this was my first time in hear nothing but horrible things about the place, had to come see if it was true I'm pleased to say I had a fan time sat at the bar. the female bartender was great with the other patrons as well as myself food came fast and drinks faster read more

The day before we were able to get a reservation on the water at 11:15 am on a Sunday. They have a lot and there was plenty of parking. We sat on the deck overlooking Lake Natoma which is a river? Fun watching the kayaks and SUP's float by on the river. They have good umbrella coverage for those who need it. I think our server's name was Isabelle. She was good. Nice to be young. No paper needed, she remembered all 6 of our orders. Like how old I am, paper orders, what's that . I had a sip of my girlfriend's Bloody Mary. I would have ordered one after that but I had to drive home. The 3 who got sandwiches were huge and they came with yummy fries or salad. Perfect to eat one half and the salad and take half home for lunch the next day. I had a citrus beet salad. I loved it was served with feta cheese. I. Would definitely order it again! I think it was $17. So reasonable with a great view and company. Thank you! I would come back. read more

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We celebrated a friend's birthday here last night and had a fantastic experience from start to finish! Despite the scorching 101° weather, our 7:00 PM reservation turned out to be absolute perfection. We sat on the patio, and between the misters and overhead fans, it was surprisingly cool and comfortable the entire evening. The patio offers an incredible backdrop--we loved watching the kayakers go by with great views of both the Rainbow and Truss bridges. The atmosphere is vibrant and festive, and the Cajun theme at this location adds such a fun, unique energy to the meal. The food was delicious, the service was attentive and top-notch, and hands-down, they serve the best Mai Tais. We couldn't have asked for a better spot to celebrate. Highly recommend! read more

My friends and I had been to this restaurant once before and had a nice experience. For that reason, we decided to celebrate my friend's birthday there last night. The experience was completely the opposite of what we had before. It started with the wings, which arrived cold. A couple of items were ordered but never came. They were having an event at 8:00 p.m. We were still eating dessert and fries when a staff member came over and told us they were taking our table away and that we either had to buy tickets for the event or leave. We were rushed out and weren't even given time to ask for our fries to be boxed up. There were empty tables on the patio outside, but instead of moving us there, they simply cleared our table and took all of our leftovers. Our party of six was no longer having fun at that point. We felt more like an inconvenience than valued customers. Yes, we didn't buy tickets, but was it fair to be asked to leave during a birthday dinner? We didn't even care for the country music. We just wanted to enjoy a nice dinner and celebrate my friend's birthday. I feel like the restaurant should plan events better and move diners to the patio if they need the indoor tables for an event. We were paying customers, too. Overall, it was an awful experience. read more

This four stars is based mainly on how good the Cajun Pasta tasted. It was so good. I also got crab cakes and those were good too. I also have to give a shout out to the bartender Devin because he made up for the lackluster service. It took forever to get our food, but he made up for it. Overall would go back has a great atmosphere very lively. It is a big establishment would be great for a big group. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - cajun pasta - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

Reservations at the patio overlooking the river was a perfect ambiance. The Cajun fettuccine pasta was a good sized portion, creamy, spicy, and hit the spot for what I was craving that evening. After dinner, we had tickets to see a country singer there and were able to move indoors and enjoy the bar and music read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Cajun fettuccine pasta - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

Nice restaurant on the river in downtown Folsom. Full bar. Nice breeze inside with the fans. Outside seating along the patio has umbrellas and views of lake natoma. Husband enjoyed his Cubano. My fish tacos were good. Need more salsa than that tiny ramekin. Kid enjoyed his cheesesteak. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Menu today - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

