North Carolina’s Top Fried Fish Spots You Can’t Miss
North Carolina knows how to fry fish like nobody’s business. From the misty mountains to the sandy coast, there’s a crispy, golden plate waiting to make your taste buds do a happy dance. These eleven spots?
They’re not just restaurants, they’re fish-lovers’ meccas. Locals line up like it’s a secret club, and first-timers leave already plotting their next visit. Think flaky, golden catfish, crispy shrimp, and flounder that melts in your mouth. Every bite is a little crunchy, a little savory, and 100% unforgettable.
Whether you’re after a casual lunch, a weekend feast, or just some serious fried fish vibes, NC has you covered. Grab your napkins, bring your appetite, and get ready to fall in love with fried fish all over again.
1. Po Boy’s Low Country Seafood, Charlotte
Coastal flavors meet Queen City energy at this Charlotte favorite. Po Boy’s Low Country Seafood brings Louisiana-style cooking straight to North Carolina hearts, and the fried fish here doesn’t play around.
You’ll find this gem tucked away, ready to serve up plates that crunch with every bite. Po Boy’s sits at 3022 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, where the smell of hot oil and fresh seafood greets you before you even walk through the door.
The fish comes out golden and perfectly seasoned, wrapped in a coating that stays crispy from first bite to last. Pair it with their homemade slaw, and you’ve got a meal worth remembering.
Each piece of fish is tender inside, flaky and moist, while the outside delivers that satisfying crackle. The hushpuppies are legendary, sweet and pillowy, with just the right amount of cornmeal grit.
Service here feels like family, quick and warm without rushing you out. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or settling in for dinner, Po Boy’s makes every visit feel special.
This spot proves Charlotte can do seafood just as well as any coastal town. Next time you crave fried fish done right, head to Central Avenue and let Po Boy’s show you how it’s done.
2. N.C. Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers Market, Raleigh
Fresh catches and farm-fresh sides come together at a Raleigh institution that’s been feeding folks for decades. Located right at 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, this spot sits inside the State Farmers Market, making it a true farm-to-table experience.
N.C. Seafood Restaurant delivers fried fish that’s simple, honest, and downright delicious. The flounder here is a crowd favorite, lightly breaded and fried until the edges curl up crispy.
You can taste the difference when seafood is this fresh. The fish arrives daily, and the kitchen doesn’t mess around with fancy tricks or heavy batters.
What you get is pure, clean flavor with a golden crust that lets the fish shine through. The portions are generous, and the sides feel like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.
Mac and cheese, green beans, and cornbread round out your plate in the best way possible. The atmosphere is no-frills, just good food and friendly faces.
Locals know to swing by on Friday for the fish special, when the line stretches out the door. It’s worth the wait every single time.
This place proves you don’t need fancy decor when the food speaks for itself. Head to the Farmers Market and grab a seat at N.C. Seafood Restaurant for a taste of Raleigh’s seafood soul.
3. Hudson Bay Seafood, Fayetteville
Fayetteville’s seafood scene shines bright thanks to a spot that knows how to treat fish right. Hudson Bay Seafood sits at 2816 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, serving up fried favorites that make regulars out of first-time visitors.
The menu here reads like a love letter to coastal Carolina cooking. Catfish, whiting, and flounder all get the crispy treatment, emerging from the fryer golden and glistening.
Every piece is seasoned with a blend that hits all the right notes without overpowering the natural flavor. The breading sticks perfectly, creating a shell that shatters with each forkful.
Inside, the fish stays moist and tender, flaking apart like it should. Hushpuppies arrive hot and sweet, the kind you’ll keep reaching for even when you’re full.
The coleslaw brings a cool, tangy contrast that cuts through the richness beautifully. Hudson Bay doesn’t rush the process, so your food comes out fresh and made to order.
The staff treats everyone like neighbors, checking in to make sure your meal hits the spot. Portions are hearty, giving you plenty to enjoy and maybe even some leftovers for later.
This Fayetteville favorite proves that great fried fish doesn’t need gimmicks, just quality ingredients and care. Stop by Yadkin Road and see why Hudson Bay keeps folks coming back week after week.
4. Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar, Carolina Beach
Beach vibes and seriously good seafood collide at this Carolina Beach hotspot. Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar brings island flair to 718 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, where the ocean breeze and fried fish make perfect partners.
The atmosphere here feels like a vacation, with tiki torches and colorful decor setting a laid-back mood. But don’t let the fun surroundings fool you, the kitchen takes its seafood seriously.
