Eat Cajun Food in Louisiana
Find out why Cajun cuisine is our favorite American food!
Enjoying Cajun food at a crawfish boil!
Last update: November 13, 2025
Cajun food is easily one of our favorite cuisines — and if you’re a foodie, don’t miss our foodie corner!
Surprisingly enough, it’s a well-kept secret which is relatively unheard of beyond American borders.
Obviously, a visit to Louisiana wouldn’t be complete without tasting the best of Cajun gastronomy. Between peaceful bayous and bustling cities, the Pelican State is renowned for its unique cuisine.
If you’re road-tripping through Louisiana or planning your first taste of gumbo, here’s what you should actually order (and where you’ll find the real stuff).
This article is part of our series: 5 things to do in Louisiana — off the beaten track.
Plan your delicious Louisiana escape: Places to stay, how to get around and things to do
🧳 Field Notes
When we went: Same spring road trip through Acadiana.
Where we stayed: Our trusty bayou cabin in Breaux Bridge, the perfect recovery spot between étouffée and jambalaya tastings. In New Orleans, we stayed in a restored mansion in Tremé.
How we got around: By car — there’s no other way to hop from Lafayette to Abbeville to New Iberia.
Highlights: Po’boys, gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya, boudin, and strangers insisting we “try one more thing.” The rhythm of Cajun country is food — and everyone wants to feed you.
Mistakes we made: Not dieting for a month before (and after) our trip. You know, to make room!
The origins of Cajun cuisine
To truly appreciate Cajun cuisine, one must understand its deep-rooted history and cultural influences.
If you’ve read our article on the Boudin Trail and Cajun Country, you already know that Cajun cuisine traces its origins back to the Acadian settlers who were exiled from Canada by the British in the 18th century. Arriving in Louisiana, these resilient pioneers brought with them a culinary tradition that blended with French, Spanish, African, and Native American flavors.
Characterized by bold spices, hearty ingredients, and a penchant for slow cooking, Cajun cuisine embodies the essence of Louisiana's diverse heritage.
From gumbo to jambalaya, each dish tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and the unbreakable spirit of the Cajun people. Keep reading for the most iconic dishes!
Roux or rougarou?
Roux and rougarou might sound similar, but they're as different as gumbo and a howling werewolf. While roux is the magical potion of Cajun cuisine — a flour-and-fat alchemy — the rougarou is the stuff of Louisiana nightmares, lurking in the swamps with its glowing eyes. One brings flavor, the other brings fright, but both are essential ingredients in the spicy gumbo of Cajun culture. Just make sure you don't mistake your roux for a rougarou—or your dinner might turn into a hairy situation! Meet the Rougarou in our article on the Lousiana bayou.
Pic: The rougarou is scarier than any gator (here at our favorite Gumbo restaurant)
Cajun staples
Gumbo
My favorite! (Eli here). My life changed when I had my first spoonful of gumbo! Yes, it’s that good! A quintessential Cajun dish, gumbo is a flavorful stew that combines a medley of ingredients such as shrimp or crawfish, sausage, chicken, duck and okra, simmered to perfection in a rich roux-based broth. Served over a bed of rice and often with a side of potato salad, gumbo is a soul-warming delight that embodies the essence of Cajun comfort food.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
We live in Spain and can’t find some specific ingredients, like okra or crawfish. We replace okra with celery, and crawfish with shrimp. We also buy some spicy sausage (like merguez) instead of boudin. Obviously not the same, but it tastes great anyway!
Jambalaya
A hearty one-pot wonder, jambalaya is a savory rice dish brimming with Cajun flavors. Featuring a delightful combination of Andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp, and aromatic spices, jambalaya is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
Crawfish étouffée
A true Cajun delicacy, crawfish étouffée is a creamy, indulgent dish that showcases the bountiful flavors of Louisiana's famous crustaceans. Sautéed with onions, bell peppers, and a decadent roux, crawfish étouffée is served over a bed of fluffy rice.
Boudin
A beloved Cajun sausage, boudin is a flavorful blend of seasoned pork, rice, and spices, encased in a savory casing. Whether enjoyed as a snack (boudin balls) or paired with Southern veggies, boudin is a savory treat that exemplifies the rustic charm of Cajun cuisine. And if you want to know more about the history of boudin and where to eat the best, read our article on the Boudin Trail!
