These 10 Arkansas Seafood Restaurants Will Shine In 2026
I’ve pulled over for seafood in Arkansas more times than I can count. Sometimes it was for a hand-painted sign, sometimes just because the parking lot was full.
More often than not, it paid off. Sure, you’ll find great fried catfish all over the state, but the real surprise is the range.
Oysters shucked to order, Gulf shrimp piled high, even a few riverfront tables that make you slow down and stay awhile. Arkansas might not touch an ocean, but the kitchens here cook like they do.
Looking ahead to 2026, a handful of spots keep coming up in conversations, in cravings, and in my own repeat visits. These are the restaurants getting the details right, from the fry on the fish to the welcome at the door.
They are the kind of places you finish eating and immediately start planning to come back.
1. Flying Fish
First glance at the counter told me everything was dialed in for speed and satisfaction. At Flying Fish in Little Rock, you’ll find the action at 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201.
I lined up between families swapping basket bites and office crews chasing a quick seafood fix. The menu read like a greatest hits album, and I happily leaned into it.
The catfish basket arrived golden and even, with cornmeal crunch that stayed crisp over the last bite. I added peel-and-eat shrimp, chilled and snappy, plus hushpuppies that leaned savory instead of sweet.
A side of beans and rice rounded things out with a soft kick, perfect for mixing bites.
What kept me smiling was the rhythm. Orders moved fast, tables flipped without stress, and every plate looked consistent across the dining room.
I noticed folks pinning license plates and chuckling at the wall fish, a playful backdrop for a weekday win.
If you like options, there are grilled plates, tacos, and gumbo that works well on a rainy afternoon. Portions felt honest, prices fair, and the vibe stayed easy, even during the rush.
I left plotting a repeat round of catfish with extra lemon.
Pro tip: snag a window spot so you can watch the foot traffic along the avenue. It adds a little theater to your lunch without slowing you down.
When you want simple seafood done right, this place keeps it reeling in.
2. Brave New Restaurant
Some dinners whisper rather than shout, and that softness wins. Brave New Restaurant sits at 2300 Cottondale Ln Ste 105, Little Rock, AR 72202 in Little Rock, where the river framed a calm evening and plates landed with focus and finesse.
I settled in with a view and let the kitchen set the pace.
The seafood leaned seasonal, treated with care instead of noise. Seared fish arrived with a crisp edge and tender center, supported by vegetables that actually tasted like themselves.
Sauces were balanced, bright where needed, and never heavy.
Service moved with quiet confidence, the kind that notices timing without hovering. I appreciated how courses flowed, each plate building interest without overwhelming the table.
Conversation felt easy because the dining room absorbed sound and stress in equal measure.
For starters, crab cakes carried more crab than filler, kissed with citrus and a clean finish. A seafood pasta threaded richness through delicate noodles, letting the shellfish speak clearly.
Dessert leaned restrained and not too sweet, a thoughtful sign-off.
This is the place for a meal that feels intentional and unhurried. If you visit at sunset, the river turns the windows into a slow-moving painting.
By the last bite, I felt both satisfied and curious about what the menu might do next season.
3. The Oyster Bar
A plate of briny half shells can turn any weekday into a small celebration. The Oyster Bar holds court at 3003 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205 in Little Rock, delivering exactly that mood with fresh-shucked confidence and a side of friendly chatter.
I started simple and let the shells set the tone.
The raw oysters were cold, clean, and sized for easy slurping, brightened by lemon and a zippy mignonette. I followed with a shrimp po’boy stacked generously, bread toasted just enough to keep things tidy.
Gumbo arrived steaming, thick with seafood and a steady, peppery depth.
The room felt like a neighborhood anchor, with regulars who knew where to sit and what to order. Staff kept the pace lively without pushing, and plates landed hot and consistent.
I liked the way condiments were within reach, inviting a bit of personal tweaking.
Value stayed strong across the board, especially at happy times when oysters cycle fast. Fries stayed crisp, coleslaw cooled the spice, and the hot sauce rotation kept each bite lively.