Fried fish arrives at your table with a light, crispy coating that doesn’t weigh down the delicate meat inside. Flounder and grouper are standout choices, both flaky and sweet with a golden crunch.
The seasoning is spot-on, adding just enough kick without masking the fresh flavor. Pair your fish with sweet potato fries or creamy coleslaw for a plate that feels complete.
Salt Fish knows how to balance fun and flavor, creating an experience that’s as much about the vibe as the food. The outdoor seating lets you soak up the sun while you munch on hushpuppies.
Service is friendly and relaxed, matching the beachy energy perfectly. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this spot feels like a mini getaway.
Head to North Lake Park Boulevard and let Salt Fish show you how fried fish tastes when it’s done with coastal soul and island spirit.
5. Sho Nuff Seafood, Durham
Durham’s seafood game got a major upgrade thanks to a spot that lives up to its bold name. Sho Nuff Seafood sits at 1104 Broad St, Durham, dishing out fried fish that earns every bit of praise it receives.
The name says it all, this place is the real deal. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of perfectly fried seafood fills the air and gets your stomach rumbling.
The fried fish here is crispy, flavorful, and cooked with precision that shows in every bite. Whiting and catfish are menu stars, each one seasoned with a blend that packs flavor without overwhelming.
The breading clings tight, creating a crunchy shell that gives way to moist, tender fish inside. Sides like collard greens and mac and cheese feel like home, cooked with soul and care.
Hushpuppies come out hot and fluffy, with a hint of sweetness that makes them irresistible. The portions are generous, so come hungry or plan to take some home.
Service is quick and welcoming, making you feel right at home from the start. Sho Nuff doesn’t cut corners, and it shows in every plate that leaves the kitchen.
This Durham gem proves that fried fish can be simple and spectacular at the same time. Swing by Hope Valley Road and taste why Sho Nuff has become a local favorite.
6. Carolina Fish Fry Co., Garner
Crispy perfection waits for you just outside Raleigh at a spot that’s become a go-to for seafood lovers. Carolina Fish Fry Co. stands at 1566 Benson Road in Garner, where the drive-thru stays busy and the fryers never rest.
This place knows fried fish inside and out, and it shows in every golden piece they serve. Flounder is the star here, with customers raving about its light breading and flaky texture.
The coating stays crispy even after the ride home, a true test of quality frying. Shrimp gets the same careful treatment, coming out plump and perfectly seasoned.
Hushpuppies are sweet and pillowy, the kind you’ll want to order extra of every time. Coleslaw brings a cool, creamy balance that pairs beautifully with the rich fried fish.
Sides like green beans, potato salad, and fried okra round out your meal with Southern comfort. The restaurant stays clean and welcoming, with staff that greets you with a smile.
Whether you dine in or grab food through the drive-thru, everything comes out fresh and hot. The menu offers variety, but the fried options are where Carolina Fish Fry truly shines.
Prices are fair, especially considering the generous portions and quality ingredients. Make your way to Benson Road and discover why this Garner spot keeps folks lining up for more fried fish goodness.
7. The Captain’s Catch, Greensboro
Greensboro gets its seafood fix at a spot that serves fried fish with pride and flavor. The Captain’s Catch anchors itself at 4637 W Market St, Greensboro, bringing coastal cooking to the heart of the Piedmont.
Walking in feels like stepping onto a dock, with nautical touches and a menu full of ocean treasures. The fried fish here is everything you want it to be, crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor.
Flounder and catfish lead the charge, both fried to a beautiful golden brown that crackles with each bite. The breading is light but sturdy, clinging perfectly without turning greasy or heavy.
Inside, the fish is moist and flaky, proof that the kitchen knows exactly how long to fry. Hushpuppies arrive sweet and warm, with a texture that’s crispy outside and soft inside.
The sides feel homemade, from the tangy slaw to the creamy mac and cheese. Service is friendly and attentive, making sure your glass stays full and your plate stays loaded.
The Captain’s Catch doesn’t try to be fancy, it just delivers great seafood in a welcoming space. Locals know this is the place to go when a fried fish craving hits.
Head to West Wendover Avenue and let The Captain’s Catch reel you in with flavors that’ll keep you hooked for life.
8. Michael’s Seafood Restaurant, Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach tradition runs deep at a family-owned spot that’s been frying fish for generations. Michael’s Seafood Restaurant sits at 1206 North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach, where the ocean is close, and the seafood is even closer.
