Cincinnati Fish Fry Guide 2026: Best Fish Fries in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky 🐟

Fish fry season in Cincinnati is more than a Lenten tradition — it’s basically a competitive sport. It even made our list of top 10 Cincinnati Events for 2026.

From church halls that have been perfecting their batter for decades to local restaurants putting their own spin on Friday seafood specials, fish fries in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are a must this time of year.

If you’re searching for:

• Best fish fry in Cincinnati

• Cincinnati church fish fries

• Northern Kentucky fish fry schedule

• Lent fish fries near me

You’re in the right place.

Below is your complete 2026 guide to Cincinnati fish fry season — broken down by church fish fries, restaurant specials, and year-round seafood staples.

 

🏛️ Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Church Fish Fries

There’s just something about a church basement fish fry. The volunteers. The homemade desserts. The paper plates stacked high. It’s tradition.

St. Catharine of Siena | Fort Thomas, KY

📍 1803 N. Fort Thomas Ave.
🕓 Fridays during Lent | 4:30–7 p.m.

A Northern Kentucky staple serving classic Lenten fish fry dinners.

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Kolping Society | Springfield Township

📍 10235 Mill Road
📅 Feb. 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Dine-in
Fried or baked fish dinners, shrimp, fish sandwiches, plus LaRosa’s cheese pizza.

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St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus | Price Hill

📍 3680 Warsaw Ave.
📅 Ash Wednesday + Fridays during Lent
🕔 5–8 p.m.

A West Side classic for traditional fried fish plates.

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Germania Society | Colerain Township

📍 3529 W. Kemper Rd.
📅 Starts Feb. 20 through Fridays in March
🕔 5–8 p.m.
Dine-in only | Credit card only

German roots meet Lenten tradition.

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St. Margaret of York | Loveland

📍 9499 Columbia Road
📅 Feb. 20, 27; March 6, 13
🕔 5–7:30 p.m.
Hand-dipped beer battered cod, grilled salmon, full sides. $9–$15.

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St. James | White Oak

📍 3565 Hubble Rd.
📅 Fridays during Lent (Feb. 20–March 27)
🕟 4:30–7:30 p.m.
(No fish fry on Good Friday.)

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Nativity | Pleasant Ridge

📍 5936 Ridge Ave.
📅 Fridays Feb. 20–March 20
🕠 5:30 p.m. until sold out

Arrive early — this one goes fast.

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St. Martin of Tours | Cheviot

📍 3724 St. Martin Pl.
📅 Fridays during Lent (Feb. 20–March 27)
🕓 4–7 p.m.
Fried or baked fish, salmon patties, shrimp. $12 meal includes two sides, drink, and dessert.

 

 

🍺 Restaurant Fish Fry Specials in Cincinnati & NKY

Not feeling the folding chairs? These Cincinnati restaurants serve up elevated fish fry specials all season long.

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Arnold’s Bar & Grill | Downtown Cincinnati

📅 Feb. 20–April 3
🕔 Fridays 5–9 p.m.
Hand-breaded Icelandic cod made to order, plus live polka music and drink specials. It’s Lent — but make it festive.

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Braxton Barrel House | Fort Mitchell

Fridays during Lent
Fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and Slider Shack specials.

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Nine Giant Brewing | Pleasant Ridge

Fridays during Lent
Panko-crusted haddock with fries and remoulade.

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The Pony | Over-the-Rhine

Fridays during Lent | Noon until sellout
Panko-crusted fried fish with fries and remoulade.

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Reka’s Butchery & Delicatessen | Covington

Fridays during Lent | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Lobster rolls, clam chowder, shrimp po’boys, and rotating seafood specials.

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Wyoming Meat Market | Wyoming

📅 Feb. 27–March 27
🕔 Fridays 5–8 p.m.
Fried haddock, grouper tacos, crab cakes, lobster rolls, chowder, and bisque. Dine-in or call ahead.

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The Gruff | Covington

Fridays during Lent
Fried cod sandwich starting Ash Wednesday.

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Pickled Pig | Walnut Hills

Fridays during Lent
Salted cod potato cake sandwich and rotating Lenten specials.

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Knotty Pine on the Bayou | Cold Spring, KY

Fridays during Lent
Louisiana-style Cajun and Creole seafood offerings.

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🦞 Year-Round Seafood Favorites in Cincinnati

If you miss fish fry season — or just want seafood beyond Lent — these Cincinnati staples deliver all year long.

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Lobsta Bakes of Maine | Newtown

Seafood market and prepared options available year-round.

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Alabama Fish Bar | Over-the-Rhine

A go-to for fried fish well beyond Lent.

 

 

Why Fish Fry Season Is Such a Big Deal in Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s strong Catholic roots make Lent fish fries one of the city’s most beloved traditions. Whether you're on the West Side, in Northern Kentucky, or near Downtown, chances are there’s a fish fry within 10 minutes of you.

It’s community.
It’s comfort food.
It’s a reason to see your neighbors.
And honestly? Some of the best fried fish you’ll eat all year.

 

🗺️ Want the Full Fish Fry Map?

We’ve added our top fish fry picks to our Local Favorites Map so you can easily find one near you.

👉 Access it for free here: Cincinnati Best Fish Fry Map

If we missed your church or favorite Friday spot, send it our way. We’re always adding to the list — because in Cincinnati, there’s always room for one more fish fry.