27 Best Seafood Restaurants in Lafayette

“What an amazing place to eat, relax and chill. The food and drinks were amazing. The bartender was sweet and enjoyable. She made our experience great. Didn't catch her name but she had short bangs and wavy hair. Fun time. Can't wait to go back.“

“Our Christmas Eve Dinner was just spectacular! Steaks cooked perfectly, shrimp with Gouda creamy grits, and Chef Holly made a vegetarian option for us and was so nice! Our server Marley was sweet, attentive and never let our drinks get empty! Wonderful service!“

“Hands down the best oysters ever. We drove 5 1/2 hrs just to get the jacked up charbroiled oysters . Definitely worth the drive. Thanks for wowing our mouths ❤️❤️and Allen our waiter rocked. Very friendly and fast service .,,“

“Beautiful restaurant , fantastic food, excellent service, delicious Martinis.“

“Fantastic first time, great service and good was great also. Easy going atmosphere, no pressure no rush, just simply order and enjoy“

“No doubt, these are the best carne asada tacos in town. The meat is grilled perfectly, and the tortillas are soft but sturdy. You can really taste the quality ingredients.“

“So good great rotisserie chicken, burgers, grits, fries, and shrimp. Every thing is so good!!!“

“Went today for a late lunch. This was our first visit and definitely not our last. Our server Jessica went above and beyond to make our first experience the best we ever had. Food was amazing! The GM Lupe even came visit with us at our table. Best dining experience we have ever had!“

“My teenager sons like it,I use to go there; here and there when they were small,active,and trying to keep up with their appetite, so it was convenient and they did share a plate then,tenders and fries,or fried rice,it would be alot in one plate,huge tenders,but now their appetite is like grown men and ain't no Shareing anymore lol,I rather eat somewhere else myself when they decide to eat there!“

“During a recent visit to The Lunch Box, a quaint diner known for its Louisiana dinner with creole dishes, my husband and I had an enjoyable experience overall. The Lunch Box has a unique and nostalgic ambiance, adorned with various lunchboxes that instantly took me back to my childhood. It seems to be a popular spot, especially among locals and older patrons looking for a quick and affordable lunch.

I opted for the shrimp po' boy, which was decent and flavorful. I'd rate it a 3.75 out of 5. My husband tried the fried pork chop special. Although it had good flavor, the pork was a bit dry, so we would rate it a 3.25 out of 5.

The standout feature of our visit was undoubtedly the friendly and welcoming staff. They were attentive and added a pleasant touch to our dining experience. While the food had its ups and downs, the overall atmosphere and service made it a worthwhile visit.

If you're in the mood for some creole dishes and a trip down memory lane with its unique decor, The Lunch Box is worth checking out.“

“Hands down the best crawfish I’ve ever had. I got the spicy & they were on point! They were huge & not one bad crawfish in my plate. We got shrimp to take home & even they were phenomenal!!“

“Amazing flavor, perfect size, vegetables (may have been old) other than that the crawfish was PERFECT“

“Great food every time I have been. Always fast out and fresh.“

“Loved it!!!! I haven’t had real seafood in a hot minute. I knew it would be good when I pulled up to the building. I smelled the spice as soon as I walked in, I ordered crawfish, snow crab legs and blue crabs. We went with the mild seasoning (I smelled the spice and my baby is NY born soooo…) anyway… the taste was amazing, very flavorful and not too spicy… Spiced enough to have your nose running but not overbearing. It was cooked to order, still hot after 30mins plus and the lady brought the pans to us (which she didn’t have to do, but I thought when she said 20mins that I’d give them 30mins before going in). Great meal!!! Would definitely go again!!! Just in town for the football tournament but I’d take another weekend drive to get some more.“

“I like to go with friends to this place with my highest recommendations. I go to this restaurant often. This recommendation is always successful. The dishes they serve are tasty and the stuff is efficient and cooperative. Every time we go to this place we enjoy a lovely evening. highly recommended.“

“Food & staff both amazing every time I’ve dined in or picked up!!“

“From the moment I stepped inside I was enveloped in an atmosphere of pure elegance. The soft ambient lighting, tasteful décor, and hushed conversations created an intimate yet refined setting, perfect for a memorable evening. The service was impeccable—attentive yet unobtrusive, with every detail meticulously attended to. The staff’s knowledge of the menu and wine pairings was impressive, guiding us through a culinary journey that felt both personalized and indulgent. ❣️“

