The Boiling Crab

We visited The Boiling Crab in Los Angeles in 2025, and while there are a few things you should know before you go, this place is absolutely worth it if you love bold, flavorful seafood and don’t mind a bit of a wait. Parking Let’s start with parking—because in LA, that’s always half the battle. The good news? There’s plenty of parking in the underground structure, and Boiling Crab validates your ticket for up to $15. So even though the garage might say $20, you’ll only end up paying $5 out of pocket if you dine in and get it validated. That’s a solid perk and makes the trip much more stress-free. The Wait Now, here's the downside: the wait time. Expect to wait anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to be seated. That’s right—even on weekdays or slower times, this place draws a big crowd. And honestly, it makes sense—the food and experience are just that good. That said, come prepared: Get on the waitlist early if possible (call ahead or check if Yelp Waitlist is available). Bring your appetite and patience—you’ll need both. During the wait, the area offers a couple of great spots to explore: 85°C Bakery Café is right next door—perfect if you want a little pastry or iced coffee while you wait. HoneyMee, a Korean-style ice cream shop next to the bakery, is also a fun stop. Their desserts are top-notch and great for killing time. The Food Once you're seated, it’s game time. The seafood is phenomenal. We ordered: Lobster, shrimp, mussels, and clams – All cooked to perfection. Their signature seasoning mix (“The Whole Sha-Bang”) – Bursting with flavor, spicy, garlicky, buttery goodness. Steamed rice and Cajun fries – Great side pairings to balance out the rich seafood. Appetizers and soups – Also flavorful and generously portioned. Whether you're a fan of spice or prefer something mild, you can customize your order to your heat tolerance, which is a nice touch. The seafood is fresh, the sauces are bold, and you’ll want to lick your fingers when it’s all over—and that's encouraged here, given they give you gloves and bibs for the full messy experience. Service & Atmosphere The staff is friendly, fast, and attentive. Whether you need more water, extra gloves, utensils, or anything else, they’re quick and polite, even during the rush. The atmosphere is casual, loud, and fun—perfect for groups, friends, or even family outings if you don't mind a bit of a mess. Final Thoughts Pros: Incredible seafood Excellent service Fair parking situation with validation Casual, fun vibe Great nearby snack options during the wait Cons: Long wait times (plan ahead) Not much else to do nearby if you don’t want sweets If you’re looking for a top-tier seafood boil experience in LA, The Boiling Crab delivers big time. Just don’t come starving and expecting to walk right in—this is a place worth waiting for. Highly recommended! Just be strategic with your arrival time, and maybe grab a sweet treat while you wait.

This food was really good! The sauce was amazing! I ordered the snow crab boil and fried shrimp basket was an appetizer… delicious! The food came out fast although, the wait was like an hour -service was good. I spend around $78

Absolutely incredible experience! The Boiling Crab has quickly become one of my favorite spots for seafood. The king crab and shrimp are hands down the best I've ever had — perfectly seasoned, juicy, and packed with flavor. The fun, casual atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed. If you love seafood, especially crab and shrimp, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

For a Sunday evening, we only waited about 30 minutes, which isn’t too bad. We were served within 15 minutes and attended to by several waiters. I love the shrimp with Whole Sha-Bang seasoning and Cajun fries. This Boiling Crab is a bit smaller so it can get loud, especially if there are sports games on. Parking is available in the parking structure on the ground level and boiling crab validates, so it was $5 for us for about 1.5 hours.

Great food and atmosphere. Usually always busy and they might need more help since the service can take awhile. Food comes out quick but might have to wait awhile for a second or 3rd drink. Men's bathroom was very small. They have a to-go area right next door. Street parking is metered at 15 minutes for 25 cents but street is always busy. Parking underneath with validation for a few dollars for first couple of hours.

If you're a seafood lover, Boiling Crab is heaven in a bag. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of Cajun spices hits you like a warm, savory hug. Their “Whole Sha-Bang” sauce is the ultimate flavor bomb — buttery, garlicky, spicy, and addictively good. I usually go for the shrimp or snow crab legs with corn, sausage, and potatoes on the side. Everything is juicy, messy, and perfect. Be ready to get your hands dirty (in the best way), because this is not a place for dainty eating. The vibe is loud, fun, and casual — perfect for groups. Every bite makes you want to lick your fingers and order more. Boiling Crab never disappoints!

Now I know customer service has left the chat in most service industry spaces however today one of this locations employees literally casually and very openly insulted me with zero hesitation as I was minding my business peacefully waiting for my order to finish up. sir, you could have kept that. Abysmal- and for overpriced and overhyped food nonetheless.

DELICIOUS- we had a late lunch here today. We loved every morsel of food we had. For two people we had: a lobster, 1lb of crab legs, 1lb of clams, 2 orders of potatoes, two corns on the cob, and rice. We were stuffed but able to finish everything. Be aware they do not take reservations - we waited 20 min. Park dinner time can be up to 2 hour waits. There’s a cute bar next door that we had a beer while we waited. Discounted parking garage on site. Can’t wait to go back!