The Bayou

645 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, United States
+1 801-961-8400
$$$ Cajun restaurant
(3722 Reviews)

If you're on the hunt for authentic Cajun cuisine in Salt Lake City, look no further than The Bayou, nestled at 645 S State St. This lively restaurant brings a slice of Southern charm to the heart of Utah, creating an atmosphere that's as warm and inviting as the flavors on your plate. With Louisiana-inspired dishes and a curated drink menu, The Bayou is a culinary gem that's sure to please any palate.

As you step inside, you’ll be enveloped by a relaxed ambiance, accented by friendly service that feels like home. The aromas wafting through the air will excite your senses, beckoning you to try their mouthwatering offerings. The menu showcases a range of delectable options that highlight the rich and spicy flavors of Cajun cooking.

Start your meal with a comforting bowl of Spicy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, served with fluffy rice that beautifully absorbs the hearty broth. If you’re feeling adventurous, enhance your experience by adding crawfish or shrimp for just a few dollars more. For a unique twist, don’t miss the Gumbo Fries—though some diners noted the fries are softer than expected, the luscious gumbo atop them more than makes up for it!

The pasta offerings are not to be overlooked, either. The Bayou Pasta, a Cajun fettuccine smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce, is easily a guest favorite, as is the Fettuccine Kileene, which features spinach fettuccine tossed with roasted tomatoes, artichokes, and crunchy pine nuts. For hearty options, dive into the rich and flavorful Jambalaya or the indulgent Cajun Burrito, a delightful wrap filled with jambalaya and drenched in crawfish étouffée that many customers rave about.

And don’t forget to save room for dessert! The Deep Fried Twinkies are a must-try, served with raspberry sauce that adds a sweet touch to this classic treat. Meanwhile, the Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake is a decadent option that will leave chocolate lovers in a state of bliss.

Customers consistently express their delight with their experiences at The Bayou, praising the quality and presentation of every dish. As Romy M.G. shares, “I wish I could have tried more items from the menu,” a sentiment echoed by many who find it hard to choose just one dish. With such rave reviews, it's clear that each visit promises a new flavor adventure. John Magana was also thoroughly impressed by his order, particularly the vibrant flavors found in the Cajun burrito.

The Bayou not only excels in flavorful Cajun creations but also offers a relaxing dining experience that's perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner for two. Be sure to visit early to avoid peak hours, as its popularity can make for a packed house! And be mindful that they may close a bit earlier than some dining establishments.

So, whether you're craving a filling bowl of gumbo, an indulgent plate of jambalaya, or something sweet to top off your meal, The Bayou is ready to serve you a taste of the South that you'll not soon forget. Make sure to call ahead at +1 801-961-8400 to check availability and prepare for a mouthwatering experience!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Popular for
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

3722 Reviews
Romy M.G.

11 Sep 2025

I'm so glad I decided to try this place out before ending my SLC trip. I had the crawfish éttouffée, it was amazing! I wish I could have tried more items from the menu. Next time I'm in SLC, I will definitely be back for more. I also enjoyed one of their many many beers and a Mormon mule. The Mormon mule was outstanding.

R C

07 Aug 2025

This was a nice gem to find in SLC having tried food in New Orleans two years ago! Relaxed, great vibes and warm service. We had the Bayou fish plate, gumbo fries and jambalaya. My only criticism is that we were expecting fries topped with gumbo when it is actually gumbo with very soft fries and cheese in it. All in all, I would highly recommend Bayou for a hearty southern meal!

John Magana

21 Jul 2025

Decided to stop by this place while on a road trip to Yellowstone from Los Angeles, and I must say that I was not disappointed! I ordered the jambalaya and my girlfriend ordered the Cajun burrito. The jambalaya was good, but the Cajun burrito was fire!!! In essence, the Cajun burrito is jambalaya wrapped in a flour tortilla bathed in crawfish ettoufee garnished with avocado. This blend of Cajun flavors is absolutely to die for! Would highly recommend this establishment.

Janell Callisaya

02 Jul 2025

Each item was prepared beautifully and delivered hot! Highly recommend the Gumbo and the Cajun Game Hen. We also loved the fried catfish and the Cajun Alfredo pasta. All in all.... 10/10. Will be returning! PS- go early and you'll have an easier time finding parking + quicker service.

John Salmond

10 Jun 2025

I always love to grab something to eat here. Amazing Cajun food. The gumbo and jambalaya (or gumbolaya) are excellent choices. Lots of options on what to drink. And make sure you finish off your meal with the amazing deep fried Twinkies. Note that they do. Lose a little earlier than some restaurants.

Rachel Iverson

06 Jun 2025

we had such a nice date night here! It was Sunday night, so things were a little bit slower and no live music, although I’m sure if there had been, that would’ve put it over the top for the fun factor. We sat down ordered a round of drinks and the fried crawfish appetizer. The crawfish appetizer was good, but I would’ve liked it a little bit crisper. Adding the lemon wedges was a great touch, and the tomato sauce was just spicy enough to add a little interest to the app. They gave us plenty of time to look at the menu and munch on our appetizer. There was no rush. We ordered a sandwich and the shrimp étouffée over the catfish blackened fillet. The entrées were excellent, incredibly flavorful, and huge portions. We couldn’t finish everything even if we wanted to. We did a second round of drinks, a gin and tonic, and a glass of Merlot. The Merlot had good body and was a little light but not as stringent. We also had ordered one of the many beers on top. If you are a beer aficionado, you will love this place. I also got the highball lemonade; it wasn’t my favorite drink in the world, but it tasted very fresh. I wish we had had room for dessert, but clearly we didn’t. We spent a lovely 90 minutes here, lounging and enjoying the atmosphere, the extremely competent and friendly waitress, and the delicious food. For an app, 4 drinks and 2 entrees it was around $100!

Jeri Springfield

31 May 2025

Wow!! A perfect jewel hidden in Salt Lake. Everybite was perfect! Natasha was outstanding, she knew menu, made several suggestions and just right amount of convo! Get here soon! No disappointments!

Butch Waldron

31 May 2025

The waitress was great. I had the blackened catfish. Not much flavor. Don't know where they got the recipe for gumbolaya, but the sausage was like cut up hot dogs and chicken. More like a Pinto broth with chicken and cut up hot dogs. The appetizers were good

Checking
Listing Image

Tuckers Place

2117 S 12th St, St. Louis, MO 63104, United States
Steak house
(3093 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

Chan Pheng's Mandarin Cuisine

1140 Mangrove Ave STE E, Chico, CA 95926, United States
Chinese restaurant
(215 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

DongTing Noodle

1947 Sawtelle Blvd suite c, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Chinese noodle restaurant
(115 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

Rosa's Pasta Express

271 Old Kingston Rd unit 106, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B4, Canada
Takeout restaurant
(450 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

My Kitchen

4049 E Williams Field Rd #108, Gilbert, AZ 85295, United States
Chinese restaurant
(340 Reviews)

Join the The Bayou Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.