1. Brother Song's Braised Crayfish Restaurant 松哥油焖大虾

All of the chefs come directly from Wuhan, so this restaurant guarantees the authenticity of its Hubei-style braised crayfish. Brother Song promises that they have the largest and freshest crayfish in town, so don't miss out.

Location: No. 60, Shizhou Middle Road, Nanshan District (南山区石洲中路60号)

Average cost: 120 yuan per person

2. Binzan Crayfish Restaurant 宾赞小龙虾

This restaurant specializes in providing large crayfish each weighing on average 0.65 kilograms, meaning each crayfish is heavier than an iPhone 6. As well, they have four signature flavors: thirteen-spices, spicy, garlic and steamed. Make sure to try the broth in between bites of crayfish, because it is to die for.

Location: Shop 3111-01, Block B, Hantang Road, Nanshan Avenue, Nanshan District (南山区南山大道汉唐街B栋3111-01店铺)

Average cost: 100 yuan per person

3. Crayfish King Restaurant 汉虾王

The steamed crayfish, as the signature dish of this restaurant, is famous for its tenderness and original flavor. Make sure to dip each bite into the house sauce, as you will find the taste is delicious beyond description. Different from other crayfish restaurants, the decoration style is quite romantic, which lends the customer to feeling like they are in an upscale restaurant.

Location: Building Weijie, Keji Road, Nanshan District (南山区科技路伟杰大厦)

Average cost: 125 yuan per person

4. Qianlongxia Seafood Restaurant 钳龙虾工场

As the first Shanghai-style crayfish restaurant in Shenzhen, its signature dish’s flavor is sweet and sour. The authenticity of its Jiangsu red crayfish and Shanghai special sauce wins high praise of the customers coming from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Don't forget to try the crayfish fried rice.

Location: Shop 4-2, Food Street, Bagua 1st Road, Futian District (福田区八卦一路美食街4-2)

Average cost: 110 yuan per person

5. Jiangwei Crayfish Restaurant 江味龙虾馆

Ranking as one of the top crayfish restaurants in Shenzhen, this restaurant is approaching legendary status. Its signature dish is a fusion of Hubei and Hunan-style crayfish. The dish at first is fragrant with just a hint of spice but the more you eat it the spicier it gets, culiminating in that perfect Hunan spicy flavor everyone loves so much.

Location: No.3111-01, Block B, Hantang Street, Nanshan Avenue, Nanshan District (南山区南山大道汉唐街B栋3111-01号)

Average cost: 110 yuan per person

6. Wenheyou Laochangsha Crayfish Restaurant 文和友®老长沙龙虾馆

Coming all the way from Changsha, this restaurant is one of the most popular crayfish restaurants around right now. Even the celebrities Nicholas Tse and Gao Yuanyuan are fans of this restaurant. Expect a long line so come early because customers will be queuing up until midnight.

Location: 1st floor, Yunjing Villa, Chunfeng Road, Luohu District (罗湖区春风路云景豪园首层)

Average cost: 122 yuan per person

7. Crayfish House 虾舍

Soft lamplight, beautiful music and elegant decoration, these features are the basis for this restaurant's reputation as a premier dating spot. Couples enjoy tasting the braised crayfish and having a wonderful time here. Besides the above signature dish, iced sea whelk is another dish that you can't miss out on.

Location: No. 102, Leyuan Road, Luohu District (罗湖区乐园路102号)

Average cost: 90-110 yuan per person

8. Longchao Xuyi Crayfish Restaurant 龙巢盱眙龙虾

It’s said that this restaurant was one of the first crayfish restaurants in Shenzhen. They have 14 kinds of flavors available so if you are a tad indecisive then this might be a difficult restaurant for you. The most popular dish is the thirteen-spices crayfish. Hot but with subtle undertones, this dish has all you could ask for.

Location: No.A10, Xiangmihu Food Palace, Shennan Avenue, Futian District (福田区深南大道香蜜湖美食城A10号)

Average cost: 90-110 yuan per person

(Edited by Yu Jinhang, Charles Hatfield)