There was nothing fussy in sight, only good instincts well executed.
When you want oysters that earn a second round, this address makes a compelling case. Bring an appetite and a plan to sample across the menu so no craving goes ignored.
I left with a clean palate and a satisfied grin, already eyeing the next dozen.
4. Eat My Catfish
Some cravings point straight to crisp catfish and a pile of hushpuppies. I followed mine to Eat My Catfish at 1205 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015 in Benton, where a grin and a speedy handoff checked every box.
I walked in hungry and walked out plotting a return.
The catfish wore a crunchy, even coat that stayed light instead of heavy. I paired it with jumbo shrimp, fried just until snappy, plus fries that held their shape.
Hushpuppies leaned savory and warm, perfect for a dunk in house sauces.
Service moved quickly without losing warmth, a balance that matters on a crowded night. Portions looked generous, just right for bringing a friend so you can split sides.
Coleslaw landed cool and creamy, a welcome counter to the fry.
There are grilled options too, helpful when you want balance without skipping flavor. I noticed families sharing platters, each basket crisp and hot on arrival.
Cleanup stayed easy thanks to the casual setup and quick table turns.
If pure satisfaction is the goal, this spot makes the path short and clear. The kind pricing encouraged sampling, and nothing felt overcomplicated.
I left with that happy, simple fullness that only a great catfish basket delivers.
5. Bonefish Grill
Reliable can be delightful when the kitchen respects the details. Bonefish Grill anchors its Little Rock location at 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72212, where I settled into a booth and watched plates glide by with neat presentation.
The menu balanced comfort with polished execution.
Grilled fish arrived with clean char lines and a juicy center, paired with seasonal sides that felt considered. Shrimp dishes leaned bright and citrusy, never heavy, and portioned for easy sharing.
A simple salad stayed crisp to the last forkful.
Timing landed well, a small but crucial win for seafood. I appreciated how the staff paced courses so hot items stayed hot and chilled plates stayed cool.
Sauces aimed for lift instead of weight, keeping flavors clear.
The space felt roomy enough for conversation without shouting, and lighting softened the edges of a long day. I noticed consistent garnishes across tables, a sign of an organized pass.
Bread service made for a steady warm-up before the main plates.
This is a smart pick when you want dependable seafood with a tidy finish. Bring a note of curiosity and ask about daily preparations, since fresh choices rotate.
By the end, I felt refreshed and ready to plan another calm dinner here.
6. Lazy Pete’s
Ease and flavor met in the middle, and lunch suddenly became unhurried. Tucked along Bowman Road, Lazy Pete’s operates from 200 N Bowman Rd Suite 9, Little Rock, AR 72211 in Little Rock, easing me into a casual groove where fried seafood and po’boys ruled the board.
I liked how the chalkboard made ordering feel personal.
The catfish had a confident crunch, not too thick, just enough to make each bite pop. Shrimp po’boys came stuffed to the edges, with lettuce and tomato adding a clean, cool layer.
Fries rode along crisp, while hushpuppies brought soft heat and a savory finish.
Service looked relaxed but attentive, which fit the name without sacrificing care. Portions leaned generous, inviting a side of coleslaw or beans without overdoing it.
The seasoning stayed lively, with a spice that nudged rather than shouted.
Inside, the room felt neighborly and low-key, ideal for catching up or decompressing. Orders arrived quickly, and the crowd churned just enough to keep energy up.
Cleanup proved easy thanks to the tidy counter setup.
When a craving for uncomplicated seafood hits, this address answers fast. I left with that satisfied calm only a well-made basket can create.
Save room for another round of hushpuppies, because the second dip tastes even better.
7. Catfish Hole
Some meals feel like tradition wrapped in a basket. Catfish Hole welcomes diners at 4127 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72704 in Fayetteville, serving that spirit with steady confidence and a kind smile.
I grabbed a table and let the classics do the lifting.
