Top Places to Get Crawfish in Austin

It’s crawfish season! Want to know the best places to grab your crawfish this year? With peak season starting up, now’s the time to start spectating your favorite place to crack some crawfish! 

Crawfish play a big role in Cajun and Creole cuisine. They resemble small lobsters and are often eaten with corn, sausage, and potatoes. 

With Louisiana as our neighbor, it stands to reason that some of that big flavor has found its way into Texas. If you’re craving crawfish this spring, here are the best places to find it in Austin.

Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar

The name says it all: Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar specializes in Cajun seafood. Crawfish gumbo, boils, and étouffée — it’s all on their menu. Get a side of king crab legs or fresh Gulf oysters while you’re at it. 

The restaurant has a very casual atmosphere. There are flat screen TVs, and they serve a kids’ menu. This is a great pick for those who want to have a crawfish feast for the whole family. 

Open every day for lunch and dinner, this north Austin restaurant can satisfy your crawdad craving year round. 

Kasian Boil

Switch up your crawfish boil with a little Vietnamese flavor. Viet-Cajun cuisine is popular in cities like Houston, where there is a melting pot of different cultures. Kasian Boil is bringing that fusion flavor to Austin. 

Kasian Boil adds a Vietnamese spin to traditional crawfish dishes through unique sauces and sides. Expect their butter sauces to have ingredients like Asian spices, lots of garlic, and cilantro. You can also add fresh lime, cilantro rice, and hard boiled eggs to your order — not typical additions to crawfish boils. 

The restaurant has two locations: North Austin and Cedar Park. Both are open for everyday for dine in and take out. In addition to crawfish boils and combo plates, they also serve étouffée. 

Shoal Creek Saloon

Located downtown on North Lamar for over two decades, Shoal Creek Saloon is a local favorite for a taste of Louisiana. Their back patio overlooking the creek is a fun spot to dig into some crawfish. 

Shoal Creek Saloon is open for dine in, delivery, and curbside pick up. You can even order online. They typically host crawfish boils in the spring, so follow their Instagram to find out dates and times! 

They have the largest variety of crawfish dishes on their menu. Classics such as crawfish étouffée and a boiled crawfish basket are always available. More unique dishes include crawfish pot pie, fried crawfish salad, and crawfish boudin balls. You can even have a four-course crawfish meal if you like!

Abby's Crab Shack

Abby's Crab Shack has a fun, family atmosphere where they serve up only the freshest ingredients using their in-house recipes. Abby's carries a variety of seafood in addition to crawfish. Their famous frozen margaritas are the perfect addition to your cajun meal!

Open for indoor and outdoor dining, take-out and delivery, Abby's Crab Shack now has three locations, in Cedar Park, South Austin, and Kyle. Come for the seafood, stay for the outdoor games, live music, and laid-back atmosphere!

Down South CaJJun Eats

Down South CaJJun Eats was founded by twin brothers Jahmaal and Jermaine Dumes in 2017. Since then, DSCE has grown into a local favorite. From gumbos to fried fish, healthy protein bowls to peach cobbler, their southern-style comfort style food has a cajun/creole influence like no other.

Down South CaJJun Eats offers an outdoor patio with live music and DJ sets, games, and a family-fun atmosphere. Located in Pflugerville, they offer dine-in and curbside service.

Unlike many of the other crawfish destinations in the area, Down South CaJJun Eats offers a weekend brunch on both Saturday and Sunday! Stop by to order your crawfish by the pound or enjoy one of their many delicious menu items for breakfast, lunch or dinner! They are closed on Mondays and open late Friday and Saturday.

Deckhand Oyster Bar

Deckhand Oyster Bar just opened their brand new location in north Austin and all we can say is wow! This family-owned seafood staple has been serving the Austin area since 2010, offering seafood in Asian, Cajun, Thai, and American styles.

Deckhands brings customers the freshest catches from the Gulf Coast. Their extensive menu of boiled, grilled, and fried fare is sure to please everyone! Don't forget to top it all off with their Key Lime Margarita Cake, YUM!

Deckhand Oyster Bar has two locations, one in north Austin and one in south Austin. They are closed on Mondays.

Pops Crawfish

Pops Crawfish is a family-owned restaurant in Lake Travis carrying the freshest, locally sourced crawfish. Boasting unique, authentic Louisiana Cajun flavor, Pops believes sharing a good meal with family and friends is the most important part of a meal!

Open for dine-in and carry-out Fridays through Sundays, Pops is the expert when it comes to a traditional crawfish boil! Add in some of their homemade sauces and you've got a one-of-a-kind feast! Look for their gumbo, shrimp and grits, and étouffée lunch specials available on select dates!

The Boat

The Boat is the perfect place to bring the kids or enjoy a group outing. The shaded, outdoor deck is equipped with a stage for live music, a playground, and lots of room for parties! Located near The Domain in north Austin, The Boat has 22 TVs and a great family-friendly atmosphere.

Specializing in and serving crawfish by the pound, with shrimp in étouffée, or as fried basket, The Boat knows how to please even the biggest crawfish fan! With an extensive menu full of fresh seafood, unique dishes, and even beignets, you will find yourself coming back over and over to try everything!

Open seven days a week, and late on the weekends, for indoor and outdoor dining, take-out, and delivery.

In addition to these establishments, a number of local Austin bars and restaurants typically host crawfish boils during the high season. Check out Haymaker, Black Sheep Lodge, Gibson Street Bar, and Whisler’s in March and April to see how they plan to celebrate crawfish season!