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The Boil

The Boil

(Now Closed)
Seafood Restaurant and Cajun and Creole Restaurant$$$$
Lower East Side, New York
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  • Karen
    KarenMarch 15, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. They take reservations now! I ordered 2 lbs of the shrimp in the Boil flavor. Takes a lot of work, making the shrimp so much more delicious!
  • Jaimee E.
    Jaimee EstrellerApril 5, 2013
    Delicious, exactly what I've been waiting for in NYC. Comparable to Boiling Crab in LA. Recommend the boil special sauce, mild for snow crab legs & shrimp. Get the catfish. & there is a 1.5 hour wait.
  • Paige C.heart icon on user image
    Paige CJanuary 31, 2016
    What a restaurant! Our waitress was amazing, even demonstrated how to properly eat a crawfish. Go for the combos and order a few apps, it won't be too much! We enjoyed every bite. Come early!
  • Ha D.heart icon on user image
    Ha DiemAugust 22, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    One of my favorite places in NYC. Crawfish is always fresh and amazing with the boil special sauce. Service is always good and the music is on point. Super chill environment. I love The Boil!!!
  • Christine B.heart icon on user image
    Christine BerriosDecember 12, 2017
    Took my husband here for his birthday and he is from Louisiana and he gives this place a thumbs up 👍👌🏽💪🏽. The crabs the clams in any sauce! First time I ate Brussels sprouts and I’m in love 😍
  • Ralph A.
    Ralph AndreMarch 2, 2016
    Went on a Friday evening. It's worth the long wait! It was an awesome (and messy) eating experience! They'll text you when your table is ready. So check out one of the nearby bars while you wait.
  • Jessica B.heart icon on user image
    Jessica BossertNovember 17, 2014
    One of my favorite restaurants of all time. They don't take reservations but you can call ahead to put your name on the list. Try the crab with the boil sauce and mac and cheese. You won't regret it.
  • Raquelle J.heart icon on user image
    Raquelle JessieMarch 17, 2016
    catfish sliders & cajun fries to start, 1 1/2 lb lobster tail with the boil seasoning & 1 lb crawfish (also in the boil seasoning) in & 2 lbs snow crab legs with garlic butter and LOTS of lemon.
  • Skye W.heart icon on user image
    Skye WestJuly 21, 2015
    Great seafood & you don't have to worry about getting your clothes messed up. The music and drinks are great as well. But it's a small place so make a reservation on busy nights like during happy hour
  • Sam N.heart icon on user image
    Sam NzJanuary 13, 2016
    Combo A is fantastic and can definitely feed two. The crayfish were kind of puny but that might be due to the time of year. Great atmosphere and staff. Get the boil special sauce spicy!
  • Marc C.heart icon on user image
    Marc CohenApril 20, 2017
    Crab legs of any kind, crawfish, old bay fries. All great. Love this spot. Special sauce is good, and the garlic sauce is excellent.
  • Wendy Q.
    Wendy QiuJanuary 26, 2015
    Love the shrimp they are massive. The boil signature sauce includes garlic butter, old bay seasoning , and lemon pepper. It's a little overbearing but works well with the shrimp with the shells on
  • Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals
    Go for the 2 lb combo (1 kg) if you are with two people, which comes with potato corn and sausage. Then you choose a sauce and the level of spicy you want. Cash only place! Read more
  • Sheila L.heart icon on user image
    Sheila LampitocSeptember 16, 2014
    The BEST place - hands down! One of my favorite restaurants and I refuse to leave NY without going to eat here! Get some good ol' shrimp, crawfish, & corn with the boil sauce! Won't be disappointed!
  • Fazeela M.heart icon on user image
    Fazeela MohammedNovember 20, 2014
    The boil special spicy combo A!!! I get this as take out once a week. It's almost an unhealthy obsession. For a place with such great Cajun food..... Their blood mary is sad. Just sad.
  • Kate F.
    Kate FurmanJuly 2, 2015
    Cash only, they've got an atm near the front door. I recommend getting the garlic butter and old Bay seasoning mixed together with whatever choice of seafood you prefer.
  • Louie T.
    Louie TsangFebruary 8, 2013
    Nice nice spot, a crawfish spot near the heart of Chinatown/lower east side... Or in NYC is quite rare. Food is fresh... And price is reasonable... And the ambiance is also very nice! Def a must go!
  • Alice L.heart icon on user image
    Alice LaiMay 4, 2014
    Contrary to what most people assume are the better appetizers at a seafood restaurant, the mac n cheese was surprisingly amazing. It was baked, and the cheese was full of flavor. Highly recommended!
  • Nick H.
    Nick HsslgrvOctober 25, 2017
    The snow crab is a must, but sadly we were a little meh on the crawfish. Brussel sprouts are great!Service was fast and we were happy overall.
  • Holly D.heart icon on user image
    Holly DeLeonJanuary 21, 2019
    All I really need to say is that the medium spiced Garlic Butter Sauce was finger licking good. Y'all need to bottle that stuff. The crab was succulent and that sauce OMG. DELICIOUS
  • rosie (.
    rosie (siman) yakobMarch 8, 2013
    True to tradition, expect a bag/bucket of crawfish with potatoes, corn & sausage dumped on a table in front of you. It's messy, fun and there's room for a bigger party if you travel in packs ;)
  • Ryan C.
    Ryan CampbellMarch 27, 2018
    You're hands will smell like garlic butter for the next 24 hours, but it's worth it. The shrimp and clams are my personal favorite, but many like the crawfish.
  • Josephine S.
