Where Can I Find Blue Crabs Near Me
14 Outstanding Maryland Crab Houses Worth the Drive
Find spiced blue crabs, crab cakes, and cold beer at these local treasures
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Everyone has their favorite Maryland crab house, but choosing just one can be difficult. The truth is, Marylanders are blessed with a sea of crab-centric dining options that each boast a unique vibe and view. Whether it's picking crabs next to the Potomac River in Southern Maryland, or digging into a half-bushel outdoors at Chesapeake Beach, these top spots offer a variety of steamed crabs and other seafood options seasoned with plenty of Old Bay.
It only takes an hour or two drive from D.C. to get to these destination crab houses. Prefer to stay closer to home? Check out this guide to crab houses around town — and get ready for U Street to get its own crab shack this spring.
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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
1732 Old Eastern Ave
Essex, MD 21221
Schultz's Crab House was named an "America's Classic" by the James Beard Foundation for being a local and timeless favorite. It's near the water in Essex, but it's more of a no-frills dining room. Think: wood-paneled walls, nautical vibes, and crabs stacked high on cafeteria-style trays.
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2780 Lighthouse Point E
Baltimore, MD 21224
For waterfront dining with Inner Harbor views, head to Bo Brooks in Canton. The restaurant is easily accessible thanks to its free parking and enormous indoor dining room. There's also a tiki bar out front. But the main reason to visit is for a heaping pile of steamed crabs, which range from mediums to colossals.
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1100 E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
Situated on the south side of Baltimore in Locust Point is this easy-going crab house with rooftop views of the Baltimore skyline and harbor. L.P. Steamers is also one of the best places to knock back cheap beer, including pitchers of Natty Boh.
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Choptank
Baltimore, MD 21250
Situated in the newly renovated Broadway Market, this bustling seafood house is the place to pick seasonal blue crabs in the heart of historic Fells Point. The sprawling setup with a big outdoor bar keeps diners entertained with alfresco ping pong and pool tables, plus live local music on its indoor stage. Choptank's annual crab feast is scheduled for Sunday, May 15.
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8238 Fort Smallwood Rd
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
This tiny, tucked-away crab house in Curtis Bay has been serving up Maryland comfort food for decades, and the top draws are the steamed crabs, crab dip, and crab cakes. The restaurant recently underwent a renovation during COVID-19 and reopened with a spacious patio near Stoney Creek and the drawbridge.
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700 Mill Creek Rd
Arnold, MD 21012
The only complaint about The Point is usually the wait. During the summer, it can take up to two hours to get a table at this no-reservations restaurant overlooking a cute creek. However, there is now an online ordering option if you want to pick up and picnic on the dock or boat instead. The medium and jumbo steamed crabs do not disappoint, but there is also an entire menu of seasonal and locally sourced seafood dishes from chef Bobby Jones.
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458 Forest Beach Rd
Annapolis, MD 21409
There's a good chance a Marylander has recommended Cantler's before, as it's a longtime go-to for crab lovers. Set to a dive-y backdrop, Cantler's serves ears of steamed corn alongside trays of crabs. The crab dip is a crowd pleasers, too. But, like any legendary crab-picking spot, there's probably going to be a wait, especially during the peak of summer.
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433 Kent Narrow Way N
Grasonville, MD 21638
Harris is one of the legendary crab houses on Kent Island. During the week, it offers an all-you-can-eat steamed crab special that goes for a market rate (call ahead for the latest pricing). Try to snag seats in an outdoor pavilion that boasts waterfront views and live music.
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3032 Kent Narrow Way S
Grasonville, MD 21638
The seasonal crab deck at Fisherman's Inn is a large outdoor bar and restaurant that overlooks Kent Narrows. Steamed and seasoned crabs come by the dozen or half dozen. The jumbos are meaty, and the tropical cocktails are served by the bucket. Be sure to swing by the companion market on the way home to stock up on fresh crab cakes and seafood packaged on ice. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The deck doesn't take reservations, but patrons can join a wait list at peak time.
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10. Mike's Crab House (Multiple locations)
Copy Link3030 Riva Rd
Riva, MD 21140
The original Mike's Crab House comes with a view of the South River. The crabs are the main draw, but the butter corn hush puppies are a favorite as well. For a similar experience with half the wait time, head to Mike's Crab House North in Pasadena, Maryland.
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910 Kentmorr Rd
Stevensville, MD 21666
If the idea of passing out on the beach after a crab feast sounds like a good idea, then head to Kentmorr's. The crab house sits next to a tropical-themed beach outfitted with several hammock swings.
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Bayside Road
Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
This combination tackle shop and seasonal crab house is as local as it gets. Diners either order crabs by the half or whole bushel. This takeout spot has reasonable market rates, and it's adjacent to Chesapeake Beach and Breezy Point Campground, where there are numerous picnic tables for alfresco dining.
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11495 Popes Creek Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
Located In southern Maryland, local favorite Captain Billy's offers sunset views of the Potomac, along with steaming mounds of Old Bay seasoned crabs served by the dozen. Be sure to save room for dessert, too. The corn fritters with sugar and honey are a specialty.
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2670 Clara Rd
Quantico, MD 21856
An old chicken shack is now a popular crab house for folks on the Eastern Shore. To get here, you'll need to plan a road trip (about 2.5 hours from D.C.), but it's a scenic detour if you're driving to Ocean City this summer. And the crabs pair perfectly with the restaurant's signature fried chicken, a secret recipe since 1974.
