Cajun cuisine developed in the Southern US states after Acadian immigrants fled to the US from Canada in the 1600s. They brought their culture to the South and it evolved into its own culture in the South. Spices are always used. Cajun food is almost always cooked in a roux. And if a traditional or fusion Cajun dish does not have the Holy Trinity (onion, celery, and green bell pepper), then it is not Cajun food and local patrons will walk out. Cajun dishes also use a lot of seafood, which is a good thing for the Southern states and their close proximity to the sea. So, which are the must-visit seafood restaurants in Lafayette, Louisiana? Check out this list and see if your favorite is in there.
1. Drago's Seafood Restaurant - Lafayette
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Home of the original Charbroiled Oysters, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant has been feeding seafood lovers since 1969. Drago and Klara Cvitanovich wanted to feed their customers delicious seafood dishes at affordable prices. From humble beginnings, they now operate four locations in the US, with three in Louisiana and one in Mississippi. A visit to Drago’s is not the same without sampling their Charbroiled Oysters. An original recipe developed by Drago and Klara’s son, Tommy, it’s what really put them on the map and now, they grill more than 900 dozen oysters a day! So many have tried to copy it but no one has even come close. If you want the original and the best, then head on over to Drago’s!
Drago's Seafood Restaurant - Lafayette
Address: 3151 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503
Website: Drago’s Seafood Restaurant - Lafayette
Opening hours: Sun - Thu 11 am to 9 pm, Fri - Sat 11 am to 10 pm
Average price for two: USD 30 - 60
2. Randol's Cajun Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
We have a new Early Bird Special price! Our famous Boiled Crawfish is now only $3.99/lb from 5-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday!...
Posted by Randol's on Saturday, April 24, 2021
Deeply rooted in the spirit of Cajun culture, Randol’s believes that the food we eat takes care of us. So they take care extra care of our food because they care about their customers. Fresh produce and seafood are delivered every day from the Gulf of Mexico to Randol’s. They raise their own crawfish and grow their own herbs. Try their Randol’s Signatures, including the Thai Snapper and the Saigon Softshell Crab. Or if you just want straight-up seafood, then enjoy their Boiled Seafood with a choice of Crawfish, Blue Point Crabs, Gulf Shrimps, or Randol’s Famous BBQ Crabs, which comes with red potatoes, corn, and sausages.
Randol's Cajun Restaurant
Address: 2320 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508
Website: Randol’s Cajun Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu 5 pm to 9:30 pm, Fri - Sat 5 pm to 10:30 pm
Average price for two: USD 11 - 30
3. Blue Dog Café
With Executive Chef Ryan Trahan, the 2018 King of Louisiana Seafood, at its kitchen helm, the Blue Dog Cafe is sure to always offer inventive great-tasting Louisiana cuisine to their patrons. Founded by Artist Laureate, George Rodrigue in 2000, The Blue Dog Cafe is a true testament to Cajun culture and Southwest Louisiana culture. Now, his sons, Andre and Jacques, named Restaurateur of the Year for 2018, owns and operates The Blue Dog Cafe, along with George’s long-time friend, Steve Santillo. Try their specialties, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Charbroiled Oysters, Half-roasted Chicken, and Buttermilk Pie and you’ll definitely have a great time!
Blue Dog Café
Address: 1211 West Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503
Website: Blue Dog Café
Opening hours: Mon - Thu 11 am to 9 pm, Fri 11 am to 10 pm, Sat 5 pm to 10 pm, Sun 10:30 am to 2 pm
Average price for two: USD 15 - 30
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4. Gator Cove Seafood Restaurant
Posted by Gator Cove Seafood Restaurant on Friday, 14 July 2017
Are you looking for the best-boiled crawfish in Lafayette, Louisiana? Head on over to Gator Cove Seafood Restaurant. Gator Cove has been feeding locals and tourists with crawfish specialties since 1982. You can get them boiled and mixed with their special seasoning, or you can also get their Crawfish Etouffee. If you’d rather go for other seafood dishes, they have Shrimp and Grits, Seafood Platter, and Po-boys. And you’ll be enjoying it in a fun, festive atmosphere true to the Louisiana culture.
Gator Cove Seafood Restaurant
Address: 2601 SE Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, LA 70508
Website: Gator Cove Seafood Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Mon 5 pm to 9 pm, Tue - Thu 11 am to 2 pm; 5 pm to 9 pm, Fri 11 am to 2 pm; 5 pm to 10 pm, Sat 3 pm to 10 pm
Average price for two: USD 15 - 35
5. Louisiana Crawfish Time
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Ironically, Louisiana Crawfish Time opened in 2000 during the worst crawfish season in history. But the owner, C. Edward Wilkerson, Jr, loved his restaurant and trudged on those first difficult years, and now, Louisiana Crawfish Time is one of Louisiana’s largest boil houses. It’s become one of the go-to places for crawfish because you have a taste, you’ll come back for it again and again! Their Boiled Crawfish comes in 3lbs or 5lbs and includes potatoes with an option to add other sides, like corn, sausage links, or boudin links, as well. And if you want more, they’ve also got Fried Seafood and Poboys! Important to note, too, that LA Crawfish Time is only open during the crawfish season, between January to June every year.
