20 restaurants for white fish in metro Phoenix

Not all fish is fishy, such as the white-flesh varieties that include cod, tilapia, catfish, grouper, mahi mahi and ono. These are tasty, lean fish that won't break your budget.

PHOENIX

Barrio Cafe

Don't miss the house special Mojarra San Agustin: tilapia rubbed with achiote and sour orange and covered in onions, garlic and citrus, and then wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled ($22).

Details: 2814 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-636-0240, barriocafe.com.

Southern Rail

La Plancha nlackened catfish stew is made like a cioppino with broth, catfish, potatoes and corn ($19).

Details: 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-200-0085, southernrailaz.com.

Hula's Modern Tiki

Hapu is delicate whitefish that comes from Hawaii, and here it's the star of several preparations, such as macadamia nut-encrusted with mango-papaya sauce and served with rice and slaw ($14).

Details: 4700 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-265-8454. Also, 7213 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-4852, hulasmoderntiki.com.

Mandy's Fish & Chips

The Cat Sandwich is a filet of catfish and tartar sauce on a bun that includes fries and a drink ($6.49). Or try the namesake dish, fish and chips prepared with catfish (two to five pieces, $5.49 to $9.99) or cod (two to five pieces $5.99 to $11.99).

Details: 2426 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-307-9247, mandysfishandchips.com.

Tommy Bahama

While you're shopping for a new Hawaiian shirt, take a break in the cafe for a blackened fish Reuben sandwich made with grouper on marble rye with Russian dressing, Asian slaw and served with fries ($17).

Details: Kierland Commons, Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road in Phoenix. 480-505-3668, tommybahama.com.

NORTHEAST VALLEY

Coconuts Fish Cafe

For a different kind of burger, try Coconuts' fishburger made with your choice of mahi mahi, ono or ahi tuna and topped with tartar sauce, coleslaw, tomatoes and cheese on a wheat or sesame seed bun ($10.99).

Details: 16640 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-275-6690, coconutsfishcafe.com.

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

Instead of the traditional chicken and waffles, you can have the D. Mann: one piece of deep fried catfish or cod and served with a waffle ($8).

Details: 2765 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-945-1920. Also, 1220 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-340-1304, loloschickenandwaffles.com.

Wildfish Seafood Grille

The Florida grouper is sauteed until crisp and flavored with lemons, garlic and scallions ($29).

Details: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-994-4040, wildfishseafoodgrille.com.

Roka Akor

At this fine dining Japanese restaurant, come in for the mild and flaky yuzu- and miso-marinated black cod, served with pickled red onions ($28).

Details: 7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-306-8800, rokaakor.com.

Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila

From the Taco Stand menu, try the grilled ono taco that's made with housemade island sauce-marinated fish stuffed into a taco with Mexican slaw and a sprinkle of chives ($4.50). Ono is fried in a beer batter in the Tecate fish taco and served with cabbage, Baja sauce and mango salsa ($4.50). Choose flour or corn tortillas.

Details: 7228 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-9002, cienagaves.com.

SOUTHEAST VALLEY

Seafood Market Restaurant

You'll find all kinds of whitefish here including lemon and dill-crusted tilapia topped with lemon-dill sauce and baked with seasoned breadcrumbs. Lunch comes with steamed vegetables and one side dish ($11.99). Dinner comes with soup or salad and one side ($14.99).

Details: 3406 E Baseline Road, Mesa. 480-633-1580, seafoodmarketrestaurant.com.

Rula Bula

You can coddle your taste buds two ways at this pub. For nibbling, try the fried fish nuggets, cod hand-dipped in beer batter and served with tartar sauce and Irish medallion-shaped fries ($7.95). Or, indulge in the Alaskan cod that's pan seared in lemon butter and served with grilled squash, grape tomatoes, red peppers, basil and herbs ($14.95).

Details: 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-929-9500, rulabula.com.

Los Taquitos

The fish tacos are made with grilled tilapia and topped with lettuce and pico de gallo, served in a corn or flour tortilla. Order either al la carte ($2 each) or with rice and beans (three for $7.99).

Details: 4747 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix. 480-753-4361. Also, 7000 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-371-0111, ltgrill.com.

Mikado Sushi

Experience the whitefish-siso roll: a serpent of whitefish, siso Japanese herb, onions, cucumber, chilies and ponzu sauce ($9.99).

Details: 3125 S. Alma School Road, Mesa. 480-726-0255, mikadoaz.com.

High Tide Seafood Bar

Classic fish and chips are made with Alaskan cod battered and fried, served with a mix of fries, remoulade and peach-cashew coleslaw ($13).

Details: 2540 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert. 480-821-9950, hightideseafoodbar.com.

WEST VALLEY

Irish Wolfhound

At this pub, fresh Atlantic cod gets a dunking in Guinness beer batter before taking a plunge in the fryer until it's golden. It's then served with seasoned fries and coleslaw ($14.25).

Details: 16811 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise. 623-214-1004, irishwolfhoundpub.com.

Everybody's Neighborhood Grill

You can find both tilapia ($8.99) and catfish ($10.99) at this barbecue place.They come battered, fried and served with cornbread and two sides of your choice, including collard greens and hush puppies.

Details: 12725 W. Indian School Road, Avondale. 623-536-4940, everybodysneighborhoodgrill.com.

Oscar's Pier 83

Love catfish? Sunday is the day to head to Oscar's, where you can have all the catfish you can eat, hand-dipped in batter and fried, served with fries and coleslaw ($10.95). If you can't make it on Sunday, the regular catfish dinner comes with one piece of fish, fries and slaw, or you can substitute another side for $1 ($9.99).

Details: 18589 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. 602-843-6820, op83.com.

Anacapa Restaurant

This dining room at the Corte Bella Country Club is open to the public and serves Atlantic cod in a housemade beer batter with homemade potato chips and coleslaw ($10.99 and $12.99).

Details: 22135 N. Mission Drive, Sun City West. 623-455-9045, cortebella.net.

Beach Club Cantina

The fish tacos plate comes with two tacos stuffed with cod, slaw and a chipotle drizzle, served with rice and beans ($8.29).

Details: 9832 W. Northern Ave., Peoria. 602-989-2563, search "Beach Club AZ" on Facebook.com.