The Best Louisiana Seafood Buffets You’ll Gladly Drive Hours For
I’ve spent years traveling across Louisiana in search of the most mouth-watering seafood buffets worth every mile of the journey. There’s something magical about the combination of Cajun spices, fresh Gulf catches, and that famous Southern hospitality that makes these spots truly special.
If you’re ready to loosen your belt and dive into mountains of crawfish, shrimp, oysters, and catfish, these incredible seafood buffets deserve a spot on your bucket list.
1. House of Seafood Buffet, Bush
Tucked away in the small town of Bush, this family-owned treasure serves up the freshest catches from nearby waters. The crawfish étouffée alone might make you weep with joy!
Locals swear by their perfectly seasoned boiled shrimp and crispy fried catfish that never disappoints. The owners, the Landry family, have been perfecting their recipes for three generations.
Fun fact: They still use Great-Grandma Thibodeaux’s secret seasoning blend in their gumbo, and no, they won’t share the recipe no matter how nicely you ask!
2. Bon Temps Market Buffet, Baton Rouge
How about a buffet where the seafood is so fresh it practically jumps onto your plate? Bon Temps Market Buffet delivers exactly that experience in the heart of Louisiana’s capital.
Their weekend all-you-can-eat crab legs special attracts seafood enthusiasts from as far as Texas. The charming market-style setup allows you to watch chefs prepare dishes right before your eyes.
My personal favorite is their blackened redfish with crawfish cream sauce. I’ve tried recreating it at home but can’t quite match their magic touch!
3. Drago’s Seafood, Lake Charles
Are you ready for the best charbroiled oysters of your life? Drago’s buffet section might be newer to their Lake Charles location, but their seafood expertise spans decades.
The buffet features their famous flame-grilled oysters swimming in garlic butter alongside countless other Gulf treasures. What makes this place extra special is how they rotate seasonal catches, ensuring you always experience something new.
Did you know they shuck over 900 oysters daily during peak season? The staff here treats you like family from the moment you walk through the door.
4. Salvo’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, Belle Chasse
If heaven had a seafood buffet, it would probably look like Salvo’s. This Belle Chasse institution combines a market and restaurant, ensuring everything on your plate was swimming just hours before.
Their weekend seafood extravaganza features mountains of boiled crawfish, shrimp, and blue crabs seasoned to perfection. I practically dream about their seafood gumbo, thick, rich, and loaded with more seafood than broth!
The Salvo family has been fishing these waters for generations, and their passion for quality seafood shines through in every bite you take.
5. Ocean Star Super Buffet, Houma
When Cajun meets Asian fusion, magic happens at Ocean Star. This Houma favorite offers an unexpected twist on traditional Louisiana seafood with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisines.
Their seafood station features everything from traditional crawfish étouffée to innovative sushi rolls made with fresh Gulf fish. The crab rangoon stuffed with local blue crab meat will change your life!
Though it might seem unusual, the blend of cultural flavors works brilliantly. Where else can you enjoy gumbo alongside perfectly prepared sushi using the same fresh Gulf seafood?
6. Sumo Supreme Buffet, Shreveport
Don’t let the name fool you, while Sumo Supreme offers Asian cuisine, their Louisiana seafood station has become legendary among Shreveport locals. The owner, Mr. Lee, fell in love with Cajun cooking after moving to Louisiana 20 years ago.
Their crawfish section features three different preparations, boiled, étouffée, and fried tails. I was blown away by their seafood-stuffed mushrooms that combine local catches with Asian seasonings.
What makes this place special is how they honor both culinary traditions without compromising either one. The seafood is always fresh, and the portions are incredibly generous.
7. King Buffet, Lafayette
This Lafayette treasure might have the most passionate seafood chef I’ve ever met. Chef Antoine previously worked at high-end New Orleans restaurants before deciding to bring his talents to this unassuming buffet.
His seafood gumbo has won local competitions three years running. The crawfish mac and cheese will make you question every other version you’ve ever tried, creamy, spicy, and loaded with tail meat.
Weekends feature their famous seafood boil station, where you can customize your spice level from “Louisiana Nice” to “Cajun Fire”. But be warned, they don’t hold back when you ask for hot!
8. Hollis Seafood Buffet, Spearsville
Deep in rural northern Louisiana sits a seafood oasis that’s worth every mile of the drive. The Hollis family makes pre-dawn trips three times weekly to the Gulf to ensure everything is ocean-fresh despite the distance.
Their catfish is locally sourced from their own farm ponds, making for the sweetest, cleanest-tasting fillets you’ll ever try. The hushpuppies alone, light, fluffy, and studded with sweet corn and jalapeños, have their own cult following.
My tip: Save room for their homemade bread pudding soaked in a bourbon sauce that perfectly complements a seafood feast!
9. JD’s Harvest Buffet, Pineville
This hidden gem in central Louisiana surprised me with its incredible seafood selection despite being miles from the coast! JD’s may look unassuming from the outside, but step inside and prepare for seafood paradise.
Their crawfish bisque consistently ranks as the best I’ve ever tasted. The owners make daily trips to ensure they’re serving only the freshest catches.
It’s worth noting they offer an incredible Thursday night special that includes all-you-can-eat snow crab clusters that’ll make you forget every other crab you’ve tried before.
10. Cajun Catfish Buffet, Ville Platte
This family-run jewel in Ville Platte has perfected the art of catfish preparation in ways you wouldn’t believe possible. From traditional cornmeal-crusted fillets to blackened, grilled, and even catfish courtbouillon, they showcase this local fish in all its glory.
Though catfish is the star, their crawfish étouffée rivals any you’ll find in New Orleans. The Fontenot family has run this place for four generations, and their passion shows in every dish.
Kids love watching the live catfish tank near the entrance. It’s the ultimate farm-to-table experience that teaches where our food actually comes from!
