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Boston's Best Cajun Food

Past picks like Tupelo, Brother's Crawfish and even Border Cafe all continue to offer up great options for cajun food in Boston. But there are plenty of other choices to dig into jambalaya and other favorites from the South like spicy seafood stew or cajun chicken. From restaurants and bars with live music to keep you grooving to take-out spots for blackened shrimp, these locations in Boston are great for quality cajun cuisine.
cajun & cajun
(Photo from Cajun & Cajun)

Cajun & Cajun
720 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 439-8687
www.cajunsouthwestgrill.com

For a convenient taste of cajun classics, head up to the counter at this quick spot in South Station. Cajun & Cajun prides itself on serving "Louisiana-style home cooking with authentic Cajun and Mexican spices to create a menu of fresh and genuine dishes." Blackened chicken, crawfish and gumbo are just a few of the many offerings. It also has nachos, burritos, quesadillas and tacos for when a Mexican craving kicks in.

estelles
(Photo from Estelle's/Facebook)


Estelle's Boston
782 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02118
(857) 250-2999
www.estellesboston.com

For Southern cuisine in the South End, head to Estelle's. Comfort food like fried chicken with macaroni and cheese or burgers fill the menu. But you won't want to miss the flavor-packed meals including the cajun cornmeal crusted catfish featuring a pecan/parsley relish, garlic seared greens and good old fashioned red beans and rice. There is also cajun fish and chips featuring remoulade sauce, cole slaw and house-cut french fries. In addition, another standout dish is the cajun turkey burger with spiced turkey, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions, along with bread and butter pickles.

darryls-corner
(Photo from Darryls Corner)

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 536-1100
www.darrylscornerbarboston.com

For cajun classics with a cool atmosphere, Darryl's is the go-to. Start off with cajun crab cakes where you get two Maryland crab cakes with Darryl's own cajun twist. Bob's catfish with cajun remoulade, spicy shrimp Étoufee featuring seared cajun shrimp, finished in a spicy tomato cream sauce served over rice, or the dirty rice stuffed peppers are all highlights on the menu as well. Best of all, the atmosphere is lively and features entertainment and quality jazz music.

Related: Best Chicken Wings In The Boston Suburbs

Salty Dog Seafood Grille & Bar
206 Faneuil Hall Market Pl
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 742-2094

For cajun recipes just steps from all of the action Faneuil Hall Marketplace has to offer, Salty Dog has a nice selection of seafood favorites. Standouts on the fish-filled menu include fried catfish fillet, cajun shrimp skewers served with cole slaw along with red beans and rice or seafood creole featuring scrod, shrimp and scallops with Salty Dog's signature spicy tomato and veggie-filled sauce with rice. If seafood is not your thing, the grilled cajun chicken is also a great choice. And there is even a raw bar, with shucked-to-order shellfish like oysters, cherrystones, Littlenecks and shrimp cocktail too.

Smoken Joes
(Photo from Smoken Joes)

Smoken Joe's BBQ
351 Washington St.
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 254-5227
www.facebook.com/Smoken-Joes-BBQ-Blues

Another place loved by locals for its live entertainment is Smoken Joe's. Cajun recipes served here include catfish nibblers where you get an appetizer portion of cajun-seasoned catfish with homemade Louisiana remoulade. The gumbo is a spicy rice, andouille sausage, chicken and seafood seafood filled stew that is true Southern soul food and the jambalaya recipe is traditionally made with creole seasonings, sausage, chicken and vegetables. Plus there are plenty of barbecue meals like brisket or Memphis ribs with collard greens and cornbread to go along with it.

Related: Boston's Best Soul Food

Michelle Levine is a creative energetic, young professional that is passionate about everything Boston has to offer. She loves to attend local events, dine out, and cook and wants to share her findings with you. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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