Best Ohio Fried Fish Spots You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Ohio fried fish has a way of turning my weekend plans into a breadcrumb-covered scavenger hunt. I start out saying, “Just one stop,” and somehow end up collecting perch baskets and walleye platters like I am earning a very specific, very crunchy merit badge.
If you think the best fried fish only lives on lakefront postcards, Ohio is about to prove you wildly wrong. These are the spots that locals protect with selective amnesia, conveniently forgetting details until they decide you have earned them.
Some places sit near Lake Erie docks where the breeze does half the advertising. Others hide in neighborhood corners, strip centers, and low-key buildings that look like they are minding their own business.
What they share is the kind of crisp, hot, properly cooked fish that makes me slow down between bites, partly to savor it and partly to avoid immediate regret for ordering “the larger plate.”
From Port Clinton to Cincinnati to Columbus and beyond, these fifteen stops show why fried fish is not a side quest in Ohio, it is a tradition with a very satisfying crunch.
1. Jolly Roger Seafood House – Port Clinton
On the days when Lake Erie looks like a postcard, I somehow end up at Jolly Roger Seafood House in Port Clinton. The place still feels like a straight-to-the-point seafood shack, and that unfussy energy is exactly what I want when I am craving fried perch.
Inside, the line glides past the counter while baskets of freshly breaded yellow perch and walleye keep landing on trays like clockwork. I have watched regulars and first-timers wait with the same calm patience, because everyone here understands that this fryer is not rushed for anyone.
The perch dinners arrive stacked, each fillet with that sharp, audible crunch that tells me the oil is hot and the breading is done right. Even the waffle fries and onion rings feel like they were given proper respect instead of filler status.
By the time I step back outside to the lake breeze, I am already planning what size platter I will split on the next visit and secretly finish myself.
Address: 1715 E Perry St, Port Clinton, OH 43452.
2. Brennan’s Fish House – Grand River
Some Ohio seafood places pretend to be coastal; Brennan’s Fish House in tiny Grand River just quietly cooks like it has nothing to prove. The weathered building by the river has that comfortable, lived-in feeling that tells me generations have argued over who gets the last perch fillet at these tables.
When I slide into a booth, I already know what is happening in the kitchen: Lake Erie perch and walleye getting a light, crisp coating instead of a heavy blanket. The platters that show up are the kind that make conversation slow down, because everyone suddenly needs both hands free.
I love that the menu is full of lake favorites without feeling fussy, and sides like slaw and potatoes show up ready to do their supporting job. It is the sort of place that turns quick dinner into a small tradition before you even notice.
Address: 102 River St, Grand River, OH 44045.
3. Berardi’s Family Restaurant – Huron
The first time I pulled into Berardi’s Family Restaurant in Huron, I thought I was there for fries and ended up staying for the fish. This bright, family-run spot feels like a community cafeteria for anybody who loves Lake Erie perch as much as classic diner comfort.
The fried fish here comes out in that sweet spot between light and indulgent, with a coating that clings without turning heavy. I like that the perch baskets feel approachable enough for a casual lunch but satisfying enough to justify a deliberate road trip.
Between the friendly servers who somehow remember half the town and the steady chatter from regulars, the dining room has the tone of a well-rehearsed routine. I leave every time wondering if locals realize how lucky they are to have fish this good right off their regular errand route.
Address: 1019 W Cleveland Rd, Huron, OH 44839.
4. Rusty’s Wharf – Pataskala
Nothing prepares me for Rusty’s Wharf in Pataskala quite like pulling up to what looks like a modest roadside stand and smelling the fryer before I even open the door. This low-key counter spot manages to feel like a neighborhood secret that the whole region somehow found out about.
The fried fish baskets here are simple in the best way, with fillets that taste freshly cooked instead of pre-somethinged from a box. I love watching orders go out in sturdy foam containers to pickup customers who clearly have this place in their weekly rotation.
The menu leans into fried comfort, so I pair my fish with thick fries or slaw and call it a complete situation. Rusty’s is the kind of spot that makes me grateful I ignored curb appeal and trusted the steady stream of cars in the small parking lot.
