North Carolina Restaurants Where Fish Fry Shines
North Carolina knows how to fry fish like nobody’s business. From the coast to the mountains, restaurants across the state serve up crispy, golden perfection that’ll make you forget every other meal you’ve ever had.
Whether you’re craving tender catfish, flaky haddock, or coastal flounder, these spots deliver the kind of fish fry that keeps locals coming back and visitors planning return trips.
1. Captain Bill’s Waterfront Restaurant
Where the flounder hits different and the breeze smells like salt and possibility. Captain Bill’s Waterfront Restaurant owns the Morehead City fish fry scene with portions so generous you’ll need reinforcements.
The crust shatters like delicate glass under your fork, revealing snow-white fish that practically melts. Their hush puppies arrive hot enough to require patience you don’t have.
Locals swear by the combo platter, which lets you sample multiple fish varieties without committing to just one. The waterfront view makes every bite taste even better somehow.
2. Wilber’s Barbecue
Though famous for pulled pork, their catfish game deserves its own fan club. Wilber’s Barbecue in Goldsboro proves you can excel at more than one thing spectacularly.
The catfish arrives with a peppery kick that sneaks up on you mid-bite. Cornmeal coating clings to every inch, creating texture that rivals any coastal joint.
Don’t skip their vinegar slaw as a side because the tang cuts through the richness beautifully. This place has been family-owned since 1962, and that experience shows in every perfectly fried piece.
3. The Fish House
How do you make grouper even better than nature intended? The Fish House in Wilmington figured it out decades ago.
Their grouper sandwich towers so high you’ll need a strategy to eat it without making a scene. The fish stays impossibly moist inside its golden armor, defying all laws of frying physics.
Order the basket if you’re genuinely hungry because the sandwich alone might leave you wanting more. The tartar sauce recipe remains a closely guarded secret that locals have tried unsuccessfully to replicate at home.
4. Snug Harbor Seafood Restaurant
When the locals outnumber the tourists, you know you’ve found something special. Snug Harbor Seafood Restaurant in Oriental serves fish fry that makes people drive an hour out of their way.
The flounder here gets treated with respect it deserves, lightly seasoned and fried to perfection. Crispy edges give way to tender centers that flake apart effortlessly.
Their seafood platter lets you mix fried fish with shrimp and scallops for maximum oceanic happiness. The hush puppies contain actual bits of onion, not just the memory of them.
5. Mitchell’s Seafood Market
This place fries whiting so well it should be illegal in neighboring states. Mitchell’s Seafood Market in Raleigh brings coastal flavors inland with serious skill.
The whiting arrives in generous portions that challenge your appetite and win every time. Seasoning hits that sweet spot between bold and balanced, letting the fish flavor shine through.
Their sides taste homemade because they actually are, not just restaurant-speak for decent. The mac and cheese could be a main course if fish wasn’t stealing the spotlight so effectively.
6. RO’s Barbecue
However you feel about barbecue joints serving fish, RO’s will change your mind instantly. RO’s Barbecue in Gastonia treats their catfish with the same reverence as their smoked meats.
The cornmeal crust achieves that elusive crackle-crunch that lesser places only dream about. Catfish fillets come out thick and meaty, never those sad thin strips that disappoint.
Pair it with their legendary hush puppies for a combination that feels like a warm Southern hug. The atmosphere stays no-frills, letting the food do all the talking it needs to do.
7. Locals Seafood
Where sustainability meets seriously good frying technique, magic happens daily. Locals Seafood in various North Carolina locations proves responsible sourcing doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor.
Their catch changes based on what’s actually swimming nearby, keeping the menu exciting and unpredictable. The frying method stays consistent though, delivering golden perfection regardless of species.
You’ll taste the difference that fresh, local fish makes compared to frozen imports. The chefs here understand that great ingredients need minimal interference, just expert execution.
8. Chico’s Cantina
Did someone say fish fry needs to stay traditional? Chico’s Cantina in Surf City laughs in delicious rebellion.
Their fried mahi mahi gets topped with mango salsa that somehow makes total sense. The fish stays crispy under the fruit because they’ve mastered timing and temperature control.