Alligator meat
Whether grilled to perfection and served with a side of spicy remoulade sauce or simmered in a hearty gumbo, alligator brings a taste of the bayou to the table.
Alligator sausage is a must-try, blending the robust flavors of Cajun spices with the tender meat of this iconic reptile. Served on a po'boy with tangy slaw or sliced and skewered for a flavorful appetizer, alligator sausage is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Cajun cooks.
Pic: Before you start crying or yelling, don’t worry, they only eat the old ones! This little one, held by Eli, lives a happy life at a conservation center. And we can ensure you that gators are not endangered in Louisiana!
Oh, and just in case you overdo it on Cajun food or meet with a revengeful gator, remember to book a travel insurance — with a 5% discount for booking via Penguin Trampoline. Medical bills in the United States are very expensive!
Cajun culinary hotspots
Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with food in Louisiana. You’ll find a plethora of culinary hotspots to indulge in authentic Cajun fare. Here are a few must-visit destinations for experiencing the best of Cajun cuisine:
New Orleans
As the cultural epicenter of Louisiana, New Orleans boasts a vibrant culinary scene teeming with Cajun and Southern food delights. From iconic eateries in the French Quarter to hidden gems in the Bywater and Treme neighborhoods, New Orleans offers a gastronomic adventure like no other.
Lafayette and the Cajun Country
Known as the heart of Cajun Country, Lafayette is a mecca for food enthusiasts seeking authentic Cajun flavors. Be sure to explore the local markets, roadside stands, and family-owned restaurants. And follow the Boudin Trail!
Other spots
Nestled along the banks of the Bayou Teche, Breaux Bridge is a charming town renowned for its Cajun cuisine.
We also found a gem in Donaldsonville. More on this in our article on Louisiana plantations.
Local boils and cookouts
Ask the locals for cookouts and local crawfish boil, to experience the best of Cajun cuisine and hospitality!
We had a lovely Jambalaya at Gros Marina, on four mile bayou, where they cook a dish for everyone during the weekend!
Crawfish love in Louisiana!
🌏 Plan Your Trip
✈️ Find flights on Omio — compare prices and routes across airlines in one place.
🏨 Find hotels in Louisiana on Booking.com — from boutique stays to hidden guesthouses.
🚗 Compare car rentals — explore freely, not just from A to B.
🧭 Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off) — better safe than stranded (or snakebit).
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off) — track a real animal from your next adventure (no gators though).
🧳 Travel list — check our travel essentials on Amazon
✅ FAQ: Cajun food in Louisiana
What is Cajun food?
Cajun cuisine comes from the Acadian people of Louisiana. It’s rustic, bold, smoky, and built on simple ingredients that pack huge flavor — think sausage, seafood, rice, peppers, and slow-cooked stews.
What are the must-try Cajun dishes?
Gumbo, boudin, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and cracklins are the essentials. If you try nothing else, try gumbo and boudin — they tell you everything about the culture in one bite.
Where can you find authentic Cajun food in Louisiana?
The best spots are in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Breaux Bridge, and small-town diners across Acadiana. New Orleans has Cajun dishes too, but the heart of it is west of the city.
Is Cajun food spicy?
Not always. Cajun food is more “flavorful” than “firey.” It uses spices like paprika, cayenne, garlic, and black pepper — but you won’t burn your face off unless you ask for it.
How is Cajun food different from Creole food?
Cajun is country-style cooking—rustic, smoky, and based on French country techniques. Creole is city-style—richer, more tomato-heavy, influenced by Caribbean, African, and European flavors.
Can vegetarians eat Cajun food?
It’s trickier, but doable. You’ll find veggie gumbos, rice dishes, beans, and sides. Ask for “meatless” explicitly — many Cajun dishes use meat stock by default.
Finally, here is a playlist to get you in the Cajun vibe:
From the humble beginnings of roux to the mysterious tales of the bayou, each element adds flavor and intrigue to the amazing culinary heritage of Lousiana.
One thing is for sure: the spirit of Louisiana will forever linger on our taste buds and in our hearts!
So here's to the spicy gumbo, the lively crawfish boils, and the legendary rougarou—may they continue to tantalize our senses and ignite our imaginations for generations to come. Geaux Cajun, and allons manger !
Other articles from our series 5 things to do in Louisiana — off the beaten track:
