Louisiana can lay claim to many great dishes – po’boys, jambalaya, boudin, muffulettas, beignets… the list goes on and on. While fried catfish may not have been “invented” in Louisiana, it’s still found on hundreds of menus across the state, and we’ve pretty much perfected it. When you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned southern fried catfish, these 10 restaurants are the best places to visit.
- Steamboat Bill’s
MrsBrittanyMiller/Trip Advisor
David B./Trip Advisor Steamboat Bill’s has multiple locations around central and southwestern Louisiana, so you’re never too far away from a hearty meal. It’s consistently voted the best seafood restaurant around, so you know their fried catfish is good.
Lake Charles locations: 1004 N Lake Shore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70601 & 732 S. Martin Luther King Hwy., Lake Charles, LA 70601
DeRidder location: 735 N Pine St., DeRidder, LA 70634
Alexandria location: 3024 N MacArthur Dr., Alexandria, LA 71303
- Cajun Landing
Management/Trip Advisor
Cajun Landing/Facebook For a delicious meal in a down-to-earth atmosphere, Cajun Landing is just the ticket. Try not to fill up on their tasty appetizers, because the perfectly fried catfish strips are absolutely amazing. Be sure to save room for the famous homemade white chocolate bread pudding too - it’s out of this world! Address: 530 Front St., Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Catfish Charlie’s
Catfish Charlie’s/Facebook
Catfish Charlie’s/Facebook With a name like Catfish Charlie’s, you know it had to make it to this list. The thin and crispy catfish strips with fries and hushpuppies will put a smile on your face for sure. Address: 2329 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA 71201
- Crawdaddy’s Kitchen
Scott M./Trip Advisor
Management/Trip Advisor Serving the Shreveport area for almost 20 years, this is a must-stop as you eat your way through the best fried catfish in Louisiana. This family-friendly restaurant boasts a casual and comfy atmosphere and serves some of the best catfish strips you’ll ever taste. Address: 9370 Mansfield Rd., Shreveport, LA 71118
- Jan’s River Restaurant
Google Maps
Jeff S./Trip Advisor This unassuming little eatery in Shreveport might not look like much from the outside, but the food will blow you away. This no-frills joint has some of the best fried catfish fillets in the area, and it’s worth your time to pay it a visit. Address: 7675 W. 70th St., Shreveport, LA 71129
- Marilynn’s Place
ChipFrazier/Trip Advisor
Bass4Food/Zomato For a truly unique spin on a southern classic, head on over to Marilynn’s Place. The curry fried catfish is an explosion of flavors that you just won’t find anywhere else. Address: 4041 Fern Ave., Shreveport, LA 71105
- Middendorf’s
Middendorf’s/Facebook
Middendorf’s/Facebook Established in 1934, Middendorf’s is famous for their thinly-fried catfish, and you need to make your way over to try it. The lake views are simply stunning and the friendly atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Address: 30160 Old US-51, Akers, LA 70421
- Prejean’s
dilloamari/Trip Advisor
Prejean’s/Facebook Prejean’s has been a landmark since 1980, with people traveling from all over to taste the amazing food at this incredible restaurant. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but we’d highly recommend the catfish, which is fried to a golden crisp and seasoned to perfection. Address: 3480 NE Evangeline Trwy., Lafayette, LA 70507
- Scott’s Catfish & Seafood
Scott’s Catfish & Seafood/Facebook
Scott’s Catfish & Seafood/Facebook This family owned and operated restaurant has been churning out some of the best fried catfish in the West Monroe area since 2000. With locations both West Monroe and Ruston, you’re never too far away from this tasty dish. Monroe location: 2812 Cypress St., West Monroe, LA 71291
Ruston location: 2480 LA-33, Ruston, LA 71270
- Tony’s Seafood
John B/Trip Advisor
Kyra/Foursquare Louisiana’s largest seafood market not only is a great place to grab delightful lunch, but you can get all of your seafood here, so you can cook up some gumbo, jambalaya, or even fry your own catfish. Address: 5215 Plank Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Where do you go when you’re craving the best fried catfish in all of Louisiana? Share your suggestions with us in the comments below!
MrsBrittanyMiller/Trip Advisor
David B./Trip Advisor
Steamboat Bill’s has multiple locations around central and southwestern Louisiana, so you’re never too far away from a hearty meal. It’s consistently voted the best seafood restaurant around, so you know their fried catfish is good.
Lake Charles locations: 1004 N Lake Shore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70601 & 732 S. Martin Luther King Hwy., Lake Charles, LA 70601
DeRidder location: 735 N Pine St., DeRidder, LA 70634
Alexandria location: 3024 N MacArthur Dr., Alexandria, LA 71303
Management/Trip Advisor
Cajun Landing/Facebook
For a delicious meal in a down-to-earth atmosphere, Cajun Landing is just the ticket. Try not to fill up on their tasty appetizers, because the perfectly fried catfish strips are absolutely amazing. Be sure to save room for the famous homemade white chocolate bread pudding too - it’s out of this world! Address: 530 Front St., Natchitoches, LA 71457
Catfish Charlie’s/Facebook
With a name like Catfish Charlie’s, you know it had to make it to this list. The thin and crispy catfish strips with fries and hushpuppies will put a smile on your face for sure. Address: 2329 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA 71201
Scott M./Trip Advisor
Serving the Shreveport area for almost 20 years, this is a must-stop as you eat your way through the best fried catfish in Louisiana. This family-friendly restaurant boasts a casual and comfy atmosphere and serves some of the best catfish strips you’ll ever taste. Address: 9370 Mansfield Rd., Shreveport, LA 71118
Google Maps
Jeff S./Trip Advisor
This unassuming little eatery in Shreveport might not look like much from the outside, but the food will blow you away. This no-frills joint has some of the best fried catfish fillets in the area, and it’s worth your time to pay it a visit. Address: 7675 W. 70th St., Shreveport, LA 71129
ChipFrazier/Trip Advisor
Bass4Food/Zomato
For a truly unique spin on a southern classic, head on over to Marilynn’s Place. The curry fried catfish is an explosion of flavors that you just won’t find anywhere else. Address: 4041 Fern Ave., Shreveport, LA 71105
Middendorf’s/Facebook
Established in 1934, Middendorf’s is famous for their thinly-fried catfish, and you need to make your way over to try it. The lake views are simply stunning and the friendly atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Address: 30160 Old US-51, Akers, LA 70421
dilloamari/Trip Advisor
Prejean’s/Facebook
Prejean’s has been a landmark since 1980, with people traveling from all over to taste the amazing food at this incredible restaurant. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but we’d highly recommend the catfish, which is fried to a golden crisp and seasoned to perfection. Address: 3480 NE Evangeline Trwy., Lafayette, LA 70507
Scott’s Catfish & Seafood/Facebook
This family owned and operated restaurant has been churning out some of the best fried catfish in the West Monroe area since 2000. With locations both West Monroe and Ruston, you’re never too far away from this tasty dish. Monroe location: 2812 Cypress St., West Monroe, LA 71291
Ruston location: 2480 LA-33, Ruston, LA 71270
John B/Trip Advisor
Kyra/Foursquare
Louisiana’s largest seafood market not only is a great place to grab delightful lunch, but you can get all of your seafood here, so you can cook up some gumbo, jambalaya, or even fry your own catfish. Address: 5215 Plank Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70805
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