When asking yourself about something to do near me in Denver with a group of friends or family, consider
The Crawling Crab
Why The Crawling Crab is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Crawling Crab is a vibrant Cajun-style seafood restaurant with locations in Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, celebrated for bringing authentic Southern seafood boils to a landlocked state. Founded in 2011, this family-owned business has made a name for itself by specializing in boiled-in-the-bag seafood, including crab legs, Louisiana crawfish, shrimp, and other shellfish. The atmosphere of The Crawling Crab is lively and immersive, featuring playful decor that recalls the spirit of coastal shrimp shacks, complete with life-sized marine-themed decorations that create a festive gathering place perfect for friends and families alike. Their signature ALL-IN sauce, a carefully perfected blend of spices and herbs, elevates every seafood boil experience with customizable heat levels, catering to both mild and spicy preferences. Open daily with flexible hours, The Crawling Crab offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery options via popular services like UberEats and DoorDash, making it an accessible place to enjoy great Cajun seafood. The restaurant’s casual setting, generous portions, and authentic flavors make it an excellent spot for meetups, celebrations, or simply indulging in a communal seafood feast with friends. Parking is available, and the venue is wheelchair accessible, further supporting its welcoming environment.
Here's what people think of The Crawling Crab
As of recent, The Crawling Crab holds a 4.4-star rating based on 144 reviews.
Reviews of The Crawling Crab present a generally positive picture of the restaurant, reflected in its overall rating of approximately 4.4 stars across 144 reviews. Many customers praise the quality and flavor of the seafood, highlighting the authentic Cajun spices and the unique 'boiled-in-the-bag' cooking style that delivers fresh, flavorful dishes. Positive feedback often emphasizes the fun and casual atmosphere, noting that the restaurant is a great place to enjoy a seafood feast with friends or family. Patrons appreciate the customizable spice levels and the signature ALL-IN sauce, which adds a memorable kick to the meals. On the other hand, some negative reviews point to inconsistent service experiences, particularly slower waitstaff and attitudes that some diners found less welcoming. A few reviewers expressed concerns about the prices and the cost of a la carte ordering, suggesting they felt it was somewhat overrated relative to value. Despite these criticisms, many guests continue to return for the quality of the seafood and the lively environment. Overall, The Crawling Crab maintains a strong reputation as a reliable destination for Cajun-style seafood in Denver, balancing authentic tastes with a friendly, informal dining experience that appeals to many seafood lovers.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Toan Duc Le
Food was good but a little bit salty. We tried the garlic butter, Cajun, and lemon pepper and they are overly seasoned. Newly remodeled restaurant and it looks clean. Service is quick
JMPJOSE
Great place for spicy seafood! I been wanting to visit this place for a while. Great location with plenty of parking. The restaurant is clean and has nice decor. Service was very friendly. The prices on food depend on current market pricing. Recomend the fried shrimp. You order food by the pound and comes in plastic bagies. There is also a small selection of beers to go along with your dinner. Seems like most food is on the spicy side so if you are not into spicy seafood this is not for you. Finished up with a unique desert, banana rolls with ice cream, delicious. Highly recommend.
Amy onate
This place has very great service , the staff are very kind and showed attentiveness. Our server was very good at getting our refills and making sure we were good. My dad wanted to come here for his Fathers Day dinner. We ordered 2 pound of shrimp and 3 pound of snow crab with the cajun and garlic sauce and xxx heat. Yes it is spicy but not spicy enough for me. The taste was a 7/10 for me. The seafood itself had great taste though, not overcooked at all, very tender. I tried the cajun fried rice and wasn't very impressed I do not recommend. Cajun fries are nice and crispy though and the cajun ranch complimented it very well. My 5yo son really like the ranch and the chicken tenders! You don't get a bucket to put in your shells and trash and such its just straight from the bag and onto the table.
Melanie McPhee
So happy to find this little gem of a restaurant that features Louisiana style food the best gumbo I’ve had in a long, long time.
Sarah Jane
This is my first time coming to this restaurant my fiancé and I experienced phenomenal service. Our waiter was Tuong Some of the best customer service I’ve ever experienced very friendly refill drink drinks on time like good energy great food and again the waiter was amazing
How to reach The Crawling Crab
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Why The Crawling Crab may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at The Crawling Crab with your friends? This vibrant seafood restaurant offers a uniquely fun and interactive dining experience that is perfect for groups looking to enjoy both exceptional food and lively company. The Crawling Crab invites diners to dive into an authentic Cajun seafood boil, where shareable platters brimming with crab, crawfish, shrimp, and other seafood await to be cracked and savored together. This tactile, hands-on feast naturally encourages socializing and camaraderie, turning any gathering into a memorable occasion. The atmosphere is casual but festive, adorned with nautical decor that sparks conversation and adds to the immersive experience. Friendly and accommodating staff enhance the group vibe, ensuring everyone’s needs are met with a smile. Whether celebrating a milestone or just catching up after a long week, The Crawling Crab provides a relaxed yet energized setting where friends and family can rally, laugh, and make lasting memories over plates of exquisitely seasoned seafood.