“Consistently good crawfish, shrimp, potatoes and corn. We've been ordering for 8 or 9 years and keep coming back. Sure, you get the occasional bad potato or crawfish but those are the exceptions. We usually get the 6lb combo once a week during the season. No other restaurant can come close to getting that amount of business from us. And the claws on their crawfish....easiest peeling I've ever had.“

“Abby, our waitress was the absolute best!! It was our first trip, definitely won’t be the last. The food was sooo good and kept us full. If you go there you won’t be disappointed. There’s something for everyone, even picky eaters like me. I’d 100 percent ask for Abby, and made our trip, our meal, and my birthday!! Thanks again Abby for constantly checking on us throughout the meal even though you had many other tables, you made us feel like your only customers!“

“Mandez’s is where we chose to have a much needed and overdue date night. Our waitress went above and beyond. We ordered the seafood nachos for an appetizer. Amazing! I ordered the crab cake dinner with a side of eggplant fries and a side salad with the pepper jelly vinaigrette. Crab cakes were flaky and cooked to perfection. Eggplant fries were crispy and not greasy. paired so well with the dip. Side salad was fresh , pepper jelly vinaigrette had the right amount of zing., and the pickled okra was the chef’s kiss! My husband ordered the shrimp basket and had no complaints. We loved that the dining area was small but well laid out. Great atmosphere! I can’t speak of the bathrooms because I didn’t need to use them while there. Definitely recommend!“

“I had a Shredded beef and beans hot plate, phillie cheese steak empanadas, and xxx hot shrimp. All three were amazing. when I ate it I almost cried I was so thankful. It was extremely unexpected after comming in here on a whim when all the Pho shops are closed. Get that Shredded beef and bean hot plate!! I'll est here every time I'm in lafayette for work now.“

“The smother pork chops was good“

“Everything in my plate was 100% delicious 😋 Amazing and friend workers!!! Plate was full!!!“

“One of the first places I stop every time I go to Lafayette! HUGE portions, DELICIOUS, creative menu and amazing staff!!!! Please open a location in Mandeville🤗🙏😉“

“Charlie’s Seafood – 4.1 / 5 Stars

What Stands Out

Generous, well-seasoned portions – The Large Seafood Plate (two catfish + 10 shrimp with salad, bread & choice of fries or fried rice) comes in around $13 and consistently satisfies .

Signature egg rolls and popcorn shrimp – Egg rolls are frequently praised as “best I’ve had in the area so far” , and popcorn shrimp plates boast a 96% thumbs-up rating .

Speed & friendliness – Customers rave about fast, courteous drive-thru service and a clean, casual dining area .

Wide menu variety – From classic fried fish plates, shrimp burgers, shrimp fried rice, lo mein, to chicken tenders and burgers, they cover both seafood and Asian-inspired comfort .

Where It Can Slip

Spice inconsistency – Some orders, even when marked mild, arrive overly spicy, and seasoning can vary meal to meal .

Quality dips occasionally – A few customers cited dry chicken tenders and soggy fries or stale poboys during off-days .

Not a fine-dining setup – It's primarily take-out with limited dine-in; service can slow during peak times, and mistakes happen—though they’re usually made right .

Best Bets

Large Seafood Plate – For value and flavor.

Egg Rolls – A standout “local favorite.”

Popcorn Shrimp Plate – High thumbs-up rating and dependable crowd-pleaser.

Lo Mein – A tasty detour if you want something beyond fried sea fare.

Final Take

Charlie’s Seafood is a solid go-to for hearty, affordable gulf-style seafood with friendly service and speedy takeout. It shines brightest for value-conscious eaters craving classic fried seafood or even lo mein. Just be aware of slight inconsistencies in spice and quality during busy times.

Rating 4/ 5 — dependable, flavorful, and unbeatable for the price, but occasional seasoning swings and service hiccups prevent a.“

“We celebrated our 39th anniversary Saturday night It was amazing. The ribeyes was so tender and juicy, sweet potatoes with pecans was to divine. The whole dinner was awesome! We love the services and the atmosphere, it was beautiful and spectacular. We will be back. Thanks for a wonderful visit.“

“Great food!! Nice place, great service!! Would definitely recommend it!!! FIVE stars!“