Cajuns, as they’re known today, were once an ethnic group in Canada called Acadians. Expelled by the British during the French-Indian War, many settled in Louisiana, where they adapted their dishes to local ingredients, adding elements of Indigenous American, West African, and European cuisines.
Contemporary Cajun food relies heavily on three staples: celery, green pepper, and onion—often referred to as the “holy trinity.” It also incorporates bay leaf, cayenne, black pepper, and other spices that bring heat and depth to everything from stews to seafood boils.
Crawfish season or not, Cajun food is popular and plentiful throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with plenty of spots serving up Louisiana comfort in all its glory. The 11 establishments on this list offer delicious gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and more.
Aunt Irene’s Kitchen
Specializing in “boxes,” or one-pot meals, this hole-in-the-wall Cajun spot is among the most popular in Dallas. Try the signature dish, the Black Box, and dig into well-seasoned crab legs, jumbo shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes. The wings come in eight flavors, including a secret sauce called “Crack.” 2802 Lagow St., Dallas, aikdallas.com
Nate’s Seafood & Steakhouse
This North Dallas institution in the bright pink house is the perfect place to get cozy in a booth with friends, drink some ice-cold beers, and enjoy heaping plates of Cajun seafood. The extensive menu offers everything from alligator nuggets to po’ boys to crawfish boils, not to mention signature dishes like Catfish Pontchartrain and blackened catfish smothered in shrimp and crab. 14951 Midway Rd., Addison,natesseafood.com
Louisiana Cajun Queen/Fried Hard Boulevard
Open Wednesday through Saturday nights, this unassuming little South Dallas spot with the white board menu on the wall specializes in homemade spice blends, known in Cajun cuisine as “dust,” as well as in “Kool-Aid,” sweet, homemade beverages perfect for cutting through the heat of a fiery bite. Catfish is fried to perfection and served with red beans and rice, and even the tartar sauce is prepared from scratch. 3518 Spring Ave., Dallas
Pappadeaux
One of the seafood restaurants from the beloved Pappas chain, Pappadeaux offers Creole and Cajun classics in a festive atmosphere. Try the blackened catfish with red beans and rice, the fried crawfish platter with crawfish étouffée, or the bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp brochette. Multiple locations, pappadeaux.com
The Pelican House
The owners of this Duncanville-based restaurant come from New Orleans and their menu matches their roots. The Pelican House offers both Cajun and Creole favorites, including a boiled seafood platter big enough to share, jambalaya, and fried frog legs. If you’re hungry, try the Sunday brunch buffet, and whenever you go, save room for beignets. 107 S. Cedar Ridge Dr., Duncanville, thepelicanhouserestaurant.com
Pier 88 Boiling Seafood & Bar
Cute and kitschy with wooden-barrel light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, Pier 88 is known for heaping, spicy seafood boils delivered with plastic bibs and plastic gloves. Choose among 15 boils, including a whole lobster (the tank is on display in the restaurant) or a Dungeness crab leg cluster. Or, choose among five combo boils, including the King’s special: king crab legs, snow crab legs, shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausages, with your choice of seasoning. 10560 Walnut St. #100, Dallas, pier88dallas.com
The Catch
This laid-back fast-casual spot has locations in Denton and Garland, plus an outpost at Coit and Campbell, making it an easy go-to for Cajun comfort food cravings. Expect plenty of deep-fried goodness served in classic baskets lined with red-and-white checkered paper—from crispy catfish and popcorn shrimp to fried crawfish tails and gator nuggets. And if you’re in the mood for something saucy, there are seafood boils, gumbo, and étouffée to round things out. Multiple locations, thecatchdfw.com
The Free Man Cajun Café and Lounge
Down in Deep Ellum, you might hear the live music inside the Free Man from the street. Pop in, grab a table, and hear bands any night of the week at 7 and 10 p.m., with extra shows on the weekends. The gumbo comes topped with perfectly seasoned blackened shrimp and a side of homemade corn bread. That corn bread also functions as a bun for the brisket sliders. 2626-2630 Commerce St., Dallas, freemandallas.com
Restaurant Beatrice
A restaurant dedicated to waste elimination and honoring the culinary traditions of Louisiana, Beatrice serves both Cajun and Creole dishes in an elegant setting. The weekend brunch is a don’t-miss. Try the omelet stuffed with andouille sausage, crawfish, and well-seasoned rice, with a side of jambalaya. For dinner, try the beef bourguignon, made with beef raised in Louisiana. 1111 N Beckley Ave., Dallas, restaurantbeatrice.com
Mr. Cajun’s Daiquiris and Cajun Food
Although the daiquiri originated in Cuba, it’s been a beloved Louisiana staple for decades—and thanks to Mr. Cajun’s, Dallas is getting in on the frozen fun, too. An order-at-the-counter daiquiri shop with outposts in Dallas, Forney, and Mesquite, Mr. Cajun’s, owned by a transplant from New Orleans, offers not just daiquiris, but seafood boils, turkey necks, wings, fried catfish, and more. Multiple locations, mrcajunsdaiquiri.com
Shells and Tails 2 Geaux
A chef from Lafayette, Louisiana stands at the helm of this popular DeSoto-based Cajun-Creole food truck. Choose among various seafood boils, or grab a platter to try a little of everything. The Cajun Munch Sampler includes snow crab legs, shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes. 324 East Beltline Rd., DeSoto, shellsandtails2geaux.com
