Where To Find the Best Crawfish in Atlanta

When crawfish season hits, Atlanta food lovers start hunting for the best boils, tails, and Cajun flavor in the city. While we’re hundreds of miles from the Gulf, Atlanta has built a serious crawfish scene, from authentic Louisiana-style boils to Viet-Cajun spots and neighborhood bars that turn into mini-bayous on the weekends.

This guide focuses on where to get the best crawfish in Atlanta, what to expect when you go, and how crawfish season typically works here.

Crawfish Season in Atlanta: What You Should Know

Before picking a spot, it helps to understand how crawfish season works in Atlanta:

• Peak season: Usually late February through early June, with the strongest availability in March–May.
• Off-season: Many places either stop serving live-boiled crawfish or switch to frozen tails for dishes like etouffée and pasta.
• Weekend vs. weekday: Some restaurants and bars in Atlanta only do crawfish boils on weekends or for special events.
• Market-dependent: Supply depends on what’s coming in from Louisiana and the Gulf region. Weather and flooding can affect size and availability.

Because of this, it’s smart to:

• Call ahead or check a place’s social media for “live crawfish” updates.
• Ask whether they’re serving live-boiled crawfish or just dishes using crawfish meat.

Top Spots for Boiled Crawfish in Atlanta

These restaurants are known locally for boiled crawfish and Cajun/Creole flavors. Always confirm current hours and availability, especially outside peak season.

1. Crawfish Shack Seafood – Buford Highway Staple

Style: Louisiana/Viet-Cajun–inspired boils, po’boys, seafood plates
Neighborhood: Near Chamblee on Buford Highway

Why locals seek it out:

• Known for simple, fresh boils with your choice of seasoning and heat.
• Often offers live crawfish by the pound during season.
• Mix of classic Cajun sides (corn, potatoes, sausage) and Vietnamese-influenced flavors.

What to try:

• Boiled crawfish by the pound with your preferred spice level.
• A combo basket if you’re with someone who wants shrimp or fish instead of just crawfish.

Best for:

• People who want straightforward, well-seasoned boils without a lot of extras.
• Buford Highway food crawls that focus on seafood.

2. Bon Ton – Midtown New Orleans Vibes

Style: New Orleans–inspired seafood and cocktails
Neighborhood: Midtown (near Ponce de Leon Ave NE)

Why it stands out:

• Has a lively, bar-forward atmosphere with a NOLA feel.
• During crawfish season, they often feature crawfish boils and seasonal specials.
• Focus on bold flavors, Cajun spice, and a social, hang-out vibe.

What to expect:

• Crawfish may appear as specials or event-based boils, especially in peak months.
• Strong on other Louisiana classics (gumbo, po’boys, etc.) if crawfish availability is low.

Best for:

• Groups of friends looking for drinks + crawfish + atmosphere.
• Visitors staying around Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Downtown who want a New Orleans-style night out.

3. Harry the Crab – Neighborhood Boil Spot

Style: Crab and crawfish boils with customizable seasoning
General Area: Often associated with metro Atlanta seafood boil scene

Why people go:

• Known for build-your-own seafood bags, including crawfish when in season.
• Seasoning options often include garlic butter, Cajun, and mixed “house” blends.
• Many Atlantans use spots like this for takeout boils to enjoy at home or with friends.

What to know:

• Crawfish is usually seasonal and may sell out on busy days.
• You can typically add corn, potatoes, and sausage to your boil bag.

Best for:

• People who want to take their crawfish home.
• Those who like customizable seasoning and mixed seafood.

4. Ketch Seafood & Steak (and Similar Cajun-Southern Spots)

Style: Surf-and-turf with Southern and Cajun flavors
Neighborhood: Varies by location in metro Atlanta

What makes these places useful for crawfish fans:

• Some Southern/seafood grills in Atlanta feature seasonal crawfish boils, crawfish pasta, or etouffée.
• These restaurants tend to be family-friendly and sit-down, with more menu variety.

What to ask:

• Whether they offer live crawfish boils or mainly cooked dishes featuring crawfish meat.
• If they do special crawfish events during peak season.

Best for:

• Families or mixed groups where not everyone is focused on crawfish.
• People who like crawfish as part of a larger meal, not just piles of shells.

5. Viet-Cajun Crawfish Spots Around Atlanta

Atlanta has a growing Viet-Cajun crawfish scene, often found along Buford Highway and in surrounding suburbs.

Common features you’ll see:

• Garlic-butter, lemon-pepper, and “house special” sauces instead of (or in addition to) traditional Cajun boils.
• Crawfish served alongside clams, mussels, shrimp, and crab.
• Casual spaces, popular with families and big groups.

