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A restaurant exterior shows a patio made of red-stained wood. A blue neon sign reads: “Beatrice.”
Step into boil season on the patio of Restaurant Beatrice.
Kate Voskova

8 Spots to Find the Best Crawfish in Dallas

Spicy and saucy, this Cajun staple is best enjoyed on a patio with beer

by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated
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Step into boil season on the patio of Restaurant Beatrice.
| Kate Voskova
by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated

The arrival of spring in Dallas means a lot of things — blooming flowers, bizarre weather, and allergy overload. But one hallmark of the season is what truly matters: crawfish. This seasonally available Cajun staple, at its height between February and May, is best consumed with lots of beer or white wine on a breezy patio.

While the crawfish in Dallas doesn’t quite rival the mudbugs served in New Orleans, when a craving strikes, these restaurants will satisfy it. Check out the establishments serving up the best crawfish in Dallas.

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The Boiling Crab

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There’s a reason that having dinner at The Boiling Crab means waiting in line for hours, and that’s because it’s arguably the best purveyor of boiled seafood in town. Best bet? Eat as many pounds of crawfish tossed in as much of its trademark “Whole Sha-Bang” seasoning as humanly possible. 

10560 Walnut St Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 272-7086
(972) 272-7086

Shell Shack

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Shell Shack opened a new location in Lake Highlands this year, but this chain can satisfy the need for spicy crawfish at all its locations. Ask the kitchen to drench a couple of pounds of crawfish in garlic, Cajun, or lemon-pepper seasoning, or go whole hog with “the Kitchen Sink,” a blend of all three. Heat levels, which range from mild to diablo, can also be customized. 

6770 Abrams Rd Suite 180, Dallas, TX 75231
(844) 588-2722
(844) 588-2722

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Hook Line & Sinker

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Of course, Uptown’s favorite rowdy seafood spot is hosting crawfish boils. This menu item is available in-season only and available by the pound. 

3103 Lemmon Ave E, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 965-0707
(214) 965-0707

Also featured in:

The Crab Station

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Head to any of this spot’s many locations around the Metroplex for a crawfish boil. Eat ‘em urban-style in Deep Ellum, or order online to take the boil to go.

2813 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 941-4083
(469) 941-4083

Rex's Seafood and Market

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Rex’s has live crawfish available at all locations and asks that customers pre-order. At its Farmer’s Market location, cooked-to-order crawfish are available for the season. And it will host a crawfish boil this St. Patrick’s day at the Farmer’s Market. 

920 S Harwood St #150, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 272-9372
(214) 272-9372

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Restaurant Beatrice

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Beatrice hosts seasonal boils on the patio and will offer crawfish this spring, harvested from a farm in Branch, Louisiana. It’s first come, first served on this patio with no reservations when it hosts boils on Friday through Sundays from 5 p.m. until closing time.

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
(469) 962-2173
(469) 962-2173

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Krio Bishop Arts

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Available by the pound at this Cajun-Asian eatery in the Bishop Arts District, crawfish are slathered in a spicy, buttery, garlicky sauce. There’s also “Connie’s sauce,” which combines Cajun spices, coconut milk, and green onion for a fresh take on this classic. 

233 W 7th St #100, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 253-9311
(214) 253-9311

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Sunset Crab Shack

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Order a crawfish boil with “SunsetBang” seasoning, and if you get there at 4 p.m. for happy hour, pair it with these great frozen margaritas to cut the spice. 

534 Sunset Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-5650
(214) 946-5650

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The Boiling Crab

10560 Walnut St Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75243

There’s a reason that having dinner at The Boiling Crab means waiting in line for hours, and that’s because it’s arguably the best purveyor of boiled seafood in town. Best bet? Eat as many pounds of crawfish tossed in as much of its trademark “Whole Sha-Bang” seasoning as humanly possible. 

10560 Walnut St Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 272-7086
(972) 272-7086

Shell Shack

6770 Abrams Rd Suite 180, Dallas, TX 75231

Shell Shack opened a new location in Lake Highlands this year, but this chain can satisfy the need for spicy crawfish at all its locations. Ask the kitchen to drench a couple of pounds of crawfish in garlic, Cajun, or lemon-pepper seasoning, or go whole hog with “the Kitchen Sink,” a blend of all three. Heat levels, which range from mild to diablo, can also be customized. 

6770 Abrams Rd Suite 180, Dallas, TX 75231
(844) 588-2722
(844) 588-2722

Hook Line & Sinker

3103 Lemmon Ave E, Dallas, TX 75204

Of course, Uptown’s favorite rowdy seafood spot is hosting crawfish boils. This menu item is available in-season only and available by the pound. 

3103 Lemmon Ave E, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 965-0707
(214) 965-0707

The Crab Station

2813 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Head to any of this spot’s many locations around the Metroplex for a crawfish boil. Eat ‘em urban-style in Deep Ellum, or order online to take the boil to go.

2813 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 941-4083
(469) 941-4083

Rex's Seafood and Market

920 S Harwood St #150, Dallas, TX 75201

Rex’s has live crawfish available at all locations and asks that customers pre-order. At its Farmer’s Market location, cooked-to-order crawfish are available for the season. And it will host a crawfish boil this St. Patrick’s day at the Farmer’s Market. 

920 S Harwood St #150, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 272-9372
(214) 272-9372

Restaurant Beatrice

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

Beatrice hosts seasonal boils on the patio and will offer crawfish this spring, harvested from a farm in Branch, Louisiana. It’s first come, first served on this patio with no reservations when it hosts boils on Friday through Sundays from 5 p.m. until closing time.

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
(469) 962-2173
(469) 962-2173

Krio Bishop Arts

233 W 7th St #100, Dallas, TX 75208

Available by the pound at this Cajun-Asian eatery in the Bishop Arts District, crawfish are slathered in a spicy, buttery, garlicky sauce. There’s also “Connie’s sauce,” which combines Cajun spices, coconut milk, and green onion for a fresh take on this classic. 

233 W 7th St #100, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 253-9311
(214) 253-9311

Sunset Crab Shack

534 Sunset Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Order a crawfish boil with “SunsetBang” seasoning, and if you get there at 4 p.m. for happy hour, pair it with these great frozen margaritas to cut the spice. 

534 Sunset Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-5650
(214) 946-5650

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