Crawfish

What are crawfish?

Crawfish are a traditional New Orleans seafood that is served boiled, sauteed, baked or fried in different varieties and dishes. From crawfish bread and crawfish etouffee to freshly boiled with unique seasoning, crawfish is loved in numerous forms. 

A crawfish resembles a small lobster, but they come from freshwater. Where they live under rocks and along the water’s floor. They’re found locally in Louisiana streams, ponds and rivers. Most popularly, they are served boiled with herbs, spices and vegetables--usually potatoes and corn. A traditional boil is when they’re served to you shell-on, requiring you to peel them to eat. 

How do you peel crawfish?

Locals can probably peel crawfish in their sleep, but for visitors, it may seem like a tricky task. You grab the tail and the head and twist, then pull the tail from the head portion and peel the shell off the tail. It often helps to pinch the tip of the tail to fully pull all the meat out. Check out our infographic for some tips on how to peel them.

When is crawfish season?

Crawfish are in season in the spring months, but usually can be found beginning in January until July. The peak months for crawfish are March, April and May. This is when you will find crawfish boils around town and at local markets. 

Where can I host my own crawfish boil?

No backyard? No problem! Parks across the city let you host your own crawfish boils. Pick up some live crawfish and call your friends. You will need to bring your own equipment, however. Some of our favorite spots include The Fly, Bayou St. John, and City Park. Check out our Crawfish Boil reciepe below for all the makings of a traditional New Orleans Boil.

Where do I get crawfish?

When in season, you can find crawfish at many local restaurants and markets across town both alive and boiled. For some of our favorites, see our Ultimate Crawfish Guide. They are usually sold by the pound. Many spring festivals also serve boiled crawfish such as French Quarter Fest, Jazz Festival, and dedicated crawfish festivals like Crawfish Mambo and NOLA Crawfish Fest. For a list of restaurants that serve them, see below.