When it comes to good ol’ down home cookin’, look no further than Arkansas for some of the best food around. We are especially known for our fried catfish, and there are many restaurants that boast about having the best catfish in town. But not many stand out like Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc. This waterfront hideaway is serving up the best catfish in the Arkansas Delta.

Tucked away on the banks of White River, this hidden gem has been serving catfish for over 40 years.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

Which means this no fuss hideaway has mastered the art of frying catfish, and was the winner of the best catfish and seafood category in the Arkansas Times Readers Choice Awards.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

So, Dondie’s has earned its spot as one of the best seafood restaurants in Arkansas. But what makes this hideaway special is that the catfish is ALL YOU CAN EAT!

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

Yes folks, Dondie’s began as an all-you-can-eat catfish buffet, and 40 years later, the restaurant is still serving up the most delicious catfish around. No wonder the parking lot is always full of regular patrons.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess The restaurant, which is a replica of a steamship, operates on limited hours. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on first Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come hungry because the all-you-can-eat buffet is serving up all kinds of goodness. It includes peel-and-eat shrimp, fried shrimp, chicken strips, hushpuppies, fries, corn nuggets, and all the fixins’.

Tim Nelson/Google

If available, you can also indulge in a huge plate of the juicy crawfish, which we highly recommend.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

But the star of the buffet is the catfish, which is crispy on the outside and flaky and tender on the inside.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

For a small fee of around $20, pile up your plate with as much delicious catfish as you want.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

While the catfish buffet is the crowd pleaser, Dondie’s serves up other seafood delights. From the menu, you can select the grilled catfish dinner, or the snow crab legs, if they are available.

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess They also serve up juicy steaks, and some yummy desserts.

Not only does Dondie’s have fantastic fried catfish, but the restaurant is also known for its location on the White River.

Jacob G./ Google

So, after you’ve indulged in the down home southern fare, you’ll wanna take a walk outside and witness the sun go down. 

Facebook / Dondie’s White River Princess

The restaurant, which is a replica of a steamship, operates on limited hours. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on first Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tim Nelson/Google

They also serve up juicy steaks, and some yummy desserts.

Jacob G./ Google

Have you been to Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc? 

If not, we recommend that you check out this waterfront hideaway serving up the best catfish in Arkansas. Visit the Facebook page for information regarding the hours of operation. 

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Address: Dondie’s White River Princess, 203 E Curran St, Des Arc, AR 72040, USA