Cajun Restaurants near Alexandria, VA

“been going there for over 25 years!Great food!.Jack Daniels shrimp is always a hit!“

“We chose this restaurant because it was not far from the hotel. Arrived around 5:30 as we had a long drive to get to Alexandria. We were so pleased with everything. We started with the chargrilled oyster. And I had the three course special which was the chargrilled Branzino. It was delicious, the best I have ever had. My husband had the filet and he was very pleased. For dessert I had the bread pudding and he had the custard. Service was great!! So we were very happy with the whole experience.“

“Absolutely love this restaurant. I come every time I'm in DC. Consistently great food and service!“

“Great service and delicious food! Definitely recommend and will come again next time I am in town. Staff is super friendly and welcoming and suggest great options for my dietary needs.“

“Very delicious seafood. I ordered special Lobster tail, Snow crab, Sausage and shrimp. It was brought in metal bowl covered with plastic bag. Sauce was the best I ever ate with seafood. Waitress Asia was great and attentive to our needs.“

“My family and I were in dc about 2 weeks ago and found this gem of an eatery at the Union Market and it was DELICIOUS 🤤 By far the absolute BEST bread puddin I have ever had in my life and we are from the south and I have eaten a lot of bread puddin. Please let me know when you start shipping because u have a huge fan base in Texas 😊 Katrina Briggs - Dallas, TX“

“This restaurant was outstanding, starting with the very charismatic, highly entertaining waiter who was always there when we needed him to the food which was delicious and authentically delicious to the ambiance which was good energy without being loud and a cool environment. The branzino, hamachi crudite, pork chop and bread were especially delicious. Highly recommended.“

“After a visit to the amazing Go-Go museum we took our appetites and experienced excellent customer service from host, server & Owner. Even with a couple of menu items not being available the food was delicious, decor is relaxing, & welcoming. Owner made a table visit with a smile and great conversation. Look forward to next dining experience. My lemon drop was on point“

“Food was delicious and the sauce off the hook“

“First visit today. Tried "Kale Yeah", a uniquely flavored dish that includes fresh kale. shrimp, crab, eggs & red onion, goat cheese. I love the feel of the quaint setting and the pleasant staff. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and 'll be back.“

“I love the shrimp basket with the Cajun fries🥰“

“Born and raised in southeast Texas and been here about six months. I’ve been missing Cajun food. We got the catfish poboy with fries, side of beans and rice, and New Orleans BBQ shrimp. Everything hit the mark. The bread and New Orleans shrimp tasted exactly how they should, perfect. Beans were soft and flavorful with shredded meat and sausage in there. Wish the catfish was seasoned a little more but that’s probably just my preference.

Hope to try the beignet fries if they bring them back.“

“Intimate setting with spectacular jazz music. Recommend researching acts before buying tickets and be prepared to stand in line before the show. First come first serve for best seating. Food and drinks aren't great but the atmosphere and music more than make up for it.“

“What an experience! I came from Alabama on a work trip. My fellow employees and I were trying to find a seafood restaurant and stumbled upon this restaurant on a Wednesday. And boy did we hit the jackpot! The food was amazing first off. Second off, we had been wanting to do karaoke and there was a DJ! We sang at the table while we were eating and had such an amazing time. The atmosphere is phenomenal! We ended up dancing on the floor to a few songs before we left 😂 Thank you Hook & Reel for such an amazing experience. The next time we are in the area we are FOR SURE coming back!“

“Loved it!! Each crawfish is impressively sized, with bouncy, fresh meat quality and tidbit sweet taste. The one I ordered isn't 100% Cajun seasoning but with some Asian hint to it - absolutely delicious. I think that's the shop's secret recipe. Highly recommend.“

“I visited one day for lunch, and got the shrimp po boy with fries. It was delicious! The cost was reasonable. The shrimp were a good size, seasoned and fried well. The fries were tasty too. I hope they stick around and continue to serve good food at good prices. I'll be back!“

“Decent place for crabcakes at MGM! The crabcake has a good amount of crab meat and comes with French fries—a little pricey, $33.99 for the Jumbo Crab Cake Plate. Big plus is that they are open fairly late, compared to the other food places there.“

“The service and friendly staff are top-notch! Seafood and special seasons and sauces are bangin’! Only wish that they kept the Centreville location.“

“It is a very unassuming location. Parking is challenging in the front, and I strongly encourage you to park in the back. We had dinner at the bar, and our bartender was amazing, very personable, friendly, and made phenomenal drinks. Food came out relatively quickly. The side dishes were great, and the oxtail dish was delicious. The downside with my fried fish was that it was too salty. The fish was well prepared and flakey, but the seasoning had too much salt, and unfortunately, the remaining spices couldn't balance it out. They have fair prices and will certainly return for dinner.“

“I came here to try the endless seafood and tapped out so early 😂 everything I had was delicious though! Im so glad I ignored the negative reviews and still gave this place a try!

I went during happy hour time with a friend. They have a great happy hour as well!

For our selections, we had the crab balls, catfish, and wings. We also did a regular boil. Mine had crawfish, crab legs, headless shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and ramen. For the sauce I did everything but the lemon pepper one.

