a pile of Cajun crayfish

5 Authentic Cajun and Creole Restaurants in Lafayette, LA

Living in Louisiana, we know good Cajun and Creole food the moment it settles on our tongue. Around here, our palates are made for this food. Even though there are plenty of options to choose from, here are our picks for authentic Cajun and Creole restaurants around Lafayette.

Bon Temps Grill

Bon Temps Grill, located on Verot School Road, is an award-winning Lafayette restaurant known for its Cajun and Creole cuisine. The menu at Bon Temps is largely focused on seafood and steak, like their Alligator Bang Bang Po-Boy and deep-fried meat pies. Try their Hamburger Steak, a half-pound of ground beef that’s smothered in brown gravy and cheddar cheese, or order the 12-ounce ribeye, 6-ounce filet, or 8-ounce sirloin to experience their grilled-to-perfection cuts.

Prejean’s Restaurant

If you’re looking for a tried-and-true Cajun restaurant, look no further than Prejean’s Restaurant. Around for more than 40 years, this Lafayette staple is focused on two things: providing authentic food and creating an environment where guests feel welcomed like family. Prejean’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so stop by almost any time of day to enjoy your Cajun favorites with a twist. 

If you want the best start to your day, order the Prejean’s Napoleon, a poached egg dish with a potato cake and crab cake that’s topped with a hollandaise sauce, fresh shrimp, and tasso. If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, the French toast-esque Pain Perdue should do the trick. For lunch or dinner, make sure to order the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo — it’s a three-time world champion dish for a reason.

Don’s Seafood Cajun Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Don’s Seafood Cajun Restaurant & Oyster Bar has been around since 1934, and some locals would consider it a tradition to enjoy one of their fantastic dishes. With every bite of any dish, you can taste the difference in their commitment to quality food and an exceptional cooking process. You won’t be disappointed in their charbroiled oysters made with garlic butter and Romano cheese. You also can’t go wrong ordering the fried or grilled catfish.

Blue Dog Cafe

The Blue Dog Cafe is easily recognized by its signage — a blue dog with wide yellow eyes. Artist George Rodrigue created the painting and sculpture of the dog, along with other notable works that capture the history of the region, and his sons now own Blue Dog Cafe. Any dish at Blue Dog Cafe is sure to be a great one, but we recommend the Corn and Crab Bisque and the Crawfish Enchilada for the true taste of Creole.

Dwight’s

Dwight’s, serving Lafayette residents and visitors from their Johnston Street location for decades, specializes in crawfish, along with other classic Cajun and Creole dishes. Dwight’s crawfish is so fresh that they only serve them five months of the year when they are available at their peak. For something a little different, try their BBQ lunch on Sundays.

In Lafayette, you’re surrounded by award-winning and mom-and-pop restaurants that have been part of the community for years. To enjoy a meal at any of these locations is to know and love the city’s culture and history.

Image via Pixabay | CC 0 | Cropped from original

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *