8 Delicious Ways to Have Crawfish in Louisiana

Springtime ushers in Louisiana’s unofficial fifth and perhaps favorite season: crawfish season! Wherever you wander in Louisiana this season, the air feels irresistible, thick with the salty, briny aromas of a crawfish boil. Roll up your sleeves and bring your appetite to explore these eight great ways to celebrate crawfish season.

1. Catch Your Own at Crawfish Haven

In Kaplan, Crawfish Haven/Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast is both a crawfish farm and a bed-and-breakfast, set in an authentic Acadian home in the heart of Cajun Country. By day, take to the water — either on a boat excursion or using old-fashioned hand nets — to haul in your own crawfish with the help of an expert guide. You’ll learn how early Acadians survived on crawfish, and how the delicacy makes it from the pond to the plate. At night, celebrate your harvest with a boil, or take a Cajun cooking class from resident chef/inkeeper Barry Toups.

2. Crawfish Farm Tour

Jeff Davis Parish offers a unique opportunity to learn everything about one of Louisiana’s favorite seafood delicacies with crawfish farm tours. Burt, your friendly tour guide and crawfish farmer of 30 years, takes you through a local crawfish farm, sharing insight into crawfish habitats, biology and pond ecology. The experience continues at Gator Chateau, where you’ll learn about these beloved Louisiana ambassadors and even have the chance to hold a baby gator. Field trips and group tours must be arranged through the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission.

3. Crawfish and Beer: A Perfect Pairing

We’ve got all kinds of ways to prepare crawfish, from freshly boiled to stuffed in a flaky pie crust. Embark on a culinary journey on Louisiana’s Northshore, starting at Pat’s Seafood & Cajun Deli for crawfish pasta and seafood gumbo. Then, head to Mandeville Seafood Market & Eatery for boiled crawfish and Natchitoches mini crawfish pies. At Kenney Seafood Market & Restaurant, crawfish come boiled, in pies or smothered in étouffée. Wash it all down with an ice-cold pint of craft beer from Abita Brewing Company or Chafunkta Brewing Company, because when it comes to crawfish and beer, you can’t have one without the other.

4. Crawfish Festivals

Crawfish season calls for celebrations all around Louisiana, and everyone's invited to the party! Mudbug Madness in Shreveport is one of the most popular events in the state, featuring plenty of tasty crawfish, arts and crafts, live music of all genres and more family-friendly fun. While in the area, check out Crawdaddy’s Kitchen and order up specialties like crawfish cornbread, French fries topped with crawfish queso and crawfish fettuccine alfredo.

Other popular festivals include the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette and the granddaddy of them all, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge. Check out more crawfish festivals in Louisiana.

5. Feast on Crawfish in New Orleans

From crawfish étouffée and crawfish bisque to crawfish po’boys and classic boiled crawfish, you’ll find every iteration in the New Orleans area. Try Deanie’s Seafood in the French Quarter, which has been featured on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” and Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” Or, pick up boiled crawfish from seafood markets like Bobby’s Seafood or Broadview Seafood. And don’t miss iconic dishes like Crawfish Monica or crawfish bread at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

6. Chow Down on the Crawfish Trail

Head over to Houma to enjoy mudbugs for miles on the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail. With more than 40 restaurants to choose from, you can sample crawfish of all varieties at seafood shacks, take-out seafood markets and sit-down restaurants. Collect receipts from five locations and you’ll go home with a Crawfish Trail t-shirt to commemorate your travels!

7. Crawfish with a View

Trapp’s in West Monroe rests right on the Ouachita River and offers plenty of both traditional and unique crawfish dishes. Start with crawfish queso, crawfish pies or seafood nachos topped with fried crawfish tails. Then, enjoy a crawfish po’boy, a baked potato topped with crawfish or fried catfish smothered in crawfish étouffée.

8. Practice Cajun Cooking

Opelousas is the home of Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. Pick up a jug of Tony’s Creole Crawfish & Crab Boil and try your hand at perfecting a crawfish boil. Prefer your crawfish rich and creamy? Grab a box of Creole Étouffée mix for an easy dinner. Or, dine at one of the area's numerous restaurants that pay homage to the prized crustacean during season, such as the Crawfish House & Grill. And at Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins, try the crawfish boudin, crawfish pies, crawfish pistolettes (soft bread stuffed with crawfish) and more delicious handheld treats.