My daughter and I came here for Father's day. We had no reservations but it was a 15 minute wait. We were seated just at the edge of the indoors but not on the balcony so the partial views were still good of the lake. The atmosphere was loud with rock music playing in the background and people talking loudly. We didn't mind it as this is a casual dining place. We orderd a bucket of crawdads (crawfish), caesar salad, and a skewer of beef and shrimp. The crawfish is 2 lbs but listed as a starter. They're messy and they gave us one napkin each. We asked for many more! If you're never eaten them, the real meat is in the tail. Caesar salad was good The skewer of steak and shrimp was good but we felt it should have been larger. We'll be back and try some other items on the menu and when they have live music. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Caesar salad - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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Ambience was very good. We did have to stand at the hostess booth for about eight minutes before somebody showed up but other than that our service was excellent. The food was amazing! Excellent clam chowder and the chowder fries were really good and a huge portion! read more

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Service excellent food Superb ambiance Beautiful for a first timer,you will not be disappointed at All. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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I had the Cajun grilled chicken sandwich. I thought the sandwich was pretty good. I subbed cheddar cheese for provolone. Instead of fries, my sister and I opted for a side salad for an upcharge. It was miniscule, It came in a small container and my sister and I couldn't believe how small it was. Considering they charged us extra, it was pretty ridiculous, to be honest. read more

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First time here! Service, food, drink- all amazing! I got the Malibu Barbie drink! Haha. Didn't get a pic but it was so good. Cajun pasta, nachos with chicken (I already started eating them before pic.) Truly, all delicious. We also got Dippin' Out as an appetizer. It's a cheese jalapeño dip and comes with a side of guacamole. Also very good. Our server checked in often but it wasn't too much, you know? We sat on the deck with a view of the river. Very peaceful. I want to go back at night very soon. Live performer was amazing as well! Amazing energy and vibes there for sure which is huge for me Truly, all around a great experience and we will be back very soon!!! read more

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I went to Crawdad's on the Lake on a Sunday afternoon. I definitely recommend making a reservation if you want patio seating. It's such a great spot to hang out with friends, especially on a nice day. We started with the Cali-flower wings, which were okay. They were battered and fried with the buffalo sauce on the side, but the pieces were pretty large and a bit awkward to eat. I would've preferred smaller, more bite-sized pieces. For my meal, I had the crab grilled cheese, and that was a standout. It was super filling and had way more crab than I expected (a great surprise). It wasn't overly cheesy, which I appreciated. I ended up only eating half because it was so hearty. Service was friendly and pretty quick, especially for a busy weekend. Overall, a fun, casual spot with a great patio. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Cali-flower wings - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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Bought concert tickets. Arrived an hour early and was told no more food was being served and the only place to sit was at the back bar where the concert could not be viewed. Paid $35 for two very small drinks from the front bar and sat at the back bar very hungry. And now the worst. They added 102% tip to my credit card charge!!!! Still waiting to hear back from the manager about this fraudulent charge. As soon as I do, I will update this post. Update. All phone calls go nowhere. Stopped in to talk to Manager, Danielle Davis or Financial Manager, Isabelle and not available. Numerous phone messages not returned as of date. Two dinks cost $69. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Not a pleasant atmosphere for a Saturday night live music concert. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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Can't stop thinking about the great night my boyfriend and I had this past Sunday (the 26th)! Date night started at the bar with the froze and the seasonal Hugo spritz, and they absolutely lived up to the hype. For food, we got the calamari to start, which was perfectly crispy and delicious. We also split the surf and turf skewers, which were amazing. It was the perfect meal to share. Honorable mention to our bartender, Natalie! She was so friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down. She gave great recommendations, kept our drinks full, and made the whole experience even better. This was our first time at Crawdads on the Lake and we'll definitely be back and hope to see Natalie again! read more

Crawdads on the Lake - The seasonal Hugo spritz was my fav - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

I had a really good dinner at Crawdads by the Lake as Cajon food is some of my favorite. Crawdad's is in a great location on the edge of Folsom Lake and has indoor and outdoor seating. I enjoy outdoor seating the most but since it was late,l and a bit chilly outside, I elected to say inside. Their seafood pasta was fantastic and would definitely eat it again-I am sure I will go back for more. My top self margarita was OK (I am a bit picky on my margaritas as I make really good ones at home so can't be too picky). The bartenders were great and they had really good service. The bartenders area is a great place to sit if you are there during game day. Their menu has plenty of appetizers and beverages to choose from. Great place to stop in if you are in the area! read more

