The Flying Fish in downtown Bentonville is one of my favorite restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. It’s a blue, conspicuous building that stands out with its 1950s vibe. Of course, the vibe isn’t the only great thing about The Flying Fish.
Flying Fish is one of the most well-known seafood restaurants in the region. It opens from 11 am to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and the closing time extends to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Billy Bob Bass is one of the most striking designs on its walls.
If you bring in a Billy Bob Bass, you can get Flying Fish to “adopt” it and get some free food in return. But that’s not the only cool thing about this seafood restaurant in Northwest Arkansas.
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Recommended Dishes At The Flying Fish
Flying Fish serves fresh seafood from The Gulf of Mexico. They have a vast menu that can be overwhelming for first-timers. But don’t worry: I’ve picked some of their best dishes for you to try out.
Fish tacos are some of the most recommended dishes at Flying Fish. The tilapia, salmon, catfish, or shrimp blend excellently with sauce and vegetables in tortillas. Also, the already-perfect fried baskets (oysters, frog legs, or catfish) come with delicious hushpuppies and fries.
Let’s go into more detail about what makes these tasty treats stand out.
Fish Tacos
Flying Fish’s tacos are crispy tortilla wraps stuffed with delicious coleslaw, pico de gallo, and comeback sauce. They also come with beans and rice, making the meal more filling.
The following are the seafood options available for the stuffing:
- Shrimp (fried or grilled)
- Fried catfish
- Grilled tilapia
- Salmon
I like that Flying Fish doesn’t charge extra for the side dishes, so you get the most bang for your buck.
Also, I know people who’ve tried these tacos for the first time and kept coming back for more. I think that tells you everything you need to know about them.
NWA wins being the weirdest place as well! -find 5 Weird Businesses In Northwest Arkansas
Grilled Dishes
Aside from their fish tacos, you’ll want to try pretty much every grilled item on Flying Fish’s menu.
Here are some of the dishes you can expect hot off the grill:
- Trout
- Tilapia
- Catfish
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Red snapper
- Mahi
Some, like the trout, are only available grilled, while others can also be served fried. Make sure to ask the friendly waiters what options you have available: They’ll be more than happy to help you out.
The best part is the grilled veggies that come along with the fish. They’re well-chopped, seasoned, and, overall, incredibly delicious. Even if you’re not a veggie fan, you might become a convert after trying out these side dishes.
Although you can enjoy the grilled plates in four different ways, many customers prefer them “snappy.” In Flying Fish lingo, “snappy” basically means spicy, so if you’re feeling adventurous, ask the waiters (politely) to make whatever you ordered snappy.
Fried Baskets
If you’re looking for the perfect excuse to chow down on hushpuppies at Flying Fish, go for the fried baskets. They always come with a side dish with fries. Flying Fish’s hushpuppies are crunchy, fresh, and always served warm.
One unique Fried Basket dish I recommend is the crispy frog legs garnished with coleslaw. It’s one of the most expensive (not to mention exotic) options, but it’s worth the extra cost.
Of course, if you don’t like the idea of eating parts of the same creatures you dissected during your high school biology class, you can opt for the more palatable oysters and catfish.
Vegetable Plate
If you don’t want to eat anything that comes from an animal or has animal products, Flying Fish has you covered too. You can have your veggies a la carte, with a sauce, or combined with a salad.
Some of their most popular vegan options include:
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Fried okra
- Picked green tomatoes
- Grilled squash & zucchini
I can assure you that the veggie meals are just as good as — if not better than — the seafood dishes. Still, don’t hesitate to ask staff members if you need more information on any of the food items. It’s your food, after all: You deserve to know exactly what you’re eating.
If you are an avid biker, check out my other article on the Best Places To Hike and Bike in Northwest Arkansas
Other Seafood Restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
As I’ve said, The Flying Fish is one of the best restaurants in NWA. But if you happen to drop by and find the place (unsurprisingly) jampacked, don’t fret: There are other seafood restaurants in Bentonville you can visit. If you happen to drop by Rogers, Fayetteville, and Pea Ridge, you’ll find a boatload (no pun intended) of options in those places too.
For example, you can visit:
- Fish City Grill: Located on Bellview Road in Rogers, Fish City Grill is probably The Flying Fish’s closest competitor. They offer numerous seafood dishes that include shrimp, crab, fish, and others. You can also have these delivered straight to your doorstep by ordering via their website.
- Eclectic Kitchen: This eatery in Fayetteville offers a range of mouthwatering seafood, including catfish, scallops, and oysters. There are also enough excellent wines to sip as you unwind after a busy workday.
- Blu Fish House: Bentonville locals often head to Blu Fish House on 5th Street to feast on their delicious seafood meals.
- Catfish Hole Fayetteville: Aside from catfish dishes, Catfish Hole serves several seafood varieties, including shrimp, clams, scallops, and frog legs.
- Catfish John’s: Founded in 1988, Catfish John’s is located on Hudson Road, Rogers. As you may have guessed from their name, catfish is their signature dish, usually served with hushpuppies.
Conclusion
Flying Fish is one of the best restaurants in Bentonville, and I eat here as often as I can. If you’re downtown Bentonville, I think you should check it out.
Their menu is so extensive that it’s hard to run out of options, which are all unique yet highly delicious.
But if you can’t visit or get a seat at Flying Fish for any reason, you can drop by other seafood restaurants in Northwest Arkansas.
After that, check out the secret Rogers restaurant I shared in this article, and thank me later.