If you’re on Buford Highway or in nearby areas, look for seafood boil places that advertise:

• “Crawfish by the pound”
• “Seafood combo bags”
  These often give you a strong Viet-Cajun style crawfish experience.

Best for:

• People who want saucy, intensely seasoned crawfish.
• Those already exploring Buford Highway for international food.

Sports Bars & Pop-Up Crawfish Boils

Beyond dedicated seafood restaurants, some of the best crawfish in Atlanta shows up at bars, breweries, and pop-up boils, especially on weekends during peak season.

What this looks like:

• A bar or brewery will host a crawfish boil day, often on Saturday or Sunday.
• Crawfish is sold by the tray or pound with corn, potatoes, and sausage.
• Often advertised as “Crawfish Boil Party”, “Louisiana Day”, or “Season Kickoff”.

Typical places to watch for:

• Neighborhood sports bars in Grant Park, Decatur, West Midtown, and East Atlanta.
• Breweries and taprooms in West Midtown, the BeltLine area, and Avondale/Decatur.

How to catch these:

• Check the event calendars or recent posts of spots you already like.
• Look in late February–May for recurring crawfish boil events.

Best for:

• People who want beer + outdoor seating + casual crawfish.
• Groups that want an event-like vibe rather than restaurant dining.

Dishes Beyond the Boil: Other Ways to Enjoy Crawfish in Atlanta

Live-boiled crawfish is the headline, but you’ll also find crawfish used in cooked dishes around Atlanta, especially at Louisiana-inspired restaurants.

Common dishes to look for:

• Crawfish étouffée:
  A rich, savory stew served over rice. Great if you like deep flavor without the mess of shells.
• Crawfish pasta:
  Often made with cream-based or tomato-cream sauces, with crawfish tails mixed in.
• Crawfish po’boys:
  French-bread sandwiches with fried crawfish tails, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and sauce.
• Crawfish mac and cheese or fries:
  Occasionally found as seasonal specials.

These dishes:

• Are easier to find year-round, since they can use frozen tails.
• Work well for people who like crawfish flavor but not shelling.

Look for these at:

• Cajun/Creole restaurants in Midtown, Decatur, East Atlanta, and West Midtown.
• Some Southern and seafood spots across the metro area.

Quick Comparison: Finding the Right Crawfish Spot for You

Here’s a simple overview to help you pick the best type of place for crawfish in Atlanta:

How to Tell If a Crawfish Spot Is Good (Atlanta Edition)

Whether you’re on Buford Highway, in Midtown, or out in the suburbs, these signs usually point to better crawfish:

• Clear, spicy aroma when you walk in, without a fishy smell.
• Crawfish shells that are firm but not rock-hard; meat pulls out fairly cleanly.
• Seasoning that penetrates the meat, not just sitting on the shell.
• Side items (corn, potatoes, sausage) that are properly cooked and seasoned.
• A menu or sign specifically noting “live crawfish (in season)” rather than just generic seafood.

If you’re unsure, it’s completely reasonable to:

• Ask, “Are these live-boiled crawfish, and are they in season now?”
• Request a mild seasoning if you’re sensitive to spice; Atlanta Cajun spots can go very hot.

Tips for Enjoying Crawfish in Atlanta Like a Local

A few practical pointers if you’re new to crawfish or just new to the Atlanta scene:

• Expect a wait during peak season. Popular spots can get crowded on weekend evenings.
• Dress casually. Crawfish boils are messy; lots of places provide bibs and gloves, but not all.
• Order by the pound. Many Atlantans start around 2–3 pounds per person if it’s the main event, less if you’re also ordering other dishes.
• Mind parking and transit.
  • Buford Highway and many suburban boil shops rely heavily on car access and on-site parking.
  • Midtown and intown spots may have paid parking, rideshare drop-offs, or nearby MARTA access.
• Check for specials. During peak season, some places run weekday crawfish deals or themed nights.

How Visitors and New Residents Can Navigate the Crawfish Scene

If you’re visiting Atlanta or just moved here:

• Start with a well-known crawfish or Cajun spot in Midtown or along Buford Highway to get a baseline for flavor.
• Ask staff where they go for crawfish—Atlanta’s crawfish culture is very word-of-mouth driven.
• Use peak season (March–May) to explore:
  • One full-on boil restaurant,
  • One Cajun bar or restaurant,
  • And, if possible, one bar or brewery boil event.

That combination will give you a solid sense of where to find the best crawfish in Atlanta and which style you like most.

Once you know whether you prefer straight Cajun, Viet-Cajun, or New Orleans bar-style boils, it’s easy to build your personal rotation of go-to spots across the city.