Crawfish Season Begins: 4 of the Best New Orleans Restaurants for Crawfish

There’s one dish you won’t find better than in New Orleans: Louisiana crawfish. This sea creature became a significant source of food in the 18^th century and, since then, has become integral to Louisiana cuisine. Whether eaten boiled, sauteed, baked or fried, the crawfish is versatile and tasty.

In fact, the state even hosts its own Crawfish Festival, taking place April 29–May 1 and celebrating all things crawfish. But say you’re in New Orleans not during the festival. How do you narrow down the best crawfish eateries? These four restaurants are sure to impress:

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BOIL Seafood House

What do you get when you blend Vietnamese and Louisiana cuisine together? A phenomenon called Viet-Cajun, where crawfish are loaded with garlic butter. When you arrive, simply select your seafood of choice (crawfish is highly recommended), your flavor and heat level. Then let the experts do the rest.

Cajun Seafood

You’ll smell it before you see it: boiling seafood wafting through the air. At any of Cajun Seafood’s locations in the New Orleans metro area, you’re guaranteed a heaping portion of delicious crawfish to go along with the brand’s popular po’boys.

Mukbang Seafood and Bar

Another spot mixing Asian influences with rich Louisiana flavors, this restaurant serves boiled crawfish and other seafood. Located on Oak Street, this establishment is a seafood lover’s dream come true, offering Viet-Cajun-style mussels, crab, shrimp and more.

Frankie & Johnny’s © New Orleans & Company

Frankie and Johnny’s

Best known for its hot and spicy, award-winning, boiled crawfish, Frankie and Johnny’s is a staple of the area. Even if you’re not a fan of crawfish, peruse the rest of the menu with dishes like roast beef po’boy, Italian muffuletta and homemade bread pudding. Work off the meal with a dance as music pours from the jukebox.