5 Best Cajun Restaurants in Long Beach
From slow-built, soulful gumbo to piled-high seafood boils, po’boys and smoky Southern barbecue, Long Beach knows how to bring the bayou to the beach.
These Cajun spots dish out crab by the pound, spicy sauces, even take unexpected global twists, all with waterfront views, local art and lively vibes that keep locals cracking shells while enjoying this comfort food in all its messy glory.
Long Beach has plenty of great Cajun restaurants, serving all your favorites–po’ boys, crawfish–with some unexpected twists–gumbo fries, anyone? Here’s a few spots to explore and find your Cajun happy place.
Sal's Gumbo Shack
As the name suggests, Sal’s Gumbo Shack (4470 California Pl) is known for a bold Louisiana gumbo built on a rich, dark roux that brings seafood, rice and vegetables together in delicious harmony. But the menu also features many other favorites like crab and shrimp boils, classic po’ boy sandwiches, hearty catfish dinners,and hot wings that many locals rank among the best in the city. It’s soulful, satisfying and, with local art on the wall and dishes named for well-known locals, makes you feel New Orleans while staying rooted in the LBC.
Louisiana Charlie's
Louisiana Charlie’s (429 Shoreline Village Dr) serves some of the city’s best Cajun food along with some of the best waterfront and skyline views. The menu hits all the classics: seafood boils, po’boy sandwiches, étouffée, dirty red beans, and Southern-style barbecue–including tri-tip, ribs and pulled pork–slow-smoked for a glorious 14 hours. Shareables also shine, from gumbo fries loaded with shrimp and sausage to crispy fried frog legs that locals jump for daily.
The Cajun Crab
The Cajun Crab (3253 E South St) offers a distinctive fusion menu where Cajun seafood meets Thai flair, creating a mashup of two great cuisines. Here you’ll find classic Cajun offerings like gumbo and crawfish boils alongside Thai favorites including pad thai, garlic noodles, and pho-style soups—all made with fresh, organic ingredients without MSG. The menu also features an array of seafood from shrimp and squid to clams, mussels, and scallops, all served in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
The Crab Shack
Located downtown, The Crab Shack (601 E Broadway) is a lively Cajun seafood destination with, of course, crab at the center of the show. As the name suggests, the menu highlights crab—Dungeness, snow, and occasionally king—steamed and seasoned your way, alongside lobster tails and crawfish for a full boil experience. You’ll also find crab cakes, raw and fried oysters, and creative spins like a Crab Shack Burger with snow and king crab on a brioche bun with Cajun mayo.
The Kickin' Crab
The Kickin' Crab (101 W Pacific Coast Highway) is a Cajun seafood boil spot through and through, dishing out bowls of chowder and gumbo alongside seafood platters and a lineup of shareable starters. But the crowd favorite here is the seafood in a bag — pick your protein and it comes bagged, seasoned and ready to dig into, whether that's shrimp, mussels, clams, king crab legs, snow crab legs, Dungeness crab, lobster, or, when it's in season, crawfish.