The catfish fillets were light, flaky, and crisply coated, with seasoning that kept each bite lively. Hushpuppies arrived hot and soft, the kind you reach for without thinking.
A simple spread of pickles and onions brought a bright snap against the fry.
Service moved with veteran ease, quick refills and quick smiles keeping the room humming. The dining area mixed families, game-day groups, and regulars who knew the drill.
Plates landed hot, and nothing sat long enough to lose steam.
Sides stayed straightforward and reliable, making space for the fish to star. Coleslaw felt refreshing, beans anchored the plate, and fries kept their form.
I appreciated the focus on doing a few things especially well.
If catfish is on your Arkansas checklist, this stop sits near the top. Bring a friend so you can divide and conquer the sides without slowing down.
By the last hushpuppy, I was already planning a reroute for another basket.
8. Riverfront Steakhouse
Surf and turf felt right the moment I opened the menu. Overlooking the water from 2 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock, AR 72114, Riverfront Steakhouse in North Little Rock made a strong case for pairing well-cooked steak with diligent seafood.
I settled into a comfortable chair and let the view do its job.
The lobster tail arrived tender and clean, brushed with butter that stayed balanced. Shrimp leaned firm and sweet, complementing a steak cooked to the requested temperature without drift.
Sides shared the spotlight, tidy and well-seasoned.
Service proved polished and well-timed, guiding courses without nudging. The room carried a calm tone that made conversation easy across the table.
I liked how plating kept lines neat, allowing colors to shine naturally.
Seafood options rotated with availability, giving repeat visits new angles to explore. A well-executed crab cake and a simple grilled fish showed consistent restraint.
Nothing felt overcomplicated, which kept flavors clear.
When you want a classic night with reliable seafood in the mix, this address works. The river adds quiet drama that pairs nicely with a composed plate.
I left content and a little proud of the smart order I made.
9. Fish City Grill
Daily specials on a chalkboard always pull me in. In Rogers, Fish City Grill runs a lively dining room at 2003 S Bellview Rd, Rogers, AR 72758, where variety met tidy execution and upbeat energy.
I grabbed a table and scanned the rotating seafood board like a kid at a matinee.
Fish tacos landed lively, with crisp cabbage and a squeeze of citrus keeping each bite bright. A bowl of gumbo brought steady warmth and generous seafood, perfect for dipping a corner of bread.
Oysters looked well-shucked and cold, ideal for a quick half dozen.
Service felt breezy and well-coordinated, with plates arriving hot and staggered smartly. The room balanced families and quick lunches without either taking over.
Sauces stayed on point, offering lift without masking.
There was a playful streak in the menu that rewarded curiosity. I tried a special featuring grilled fish over rice with a light herb finish, and it worked.
Sides kept their texture, supporting rather than stealing attention.
When you want a seafood stop that adapts to your mood, this one fits with ease. Come ready to try something off the board so the meal feels fresh.
I walked out energized and already choosing tomorrow’s special in my head.
10. Blu Fish House
Fresh display cases tend to set expectations, and here they were spot on. Blu Fish House brings its market-to-plate feel to 607 SE 5th St, Bentonville, AR 72712 in Bentonville, offering freshness without pretense.
I took a moment to admire the selection before committing.
Grilled fish came out clean and juicy, with a gentle char and a squeeze of lemon. Fried options held their crunch without oiliness, even as the last bites cooled.
Sides like rice, fries, and slaw played steady backup.
The space felt comfortable and casual, with enough bustle to keep things lively. I appreciated how the staff answered questions simply and helped steer choices without pressure.
Orders landed promptly, still steaming at the table.
There is a pick-your-protein spirit here that rewards a curious mood. I liked pairing something grilled with a small fried side, creating balance without complexity.
The market vibe kept freshness front and center.
When you want seafood that lets ingredients lead, this address does the job. Bring a flexible plan and let the case guide you toward dinner.
I left with a clear favorite and a mental note to sample more on the next round.