Picking crabs is a Virginia summer skill, and it is best learned at a table covered in paper with a mallet in hand. Blue crabs come out of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers, and the people here take the seasoning, the size, and the steaming very seriously.
This list covers six places where you can get crabs by the dozen or the bushel, from a 1977 Fairfax crab house to a small riverside market in Colonial Beach. Some spots offer all-you-can-eat feasts, while others are takeout counters built for backyard picnics.
A few are open year-round, and one keeps short weekend hours, so planning matters. Grab some napkins, check the hours, and pick the spot that fits your next crab craving.
1. Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse, Fairfax, VA
Crab houses come and go, but this one has been steaming blue crabs in Fairfax since 1977. That kind of staying power says a lot in Northern Virginia, where restaurants change faster than traffic lights.
Steamed blue crabs are the main focus, and an all-you-can-eat crab feast is part of the offering. Purists can keep it simple, while seasoning fans can go heavy.
The menu goes well beyond the crab pile. Look for a Softshell Sandwich, Twin Lobster Tail, Broiled Scallop, Fried Oysters, a Seafood Tower, and the Steamer Bucket for a little of everything.
The dining room is spacious and casual, with a kids’ menu and high chairs for families. It opens at 3 PM on weekdays, 2 PM on Fridays, and noon on weekends, closing at 10 PM daily.
Saturday and Sunday evenings get busy. If you want a quieter crab session, Monday or Tuesday nights are your best bet, and reservations are accepted.
2. Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse and Restaurant, Virginia Beach, VA
Breakfast at a crab house is not something you see every day. Margie and Ray’s opens at 8 AM most days, so you can start with coffee and end with a tray of steamed blues.
Steamed blue crabs headline the menu here, and they tend to come out large, hot, and well seasoned. The vibe is down-home, with a laid-back rustic bar and outdoor seating.
Not in a picking mood? The fried platter combines crab cake, shrimp, and scallops, and there are crab legs, Bang Bang Shrimp, a Crab Cake Sandwich, and Fish and Chips.
Key lime pie makes a tidy finish.
Prices run about $20 to $30 per person, which is friendly for a beach-area meal. The spot sits on Sandbridge Road, on the way to the quieter southern stretch of Virginia Beach.
It is closed Mondays and wraps up at 4 PM on Sundays. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time, so plan around that if you can.
3. Crab Hut, Richmond, VA
Want a true bushel for the backyard? Crab Hut lists Bushel 1 Male Crabs and Spiced Shrimp right on its menu, which makes the headline of this article pretty literal.
This family-owned seasonal spot on Terminal Avenue is all about steamed crabs to go. The crabs are known for being meaty and well seasoned, and the crab legs get the same spice treatment.
Keep in mind this is a takeout and curbside operation. There are no restrooms and no reservations, so think of it as a pickup stop before heading home or to a gathering.
Hours are short. It opens Thursday and Friday from 2 to 7 PM, and weekends from noon to 7 PM.
Parking is free and usually easy. Bring a cooler, some newspaper, and a few friends who know their way around a crab mallet.
4. Blue Ridge Seafood Restaurant, Gainesville, VA
Picnic tables are the signature seat at this longtime Gainesville seafood restaurant. They are set up indoors and out, and the ocean-themed room gives a beach feel even though you are closer to the mountains than the bay.
It is a no-frills crab house in the best way. The focus is on good food and attentive service, and extra-large crabs are a big reason people stop in.
The menu also covers Soft Shell Crabs, Steamed Snow Crab Legs, Steamed Whole Maine Lobster, Lobster Bisque, Fried Calamari, and Boom Boom Shrimp. Seafood Norfolk is a nod to a classic Virginia preparation.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and there is a patio for nice days. Live music is part of the mix too.
It does not take reservations, and Friday evenings plus Saturday afternoons get crowded. It is closed Mondays and opens at 11:30 AM the rest of the week.
5. Quarterdeck, Arlington, VA
Just a short hop from the Potomac, Quarterdeck has been a neighborhood fixture in Arlington for a long time. Its all-you-can-eat Crab Feast is the headliner for anyone ready to commit to an evening of picking.
Jumbo Crabs are on the menu for those who prefer to order by size. Quarterdeck also uses its own house seasoning on dishes like the crab legs.
The supporting cast is strong. Crab Dip, Crab Hush Puppies, Mussels, Fried Oysters, raw oysters, and Crab Cakes with Mashed Potatoes all show up, along with a New England-style chowder.
It is open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM, which makes it one of the rare late-night crab options. Dogs are allowed on the outdoor seating area.
Expect a wait, especially on Saturday evenings, and dinner reservations are recommended. Parking can be tricky in this part of Arlington, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
6. Pearson’s Seafood, Colonial Beach, VA
Colonial Beach is a small Potomac River town on the Northern Neck with deep watermen roots. Pearson’s Seafood fits right into that story as a retail market rather than a sit-down restaurant.
You can buy crabs live or steamed here. That choice is handy whether you want to cook them yourself or carry a ready-to-eat batch straight to the riverfront.
Steamed crabs by the dozen come out with plenty of meat, and the case also includes shrimp, crab legs, and fresh fish. Fishing tackle is on the shelves too, which is a fun extra for a river town.
Hours run Thursday through Sunday only, with the market closed Monday through Wednesday. Sunday closes earliest at 5 PM.
I would save this stop for a summer weekend trip. Pick up a couple dozen, grab some napkins, and enjoy a true Northern Neck crab feast.
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