    Josephine SonAugust 6, 2014
    Such a fun spot! Be prepared to get messy. Good shrimp & king crab legs. Make sure to dunk the bread in the extra sauce. And be careful not to squirt shrimp head juice!
  • PureWow
    PureWowJune 2, 2016
    August 10th: Eat lunch, New Orleans-style: Order a pound of crawfish with potatoes and corn at Lower East Side seafood spot The Boil. Read more
  • Mari P.heart icon on user image
    Mari PavliApril 8, 2015
    The best meal we had in NYC so far! Amazing lobster and crab legs in the magic Boil sauce. Go early and then u don't need to wait at all.
  • Valerie L.heart icon on user image
    Valerie LisyanskyDecember 26, 2015
    This place is so much better than "craw daddy's" around the block, though boil is cash only. The Alaskan crab is hard to break without cutting yourself and I think the snow crab is way better.
  • Alice Eunjinheart icon on user image
    Alice EunjinMay 11, 2015
    Wasn't as amazing as people say it is (But maybe I'm just not that into crawfish). Get clams with garlic sauce- that one is yummy!
  • Bon
    BonMay 5, 2013
    Fantasmic! King crab legs are meatier than snow crab. Pony up. It's worth it. Get a side of noodles to swirl around in the sauce. Ditto on great service. Note, cash only.
  • Jon S.heart icon on user image
    Jon SteinbackApril 10, 2013
    They give you a bib, gloves, and a giant (really really delicious) bag of food. It's fantastic if you're okay with getting your hands dirty, or just want a meal where you can't touch your phone…
  • H V.
    H VJune 24, 2016
    The boil sauce is excellent. Very flavorful. Goes well with everything. Cash only. Large groups watch out. There is a automatic tip and they "accidentally" put tax the tip also.
  • Jonathan L.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan L.February 23, 2016
    Would recommend if you looking to fulfill your crawfish fix here in NYC. Needs for improvement: actually boiling the crawfish with the seasoning, and not adding seasoning later & get rid of those bags
  • Alyx C.
    Alyx CullenAugust 20, 2014
    Get theBoil special sauce on whatever you order. The catfish fritters were also a great starter to distract us while we waited for the real deal.
  • Sandy L.heart icon on user image
    Sandy LinFebruary 28, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    The boil special sauce is what u want on your shrimp, clam, crab, etc. Exploding with flavors. Awesomely priced. Crab cakes are also delicious.
  • LaDawn P.heart icon on user image
    I'm a Louisiana native and can vouch that the food is on point. The catfish is delicious! Also, thumbs up for the playlist!
  • 💋Shoshi💋heart icon on user image
    💋Shoshi💋November 13, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    My favorite seafood spot in NYC. Get a combo in the boil sauce, spicy 💕
  • Ava L.
    Ava LuFebruary 17, 2013
    The soft shell is delicious, oysters and clams are fresh, crawfish is a bit too soggy for my taste and the lobster is good.
  • Briana K.heart icon on user image
    Briana KAugust 30, 2013
    This place was amazing!! Skip the gloves and the sides - just the fish is perfect! Be prepared to wait in line though - its worth it!
  • DANGER T.heart icon on user image
    DANGER TAMJune 9, 2013
    You will need a mint afterwards if you're not a fan of tons of garlic. Otherwise, holy hell the boil special spices make me miss home. Decently sized crawfish too. New favorite.
  • Jane D.
    Jane DongAugust 12, 2014
    Crawfish are a pain to eat but worth it. Shrimp is the best in my opinion. Soft shell crab portion is a little smaller than I expected
  • Sara J.heart icon on user image
    Sara JordanAugust 4, 2018
    Not for the faint of heart: be prepared to be gloves and bibbed. Super fun atmosphere and wonderful food. Try the combos!
  • Karina
    KarinaSeptember 7, 2014
    Make sure you get the Boil sauce with your order and also get a side of steamed rice so you can pour the Boil sauce over it. Enjoy!
  • Armelle D.heart icon on user image
    Armelle De OliveiraSeptember 18, 2015
    Friendliest people ever ! The manager Steeve was adorable and the food was delicious. Definitely a must do while in NY
  • YY
    YYMay 5, 2013
    Like a thai style seafood!!! Caramel and Chocolate cream are recommended after eating seafood...jub jub
  • Noah X.heart icon on user image
    Noah XifrNovember 7, 2014
    Yes they have great seafood here. Also get the BRUSSELS SPROUTS they are the best in the city. You are welcome :-)
  • Eric C.heart icon on user image
    Eric CAugust 12, 2014
    I can't speak for anything else but the lobster rolls for this place. But the lobster rolls were pretty amazing. I do wish the place accepted credit cards though
  • Yvette F.heart icon on user image
    Yvette FibleuilMarch 9, 2013
    Get the crawfish & special sauce. Spicy is pretty hot (& good!) so just squeeze the tail, twist, pull, suck, & enjoy! (hehehehehehe)
  • Moises W.heart icon on user image
    Moises WaldenAugust 9, 2016
    Everything is good tasty sexy what more can I say about this place
  • Amy .
    Amy 🍦June 16, 2013
    2 lbs crawfish w/ special sauce may seem like a lot of food for one (all that garlic, mmm) but you'll get through it just fine & satisfied.
  • Melanie W.
    Melanie W.March 4, 2013
    If you are looking for Louisiana style crawfish this is not the place to go. The boiled crawfish is covered in butter, garlic and old bay similar to West Coast crawfish joints like Boiling Crab.
  • Erika G.heart icon on user image
    Erika GrijalvaOctober 15, 2014
    The experience is better enjoyed without the gloves. Sure you will have to wash your hands thoroughly but the crawfish is worth it.
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