A process for producing mesophase pitch from high-temperature coal tar comprises: removing salts and quinoline insoluble fraction from a high-temperature coal tar to obtain a decant oil; using the decant oil as a hydrogenation feedstock, or pre-distilling the decant oil to obtain a residue with a boiling point higher than 230°C and formulating the residue into a hydrogenation feedstock; catalytic hydrorefining the hydrogenation feedstock to obtain a hydrofined oil; distilling the hydrofined oil to obtain hydrogenated pitch; and subjecting the hydrogenated pitch to the thermal polymerization to obtain the mesophase pitch. The process has features such as an easily controllable degree of hydrogenation, complete removal of impurities, good raw material flowability, not tending to form the carbon deposition and the coking during the process, and not tending to jam the reactor. The product has a high content of mesophase pitch, a low softening point and a low impurity content.