Lafayette has a lot going for it: The bayous, the zydeco halls, the crawfish boils. Oh, and a whole bunch of restaurants serving fresh seafood. So we put together this list, which includes incredible Cajun boils, killer fried catfish, and even – possibly – Louisiana’s best oyster bar.
Bonefish Grill
$$ | (337) 981-0714 | WEBSITE
This cozy spot in the heart of Lafayette has been serving up seafood classics for years now, and they’re open for lunch and dinner daily, with a well-curated menu that features shrimp appetizers, fresh fish entrees, and a thoughtful selection of wines. The low lighting and comfortable seating create a welcoming atmosphere perfect for both family dinners and romantic evenings. Service is consistently attentive, with staff who genuinely seem to enjoy making your meal special.
While you’re there, don’t miss the Bang Bang Shrimp—it’s as good as everyone says. Expect to spend around $25-40 per person for a full meal with a drink, which feels reasonable for the quality and experience. Overall, it’s exactly what you want from a neighborhood seafood restaurant: reliable, delicious, and genuinely pleasant.
The Potato Place Lafayette
$ | (337) 261-1199 | WEBSITE
The Potato Place Lafayette is a casual potato restaurant in Lafayette with a large dining area that includes wheelchair-accessible seating and a straightforward layout to accommodate the steady lunch crowd. The cheeseburger potato with extra liquid cheese, tomatoes, and jalapeños remains a customer favorite, while the shrimp Alfredo potato and the shrimp potato with jalapeños receive high praise for their freshness and generous portions.
Customers appreciate the friendly staff, which creates a pleasant dining experience. The menu offers a range of options, including the steak fajita, barbecue, and broccoli and cheese potatoes. Prices are reasonable, making The Potato Place Lafayette a go-to spot for satisfying and customizable potato meals.
Soul Haus Kitchen
$ | (337) 769-3205 | WEBSITE
Open since 2021, Soul Haus Kitchen serves what they call soul food with professional and sweet service. They’ve got a comforting, home-cooked atmosphere available – don’t wait to try it out.
Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant
$ | (337) 534-0585 | WEBSITE
Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant just opened up its outdoor patio area under those large umbrellas. All the tables are spaced comfortably apart, making it a great option for some al fresco dining and drinks courtesy of this converted old Conoco gas station in Lafayette. The shrimp dishes are cooked to perfection, and the adult drinks are very yummy and well made. It’s a charming place to unwind with solid food options like steak nachos and “Commander in Beef” cheese burgers.
The staff hustles efficiently to provide attentive service in this relaxed atmosphere. Parking is limited in the small gravel lot, but you can usually find a spot. The outdoor fans provide a good breeze, and the bathrooms outside are kept clean. Overall, it’s a chilled environment even during busy hours, with both inside and outside seating available. Customers have enjoyed dishes like tuna nachos and Duck Tacos, with some wishing they had tried dessert.
The manager ensures wheelchair accessibility too.
Lunch Box
$ | (337) 233-8298 | WEBSITE
Lunch Box in Lafayette is open for indoor dining with a Cajun-heavy menu, and a popular $14/person lunch special that includes an entrée, two sides, and a drink.
Sushi Masa Lafayette
$$ | (337) 456-1534 | WEBSITE
Formerly a local favorite, Sushi Masa Lafayette is a Japanese restaurant in Lafayette that’s open for all-you-can-eat sushi lunch and dinner. They’ve got an exceptional AYCE experience featuring spicy Kani salad and a variety of cooked rolls, along with a diverse menu you’ll want to explore, and the price includes one alcoholic beverage. Plus, the food quality is consistently excellent. First-come, first-served.
Mandez’s Seafood Bar & Grill – LAFAYETTE LOCATION
$ | (337) 769-3917 | WEBSITE
This seafood bar and grill in Lafayette has always had one of our favorite atmospheres in the area, and with their generous portions and outstanding service, we’ll double-down on that statement. Because at the end of the day, eating huge crawfish and delicious shrimp stir fry in a nice, kid-friendly spot is a combination you can’t really pass up.
Steven’s Fine Food & Seafood Market
$ | (337) 261-1102 | WEBSITE
Steven’s Fine Food & Seafood Market is a family-friendly spot in Lafayette, LA. They’ve got ample parking and wheelchair accessibility, with wide-ranging options like shrimp fried rice, crispy fish, and chicken drumettes. The shrimp are nice and big, and the fish is fluffy and seasoned just right. The kid-friendly tenders and fries make it a pleasant dining experience for families and seafood lovers alike.
Despite a slight smell issue, the friendly staff and delicious, crispy dishes make it worth a visit. Customers have been surprised to find that, despite initial impressions, the food is awesome and well worth trying. The restaurant’s generous portions and personal touch ensure you’ll leave satisfied.
