Where to Find the Best Crawfish in San Antonio (7 Best Picks)

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best crawfish san antonio

The first time I tried crawfish, I was skeptical. I wasn’t a fan of seafood in general, but my half-Cajun husband insisted I try it. And boy, after trying a crawfish tail mac ‘n’ cheese, I never went back.

Louisiana might hold the crown for crawfish, but Texans know how to throw down, too. My husband knows how to sniff out a good batch of crawfish, so here are his 7 picks for the best crawfish spots in San Antonio.

Map of the Best Crawfish in San Antonio

Most Affordable Crawfish Boil: Texas Crab Boil

Texas Crab Boil is our go-to stop for crawfish, mostly because it’s close to our house. You can get a crawfish boil combo for less than $20 and it comes with 1 pound of crawfish, 1/2 a pound of sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cob.

Also, these people make the BEST hush puppies I’ve ever had. Seriously. The boils don’t come with hushpuppies, but you definitely need to order some on the side, okay?

Since seating is limited and they have a small kitchen, I highly recommend calling in your order before you go. Their prices vary depending on the availability of crawfish, so always ask for your total before you hang up the phone (I’ve gotten a few nasty surprise bills because I forgot to ask).

P.S. Texas Crab Boil has weird hours. They aren’t open Tuesdays and they open at 1 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Their hours change a lot, so check their website before you make the trip.

Best Crawfish Bowl For A Crowd: Hook & Reel

Hook & Reel actually does a lot more than crawfish; they’re more of a seafood cafe. When the family gets together, we go by Hook & Reel to pick up bags of crawfish boil. We usually get The Reel Catch, which comes with two different proteins, plus plenty of corn and potatoes.

If you aren’t feeding a crowd, try their Mini Boils. These only come with half a pound of seafood, which is more than manageable for lunch .

  • Address: 4987 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229
  • Website: Hook & Reel

Most Creative Crawfish Dishes: Crawfish Cafe

Well, crawfish is in their name, so you know these folks know how to sling some crawfish. This crawfish restaurant is clean and modern and has plenty of seating. But don’t let that fool you: these folks serve crawfish and other Cajun delicacies on baskets and trays with paper (as they should). My husband always goes for the Boudin Balls, but I’m a Crawfish Fried Rice kind of girl.

With dishes like Crawfish Eggrolls and Crawfish Cheese Bread on the menu, Crawfish Cafe has the most creative treatment of crawfish in San Antonio. It’s definitely worth a taste!

  • Address: 12485 I-10 Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78230
  • Website: Crawfish Cafe

Most Kid-Friendly Crawfish Restaurant: Smashin Crab

Smashin Crab is probably the biggest chain restaurant in San Antonio that serves up crawfish. Our family goes here at least a few times a year, actually, and the staff is always super friendly!

The reason we eat as Smashin Crab so often is because they’ve got a great kids’ menu. I know kiddos can be a little finicky when it comes to seafood, but the way they prepare the kids’ meals makes even the pickiest eaters (like our nieces and nephews) enjoy themselves. Some of their locations even have a small play area for kids!

But I digress. Smashin Crab also makes amazing crawfish, obviously. My husband loves the crawfish etouffee, and we order the crawfish boil any time it’s in season.

Yes, sadly it has to be in season, but when it is, make sure you order it! (Crawfish season is January – July, just FYI)

  • Address 1: 11975 Alamo Ranch Pkwy, Suite 110, San Antonio, TX 78253
  • Address 2: 8910 Bandera Rd, Suite 305, San Antonio, TX 78250
  • Address 3: 700 East Sonterra, Suite 1117, San Antonio, TX 78258
  • Website: Smashin Crab

Best Family-Owned Crawfish Restaurant: Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen

Ma Harper’s is a small family-owned business, so there’s definitely a lot of charm to this place. It doesn’t have the glitz and glamor of restaurants like Crawfish Cafe, but don’t let that fool you: Ma Harper’s is an award-winning Creole restaurant.

Eating here is like being transported to a Creole grandma’s kitchen in New Orleans. Is it kinda weird to eat award-winning etouffee out of a paper bowl? Yeah, but that’s the charm of Ma Harper’s.

Like Smashin Crab, Ma Harper’s only serves crawfish when it’s in season. They do run out, so it’s a good idea to call your order in a few days ahead of time to make sure you get your fix!

P.S. Ma Harper’s is only open on the weekends.

Best Fusion Crawfish Dishes: LA Crawfish

Look, LA Crawfish is everywhere in San Antonio. However, I would only recommend the location off of Culebra. Every LA Crawfish is operated by a franchisee, and this owner in particular really knows what they’re doing. Yes, it’s on the far west side, but if you’re ever in this part of town, it’s the best place to get your crawfish fix.

If you order a boil, they will coat your table in butcher paper and serve the food in a big bag, as nature intended. This location is clean and has tons of tables, but it does fill up quickly on nights and weekends.

The best thing about LA Crawfish is the fact that they serve fusion crawfish dishes. You can get Hot & Sour sauce on your crawfish, for Pete’s sake! They also serve Cheese Crawfish Rolls, Crawfish Tails (my personal fave), and even Crawfish Empanadas.

  • Address: 10919 Culebra Rd #150, San Antonio, TX 78253
  • Website: LA Crawfish

Best Asian Inspired Crawfish: Pinch Boil House

Sure, Pinch serves egg rolls, dumplings, and rice bowls, but they primarily deal in all things seafood. It’s a modern, homey stop that serves crawfish by the pound, seasonally. They even have picnic tables inside where you can spread out the boil and enjoy it with the family.

Pinch does Asian-inspired cuisine, so try their Dragon Sauce or Coconut Curry Sauce on your crawfish boil for a truly unique taste that you can’t get anywhere else in San Antonio.

P.S. – If you’re in the mood for more than crawfish, don’t miss our guide to the 11 best seafood restaurants in San Antonio.