A close-up of a Louisiana crawfish boil
The Bayou

Where Everyday is Mardi Gras!

Authentic New Orleans Cuisine & Culture — Longwood & Sanford, FL

Our Food

Straight from the Bayou

Bayou Gumbo
Bayou Gumbo
Chargrilled Oysters
Chargrilled Oysters
Bayou Wings
Bayou Wings
Crawfish Boil
Crawfish Boil
Shrimp Creole
Shrimp Creole
The Po'Boy
The Po'Boy
Straight from the Bayou
Straight from the Bayou
Jambalaya
Jambalaya

Our Story

From Grandma Marion's Kitchen to Yours

The Bayou Kitchen & Lounge was born from a simple belief: that the bold, soulful flavors of New Orleans deserve a home in Central Florida. Every dish on our menu traces its roots back to Grandma Marion's kitchen — where recipes weren't just cooked, they were celebrated.

You're on the Bayou now! So sit back, relax, and let the good times roll!

— Chef K, Founder & Head Chef
More About Us

What People Are Saying

Reviews

★★★★★4.5964 Google reviews
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Christopher Atkinson

a month ago

★★★★★

I came to the Bayou with some coworkers one evening after work. There were about six of us. We were seated promptly, and got to chill and drink during the short wait for the rest of our party to arrive. Ambiance is always so chill in there. Mood lighting, great artwork on the walls, and poppin' music. During our stay, the music might have actually been a little too poppin'. We had to really approach shouting to be able to have a conversation with each other. Service was good. We had a very nice server who took good care of us. They were out of a few food and drink items, but that might have been our bad. Our visit Was only two days after Mardi Gras. So, no points deducted, just be wary of maybe holding off coming here until they can replenish from Mardi Gras. As for the food, I started off with the Cajun Dip (spinach, cheddar, monterey Jack, brie, mozzarella, garlic bread, tri-color chips). Nice little dip. A good mixture of spinach earthiness and cheese, not too salty. Chips were good and crunchy, could have had more of that awesome bread. But overall a very nice app. As for my entree, I think I had a nice jambalaya. I can't find it on the menu right this moment, but I'm pretty sure that's what it was. It was really nice. Well-cooked rice, well-seasoned, and a good amount of shrimp hidden inside that tight mold. Very good presentation. Very nice dish. Overall, it was a good time with people people and good food! This place is right by my work, I've already been a few times, and I reckon I'll keep on coming back.

Google Review · Longwood

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Derese

5 months ago

★★★★★

When we first sat down, I wasn’t too sure about our server and bartender Terrence— he seemed a bit perturbed at first and only took our water order. But then I realized he was managing the bar area, greeting guests at the door, and handling multiple tables at once. Thankfully, someone came to assist him, and once things settled, the service flowed much more smoothly. My friend and I have met in Sanford a few times but had never tried The Bayou before — I’m so glad we finally did! Since it’s Mardi Gras season, I couldn’t resist ordering a classic Hurricane, and it did not disappoint. For my meal, I had the red beans and rice and the chicken with rice — both were perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. My friend ordered the brisket sandwich, and we also took to-go orders of the jumbo shrimp and shrimp and grits. I can’t wait to hear what they thought of those dishes! Overall, everything I had was delicious and tasted authentic. I’ll definitely be back to enjoy more of their Mardi Gras-inspired menu!

Google Review · Sanford

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Fla Resale

a month ago

★★★★★

By looking at the menu before coming I knew the food was going to be good, but really it blew me away!🔥 We came from a day at Wekiva, got very fast service from Eddie (who was very helpful and kind) and had the best gumbo I had. The broth was rich and flavorful, the shrimp seasoned to perfection. The chicken and waffles had me grooving out in my chair lol- waffles had a fluffy but slightly crisp texture and we chose the blackened jerk chicken, a good spice but tasted and was prepared to a 5 star standard, nothing (including my 7-year-olds, mac and cheese) was done cutting any corners The fried okra which I'm normally not a fan of was amazing. The food tasted like it was prepared with love. Our table of five agreed we need to come back. This is a restaurant you'll want to try if you're craving delicious food in the area. No misses here. Ps: if you like hush puppies give them a try👩‍🍳💋

Google Review · Longwood

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Chinmaya Poopal

5 months ago

★★★★★

​We had an absolutely incredible experience at The Bayou Kitchen. If you’re looking for authentic flavors and generous portions, this is the spot. ​What we ordered: ​Chicken Wings: Fried to perfection—super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. ​Lobster Mac n Cheese: This was the star of the show. It was incredibly creamy and loaded with generous chunks of lobster and shrimp. ​Bourbon Street Fried Rice: Packed with flavor and had just the right amount of spicy kick to keep things interesting. ​The Highlights: ​Presentation: Every dish was elegantly plated; you can tell the kitchen takes real pride in their work. ​Portion Sizes: Huge! You definitely get your money's worth here. ​Vibe: Great atmosphere that matches the quality of the food. ​We loved every bite and will definitely be back for more soon. Highly recommended!

Google Review · Sanford

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Rikki Knighten

a month ago

★★★★★

First time going. This place was wonderful. Our waiter Natasha was great attentive but not hovering or disappearing long before checking up on us. Food was served fast. The Mac and cheese was so creamy and delicious. Order the Jamaican Me crazy with voodoo BBQ rather than the jerk. Freaking incredible the bread was perfectly toasted. Will definitely go back soon. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing. The crowd was full but not overwhelming. We just decided to wander in last minute because we were peckish and glad we did. Great find Oh and very very reasonably priced spend $62 on two dishes a side and a kid meal

Google Review · Sanford

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Candy S

2 months ago

★★★★★

Had an amazing experience at The Bayou! I ordered The Big Easy with salmon (just wished the rice was cooked a little longer ) and paired it with the Bayou Punch — everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were on point, and the drink was perfect. We tried the beignets, and they were so good! Soft, warm, and sweet — definitely a must-have. Rayven, the assistant manager, was also our waiter and provided excellent service from start to finish. Definitely looking forward to coming back for hookah and karaoke

Google Review · Longwood

Reviews from Google · Read more from Longwood on Google · Read more from Sanford on Google

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Questions?

Frequently Asked

Do you take reservations?+

Yes! We accept reservations for both locations through our website or by phone. For weekends and larger parties, we recommend reserving in advance as tables fill up quickly.

Is there parking available?+

Both locations have free parking lots. The Longwood location has a larger lot with approximately 80 spaces. Street parking is also available at both locations.

What's the dress code?+

Casual — come as you are! For an evening out, smart casual is always welcome, but there are no formal requirements.

What are your catering minimums?+

Our Weekday Lunch package starts at 15 guests minimum. The Bayou Feast requires 25 guests, and the Crawfish Boil is available for groups of 40+. Contact us for custom arrangements.

Do you host private events?+

Absolutely! Both locations have semi-private dining areas that can accommodate groups of 20-60 guests. Full buyouts are available for larger events. Give us a call to plan the details.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?+

Yes! We offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Our staff is trained to handle common allergen requests. Please inform your server of any dietary needs and we'll work with you.

Visit Us

Our Locations

The Bayou Longwood

165 Wekiva Springs Rd, Suite 119

Longwood, FL 32779

(407) 960-6020

Mon–Thu: 11am–9pm

Fri: 11am–11pm

Sat: 11am–10:30pm

Sun: 11am–6pm

The Bayou Sanford

115 E 1st St

Sanford, FL 32771

(407) 960-6020

Mon–Thu: 11am–8pm

Fri–Sat: 11am–10pm

Sun: 11am–6pm