Mississippi takes its catfish seriously, and once you taste the good stuff, you understand why people happily add an hour to their drive just to get a plate. From cozy country buildings to old cafes with real history, this state has fry cooks who turn a simple fillet into something you plan your weekend around.
Some of these spots only open a few days a week, so half the fun is timing your trip right. Whether you like it fried and crispy, blackened, or grilled with a side of turnip greens, there is a place here that will earn a permanent spot in your rotation.
Here are 12 Mississippi catfish restaurants worth pointing your car toward.
1. Taylor Grocery, Taylor, MS
Part general store, part supper spot, Taylor Grocery has been a landmark in the tiny town of Taylor for years. The building leans into its old-timey character, and the walls carry the kind of worn charm you can only get with time.
Fried catfish is the signature here, and it is the reason people drive in from all over. The kitchen also plates other Southern favorites, including fried green beans and dessert options like pecan pie and cobbler.
One thing to plan around is the schedule. The doors open only in the evenings later in the week, with weekend dinner service running latest, so this is a trip you build your night around.
Expect a wait, live music some nights, and a genuine down-home feel. Reservations are accepted, and there is plenty of free parking once you find the place.
2. The Hollywood Cafe, Tunica Resorts, MS
Few catfish stops carry the sense of history that the Hollywood Cafe does. Set near Tunica in the Delta, it has a nostalgic, juke-joint style that pairs perfectly with a music-loving crowd.
The menu keeps things approachable and fun. You can order a full catfish platter, a fried catfish dinner with onion rings, or grab a Catfish Hoagie if you want it handheld.
The fried dill pickles are a well-known starter, and the pecan pie a la mode makes a solid finish.
Prices land on the friendly side, generally in the ten to twenty dollar range, which makes it easy to bring the whole family.
The catfish tends to come lightly battered and nicely seasoned, and the cafe pairs its food with a laid-back, retro setting. Keep in mind it is closed on Sundays, so aim for a weekday or Saturday visit.
3. Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant, Ocean Springs, MS
Housed in a quaint 19th-century home, Aunt Jenny’s brings a bit of history to your catfish craving. The building features wainscoting, ceiling fans, and views out toward the bay, which sets it apart from the standard fish house.
All-you-can-eat catfish and shrimp are the main draw, and the frying here has a reputation for being spot on. Meals come with the sides that make a Southern plate complete, from creamy coleslaw to warm biscuits and okra.
Menu names carry a personal touch too, with dishes like Jan’s Fried Green Tomatoes, Paw-Paw’s Favorite Fried Okra, and the Gunny’s Combination Platter.
Located on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs, it makes a natural stop on a Gulf Coast trip. Service runs quick and friendly, reservations are accepted, and the water view gives you a reason to linger.
4. Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence, MS
You will spot Jerry’s before you even read the sign, thanks to its giant igloo-shaped building right along US 49. It is one of the more recognizable catfish stops in central Mississippi.
Inside, the vibe is modest and country, and the fried catfish comes out fresh and hot. All-you-can-eat catfish keeps regulars coming back, and the plates arrive with fried fries and coleslaw plus a pitcher of sweet tea for the table.
Beyond catfish, the kitchen turns out shrimp, oysters, and hush puppies, with options like the popcorn shrimp basket for lighter appetites.
Hours are limited, with evening service later in the week and a Sunday lunch. Friday and Saturday evenings run busiest, so a reservation helps.
It sits south of Jackson, making it an easy detour worth the miles.
5. Cock of the Walk, Ridgeland, MS
Reservoir views and peanut-oil frying set Cock of the Walk apart from your average fish house. Perched at Madison Landing in Ridgeland, it looks out over the water while serving up serious Southern plates.
Catfish is the headliner and has held a top reputation in the state for years. The kitchen fries chicken and shrimp in peanut oil too, and steaks round out the menu for anyone at the table who wants something different.
Sides deserve their own mention here. The hush puppies get plenty of love, the skillet bread is a classic, and you can add a Pot-O-Greens or the combination fried pickles and onion rings.
The setting stays homey and wood-paneled, with outdoor seating available for the view. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it makes an easy trip from the Jackson area, and reservations are accepted for groups.
6. Shivers Creek Catfish House | Simpson County, Pinola, MS
Turnip greens fans have a favorite in Pinola, and it is Shivers Creek. The all-you-can-eat greens sit right alongside catfish as a genuine reason people make the drive to Simpson County.
The menu stays focused, which usually means the kitchen does a few things very well. Fried and grilled catfish anchor the plates, and the hush puppies get called out as some of the best around.
Blackened catfish is another option worth trying if you want a change from fried.
Plates come stacked with the comfort sides you want, including coleslaw, seasoned fries, and a sweet potato.