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January 31, 2026 - Folsom, CA . We pulled into the parking lot at 4:15 on a Saturday and my first thought was, "I'm so glad we made reservations." The place was packed. The noise level inside was very loud, so I was especially happy we had reserved an outdoor table. Thankfully, it felt like a spring day in January--sitting outside was very pleasant. From our table, we could see the live band and really enjoyed the music. As other reviewers have mentioned, the service was below par. Our server was friendly and likable, but it was obvious she was overextended. There was a long wait to order a second round of drinks--long enough that they arrived after we were mostly finished with our meal. I ordered the steak and shrimp skewers with a house salad ($26), and it was a perfect meal for me. I appreciated the simplicity of just steak, shrimp, and salad. I ordered the steak medium; it came out closer to well done, but it still tasted good and I would order it again. The view overlooking the bike trail and the water was amazing. I never imagined we'd be sitting outside in January without coats, but that was the case. All in all, despite the service issues, we had a good time and really enjoyed the setting. read more

Crawdads on the Lake - January 30, 2026 - Surf and Turf Skewers ($26). - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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We had a sort of mini high school get together here yesterday. We arrived right when they opened. Since we really didn't know how many people were going to show up, they suggested we order from the bar so we could do individual tabs. (This worked out GREAT by the way). I ordered the Fish and Chips. It was brought out to me pretty quickly. The fries were done just the way I like them with just a touch of crisp. The 3 pieces of fish were nice sized and had a kind of breading on them. They weren't so oily and greasy like typical Fish N Chips. The serving size was just right for a lunch and I had no leftovers. I had not been in here since it became Crawdads. Last time I was here it was Cliff House and while it was OK, it's so much better since the renovation. The whole place gives off a very good vibe and the staff could not have been nicer. The food and the experience was good enough that we're going to make this get together a monthly thing. read more

The 3 stars is only for the food and patio seating. The server continually rushed us on ordering.Seemed impatient because we were talking while waiting for our party to be complete before we ordered. We were a party of six. Not sure if we'll have your restaurant on our rotation list. read more

I came on a Sunday when they had live music playing and it was such a vibe! The service was super attentive and quick considering there were so many people. My crab grilled cheese was tasty and very filling. I was only able to eat half and got the other half to go! Aperol Spritz was okay- it lacked the sweetness I'm used to but they made it without it being on their drink menu so I appreciated their flexibility! Hearty serving for dessert. Could definitely be shared. This place is definitely worth a visit and in a great location to enjoy the shops downtown afterward which is what we did on our girls afternoon. read more

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This was an unexpected disappointment. I'm not sure what niche this restaurant fills. The bar was crowded and fun (Tuesday night trivia). The dining area has an entire wall specifically designed for fun instagram shots. And the view off the patio is breathtaking. The staff is all young and enthusiastically pleasant. Parking is easy and plentiful. The menu and wine list is varied and will easily satisfy a large group's diverse palate. Jambalaya and gumbo were delightfully spicy. The lighting in the dining room was bright - but a 7 pm, this just gave a cafeteria vibe and no ambience. The food is fine, but one our party had to wait 10 minutes for her food after everyone else had been served. After much thought I'd say the entire evening was ok, the staff is eager. However, this place is like a very clean dive bar and dining is not its main draw. read more

Wow, how does this restaurant stay in business? When first arriving, we found that nearly the entire parking lot has been converted to valet parking. So, it's no longer free to park in the restaurant's lot Our server refused to provide our party with separate checks. WTF?! read more