Address: 7256 Hazelton-Etna Rd SW, Pataskala, OH 43062.
5. Mayfly Tavern – Toledo (Point Place)
There are nights in Toledo’s Point Place neighborhood when every road seems to lead straight to Mayfly Tavern. The building looks like the definition of a local hangout, but the real story starts when a perch basket leaves the kitchen and lands on the bar top.
Here, the Lake Erie perch is the main character, arriving in golden pieces that stay crisp from the first bite to the last stray crumb. I like that the fish tastes freshly fried instead of rushed, with just enough seasoning to keep me reaching for one more piece.
The room is full of regulars who clearly treat Mayfly as their living room with better food and fewer chores. Any time I sit down, I know I am getting more than a quick meal; I am getting a crash course in how Toledo does fried fish correctly.
Address: 4532 N Summit St, Toledo, OH 43611.
6. Wild Wings Restaurant & Lounge – Oak Harbor
If you ever follow a line of coolers and tackle boxes toward the water near Oak Harbor, you eventually hear people talk about Wild Wings. This laid-back restaurant at the marina feels like an extension of the docks, only with far better seating and zero need to clean your own catch.
The fried fish dinners here are built for hungry people who have been out in the wind all day, with big portions of perch or walleye. I like the way the breading stays crisp without hiding the taste of the fish, which is the whole point of eating Lake Erie favorites.
Between the chatter about boats, weather, and whose catch was biggest, plates of fried fish quietly keep everyone satisfied. It is the kind of place where even non-anglers feel like part of the story after one generous platter.
Address: 9055 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449.
7. Ardick Seafood – Lorain
Lorain hides one of my favorite fried fish secrets inside what looks like a straightforward seafood market called Ardick Seafood. One side is all cases of fresh fish, but the moment I see the cooks working behind the counter, I remember that this place also fries to order.
I can pick from perch, other local fish, or a changing list of seafood, then watch it go straight from the case to the fryer. The result is that perfect combination of crisp coating and moist interior that reminds me how different freshly fried fish tastes from anything sitting under a heat lamp.
Most people leave with takeout bags and buckets, but I love standing there for a minute just breathing in the hot, savory air. Ardick feels like a working seafood shop that accidentally turned into one of the region’s most memorable fried fish stops.
Address: 922 Colorado Ave, Lorain, OH 44052.
8. Alabama Fish Bar – Cincinnati
In Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Alabama Fish Bar announces itself long before I can see the sign, thanks to that unmistakable fried fish aroma drifting down Race Street. This tiny counter spot never seems quiet, and watching the cook drop baskets into the oil is half the fun of being there.
The menu focuses on a few types of fish done really well, sliced, seasoned, and fried until the edges stay audibly crisp. I usually end up with a generous pile of fish over fries, plus a soft slice of bread to scoop up the last bites.
The energy around the counter feels like a neighborhood reunion that just happens to revolve around seafood. Alabama Fish Bar is the type of place I think about days later, when a random craving hits and no other fried fish quite measures up.
Address: 1601 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
9. Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips – Columbus
In Columbus, Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips in the Fifth by Northwest area feels like stepping into a time capsule that smells like perfectly hot oil. The menu board is simple, the vibe is casual, and the focus is firmly on making fried fish that people remember.
Their Calabash-style fish arrives in long, lightly battered strips, piled into boxes with thick-cut fries and hushpuppies that never feel like afterthoughts. I like that orders come out quickly but never look rushed, and there is always that moment when I open the lid and see steam escape.
Regulars treat Marino’s like a weekly ritual, and the recent reopening only made that devotion louder. Every time I walk back to my car with a warm bag in hand, I feel like I am carrying Columbus comfort food history in to-go form.
Address: 1216 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212.
10. Grayton Road Tavern – Cleveland
Cleveland’s Grayton Road Tavern looks at first like your typical neighborhood spot, until you notice how often lake perch plates leave the kitchen. This place has built a loyal following by treating fried fish as seriously as any of its other comfort standards.
I like the crunch on their fish dinners, where the breading stays light enough that you can still taste Lake Erie in every bite. Pair it with simple sides like fries, slaw, or potatoes, and suddenly you realize why so many locals insist on bringing out-of-town guests here.