This was my first time adding noodles and it will not be the last. Everything was delicious, but I did feel like the butter taste was too prevalent so I will switch it up next time. The sausage also isnt the best, but I may get it again just to be sure lol. The wings and catfish were SO good. The crab balls are full of crab and minimal filler.

Definitely recommend this place for seafood lovers or someone who just likes a good happy hour with fun bar tenders!“

“Last Friday, my best friend and I decided to treat ourselves to a night out, and after hearing so many great things, we landed on Hot N Juicy Crawfish. Let me just say—this place lives up to the hype and then some!
The moment we walked in, we were hit with the lively, no-frills vibe of the restaurant. Tables were covered in plastic (a sign that things were about to get messy—in the best way possible), and the staff was quick to greet us with big smiles. They handed us bibs and gloves, and we immediately felt like we were in for an authentic seafood boil experience.
We went all out and ordered “The Drool” with the famous Hot N Juicy sauce in medium heat. It came loaded with shrimp (heads on, as the sauce clings to the shells better), crawfish, mussels, and crab legs. The sauce was rich, garlicky, and perfectly spiced—just thick enough to coat every bite without overpowering the delicate seafood flavors.
The shrimp were plump and juicy, the crawfish seasoned to perfection, and the crab legs? Meaty and tender, just the way they should be. We also couldn’t resist an order of Cajun calamari on the side, which was crispy, flavorful, and a great complement to the boil.
What stood out most was the freshness of everything—it felt like the ocean had come to the table. We didn’t leave a single morsel behind!
Our server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed—extra gloves, napkins, and plenty of wet wipes for the aftermath of our seafood feast. They even offered tips on how to crack open the crab legs efficiently, which made the experience even more fun.
By the end of the meal, we were covered in sauce, grinning ear to ear, and marveling at how satisfying the night had been. But instead of going straight home, we decided to wind down with Pull Up DC’s “Mango Madness” strain. It was the perfect way to cap off the evening—relaxing, uplifting, and just the right vibe to keep the good times rolling.
Hot N Juicy Crawfish isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. From the finger-licking-good seafood to the fun, laid-back atmosphere, it’s a place that brings people together over incredible food. Whether you’re a die-hard seafood fan or just someone looking for a unique dining adventure, this spot is a must-visit.
Pro tip: Get the Hot N Juicy sauce, go big with your order, and don’t be afraid to get messy—it’s all part of the fun. And for an even better ending to your night, make a stop by Pull Up DC to keep the good vibes flowing. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!“

“I went to this place specifically for the bourbon chicken as it is a favorite. It was terrible, dry and without any sauce at all. However, the black pepper chicken was great. The fried rice and the mixed vegetables were very good also. The service was good and staff was friendly.“

“As usually the food was excellent! I usually stick the the shrimp and like the signature Hot n Juicy sauces done spicy. Just enough kick without being overbearing. Savory and delicious. Highly recommend coming here if you haven’t already, especially if you call yourself being a seafood lover.“

“What a nice meal! We ordered our meal to go and it took about a half hour to prepare. I got the Ocean Catch #A, which came in a big plastic bag! Perfectly cooked crab legs and shrimp and the seafood legend sauce was very tasty - it tasted like a mix of Cajun seasoning, garlic and butter. I got the mild spice level, which was flavorful but not hot. The potato and corn that it came with were also good. The seafood catches and boils seen to be the specialty and mine was worth the money. My husband's salmon was good but unexciting and would have benefited from some of the same seasoning as mine. It was also a small portion for the price. However, his New England clam chowder was thick and flavorful. My five year old had the fried white fish and seemed content with it. Although we did not eat in the restaurant, it was well decorated and looked inviting - hopefully I will be able to eat there in person soon! On a side note, they also have bubble tea, which was delicious!“

“Great food and awesome waiter Avian thanks for another good experience“

“Crab 🦀 Boss an Awesome Vibe and Food was fantastic the only thing I didn’t like was the Crab 🦀 Boss sauce which taste like mayonnaise but other than that no complaints, I definitely enjoy sitting under the crab boss logo 🦀 in which Demont Pinder aka Peekaso painted, Dope💊 back drop. DJ was definitely popping and the customers/ people were friendly. Strongly recommended🦾🦾🦾“

“The Cori Midden Kitchen is a quintessential American restaurant that offers an intimate and cozy dining experience akin to a homey dining room. The exceptional customer service, coupled with food cooked from scratch, made our brunch visit with a large party quite memorable. Our waiter, Cathy, provided attentive service, ensuring our needs were met throughout the meal. We indulged in a variety of brunch items, with favorites including the catfish nuggets and cornbread, alongside lamb chops(small lamb chops), deviled eggs, and fried tomatoes. For our entrees, the shrimp omelette, French toast, chicken and waffles, and catfish and grits were all exquisite. Despite a few minor mishaps, the overall experience was delightful, and I highly recommend this establishment for its delicious food. It was a nice touch when the chef personally greeted our table, adding to the warmth of the experience. Advisable to book your reservation in advance, I look forward to returning in the future.“

“Husband and I stopped by for lunch. There was a wait for chicken tenders but we weren't in any rush. Staff was super friendly and apologetic, making sure to keep us posted on the status of our order. We love Popeyes, but haven't had much luck with service at other locations. So this was a pleasant experience and we will return here.“

“Bomb drinks! The Hennessy Margarita sat me DOWN!“