Arkansas takes its fried catfish seriously, with restaurants serving everything from crispy cornmeal-breaded fillets to all-you-can-eat buffets. Some offer riverside dining in unusual buildings, while others open only on weekends along quiet country roads.
From the Ozarks to the Delta, these Arkansas catfish restaurants serve classic Southern favorites alongside hushpuppies, coleslaw, and green tomato relish. Each brings its own twist to this beloved tradition, making the search for great fried catfish a delicious adventure across the state.
1. Catfish John’s, Rogers, AR
Green tomato relish sits right beside the fried catfish here, and it might be the side you remember longest. The tangy relish shares the plate with pinto beans and slaw, a classic Arkansas lineup.
Catfish John’s has been frying fish in Rogers since around 1988. The fillets are breaded in cornmeal and fried Southern style, and they come out thick and meaty.
Hushpuppies are the other half of the house specialty, so plan on a basket. The menu keeps things simple with options like the Catfish and Hushpuppies plate and a four-piece daily catfish special.
Short on time? You can use the drive-through, grab takeout, or order delivery if you’d rather eat at home.
Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are ready for little ones.
Pay attention to the hours before you go. The restaurant closes at 3 PM on Mondays, stays open until 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and shuts down on Sundays.
Address: 601 W Hudson Rd, Rogers, AR 72756
2. Catfish Hole Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR
Unlimited hushpuppies are part of the deal at this Fayetteville favorite. Slaw, green tomato relish, and pickles also land on the table family style, and you can keep them coming.
Fried catfish is the signature, with a crispy coating and homemade fries on the side. Prefer something lighter?
Grilled catfish is on the menu too.
Catfish Hole goes beyond fish in a big way. You can order frog legs, shrimp, fried scallops, fried clams, chicken tenders, or even a hamburger for the person who skipped the seafood memo.
College students, families, and big groups all fit in easily here. There’s a private dining room, free Wi-Fi, and a kids’ menu with high chairs available.
Planning a weekend dinner? The restaurant accepts reservations, which helps on Friday and Saturday evenings when the dining room fills up.
It’s closed on Mondays and stays open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Address: 4127 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72704
3. Brown’s Catfish, Russellville, AR
Cinnamon rolls on a catfish buffet? At Brown’s Catfish, they’re one of the things people mention right after the fish.
This family-run Russellville restaurant has been serving catfish for more than 30 years. The buffet is the main event, loaded with fried catfish, hushpuppies, shrimp, and crab cakes.
Vegetables get real attention here, with a wide selection of Southern-style sides. A salad bar rounds things out if you want something green before round two.
Crab legs show up on the Seafood Buffet Plus option, a nice upgrade for seafood fans. It’s an all-you-can-eat setup, so pace yourself and save room for dessert.
The schedule is a little unusual, so check it before driving over. Lunch runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, and dinner starts again at 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
Mondays and Sundays are off days. A private dining room makes it handy for family gatherings or group meals.
Address: 1804 E Main St, Russellville, AR 72801
4. Murry’s Restaurant, Hazen, AR
Two nights a week is all you get at Murry’s. The kitchen opens only on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 PM, which makes dinner here feel like a small event.
The restaurant sits out on US-70 near Hazen, away from town in the Arkansas countryside. It’s family owned and operated, with a laid-back pace that fits the rural setting.
Catfish is breaded and fried in a tasty batter, and it arrives with hot homemade bread. Onion rings are another Southern classic worth adding to the table.
Then comes the bread pudding, the signature dessert. Plenty of folks plan their whole meal around leaving room for it.
Families have been coming here across generations, and kids are easy to bring along. There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, plus a free parking lot.
Reservations aren’t listed, so arriving early on a Friday is smart. Takeout is available if you’d rather eat your catfish at home.
Address: US-70, Hazen, AR 72064
5. Nick’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish, Carlisle, AR
Can’t decide between barbecue and catfish? Nick’s in Carlisle solved that problem by putting both in the name.
The farm-raised catfish gets a light cornmeal breading and a crispy finish. Fries come out crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, a solid partner for the fish.
On the barbecue side, St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, and pulled pork share the spotlight. Nick’s Signature Bar-B-Q Burger is another option for big appetites.
Starters lean Southern with fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, and hushpuppies. Sweet tea is a natural pick for washing it all down.
Save room for something sweet, because dessert is a strong suit. Fried pies and pecan pie are both on the menu.
Hours are generous for a small town, opening at 10 AM every day of the week. It sits right off the highway, so it’s an easy stop on a drive across eastern Arkansas.
Address: 1012 Bobby L Glover Hwy, Carlisle, AR 72024
6. Leon’s Catfish & Shrimp Restaurant, Pine Bluff, AR
Catfish and shrimp are the whole mission at Leon’s, and the name makes no secret of it. This Pine Bluff spot keeps the focus tight, which is often a good sign.
The Catfish Dinner is the plate to know. It comes with all the fixings, including homemade hushpuppies and coleslaw, served family style.
The fish is lightly breaded before frying, so the catfish stays front and center. A salad is available if you want something fresh alongside it.
Timing matters here because the kitchen takes a break in the afternoon. Lunch runs 11 AM to 2 PM, and dinner picks back up at 4 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
Sunday is lunch only, and Monday is closed. Curbside pickup is offered, which is handy for busy weeknights.
You’ll find the restaurant inside Chapel Village. Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room works well for birthdays or church groups looking for a catfish lunch.
Address: 3801 Chapel Village #18, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
7. Fred’s Fish House, Batesville, AR
Brown beans and pickled green tomatoes give the catfish plate at Fred’s a flavor all its own. Those sides show up alongside hushpuppies and coleslaw in Batesville.
