Crabfest Menu Details
Red Lobster Crabfest is the most anticipated seafood event of the year, and this year it lands during a real turnaround story for the brand. Crabfest 2026 runs from June 29 through September 14, 2026, giving you exclusive crab dishes that never make it onto the regular menu, from snow crab legs and crab boils to crab queso and family platters. Prices start at $12.99 and climb to $109.99 for the family meal, so there's a way in at almost any budget. This page walks through the full Red Lobster Crabfest menu with prices for 2026, every dish on offer, and which ones are actually worth ordering.
Crabfest 2026 arrives right in the middle of Red Lobster's public comeback. After a 2024 bankruptcy filing, new ownership and a new CEO have pushed hard to modernize the chain, and this year's seafood boils have picked up real momentum on social media, with some locations reporting long waits during peak hours. That buzz is part of why Crabfest feels bigger this year than in recent seasons.
Most Popular Crabfest Dishes
The Crabfest items Red Lobster regulars order every season.
Crabfest Menu and Prices
| Item | Price | Description | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Crab Legs (Cluster)Popular | $29.99 | Two wild-caught snow crab clusters prepared your way, served with melted butter. | 610 |
| Crab Your Way (Snow Crab) | $29.99 | Steamed snow crab served over crispy baby potatoes with garlic butter. | 610 |
| Crab Your Way Family Meal | $109.99 | Six clusters of snow crab served with family-sized sides, serves 4-5. | 1,830 |
| Crab-Topped Asparagus | +$7.99 | Roasted green asparagus spears topped with tender crab meat. | 260 |
| Crab QuesoBest Seller | $12.99 | Warm and cheesy crab dip topped with fresh pico de gallo, served with tortilla chips. | 930 |
| Mariner's Seafood Boil | $39.99 | Includes snow crab legs, wild-caught shrimp, and sea scallops, served over potatoes. | 600 |
A quick nutrition note: Crabfest dishes built around butter, cheese, or creamy sauces (like Crab Queso and the pasta options) tend to run higher in sodium and saturated fat than the steamed or grilled options, which is typical of most seafood-boil and drawn-butter dishes across the industry. If you're watching sodium, the plain steamed Snow Crab Legs with butter on the side is usually your lightest pick. We don't have official per-dish protein and sodium figures from Red Lobster for every Crabfest item, so treat this as general guidance rather than an exact count, and check the restaurant's nutrition tool if you need precise numbers.
Build Your Own Crabfest Feast
Not sure where to start? Walk through these four steps and you'll land on a combination that actually works together, instead of just picking items at random.
| Step | Choose | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pick Your Crab | Preparation style | Snow Crab Legs (steamed and simple) or Crab Your Way (over crispy potatoes) |
| 2. Pick a Flavor | Seasoning | Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, OLD BAY and Butter Sauce, RL Signature, or Mike's Hot Honey |
| 3. Add a Starter | Something to share | Crab Queso or Crab-Topped Asparagus while the table waits for mains |
| 4. Pick a Drink | Cocktail pairing | Magical Blue Hawaiian, Hula Punch, or Lava Flow Margarita |
Crabfest Pairing Guide
These are our own pairing picks based on flavor balance, not an official Red Lobster recommendation. Use them as a starting point and adjust to your own taste.
| Main Dish | Best Cocktail | Best Side |
|---|---|---|
| Snow Crab Legs | Lava Flow Margarita | Garlic Cheddar Biscuits |
| Mariner's Seafood Boil | Magical Blue Hawaiian | Caesar Salad |
| Crab Your Way (Cajun) | Hula Punch | Coleslaw, to cool down the spice |
| Crab and Shrimp Linguini Alfredo | Lava Flow Margarita | Side salad, to cut the richness |
What Is Red Lobster Crabfest?
Crabfest is Red Lobster's biggest seasonal event. It happens once a year, running from June 29 through September 14, 2026. The kitchen brings in extra crab supply for this period. You get crab dishes that don't appear on the regular menu. Red Lobster Crabfest 2026 runs from June 29 through September 14, 2026. It ends when supply runs out, so don't wait too long.
Red Lobster sources wild-caught Alaskan snow crab for most Crabfest dishes. The Snow Crab Legs cluster at $29.99 is the most ordered item every year. The Crab Your Way platter lets you pick your preparation style. Options include roasted garlic butter and classic steamed. Both are solid choices.
The Mariner's Seafood Boil at $39.99 combines snow crab, shrimp, and scallops. It's the best value for a full seafood experience during Crabfest. If you're coming with family, the Family Meal at $109.99 feeds four to five people and includes six crab clusters.
Best Crabfest Dishes Ranked
Not every Crabfest dish is worth the price. Here's an honest breakdown based on value, portion size, and taste.
1. Snow Crab Legs Cluster at $29.99
The top pick every year. Two wild-caught clusters with drawn butter. Fresh, meaty, and worth every cent. Get this first.
2. Mariner's Seafood Boil at $39.99
Best overall value. Snow crab, shrimp, and scallops together. Filling, flavorful, and a complete meal on its own.
3. Crab Queso at $12.99
Best starter of Crabfest. Warm cheesy crab dip with pico de gallo and tortilla chips. Order this while you wait.
4. Crab Your Way
Crab Your Way now lets you choose Snow Crab or Bairdi Crab legs served over crispy potatoes. Pick from six flavors: Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, OLD BAY and Butter Sauce, RL Signature, or the new Mike's Hot Honey. Served with one side.
NEW Crabfest Boil
The new Crabfest Boil offers twice the crab portion of any regular Red Lobster boil, plus shrimp, with your choice of flavor and spice level.
Crab and Shrimp Linguini Alfredo
Lump crab meat and tender shrimp tossed with linguini in a house-made creamy garlic Alfredo sauce with fresh asparagus and tomatoes.
Crab-Topped Items
Crab-Topped options include Crab-Topped Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab Queso, Salmon Oscar, Steak Oscar, Crab-Topped Asparagus, and Crab-Topped Baked Potato.
New Tropical Cocktails
Red Lobster is also serving three new tropical cocktails during Crabfest 2026. The Magical Blue Hawaiian uses Malibu Coconut Rum with pineapple and citrus. The Hula Punch uses Ketel One Vodka with peach and hibiscus. The Lava Flow Margarita combines Espolón Blanco Tequila and Malibu Coconut Rum with strawberry hibiscus sour.
5. Crab-Topped Asparagus at $7.99
Best add-on. Roasted asparagus with crab meat on top. Light, fresh, and pairs well with any main dish.
Crabfest Tips Worth Knowing
Go Early in the Season
Crabfest ends when supply runs out. First two weeks always have the freshest stock. Don't push it to the last week.
Make a Reservation
Crabfest is the busiest time at Red Lobster. Walk-in waits can run 45 minutes or more. Book your table before you go.
Stack Rewards Points
Red Lobster rewards apply during Crabfest. Higher spend means faster points. Sign up before your visit if you haven't already.
Order the Queso First
Crab Queso at $12.99 is the best starter. It arrives fast and keeps the table happy while mains are being prepared.
Our Verdict
Red Lobster Crabfest is worth it if you love crab. The Snow Crab Legs at $29.99 are the top pick. The Mariner's Seafood Boil at $39.99 is the best value for a full meal. Skip the Family Meal unless you're coming with a group of four or more.
Crabfest runs for a limited time. Prices and availability change by location. Always call ahead to confirm your local Red Lobster is running Crabfest before you make the trip.