Went up to Folsom for a couple of days for the holidays - place was nice. Service was good, ambiance was okay, and food was solid. My party went here for lunch. We order the rotational IPAs, Bloody Marys, Chips & Queso, Crab Grilled Cheese, Fries, and Cauliflower Tacos. Food & Drinks were consistently solid. The only downside really was the food took awhile to get to us and the queso should've been hot instead of cold but seasoning was on point. Overall 3/5, solid place to watch a game and have drinks/food. Though nothing blew me away food/drinks were good and bartender/servers were friendly. read more

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Back again & trying different options Seafood simmer Grilled Salmon And for desert - Churros with ice cream Excellent service as always, great ambiance & beautifully decorated for Christmas read more

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Stipped into Crawdads on the Lake with co-workers, for the first time on a Thursday afternoon. It was pretty quiet in the parking lot and inside, maybe because it was during the work week, and or because it was raining. Once we arrived we were quickly seated at the large bar style table near the alligator statue in Christmas garb. Once all 6 of us had arrived we had our orders arrived and socialized as we patiently waited. Ordered: Strawberry lemonade Arnold Palmer Bloody Mary (Virgin) Louisiana Gumbo Jumbalaya Cajun Grilled Chicken Club Crab Grilled Cheese (x2) I mentioned earlier the time of day and the weather, because maybe they were short on staff. But our meals took like 40 minutes to arrive; definitely enough time that all of us started to notice, and were about to say something. And our waitress noticed bybthis that time as well, and came by to tell me our food would be outside shortly. Thankfully the food was good and no one had complaints with that. Overall: The food was good, amd the staff was friendly, and the food definitely took longer than expected. read more

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Such a fun vibe! I will definitely be going back there for some live music one night, that seems like a blast!! The food was great and all the staff was kind and welcoming. Can not beat the views at this place, just loved being able to look at Folsom while enjoying our meal. One thing, outside is hot in the summer, possible fans or misters would've been nice but sitting inside is just as vibey! read more

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Second time we have gone, service is extremely slow, food was lukewarm at best. It took 15 minutes to get a glass of water even when we asked 3 different people. read more

I had citrus beet salad added chicken,my sister got the Cobb salad and mom got the carnitas tacos.Also shared chips and salsa (salsas garlicky FYI) Loved our dishes but my mom thought kinda awkward eating tacos,soggy read more

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Very confused why this place has a 3.2/5. My first time here and everything was incredible. Staff was friendly, food was delicious and the ambiance was stunning. The top dishes were the Creole burrito and the Cajun pasta. The creole burrito was filled to the top and every bite was full of flavor. The Cajun cream sauce for the pasta was next level as well. I will come back for sure - not only for the food but for the ambiance and the friendly staff. Easy 5 stars read more

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Little pricey but good fresh food all around. Will come back. The chowder fries were the memorable item. Skip the steak sando though, its pretty boring. The ahi dish and the surf n turf skewers thing were both looking good. read more

We were told that the wait for 2 at 11am on a very nice Saturday would be about 45 min but it was really a 4 minute wait, so I am glad we decided to wait. The frozen drinks are good and the views were great, but I would not go again for the food. The crawfish was extremely chewy and you could tell they were frozen and overcooked. Our waitress was also not attentive and it seemed like staffing was an issue because she had to service the whole patio with just one other person. While she was nice and apologetic, the lower energy tables like ourselves had to wait a long time for anything, while the fussy tables had her running back and forth. There was also a large party of maybe 12-15 guests on the patio and again, the restaurant was just not staffed to accomidate that. read more

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We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday during one of their event nights, and unfortunately it was a very disappointing experience. The biggest issue was how we were treated. We were asked to leave our table very abruptly and without any courtesy. Instead of politely explaining that they needed the table or offering to move us to the patio, we were simply told, "I need this table now." It felt rude and unprofessional, especially considering we were paying customers celebrating a special occasion. The food was also disappointing. I ordered the wings, which arrived cold and much spicier than expected. Our servers mixed up our orders multiple times, and several items we requested never arrived. By the end of the meal, we ordered ice cream for dessert, and it was already partially melted when it reached the table. I understand that event nights can be busy, but being busy is not an excuse for poor service or disrespectful treatment. A little communication and professionalism would have made a huge difference. Sadly, what should have been a fun birthday celebration turned into a frustrating experience. I would not return based on this visit. read more