The Crawfish Spot
$$ | (337) 237-8533 | WEBSITE
Located right in the heart of Lafayette, The Crawfish Spot is a drive-through seafood joint specializing in perfectly seasoned crawfish and classic Cajun sides that are available all dang day. There’s now a laid-back patio area with TVs to enjoy while eating, too.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
$$ | (337) 981-6669 | WEBSITE
The popular Italian grill in Lafayette has maintained its reputation with a cozy, romantic atmosphere that feels both intimate and inviting. Expect dim lighting, comfortable seating, and plenty of couples enjoying quiet conversations now that date nights are back in style. The menu offers delicious steak, salads, and pasta at reasonable prices—dishes like Linguini Positano and short-rib marsala come highly recommended by the friendly staff.
Servers like Jessica and Tanya provide attentive service, while general manager Lupe often checks in with guests to ensure a fantastic dining experience. Overall, it’s a nice spot with great ambiance for lunch or dinner.
Blu Basil Wine and Grill
$$ | (337) 456-1120 | WEBSITE
Blu Basil Wine and Grill sits in one of Lafayette’s popular dining districts, offering a vibrant spot for fresh seafood and Asian fusion. They’ve got a welcoming patio where you can enjoy all the bulgogi nachos and banh mi you can handle. So, maybe the sirloin rice plate too, if you’re feeling adventurous. Reservations suggested on weekends.
Dons Seafood – Lafayette
$$ | (337) 981-1141 | WEBSITE
One of the best seafood spots that everybody always overlooks, Don’s Seafood is a Louisiana classic in Lafayette that recently added private booths for special occasions. Expect friendly staff, perfectly seasoned catfish, and plenty of Old Fashioneds.
Brown Skillet Downtown
$ | (337) 484-1498 | WEBSITE
They’ve been serving up comfort in downtown Lafayette for years now, and remain one of the area’s best-kept secrets, thanks in no small part to their fantastic, cafeteria-style setup. Now’s your chance to try it for yourself. While the Southern comfort menu’s not the most inventive (plenty of red beans and rice, mac and cheese, and that recommended lemonade), Brown Skillet makes the kind of crowd-pleasing food that absolutely anyone will enjoy. And, again, that friendly, attentive staff…
Prejean’s Restaurant Carencro
$$ | (337) 896-3247 | WEBSITE
In Carencro, Prejean’s Restaurant offers a lively dining experience with excellent service and delicious Cajun seafood. This means standout dishes like the seafood platter with perfectly fried shrimp, catfish, crawfish tails, gator tail, and oysters, plus the Cowboy catfish and shrimp-and-grits. No matter what, don’t skip the jalapeño cucumber martini, considered one of the best cocktails. The fried green tomatoes with crawfish étouffée are another highlight.
The atmosphere buzzes with just the right level of live music, and the friendly staff ensures smooth service, even on busy occasions like Father’s Day. While walk-ins are welcomed, reservations help. A minor note: fizzy drinks could be filled fuller. Overall, it’s a top-notch spot that’s improved over time and is definitely worth a visit.
Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant
$ | (337) 234-7054 | WEBSITE
Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant has streamlined their drive-through service – it’s organized and efficient, too – offering a solid selection of homemade comfort food like fried shrimp and tenders and the standout Large Seafood Plate for pickup. The sauces add great flavor, and the owner is noted as a cool person who can handle large family orders like 10 oyster poboys and 10 shrimp poboys prepared timely.
Trying the combination low mein is highly recommended, and the prices are great for made-to-order meals, though some regulars miss the old crispy and fluffy fries since the recent change. The drive-through remains the best option, as there may not be a dining room available.
Dwight’s Restaurant
$ | (337) 984-3706 | WEBSITE
Dwight’s Restaurant, the brilliant lunch spot in Lafayette, is serving up delicious down-home cooking with warm, inviting atmosphere and super-friendly staff. The crawfish is a standout with big, affordable portions, and the BBQ pork chop was delicious alongside amazing banana pudding and the best-ever fried mushrooms. The place offers the best plate lunches six days a week, with delicious BBQ on Sundays and homemade desserts, all at very reasonable prices.
It’s much bigger inside than expected, with an appealing ambiance and service setup that makes perfect sense.
Snow Seafood
$$ | (337) 408-8294 | WEBSITE
Lafayette seafood favorite Snow Seafood has always had the best crawfish in town, and they serve it with a bold spicy flavor that’s not for the timid. Their extra-spicy option is truly intense. The restaurant offers a variety of seafood choices, including shrimp, snow crab legs, and blue crabs, all cooked fresh to order and served piping hot. While the prices run a bit higher than average, the exceptional quality and taste absolutely justify the cost.
The friendly, attentive staff makes sure you have everything you need. Even with the limited parking and cozy dining space, Snow Seafood remains a fantastic destination for seafood enthusiasts.