What activities can you enjoy at The Crawling Crab that make it ideal for group meetups? The restaurant specializes in interactive dining through its seafood boils, which are the highlight of any gathering here. Groups can share massive bags or buckets filled with a variety of shellfish like blue crab, crawdads, shrimp, and sometimes even clams or oysters, tossed in flavorful, spicy Cajun and Vietnamese-inspired sauces. The hands-on nature of peeling and cracking shells fosters a lively, communal atmosphere that draws everyone together. Additionally, The Crawling Crab features a hand sink right at the table or nearby so diners can easily clean their hands between bites, enhancing comfort even as the meal gets messy. Beyond eating, the restaurant’s casual setting filled with vibrant decor featuring life-sized marine creatures and maritime elements creates a fun backdrop for conversation and photo opportunities. With TVs around, diners can also catch games or music, making it a versatile spot for parties, casual hangouts, or sports viewings. Their knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff often help with sauce recommendations and food choices, adding a helpful, interactive element to the experience. All these factors combine to make The Crawling Crab a perfect venue for dynamic group activities centered around great food and socializing.
Why is The Crawling Crab perfect for hosting family and friends? One of the strongest draws of The Crawling Crab is its ability to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences within a group, making it a family-friendly hotspot for seafood lovers and novices alike. The menu offers dishes with adjustable spice levels—from mild to fiery hot—so everyone from kids to adventurous adults can customize the meal to their liking. The hospitality and welcoming vibe put guests at ease, ensuring even first-timers feel comfortable diving into the messy, hands-on seafood experience. The space itself is designed to accommodate larger groups with tables suited to communal dining, providing ample room and comfort for everyone to gather closely and share food. Moreover, the affordable pricing relative to the generous portions means that hosting a meetup here is budget-friendly without sacrificing quality or fun. If your group includes people who prefer not to get messy, there are also more traditional seafood dishes available. The Crawling Crab’s commitment to freshness, quality, and bold flavors guarantees a satisfying dining experience that appeals to all ages and appetites, strengthening bonds as guests share plates and stories alike.
What makes the food experience at The Crawling Crab unique and engaging for groups? Unlike typical restaurants where dishes are served plated and eaten with utensils, The Crawling Crab delivers seafood boils in bags or buckets drenched in rich, butter-laden sauces infused with garlic, herbs, and spices that soak into every shell. This approach, rooted in Cajun and Vietnamese culinary traditions, transforms eating into an adventure where diners crack shells, suck heads for flavor, and dig for morsels amidst the savory mess. Sharing these generously portioned seafood boils amplifies a sense of togetherness for a group, as everyone participates in the peeling and savoring process. The sauces are their signature, especially the "ALL-IN" sauce, crafted to bring a burst of flavor and customizable heat, making each bite a thrilling combination of spice and buttery richness. For those who want to cool down the palate, complementary sides like crawfish fried rice are available, balancing out the heat and providing extra texture and substance. Each meal is a social event that immerses guests not only in flavor but also in a shared, memorable experience that stands apart from conventional dining.
How does the ambiance at The Crawling Crab enhance the group meetup experience? The Crawling Crab’s interior is designed to awaken a sense of maritime adventure and playfulness, with life-sized sharks, pelicans, life preservers, and mooring ropes decorating the space. This thematic decor creates an immersive environment that immediately puts guests in a spirited, vacation-like mood. The casual and lively atmosphere encourages relaxed conversation, laughter, and a shared focus on the exciting dining experience ahead. Unlike stuffy or overly formal establishments, this is a place where people can bring their enthusiasm, dive into messy food without hesitation, and enjoy the soundtrack of chatter and clinking glasses around them. The restaurant’s layout supports groups well, offering ample seating and a layout that supports mingling and communal dining. Couple this with friendly service that is both helpful and approachable, and you have a setting that truly feels like a gathering place for friends and family to relax, celebrate, and bond over a shared love of seafood and fun.
What logistical conveniences make The Crawling Crab suitable for group outings? Located conveniently with two Colorado locations—one on Federal Boulevard in Denver and another in Lakewood—The Crawling Crab provides accessible venues that accommodate both locals and visitors. Both locations offer dine-in options with walk-in availability and operate at convenient hours, including weekends with earlier openings, making it easy to fit group meetups into busy schedules. Parking availability varies but is generally manageable, reducing a common stressor for dining out. The restaurant also caters to evolving needs by offering takeout and delivery through popular platforms like UberEats and DoorDash, ideal for groups who want to enjoy the experience in the comfort of a home gathering. The presence of hand sinks at tables and nearby facilities reflects thoughtful planning for messy meals, enhancing convenience for large groups who can keep clean without interrupting the meal flow. With a reputation for accommodating group sizes ranging from intimate family dinners to larger celebratory parties, The Crawling Crab balances logistical practicality with a focus on memorable dining experiences.
Why do reviews rate The Crawling Crab highly and what should groups expect? With an overall rating around 4.4 out of 5 from roughly 144 reviews, The Crawling Crab is generally praised for its flavorful seafood, vibrant atmosphere, and attentive service. Frequent guests highlight the exceptional taste of the crab legs, oysters, and shrimp prepared with bold Cajun spices and buttery sauces. Many reviews commend the friendly and knowledgeable servers who help guide guests through the menu and sauce options, enhancing the experience. Although some mention that service can be slow during busy times or that parking is limited, these are common challenges for popular dining spots and are typically outweighed by the quality of the food and the fun atmosphere. Groups should expect a lively, noisy environment full of conversation, shell cracking, and laughter—ideal for those who enjoy shared dining adventures. Being prepared for the messiness and embracing it is part of the experience. Overall, The Crawling Crab is consistently recommended for groups seeking an engaging, tasty, and sociable seafood outing that is both satisfying and memorable.