This fusion approach works when you respect both cuisines equally, which Chico’s absolutely does. The vibe stays laid-back beach casual while the kitchen operates with precision that impresses.
9. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
When a chicken joint does fish this well, you start questioning everything you thought you knew. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q locations across North Carolina quietly serve fish fry that deserves more recognition.
The fish sandwich here competes seriously with their famous chicken offerings. Batter stays light and crispy without being greasy, a balance many dedicated seafood spots fail to achieve.
Don’t let the chain status fool you into thinking this is generic fast food. The quality remains surprisingly consistent across locations, making it reliable comfort food.
10. Dockside Seafood House
Hence the name, this place knows boats and fish equally well. Dockside Seafood House in Wrightsville Beach serves portions that border on aggressive generosity.
Their seafood platter includes so many fried options you’ll need a game plan. The fish varieties range from local favorites to special catches that change with the seasons.
Everything arrives piping hot, which sounds obvious but happens less often than it should. The dock location means you’re eating fish that was probably swimming recently, and that freshness translates directly to flavor.
11. King’s Restaurant
Are diners allowed to serve fish this good? King’s Restaurant in Kinston makes it happen daily with zero pretension.
The fried fish special runs certain days, and locals plan their weeks around it accordingly. Simple preparation lets quality ingredients speak for themselves without unnecessary complications.
Sides come from that classic Southern playbook, executed with the kind of consistency that builds loyal followings. The prices stay reasonable enough that you can afford to bring the whole crew without budgeting drama.
12. Seabird
Though Wilmington has plenty of seafood spots, Seabird elevates fish fry to art form status. Their whole fried fish presentation makes you want to take photos before diving in.
The skin crisps up like delicate chips while the meat stays succulent underneath. Watching them debone it tableside feels like dinner theater with delicious results.
This spot skews fancier than most fish fry joints, but the technique justifies any price difference. The chefs here trained in kitchens that take seafood seriously, and it shows in every perfectly executed detail.
13. Sam & Omie’s
When breakfast includes fried fish, you know you’re in a special kind of place. Sam & Omie’s in Nags Head has been serving early morning fish fry since 1937.
The combination of crispy fish with eggs and grits makes more sense than it has any right to. Morning fish tastes different somehow, fresher and lighter despite the frying.
Locals treat this place like a sacred institution, and tourists quickly understand why. The history soaks into every corner, but the food stays relevant and delicious across generations.
14. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
However much you love oysters, don’t sleep on their fried fish game. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar locations throughout North Carolina fry fish that rivals their shellfish reputation.
The baskets come loaded with fish and your choice of fries, creating meals that satisfy serious hunger. Batter recipe includes secret spices that keep people guessing and coming back.
The casual vibe makes it perfect for post-beach dining when you’re sandy and starving. Multiple locations mean you can get your fix whether you’re coastal or inland.
15. Southport Fish House
Are small towns hiding the best fish fry secrets? Southport Fish House makes a compelling case for yes.
Their catch of the day gets fried with expertise that comes from decades of practice. The waterfront location provides views that enhance every bite, though the food stands strong on its own merits.
Hush puppies here achieve legendary status among regulars who argue about the exact recipe. The portions lean generous without crossing into wasteful territory, hitting that perfect sweet spot.
16. Fishbones Raw Bar and Restaurant
When raw bar experts turn their attention to frying, exceptional things happen. Fishbones Raw Bar and Restaurant in Wilmington applies the same quality standards to fried fish as their sushi.
The fish tacos here feature perfectly fried pieces topped with fresh, crunchy slaw. Each element gets prepared with care that shows respect for ingredients and diners alike.
The atmosphere stays lively without getting obnoxiously loud, perfect for actually enjoying your meal. Their seafood knowledge runs deep, informing every menu decision from sourcing to preparation.
17. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
This spot proves fish fry transcends cultural boundaries when done with genuine skill. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill in Carolina Beach wraps fried fish in ways that make traditional plates jealous.
The Baja-style approach keeps the fish light and crispy inside massive burritos. Fresh ingredients balance the richness, creating harmony that keeps you eating past comfortable fullness.
The beach location attracts hungry surfers who need serious fuel, and these portions deliver. Quality stays high despite the casual, quick-service format that could easily excuse mediocrity.
