MomSkoop
Maryland’s coastline is famous for one delicious treasure – blue crabs! These tasty crustaceans are served up in crab houses throughout the state, where friendly staff crack, season, and steam them to perfection. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, nothing beats the experience of hammering away at crab shells while chatting with friends over cold drinks and newspaper-covered tables.
1. Cantler’s Riverside Inn: Waterfront Wonder in Annapolis
Hidden down a winding road in Annapolis, Cantler’s feels like a delicious secret locals have kept since 1974. The waterfront deck lets you watch boats dock while you feast on steaming piles of crabs dusted with their signature spice blend.
Family-owned for generations, servers remember regulars by name and crab preferences. The rustic wooden tables and mallets signal serious crab business is about to happen.
Beyond crabs, their crab soup warms souls on chilly days, though nothing beats summer evenings when the sunset paints the Mill Creek golden as you crack into your feast.
2. Schultz’s Crab House: Essex’s Award-Winning Institution
James Beard Foundation recognized this Essex gem as an “American Classic” – and for good reason. Since 1969, generations of crab lovers have filled the wood-paneled dining room where the unmistakable aroma of Old Bay seasoning hangs in the air.
Crabs arrive on cafeteria-style trays, perfectly steamed and generously seasoned. The no-frills approach focuses entirely on flavor rather than fancy presentation.
Regulars swear by their jumbo lump crab cakes – minimal filler, maximum crab. First-timers receive friendly crab-picking lessons from servers who’ve perfected their technique over decades.
3. Harris Crab House: Chesapeake Bay Views and All-You-Can-Eat Feasts
Perched on Kent Narrows with panoramic Chesapeake Bay views, Harris has been a seafood staple since 1977. Their legendary all-you-can-eat crab feasts keep tables full of eager diners armed with wooden mallets and bibs.
The Harris family boats bring in daily catches, guaranteeing the ‘fat & delicious’ crabs they proudly advertise. Their seasoning recipe remains a closely guarded family secret that perfectly complements the sweet meat.
Summer weekends bring live music to the deck while winter visitors cozy up inside with warming cream of crab soup. Their crab pretzel – a soft pretzel smothered in crab dip – has developed its own cult following.
4. The Red Roost: Rustic Barn Experience in Quantico
What was once a chicken house has transformed into one of the Eastern Shore’s most beloved crab destinations. The Red Roost’s barn-like structure with long communal tables creates an atmosphere where strangers become friends over shared crab mallets.
Their all-you-can-eat crab pot has achieved legendary status, featuring not just unlimited crabs but also fried chicken, corn on the cob, and hush puppies. The rural Quantico setting adds to the authentic Eastern Shore experience.
Summer evenings often feature live bands playing on the porch while patrons crack crabs at picnic tables under string lights. Their homemade chocolate éclair cake provides the perfect sweet ending.
5. Costas Inn: Baltimore’s Blue Crab Headquarters
Since 1971, this family-owned Baltimore institution has served up what many locals consider the definitive Maryland crab experience. The restaurant’s unpretentious exterior hides a bustling crab paradise within.
Their signature seasoning blend – available for purchase to take home – has the perfect balance of heat and savory notes. Servers demonstrate expert crab-picking techniques to newcomers with remarkable patience.
The Costas family still oversees daily operations, ensuring consistent quality that earned them national recognition on food shows. Their cream of crab soup, velvety and packed with jumbo lump meat, has won multiple awards at local seafood festivals.
6. Captain Billy’s Crab House: Potomac River Views in Southern Maryland
Captain Billy’s weathered wooden structure has stood along the Potomac since 1963, serving generations of crab enthusiasts. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame spectacular river views where eagles soar and boats drift by.
Their steamed crabs come piled high, encrusted with spicy seasoning that stains fingers orange – the mark of a proper Maryland crab feast. Friendly servers, some who’ve worked there for decades, share local fishing tales and crab-picking shortcuts.
The hush puppies here deserve special mention – golden, crispy outside with a tender cornmeal interior. Sunset dinners on the deck have become a cherished tradition for families celebrating special occasions in Southern Maryland.
7. LP Steamers: Locust Point’s Rooftop Crab Paradise
Tucked in Baltimore’s Locust Point neighborhood, this rowhouse-turned-restaurant offers something truly special – rooftop crab feasts with stunning city skyline views. The intimate setting feels like being invited to a local’s home rather than a commercial restaurant.
First-timers receive laminated crab-picking instruction cards along with their wooden mallets. Their medium-spiced crabs strike the perfect balance for those who want flavor without overwhelming heat.
The staff treats everyone like neighbors, offering beer recommendations from local breweries to pair perfectly with your seafood. Their Old Bay wings and crab dip-stuffed pretzel make excellent starters while waiting for your main crab feast.
8. Crab Claw Restaurant: St. Michaels’ Historic Waterfront Gem
Established in 1965, the Crab Claw sits on St. Michaels’ picturesque harbor where watermen still bring their daily catches. The weathered wooden building with its screened porch puts you right on the water, boats gently bobbing just feet away.
Their classic preparation lets the natural sweetness of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs shine through. The restaurant’s nautical décor features authentic maritime artifacts collected over decades.
A favorite stop for visitors exploring this historic town, the restaurant maintains traditions like newspaper-covered tables and complimentary crab mallets you can take home as souvenirs. Their Eastern Shore corn pudding side dish has remained unchanged for over 50 years for good reason.
9. Ocean Odyssey: Cambridge’s Sustainable Seafood Pioneer
Unlike traditional crab houses, Ocean Odyssey evolved from a crab processing facility into a restaurant committed to sustainable seafood practices. The Phillips family has harvested Chesapeake Bay crabs for generations, bringing unmatched expertise to their preparation.
Their crab cakes showcase jumbo lump meat with minimal binding – just enough to hold together the sweet chunks. The restaurant’s industrial-chic interior preserves elements of its processing plant origins.
Their innovative menu features unexpected items like crab mac-and-cheese alongside traditional steamed crabs. As certified sustainable by the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, they educate diners about conservation while serving some of Maryland’s finest seafood with genuine Eastern Shore hospitality.