stop. The salt and pepper catfish fillet comes with slaw, fries, and tartar sauce, and the platter arrives hot and fresh with a generous helping.
There is also a bone-in salt and pepper catfish option for the traditionalists.
What people notice is that the catfish here skips the muddy, fishy taste that sometimes shows up elsewhere, which has won over first-timers and longtime catfish eaters alike.
Beyond the fish, the menu carries a seafood platter, green shrimp, burgers, chicken, and fried chicken livers, so nobody at the table goes hungry.
Located on Gastonia Highway in Lincoln County, it runs a tighter schedule than most, open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed the rest of the week. Reservations are accepted and parking is plentiful.
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