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1. Schultz's Crab House
Schultz's Crab House was named an "America's Classic" by the James Beard Foundation for being a local and timeless favorite. It's near the water in Essex, but it's more of a no-frills dining room. Think: wood-paneled walls, nautical vibes, and crabs stacked high on cafeteria-style trays.
1732 Old Eastern Ave
Essex, MD 21221
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2. Bo Brooks Restaurant
For waterfront dining with Inner Harbor views, head to Bo Brooks in Canton. The restaurant is easily accessible thanks to its free parking and enormous indoor dining room. There's also a tiki bar out front. But the main reason to visit is for a heaping pile of steamed crabs, which range from mediums to colossals.
2780 Lighthouse Point E
Baltimore, MD 21224
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3. L.P. Steamers
Situated on the south side of Baltimore in Locust Point is this easy-going crab house with rooftop views of the Baltimore skyline and harbor. L.P. Steamers is also one of the best places to knock back cheap beer, including pitchers of Natty Boh.
1100 E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
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- Foursquare
4. Choptank
Situated in the newly renovated Broadway Market, this bustling seafood house is the place to pick seasonal blue crabs in the heart of historic Fells Point. The sprawling setup with a big outdoor bar keeps diners entertained with alfresco ping pong and pool tables, plus live local music on its indoor stage. Choptank's annual crab feast is scheduled for Sunday, May 15.
Choptank
Baltimore, MD 21250
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5. Stoney Creek Inn
This tiny, tucked-away crab house in Curtis Bay has been serving up Maryland comfort food for decades, and the top draws are the steamed crabs, crab dip, and crab cakes. The restaurant recently underwent a renovation during COVID-19 and reopened with a spacious patio near Stoney Creek and the drawbridge.
8238 Fort Smallwood Rd
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
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6. The Point
The only complaint about The Point is usually the wait. During the summer, it can take up to two hours to get a table at this no-reservations restaurant overlooking a cute creek. However, there is now an online ordering option if you want to pick up and picnic on the dock or boat instead. The medium and jumbo steamed crabs do not disappoint, but there is also an entire menu of seasonal and locally sourced seafood dishes from chef Bobby Jones.
700 Mill Creek Rd
Arnold, MD 21012
- Open in Google Maps
- Foursquare
7. Cantler's Riverside Inn
There's a good chance a Marylander has recommended Cantler's before, as it's a longtime go-to for crab lovers. Set to a dive-y backdrop, Cantler's serves ears of steamed corn alongside trays of crabs. The crab dip is a crowd pleasers, too. But, like any legendary crab-picking spot, there's probably going to be a wait, especially during the peak of summer.
458 Forest Beach Rd
Annapolis, MD 21409
- Open in Google Maps
8. Harris Crab House
Harris is one of the legendary crab houses on Kent Island. During the week, it offers an all-you-can-eat steamed crab special that goes for a market rate (call ahead for the latest pricing). Try to snag seats in an outdoor pavilion that boasts waterfront views and live music.
433 Kent Narrow Way N
Grasonville, MD 21638
- Open in Google Maps
9. Fisherman's Crab Deck
The seasonal crab deck at Fisherman's Inn is a large outdoor bar and restaurant that overlooks Kent Narrows. Steamed and seasoned crabs come by the dozen or half dozen. The jumbos are meaty, and the tropical cocktails are served by the bucket. Be sure to swing by the companion market on the way home to stock up on fresh crab cakes and seafood packaged on ice. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The deck doesn't take reservations, but patrons can join a wait list at peak time.
3032 Kent Narrow Way S
Grasonville, MD 21638
- Open in Google Maps
10. Mike's Crab House (Multiple locations)
The original Mike's Crab House comes with a view of the South River. The crabs are the main draw, but the butter corn hush puppies are a favorite as well. For a similar experience with half the wait time, head to Mike's Crab House North in Pasadena, Maryland.
3030 Riva Rd
Riva, MD 21140
- Open in Google Maps
11. Kentmorr Restaurant
If the idea of passing out on the beach after a crab feast sounds like a good idea, then head to Kentmorr's. The crab house sits next to a tropical-themed beach outfitted with several hammock swings.
910 Kentmorr Rd
Stevensville, MD 21666
- Open in Google Maps
12. Tylers Crab House
This combination tackle shop and seasonal crab house is as local as it gets. Diners either order crabs by the half or whole bushel. This takeout spot has reasonable market rates, and it's adjacent to Chesapeake Beach and Breezy Point Campground, where there are numerous picnic tables for alfresco dining.
Bayside Road
Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
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13. Captain Billy's
Located In southern Maryland, local favorite Captain Billy's offers sunset views of the Potomac, along with steaming mounds of Old Bay seasoned crabs served by the dozen. Be sure to save room for dessert, too. The corn fritters with sugar and honey are a specialty.
11495 Popes Creek Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
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14. The Red Roost
An old chicken shack is now a popular crab house for folks on the Eastern Shore. To get here, you'll need to plan a road trip (about 2.5 hours from D.C.), but it's a scenic detour if you're driving to Ocean City this summer. And the crabs pair perfectly with the restaurant's signature fried chicken, a secret recipe since 1974.
2670 Clara Rd
Quantico, MD 21856
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Source: https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-maryland-crab-houses
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