We're from Southern California and came to visit our friends who RAVE about this place. The food was amazing and the view was unmatched. I wish I had taken photos but they don't do it justice! We shared the crispy crab cakes and crawdads chowder fries. I got the crab grilled cheese which was one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I have ever had. The service was good, not bad, not exceptional, but got the job done. Would come back to Folsom just to visit this gem! read more

Beautiful spot for lunch on a nice day. Food is good and big portions. Steak sandwich and ahi sandwich in the photo - both yummy! read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Steak sandwich and ahi nachos - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

Crawdads has a beautiful view and a full bar, so therefore it's able to get away with mediocre food and terrible service. Only come here when you have lots of time to kill. edit: just walked out after sitting at our table for literally 20 minutes and having no one come up to us read more

Visited this spot a few times and the drinks although in point showcased a broken Collin's glass that was served to me . The server was quick to handle the issue although I did see the bartender just pour it back into a new glass rather than making a new one . Our order included fried Calamari, a steamed shrimp appetizer, a Burrata salad and a tri tip sandwich . Will give this spot another chance despite the fact that I got a pretty mild food poisoning that same evening ... read more

We really need to come back at sunset to get the full picture of this place. Or at least when its not too cold to sit on the patio. We had a lovely dinner with Isabella as our server aiming to make sure we were well taken care of. I dont think I've ever been to a place where we got our appetizer before our drinks. I will say this tho, the chowder fries saved the day. The portion size was more than enough for the both of us to share. Its weird, French fries and chowder, but it totally works. I tried one of their valentines cocktails, a cran-orange aperol concoction, possibly the only one without gin in it. Not bad, but not great. It left a weird aftertaste. My husband had the bucket 'o crawdads. Again, the portion size and service was great, but they could learn a thing or two about seasoning. A little on the bland side. My filet medallions with roasted veggies were tasty and tender, which was surprising because the steak was closer to well done than it was the medium that I asked for. Swimming in a pool of demi place that drowned the 5 stalks of asparagus, and turned the (actually rather good mashed potatoes) to soup, I most likely wouldn't order that dish a second time. Everything considered, I'd go back to give them another try. Probably not for dinner, maybe a late lunch. read more

Great place, but my only complaint is for our party of 6 getting a 21% automatic service charge which is staggeringly high. Make sure to not tip more on top of that. The view is good, the trivia night is challenging and works your brain out -- we won a gift card and had a lot of fun. Good service and had a creole burrito which pinged my taste buds as it was pretty good and had a lot of unique and diverse flavor and was filled with good stuff. The rest of the menu I didn't roll the dice due to the prices and probably being able to find that stuff cheaper elsewhere. read more

My friends and I made a reservation to eat here for the 4th of July since we were going to the Dylan Schneider concert and we were very impressed! For cocktails, we each ordered the Mardi Gras which was passionfruit, guava, Bacardi Malibu rum, and Whaler's dark rum, and boy was this strong, but in a good way! This ended up being the only drinks me and my friends got, but I'd love to go back to try their others as they have such a good fruity cocktail menu. For food, I ordered the small Louisiana Gumbo and I was amazed at how big the portion was when it came out! It was piled high with sausage and chicken, and I loved how flavorful the gumbo was. Overall, service was great considering it was a major holiday. I'd definitely return! read more

Crawdads on the Lake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Folsom, California

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The best part was the view. Our waiter was helpful while ordering. That was the good. We had the clam chowder and fish and chips. Clam chowder had no flavor and the fish and chips were just meh...then when the bill came it was all screwed up and we couldn't find the waiter. Then when we did and explained the problem he never came back. Young kid, but still. Finally just left and ended up paying almost 1 and half times more than the bill after checking the credit card. Won't be back. read more