Family-friendly touches like high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables make it easy to bring everyone. Hours build through the week toward Saturday, and Friday and Saturday evenings stay busiest, so plan accordingly.
7. Catfish Cabin, Boyle, MS
Living up to its name, Catfish Cabin in Boyle looks like an actual cabin, and it serves way more than just catfish. It sits in the Delta town of Boyle, a bit south of Cleveland.
The lineup covers Southern cooking across the board, with steak, seafood, and a salad bar that gets a lot of attention. A buffet is available at lunch, and prices lean affordable in the ten to twenty dollar range.
Fried catfish, oysters, shrimp, and fried okra are all on the table, and you can build a plate with beans, coleslaw, and hush puppies. Creamed corn is another Southern side in the mix.
The setup is casual and roomy, good for groups and for watching sports. Hours split between lunch and dinner on different days, and Friday and Sunday tend to be the busiest windows.
8. Newt’s Catfish Seafood & Steaks, Hattiesburg, MS
Free ice cream for dessert is a nice touch, but the catfish is what keeps Newt’s on people’s radar in Hattiesburg. It is a family-friendly spot that leans into fried seafood and steaks.
Whole fried catfish is a standout, and all-you-can-eat catfish is on the menu for big appetites. The fish comes crispy on the outside and tender inside, and the in-house hush puppies get plenty of praise on their own.
There is depth beyond catfish, too. You can find fried oysters, an oyster po’boy, a whole stuffed flounder, boudin balls, and even hush puppies served with queso.
Sides like seasoned fries, coleslaw, and fried okra round things out, along with a well-liked sweet tea. Located off Elks Lake Road, it is dine-in only with limited days, so check before you head over.
9. Catfish Country, Booneville, MS
For folks who like a little of everything, Catfish Country in Booneville runs an all-you-can-eat buffet that keeps the plates coming. It sits along US-45 up in the northeast corner of the state.
The spread reaches well beyond catfish. You can pile on chicken, beef, frog legs, and several styles of shrimp, plus a salad bar and a dessert bar to finish.
Homestyle sides like greens, fried green tomatoes, and beans keep the buffet interesting.
The whole catfish is a highlight, brought out fresh and hot to keep the line moving.
Coffee and dessert both earn good marks, and the setting stays casual and roomy for groups. Hours are limited, with weekend evenings and Sunday lunch the main windows, and Sunday runs a country buffet, so weekend evenings are your best bet for the full catfish experience.
10. Kent’s Catfish, Saltillo, MS
Small, casual, and consistent, Kent’s Catfish in Saltillo does the classics right. The town sits just north of Tupelo, making this an easy detour on a north Mississippi trip.
The catfish here gets cooked to perfection, whether you want it fried or grilled. Pair it with hush puppies and coleslaw for the full experience, all of which earn steady praise as a plate.
Sides do a lot of the heavy lifting too, with fried okra, a baked potato, collard greens, and baked beans all in the rotation. Frog legs and grilled chicken give you options beyond the fillet.
Doors open only Thursday through Saturday evenings, so this is a plan-ahead kind of place. The atmosphere stays quiet and cozy, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and plenty of free parking for the whole crew.
11. Moss Creek Fish House, Pearl, MS
Thin and crispy is the signature style at Moss Creek Fish House, a family-owned spot in Pearl. The catfish comes lightly battered and crisp, which sets it apart from heavier-fried versions elsewhere.
The menu spreads across classic seafood plates plus a few fun extras. You can add Boom Boom Shrimp, a bowl of gumbo that gets strong reviews, or a Moss Creek Burger.
Root beer floats make a playful dessert choice.
Sides like mac and cheese, fries, hush puppies, and fried okra pair naturally with the fish, and service tends to move quickly.
Prices sit in the ten to twenty dollar range, and the place is open six days a week with wide hours, which makes it one of the easier stops to work into a regular week. Just outside Jackson, it is a convenient catch for a weeknight catfish fix.
12. Zac’s Catfish and Chicken, Meridian, MS
Big portions and fair prices make Zac’s Catfish and Chicken a smart stop in Meridian. It is a casual, family-friendly place serving both seafood and chicken for lunch and dinner.
Catfish leads the way, cooked hot, crispy, and seasoned well without going overboard. The small catfish plate comes with generous fillets, crispy-crusted fries, sweet slaw, and hush puppies that earn their own fans.
Group and family orders are easy here, with a Catfish Family Pack and a Catfish Party Pack on the menu. Fried green tomatoes, onion rings, and fried pickles work as starters, and the seafood platter mixes catfish with shrimp.
Open every day with a drive-through and takeout, it fits into a busy schedule better than most. Weekend and Friday afternoons run busiest, so time it right and enjoy a large plate for a good price.
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