The dining room atmosphere is relaxed but focused, with televisions humming in the background while plates keep moving. I always leave with the sense that Grayton Road Tavern knows exactly what it is and sees no reason to change a winning formula.
Address: 4760 Grayton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44135.
11. The Rowley Inn – Cleveland (Tremont)
Across from the famous house from that one legendary holiday movie, The Rowley Inn in Tremont quietly works on its own legend with fried fish. This corner bar-and-grill carries a lot of history, and the menu reads like a love letter to hearty, unfussy Cleveland cooking.
The Lake Erie perch here arrives with a crisp, even coating that holds up whether you order a sandwich or a full platter. I like that the fish shares the menu with pierogi, burgers, and other local favorites, yet still feels like a headliner rather than a side act.
Between the neighborhood stories, the movie references, and the friendly staff, it is easy to linger longer than planned. Rowley Inn is the kind of place where you come for the curiosity and stay because the fried fish quietly steals the show.
Address: 1104 Rowley Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109.
12. The Boardwalk Fish Shack & Upper Deck – Put-in-Bay
Arriving in Put-in-Bay by boat and walking up to The Boardwalk complex feels like stepping straight into an island food court built for seafood lovers. I always drift toward the Fish Shack and the Upper Deck because that is where the fried perch and walleye keep finding their way onto plates.
At the counter spots, baskets of fried fish go out fast, paired with fries and simple sides that let the lake catch do the talking. Upstairs on the Upper Deck, the same fish gets a slightly more polished presentation, but the heart of the meal is still that fresh crunch.
With the harbor right below and gulls circling, it is hard not to feel like you are eating right at the source. This is the rare tourist-friendly place that locals actually recommend without hesitation, especially to anyone chasing genuine Lake Erie fried fish.
Address: 341 Bayview Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456.
13. Klein’s Seafood – Akron
Akron’s Klein’s Seafood looks like a classic seafood market from the outside, and the display cases full of fish confirm it the moment I walk in. The surprise for first-timers is the cooking side of the operation, where they will happily fry what you pick.
I can choose from a rotating lineup of fish, then ask them to drop it in the fryer and wait while the place fills with that warm, savory smell. The fried fish that comes out is hot, crisp, and unapologetically generous, usually with just enough seasoning to keep things interesting.
Customers queue up for takeout bags and big family orders, and there is always someone debating what to try next. Klein’s manages to feel both practical and special, like a market that accidentally mastered the art of comfort food.
Address: 1072 Grant St, Akron, OH 44311.
14. Windward Passage Restaurant – Columbus (Upper Arlington)
In Columbus, Windward Passage hides in an unassuming strip center in Upper Arlington and then surprises me with a menu full of seafood classics. Inside, the wood-paneled dining room and old-school charm set the tone for plates that feel straight out of another era in the best way.
The fried fish dinners here are carefully cooked, with fillets that are crisp at the edges and tender inside, never greasy or tired. I like matching them with a baked potato or house salad and pretending I have stumbled into a coastal supper club that just happens to be in central Ohio.
Regulars treat the staff like extended family, and the steady hum of conversation makes the room feel settled and confident. Windward Passage is the sort of place that reminds me how satisfying a properly fried fish dinner can be when nobody is trying to reinvent it.
Address: 4739 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH 43220.
15. Tim’s Tavern – Canton
In Canton, Tim’s Tavern has the kind of reputation that makes people talk about fish night like a standing appointment. The exterior is pure neighborhood tavern, but once you step inside, the buzz around the fried fish tells you exactly what matters most here.
Plates come out loaded with fillets that stretch over the edges, each piece surrounded by a crisp, well-seasoned coating that still lets the fish shine. I like that the dinners feel engineered for true appetites, paired with simple sides that do their job without getting in the way.
Locals pack the place on busy nights, and there is always someone nudging a friend to try the fish for the first time. Tim’s is the sort of Ohio institution that proves a tavern fryer, treated with respect, can put a city on the map one plate at a time.
Address: 3323 Parkway St NW, Canton, OH 44708.