Fried catfish is the anchor, served with slaw and tartar sauce. If fried isn’t your mood, grilled Cajun catfish offers a spicier route.
Steak lovers aren’t left out either. Rib eye and prime rib are on the menu, so mixed groups can all find a plate they like.
Portions are generous, which makes leftovers a real possibility. Takeout, a drive-through, and delivery give you plenty of ways to get your food.
Fred’s also handles catering and has a private dining room. That makes it a practical choice for reunions, team dinners, or office lunches.
The doors open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Reservations are accepted, which is a nice bonus on weekend evenings in this Ozark foothills town.
Address: 3777 Harrison St, Batesville, AR 72501
8. Hidden Creek Catfish, Conway, AR
Pecan cobbler and blackberry cobbler wait at the end of this buffet line. Getting there means passing a long row of fried favorites first.
Hidden Creek is a rustic Southern buffet just outside Conway. Catfish comes two ways, as fillets and as steaks, so you can try both.
The spread also includes chicken tenders, frog legs, shrimp, fries, and hushpuppies. Green beans and fried okra add a bit of garden to the plate.
Gumbo and banana pudding have also made appearances, giving the meal some extra variety. It’s all you can eat, so a second trip is fair game.
Hours are short and specific, so plan ahead. Dinner runs Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday is a lunch window from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Monday through Wednesday the doors stay closed. Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room is available for larger gatherings.
Address: 393 US-64, Conway, AR 72032
9. Ron’s Catfish, Jonesboro, AR
Frog legs, crawfish, peel-and-eat shrimp, and crabs all share space with the catfish at Ron’s. It’s a cafeteria-style, all-you-can-eat setup in Jonesboro.
Catfish comes as both fillets and steaks, along with Cajun catfish for a little kick. Fried shrimp and fries round out the basics.
Fried chicken, beans, and country-cooked vegetables fill out the Southern side of things. A salad bar and several desserts are part of the deal too.
There’s no table service, so you’ll serve yourself and go back as often as you like. Kids are welcome, and high chairs are on hand.
Feeding a crowd at home? The Catfish Family Pack is built for that, and delivery and catering are available.
Ron’s opens Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. It doesn’t take reservations, so arriving outside the Friday evening rush can save you some waiting in this corner of northeast Arkansas.
Address: 3213 Dan Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401
10. Bubba’s Catfish & Seafood, Hot Springs, AR
A walk-up window is where the ordering happens at Bubba’s. This low-key Hot Springs stop keeps things quick and casual.
The headliner is Fried Catfish Bubba’s Special Recipe, coated in cornmeal batter and fried to a golden crisp. Homemade tartar sauce comes alongside, and it gets plenty of credit.
Seafood fans have lots to explore beyond the catfish. Jumbo fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, fried crawfish tails, and crawfish pie are all options.
Can’t choose just one? The Seafood Sampler lets you try a little of several things.
A chicken tender basket and a kids’ menu cover the younger crowd.
Fried pies make an easy dessert to grab on the way out. Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates.
Bubba’s opens Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM, with Monday off. It sits on Carpenter Dam Road, a handy stop for anyone spending the day around the Hot Springs lakes.
Address: 622 Carpenter Dam Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71901
11. Dondie’s White River Princess, Des Arc, AR
Shaped like a riverboat and parked on the White River, Dondie’s makes an entrance before you even taste the food. Windows give diners a view of the water while they eat.
The signature catfish buffet is the reason to come. Catfish steaks and fillets share the line with fried shrimp and other seafood.
Crab legs are a highlight, and a salad bar offers something lighter. Desserts get high marks, so leave a little room.
Des Arc is a small river town, and the restaurant fits right into that setting. The building’s historic feel adds to the experience.
Hours are limited, so mark your calendar. Dinner runs Friday and Saturday from 5 to 8 PM, and Sunday lunch is 11:30 AM to 2 PM.
A wait is common, which makes reservations a smart move. Groups can ask about the private dining room, and kids have their own menu.
Address: 203 E Curran St, Des Arc, AR 72040
12. Grampa’s Catfish House, North Little Rock, AR
Thin fillets are the Arkansas way at Grampa’s, so ordering two or three pieces is a smart plan if you’re hungry. The fish is fresh, farm-raised catfish, fried in a classic style.
This family-owned North Little Rock restaurant keeps the sides traditional. Onion rings, fries, and hushpuppies all sit comfortably next to the catfish.
The fried shrimp deserve special mention. They might tempt you away from the catfish, or at least earn a spot on the same plate.
Families will appreciate the details here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables in the restrooms.
A full vegetarian menu is a surprise at a catfish house. That makes it easier to bring along someone who skips seafood.
Grampa’s is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. Reservations are accepted, free Wi-Fi is available, and catering is an option for parties and office lunches.
Address: 7311 N Hills Blvd Ste. 21, North Little Rock, AR 72116
13. Eat My Catfish, Little Rock, AR
With a name like Eat My Catfish, this Little Rock eatery isn’t shy about its priorities. It serves fresh U.S. farm-raised catfish alongside traditional Southern sides.
Fried catfish and shrimp come out hot and crispy, the way classic Southern fare should. Black-eyed peas and hushpuppies are familiar partners on the plate.
Want a change of pace? The Blackened Catfish Dinner and Cajun grilled catfish bring bolder seasoning to the table.
Fried green tomatoes are a standout, and you can even get them in a salad topped with shrimp. Cajun Boudin Balls make a fun starter for sharing.
Ordering is easy, with counter service, takeout, and delivery all available. Catering works well for office lunches or family events.
The restaurant sits on Cantrell Road and is open Monday through Saturday. It closes on Sundays, so plan your catfish fix for earlier in the week.
Address: 2516 Cantrell Rd Ste A, Little Rock, AR 72202
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