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10 Best Places for Crawfish in New Orleans
For a city that already tantalizes the senses, New Orleans during crawfish season is a sight (and smell) to behold. Crawfish season is a particularly festive time as visitors and locals indulge in an array of delectable seafood dishes. Crawfish season, where you can get live or boiled crawfish, typically runs from early January – mid June. May is considered prime crawfish season since the crustaceans are at their most abundant and are most affordable – perfect for summertime backyard boils! While you can find crawfish dishes year-round, the spring and early summer is your best time to get your hands on some fresh, hot, boiled crawfish. If you’re lucky, you’ll make a friend in New Orleans that will invite you to their backyard crawfish boil for some delectable boiled seafood and “fixings” such as potatoes, corn, sausage, mushrooms, garlic, and so much more. If not, plenty of restaurants and seafood markets serve hot, flavorful, boiled crawfish daily!
Known for its diverse gastronomic offerings, the Big Easy seems to come even more alive when boiling pots of seasoned crawfish are available for diners to purchase a pound or two to peel and savor. If you’re looking for the best way to celebrate NOLA crawfish, use this City Sightseeing New Orleans guide to identify some top contenders!
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a quintessential New Orleans seafood experience deeply rooted in the city’s culinary traditions. A fixture since 1947, this authentic seafood house embodies the classic “old school” New Orleans charm. Busy, loud, and always thriving with energy, you can enjoy an open oyster bar where skilled shuckers deftly crack open shells for guests. Known for its beloved chargrilled oysters — oysters grilled over an open flame and topped with garlic, butter, herbs, and Parmesan cheese — crawfish season is also boisterously celebrated. Order boiled crawfish, crawfish etouffee (a stew in a roux-based sauce), or crawfish po’boy to try the “mudbug.”
Visit Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar by disembarking your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus at Stop 6: Canal Street.
Deanie’s Seafood
A popular staple of the French Quarter, Deanie’s Seafood is just a short walk from Jackson Square and the French Market. Deanie’s is a New Orleans institution famous for its generous meal portions, dishes that are heightened with the inclusion of fresh boiled crawfish. This lively spot has been featured on national television shows like Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food,” which means that it’s a fun choice for people wanting a classic New Orleans seafood experience. Make reservations early!
Visit Deanie’s Seafood by disembarking your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus at Stop 6: Canal Street.
Bayou Beer Garden
A Mid-City gem, Bayou Beer Garden offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for enjoying a crawfish dish with friends. While particularly renowned for its extensive beer selection – which includes dozens of craft and local brews on tap – and its spacious outdoor patio, Bayou Beer Garden steps up its game during crawfish season. From spring through early summer, the establishment consistently offers classic boiled crawfish seasoned with a signature blend of spices that gives diners a satisfying kick. Bayou Beer Garden is a great spot to enjoy a casual crawfish boil and if you’re a sports fan, you might enjoy how the restaurant broadcasts big games live on its large TV screens. The laid-back vibe and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating makes Bayou Beer Garden a local favorite for a communal crawfish experience.
Melba’s Old School Poboys
A beloved spot in the Marigny and Bywater areas, Melba’s consistently appears on various “best of” lists while still remaining deeply rooted in the local community. The mention of “old school” in its title is a throwback to traditional New Orleans flavors and generous serving portions. As such, the establishment is considered a go-to spot for freshly boiled crawfish integrated into daily offerings. Melba’s boiled crawfish are known for being well seasoned, which makes it a great choice for visitors wanting an authentic New Orleans culinary experience.
Cajun Seafood
Established in 1995, Cajun Seafood operates in several different locations throughout New Orleans, including South Broad Street and Claiborne Ave. in Treme. As a family-owned business, the restaurant is affectionately known by locals as part of the “best smelling corner in the city.” Serving a range of po’boys that include roast beef, ham, shrimp, and oyster, Cajun Seafood is no stranger to New Orleans’ crawfish season. Boiled crawfish is often one of the most ordered items during the spring and summer months, which makes Cajun Seafood’s crawfish specials a great deal for visitors. You might also see Cajun Seafood involved with the NOLA Crawfish Festival and other seasonal events throughout Louisiana.
Seither’s Seafood
Located just outside of New Orleans in Harahan, Seither’s Seafood is a local favorite known for its fresh, unique, high-quality seafood fishes and traditional Louisiana boils. Its reputation for consistently excellent boiled crawfish makes it worth a visit – just ask Guy Fieri who visited this popular seafood spot in 2019. Seither’s is particularly celebrated for its flavorful seasoning and perfectly cooked crustaceans that are hailed as some of the best in the New Orleans metro area. It embodies a casual, family-friendly atmosphere, which makes it a great destination for an authentic crawfish boil away from the more crowded touristy areas. Many locals frequent Seither’s for their daily specials and generous portions, especially during peak crawfish season.
Mambo’s Cajun & Creole
Once a former strip club, Mambo’s operates in a building stamped with the achievement of being the French Quarter’s first rooftop bar not belonging to a hotel. Operated by the same group behind Oceana Grill, Mambo’s holds a coveted spot on Bourbon Street, which situates it right in the heart of the French Quarter. The $4.5 million structure renovation paid off as Mambo’s menu is a favorite of NOLA residents and visitors. For a taste of crawfish, guests can order etouffee, poutine, and pasta along with the typical boiled dish. Special event packages include crawfish meals titled Carnival Pasta and Crawfish Pasta.
Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering
If you’re craving a true taste of New Orleans boiled seafood, head over to Mid-City and pull up a chair at Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering, where the seafood is as bold as the locals! This family-run spot has perfected the craft of a traditional Louisiana backyard seafood boil, serving up fresh and flavorful crawfish, shrimp, crabs, and of course all the fixin’s – corn, potatoes, mushroom, sausage, garlic, and so much more. Whether you’re there for crawfish season or just in the mood for some good ole’ fresh Louisiana seafood, this is where the locals and visitors come together to feast!
Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House is an old staple for many New Orleans residents, particularly since its been present in the French Quarter since 1910. After suffering a fire that destroyed the original restaurant, the business reopened on Iberville Street and is now a true cultural landmark. Menu highlights include chargrilled oysters, gumbo, and etouffee. Acme Oyster House gets creative with its crawfish offerings during the season. Options change from year to year, but, typically, Acme Oyster House serves crawpuppies (a twist on hushpuppies in which crawfish is incorporated into the batter), crawfish dip, and crawfish tail po’boy.
Visit Acme Oyster House by disembarking your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus at Stop 6: Canal Street – 500 Canal St.
Cosimo’s Bar
Opened by Cosimo “Gus” LoBuono and Lela LoBuono, Cosimo’s Bar has been a neighborhood favorite since its establishment in 1934. The bar’s unique interior features chintz curtains, pine paneling, and wallpaper, which all contribute to a sense of exclusivity for guests. During crawfish season, Cosimo’s Bar hosts street boils on a weekly basis. Visitors can stay and eat or take home a box of crawfish, corn, and potatoes to enjoy later. No matter where you’re from, Cosimo’s Bar is a great way to mingle with locals and enjoy the best of New Orleans’ cuisine simultaneously.
Visit Cosimo’s Bar by disembarking your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus at Stop 5: Basin St. Station Visitor Center – 501 Basin St. (Bar opens at 4pm)
Whether you’re drawn to the historic Acme Oyster House or some rooftop revelry at Mambo’s, each crawfish-making restaurant delivers a distinct way to savor one of Louisiana’s most beloved delicacies. Purchase a Hop-On, Hop-Off pass with City Sightseeing New Orleans and make your crawfish season as memorable as it is mouthwatering!