Catfish ranks right up there at the top of the list for favorite food in NWA. Truthfully, it would be very difficult to find someone that doesn’t like it. Catfish eateries abound in Northwest Arkansas, and you can typically take your pick of fried or grilled with fried being more popular. Some restaurants also offer blackened catfish for those with a more discriminating taste.
Armed with the list below, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious catfish meal in NWA:
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UPDATED Top 10 Catfish List
Bentonville
Blu Fresh Fish Market $$
607 SE 5th St, (479) 273-5400
Bentonville’s newest fish restaurant and fresh fish market with a focus on delivering fish that is so fresh they can be caught and on your dinner plate some eleven or twelve hours later. Patterned after fresh fish markets on the coasts, Blu is able to lay claim to the freshest fish in NWA. Their catfish is brought in live, and can be prepared fried, grilled or blackened.
Eureka Springs
Angler’s Grill & Pub $$
14581 US-62, (479) 253-4004
The Angler’s Grill & Pub has all you can eat “hand breaded” fried catfish, and it is delicious. Patrons also rave about the fried catfish club sandwich, the catfish basket, the catfish 3 pc. dinner and the senior catfish meal. As you can see, this is a great place to eat if you love catfish. Also, the deck is an awesome place to have a great time.
Catfish Cabin $$
3085 E Van Buren, (479) 253-7933
In business for more than 19 years, Catfish Cabin serves farm raised Channel catfish prepared as fish tacos, fiddlers (whole fish) and fillets. They offer family style, all-you-can-eat and they welcome large parties.
Fayetteville
Catfish Hole $$
4127 W Wedington Dr, (479) 521-7008
Specializes in fried catfish dinners with all the fixins’ from 3 pcs. to 8 pcs. Customers rave about the hushpuppies and the friendly service. They also have a non-fried dinner side of the menu. Their operating philosophy is ‘get it right every time.’
Gentry
Wooden Spoon $$
1000 S Gentry Blvd, (479) 736-3030
Known around the region for their homemade menu items including their delightful desserts, they are also widely known
for their delicious light and crispy fried catfish and hushpuppies. Some folks would eat fried catfish at no other restaurant.
Rogers
Catfish John’s $$
601 W Hudson Road, (479) 631-6908
In business since 1989 and heralded as one of America’s finest catfish eateries, Catfish John’s specializes in farm-raised fried catfish. They do have other items on the menu, but the catfish and the homemade hushpuppies are the main focus. It is one of those places where you could eat fried catfish until you popped. Some people say it is simply to-die-for. The staff is friendly, efficient and helpful.
Catfish House $
2102 1/2 South 8th Street, (479) 935-9211
If all-you-can-eat catfish and crab bites and all the fixins appeals to you, you will love the Rogers Catfish House. They also serve burgers, chicken, beer, wine and lots of friendly smiles. This place is quickly becoming the new favorite catfish restaurant for catfish lovers of all ages.
Fish City Grill $$
Pinnacle Hills Promenade, 2203 South Promenade Blvd #3110,
(479) 636-8833
Grilled, fried or blackened catfish are some of their specialties. Regular customers say that any food item on the menu is delicious every single time. The staff and management are friendly, and seem to actually care that your every dining experience with them is a good one.
Lucy’s Diner $
511 W Walnut St, (479) 230-5829
Lucy’s does fried catfish right. Try Lucy’s Catfish Dinner complete with farm raised cornmeal breaded catfish filets, hushpuppies, fresh-cut fries, brown beans, coleslaw and green tomato relish. Hold on to your hats, this is great catfish eating.
Siloam Springs
Siloam Café $
906 E Main St, (479) 549-9987
Siloam Café is known locally for their down-home cooking and reasonable prices, but not everyone knows they also serve up some of the very best fried catfish, hush puppies and fries to be found in the region. Some folks won’t go anywhere else for fried catfish.
Honorable Mention
Flying Fish $$
109 NW 2nd St
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 657-6300
The atmosphere is relaxing and reminiscent of lakefront restaurants. It specializes in fresh fried catfish, crab, crawfish,
chicken, and burgers. Business people flock there during weekday lunch, but don’t let that stop you, the line moves very quickly and the food comes out done to a turn within a few minutes. Just thinking about their fried catfish makes your mouth water.
Click here for a list of Top 10 Southern Food Restaurants.