This place has earned its reputation one perfectly fried piece of fish at a time. The menu offers everything from flounder to shrimp, all treated with the respect they deserve.
Fried flounder here is a thing of beauty, with a delicate coating that lets the fish flavor shine through. Each bite delivers that satisfying crunch followed by tender, sweet meat that flakes apart effortlessly.
The seasoning is subtle but effective, enhancing rather than hiding the natural taste. Hushpuppies are a must-order, golden and slightly sweet with a fluffy interior.
Coleslaw and fries complete the plate, offering familiar comfort alongside the star of the show. The atmosphere feels casual and welcoming, like a neighborhood spot that’s been around forever.
Service is warm and efficient, with staff who know the menu and the regulars by name. Michael’s doesn’t chase trends or try to reinvent the wheel.
Instead, it sticks to what works, fresh fish fried right and served with a smile. Make your way to North Lake Park Boulevard and experience the kind of seafood that keeps families coming back year after year.
9. Twin Tops Fish Camp, Gastonia
Mountain-style fish camp cooking has found a loyal following in Gastonia since 1968. Twin Tops Fish Camp holds court at 4574 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, where the line out the door tells you everything you need to know.
This family-owned gem has been perfecting fried fish for over five decades, and it shows. Flounder is the undisputed champion here, arriving at your table so tender it practically melts on your tongue.
The breading is light and crispy, never greasy or heavy, with a seasoning blend that’s been honed over generations. Each piece is fried to order, ensuring maximum freshness and crunch.
Hushpuppies at Twin Tops are legendary, sweet and fluffy with a golden exterior that shatters perfectly. The sides are classic Southern comfort, from creamy coleslaw to tangy baked beans.
The atmosphere feels like stepping back in time, with wood paneling and a cozy, no-frills vibe. Service is friendly and fast, even when the place is packed on a Friday night.
Locals have been lining up here for years, and newcomers quickly understand why. Twin Tops proves that tradition and quality never go out of style.
If you’re anywhere near Gastonia, make the trip to Wilkinson Boulevard and taste the fried fish that’s been winning hearts since the sixties. This fish camp is a true North Carolina treasure.
10. Lake Todd Fish Camp, Concord
Concord locals know where to go when the fried fish craving hits hard. Lake Todd Fish Camp sits at 5905 Alexander Rd, Concord, serving up beloved fried flounder and fish dinners that keep folks coming back.
This fish camp delivers the kind of food that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Fried flounder is the star, with a crispy coating that gives way to tender, flaky fish underneath.
The breading is perfectly seasoned, adding flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of the flounder. Each piece is cooked just right, never overdone or greasy.
Hushpuppies arrive hot and golden, with a slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory fish. The sides are homestyle classics, from tangy coleslaw to buttery corn on the cob.
Lake Todd keeps things simple and satisfying, focusing on quality over flash. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a down-home vibe that makes everyone feel welcome.
Service is quick and attentive, ensuring your meal arrives fresh and your glass stays full. Portions are generous, giving you plenty to enjoy without breaking the bank.
This fish camp proves that sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones, done with care and consistency. Head to Poplar Tent Road and discover why Lake Todd has become a Concord favorite for fried fish that hits the spot every time.
11. Riverside Fish House, Dallas
Dallas, North Carolina, serves up some serious seafood at a spot that knows how to fry fish right. Riverside Fish House sits at 1341 Dallas Stanley Hwy, Dallas, where hearty fried flounder and catfish keep the tables full.
This place doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes or flavor. Fried flounder arrives on your plate golden and crispy, with a coating that stays crunchy from first bite to last.
The fish underneath is tender and moist, flaking apart easily with just a fork. Catfish gets the same expert treatment, seasoned perfectly and fried until the edges curl up crispy.
The breading here strikes the perfect balance, thick enough to provide crunch but light enough to let the fish shine. Hushpuppies are a highlight, sweet and pillowy with a golden crust.
Sides like green beans and fries round out the meal, offering familiar comfort alongside the seafood. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with a riverside charm that adds to the experience.
Service is friendly and efficient, making sure your meal comes out hot and your needs are met. Riverside Fish House has become a go-to for locals who want quality fried fish without the fuss.
Make your way to South Trade Street and see why this Dallas spot has earned its place among North Carolina’s fried fish favorites. You won’t leave hungry, that’s for sure.
