Richard's Seafood Patio
About This Spot
Arriving at Richard's Seafood Patio feels like stepping into a welcoming refuge where the energy hums with easy Southern charm and the unpretentious spirit of a close-knit community. Nestled just off the beaten path in Abbeville, this place carries a quiet confidence — an authentic seafood haven where the pace invites you to slow down and savor more than just a meal. It’s a spot where the chatter over tables mingles with the aroma of boiling spices, wood smoke, and butter, creating a mood that is lively yet comfortably familiar.
Inside, you’ll find warmth in the simple, no-frills setting that feels less like a restaurant and more like a cherished spot shared among friends and family. The hum of a bustling boil house blends with attentive service that never feels rushed, even on the busiest nights. There’s a sense here that good food and conversation are worth a little wait, and guests return time and time again because it feels like part of local life.
The story at Richard's unfolds through each communal pot of seafood, brimming with a rich medley of regional favorites that invite you to dig in without pretense. This is a place where the seafood platter comes with crispy onion rings on the side, where garlic butter-clad oysters sizzle with just the right kick of Louisiana hot sauce, and where boiled crawfish and shrimp are seasoned with generations of tradition. Beyond seafood, the offerings weave in Cajun classics — from hearty étouffée to perfectly fried alligator and boudin balls — each bite telling a story of the bayou and its boundless flavors. The desserts, like a moist New York style cheesecake, provide a gentle counterpoint to the savory feast.
Many who find their way here appreciate the longstanding history that courses through Richard’s, the kind of place that’s witnessed decades of gatherings, celebrations, and quietly memorable evenings. The setting may remind one of a large, unassuming barn more than a polished eatery, but it’s in that earnestness that the heart of the place shines brightest. For those chasing genuine Cajun and Creole flavors without any airs, Richard’s offers an experience that is real, rich, and rooted deeply in tradition.
In all, Richard's Seafood Patio is best discovered with a group, ready to share plates and stories, savoring Louisiana’s coastal heritage in each bite and every human moment at the table.
What’s Available Here
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Serves local specialty
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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All you can eat
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Wine
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Historic
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Groups
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Sunday | Closed |
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G Doof 05 Jan 2026
When I was working in the oil and gas industry during the early 80’s in California, our regional offices were in Lafayette, Louisiana. I traveled there for years on business. As you folks reading this know—-Lafayette and surrounding areas are home to some of THE best Cajun cooking anyone could ever have—- so many great restaurants!!! I was taken to lunch to Richard’s one day – –and I’ll never forget there was a sign out in front. It said “Open every day – – – except Mother’s Day”! We were given a “cook’s tour” by the owner and his son in the back room and watched them cook hundreds and hundreds of pounds of fresh crawfish!!! They had little red and white calico table cloths on each table in the dining room, and came in and dumped buckets of fresh crawfish for us. And all the extra!s of course— onions and corn – – we were literally in hog heaven, as they say—— never had before and 45 years later, never since have I had the great crawfish they had there at Richard‘s. That being said – – I also remember going to Houston, where the corporate headquarters was, and eating at a place on the North Loop called “Jimmy G’s Seafood Restaurant”—— Which I understand is long gone now????—- but that was one heck of a darn good Cajun seafood place. Also, they’re crab and crawfish, étouffée, red rice and beans, alligator and all that stuff was really really good as well. I miss that good old Cajun cooking!! BTW – – there was another REALLY good restaurant in Lafayette if I remembered, called Prejean’s. Is that place still open? And a place around Broussard that served cajun food as well – – – and alligator first time I ever had any!!! Anybody remember the name of that place?
Jim Gossen 23 Dec 2025
I have been coming to this seafood boiling barn for over 50 years. Established in 1957 and one of the first places of memory that was serving boiled crawfish around Lafayette. It’s an iconic Boil House.
Shannon Lan 20 Dec 2025
Excellent service excellent food!!!!!Found out about Richards 4 months ago and I've been 7times roughly and every single time I've left there never once unsatisfied or never once have bad service.Definitly my go to when seafood is involved!!!!!
Garnet Allison 'Al' Cook 10 Dec 2025
Was recommended this place. They had a special on the seafood buffet 19.99 on a Tuesday night, so we drove 30 minutes to check it out. It is a little out of the way. Road is not the best once off the main street. It looks like a warehouse. Nothing fancy but good food. Great selection. CJ, our waiter was very attentive to our needs in a very busy environment. He filled my water without asking and stopped several times to check on us. After a big feast, 2 heaping plates of food. I was looking for something sweet. Low and behold at the cash were some chocolates and sweets for sale. It was a mint chocolate, my fav. Icing on the cake for me. Great place
John Stebbins 07 Dec 2025
Food great. Waitress was awsome. Only complaint I'd have is the tiny crabs on the buffet. But they charge for u to get bigger crabs. I'd rather pay more for buffet and get at least nice medium crabs
Bobby Schuff 14 Oct 2025
Another enjoyable visit to eat some fantastic seafood. Traveled from Texas to eat crawfish. Typically the music is Cajun, but the night in question it was country. The wait to get seated was about 29 minutes, due to the customer volume. Service was sort of lack luster, not sure if it was due to number of tables per server or inattention. We always enjoy our visits to Richard's. Did not even consider the price, it was early season crawfish! Passing by the building is very unassuming, but stop one time and chances are you will stop in again.