Louisiana Crawfish Time
Address: 2019 Verot School Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
Website: Louisiana Crawfish Time
Opening hours: Mon - Thu 5 pm to 9 pm, Fri - Sat 4:30 pm to 10 pm, Sun 4 pm to 9 pm
Average price for two: USD 20 - 40
6. Prejean's Restaurant
In the heart of French Louisiana, you will find a delightful Cajun restaurant that works hard to deliver great-tasting Cajun food and create a memorable visit for every diner. Come here especially for the gumbo and etouffee. Come for their Gold Medal Crawfish Etouffee, Duck and Andouille Gumbo, and Seafood Alfredo. They consistently deliver the same high quality in their dishes so you are guaranteed the same experience every time you come back.
Prejean's Restaurant
Address: 3480 NE Evangeline Trwy, Lafayette, LA 70507
Website: Prejean’s Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Mon 7 am to 9 pm, Tue - Thu 7 am to 9:30 pm, Fri - Sat 7 am to 10 pm
Average price for two: USD 11 - 30
7. Don's Seafood
Don’s Seafood has one promise they intend to keep every day, deliver Louisiana dishes that true to the Cajun tradition. Operating since 1934, their goal is to make you feel at home whenever you are at Don’s Seafood. Enjoy their Seafood Platter, Crawfish Stuffed Bisque, Catfish Acadian, and Don’s Original Jacked Up Oysters. Be prepared to wait during the holidays or rush hours, so plan your visit carefully.
Don's Seafood
Address: 4309 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503
Website: Don’s Seafood
Opening hours: Sun - Thu 10:30 am to 10 pm, Fri - Sat 10:30 am to 11 pm
Average price for two: USD 20 - 30
8. Bailey's Seafood & Grill
If you’re looking for Louisiana Cajun cuisine that’s true to the local culture, then head to Bailey’s Seafood Grill. Bailey’s Seafood Grill had really humble beginnings. The owner, Ema Haq, worked from the bottom up in the restaurant industry, from a busboy to a server and bartender eventually. He opened Bailey’s Seafood and Grill in 1993 and has since been awarded “Restaurateur of the Year” by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Try their Zydeco Shrimp, Crawfish Cakes, Ruby Red Rainbow Trout, and, of course, Shrimp and Grits! Drop by on Sundays for their Buffet Brunch and bring the whole family!
Bailey's Seafood & Grill
Address: 5520 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503
Website: Bailey’s Seafood & Grill
Opening hours: Mon Closed, Tue - Sat 5 pm to 9 pm, Sun 10:30 am to 2 pm
Average price for two: USD 11 - 30
9. Rachael's Café
In 2012, Rachael’s Cafe, a family-run business, opened its doors to the Louisiana food scene, to deliver delicious Cajun and Creole food with friendly service to boot. Start off your meal with some Beaucoup Shrimp, then enjoy Rachael’s Signature Combo, and then end it with Grilled Seafood Platter or Crawfish Etouffee. If you still have room, have some German Chocolate Cake with your Hot Tea. Come back again and again and try their other specials.
Rachael's Café
Address: 104 Republic Ave, Lafayette, LA 70508
Website: Rachael’s Café
Opening hours: Mon - Sat 10:30 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm, Sun Closed
Average price for two: USD 11 - 30
10. Half Shell Oyster House
The Half Shell Oyster House began its mission of feeding their customers with delicious oysters in Gulfport, MS in 2009 and they opened their Lafayette, Louisiana location in October 2016. If it’s your first time, it’s highly recommended that you start off with Oyster Sampler, where you get to try Charbroiled Oysters, Oysters Bienville, Oysters Rockefeller, and Oysters Orleans, all at the same time, to know which one is going to be your favorite. If you want to try other seafood dishes, get the Royal Red Shrimp, the Seafood Sampler (with Gulf shrimp, oysters, grouper, crab cake, and jalapeño hush puppies. The Seafood Stuffed Portobellos are also a must try! And then cap off your meal with Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding and some Coffee. Did you enjoy that?
Half Shell Oyster House
Address: 109 Old Camp Road, Suite 114, Lafayette, LA 70508
Website: Half Shell Oyster House
Opening hours: Sun - Thu 11 am to 10 pm, Fri - Sat 11 am to 11 pm
Average price for two: USD 15 - 30
Learn cajun culture with Louisiana seafood
These seafood restaurants in Lafayette, Louisiana, say a lot about the culture and traditions in this Southern state. And if it’s frequented by the locals, then you know it’s the place to be to have authentic delicious Cajun seafood dishes. Which ones are your favorite?
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