Maryland and blue crabs go together like summer and sunshine. All over the state, from waterfront shacks to busy city crab houses, cooks steam these crabs with Old Bay and pile them high on paper-covered tables.
Cracking a crab takes patience, a mallet, and a little bit of mess, but the payoff is sweet, spiced meat that keeps people coming back year after year. Here are 13 Maryland restaurants where the steamed crabs are big, seasoned right, and worth the drive to get there.
1. L.P. Steamers, Baltimore
Locust Point locals have long treated this spot as their go-to for a proper crab feast. The rooftop deck gives you a view while you work through a dozen.
Crabs are steamed heavy with seasoning and sold by the dozen in different sizes, so you can order to match your appetite. Sides like corn on the cob and hush puppies round out the table.
The place keeps things simple and old school, with paper on the tables and mallets in hand. It is an easy pick when you want a classic Baltimore crab experience without a lot of fuss.
2. Cantler’s Riverside Inn, Annapolis
Getting here is half the fun since the restaurant sits along Mill Creek and many people arrive by boat. The waterfront setting has made it an Annapolis institution for decades.
Steamed crabs come to the table by the dozen, seasoned the traditional way, and the menu also leans on other local seafood favorites.
Outdoor seating overlooks the water, which makes a warm afternoon feel like a proper Chesapeake outing. Parking can fill up quickly on summer weekends, so an early arrival helps.
3. Bo Brooks, Baltimore
A Baltimore name that has been around for generations, Bo Brooks now sits at Lighthouse Point with a deck right on the water. The harbor view adds something special to a crab feast.
Heavily seasoned steamed crabs remain the headliner, sold by the dozen or the bushel for bigger groups.
Beyond crabs, the kitchen turns out crab cakes and other Maryland seafood staples. It works well for a family gathering or a celebration when you want the crabs plus a view of the boats.
4. The Crab Claw, St. Michaels
Right on the harbor in St. Michaels, this Eastern Shore favorite has been serving crabs since the 1960s. The location makes it a natural stop on a day trip through the historic town.
Steamed blue crabs are the main event, and you can watch the boats come and go while you crack them open.
The setting is casual and family friendly, with plenty of other seafood on the menu for anyone who wants a break from picking crabs. It pairs nicely with a visit to the nearby maritime museum.
5. Mike’s Restaurant and Crab House, Riva
Perched along the South River, Mike’s has been a South County staple for years. The riverside deck is a big draw when the weather turns warm.
Crabs are steamed to order and sold by the dozen in a range of sizes, so groups can mix and match.
The wide deck and dock make it easy to settle in for a long, relaxed feast. Boaters often tie up and walk right in, which adds to the laid back river vibe.
6. Jimmy Cantler’s Crabs, Kent Narrows
Out at Kent Narrows, where the Eastern Shore meets the water in every direction, seafood spots line the shoreline and crabs rule the menu. The area is a common stop for travelers crossing the Bay Bridge.
Steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay come by the dozen, with the water in view from many tables.
The Narrows setting makes it a good choice for a road trip pause when you want fresh crabs without straying far from Route 50. Come hungry and plan to take your time.
7. Abner’s Crab House, Chesapeake Beach
Down in Calvert County, Abner’s has been steaming crabs along the water in Chesapeake Beach for decades. The bay views make it a favorite for a weekend drive south of Annapolis.
The steamed crabs arrive seasoned and stacked, and the menu covers plenty of other Chesapeake seafood too.
Large windows and outdoor seating keep the water in sight throughout the meal. It is a solid destination when you want a crab feast paired with a scenic bayside setting.
8. Harris Crab House, Grasonville
Just over the Bay Bridge in Grasonville, Harris sits right on Kent Narrows with docks out front. It is an easy first stop when you head onto the Eastern Shore.
Crabs are sold by the dozen and by the bushel, steamed the traditional Maryland way with plenty of seasoning.
The upstairs dining room and outdoor decks both look out over the water and passing boats. Big groups and families do well here, since there is space to spread out for a long feast.
9. Schultz’s Crab House, Essex
In the Essex area of Baltimore County, Schultz’s keeps the focus squarely on old fashioned crab feasts. It has the feel of a neighborhood mainstay rather than a tourist stop.
Steamed crabs come by the dozen, and the crab soup and other Maryland classics round out the menu.
The dining room is straightforward and comfortable, built for cracking crabs with friends and family. It is a good pick when you want a no frills, seriously seasoned crab experience.
10. Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House, Stevensville
On Kent Island, Kentmorr comes with its own beach along the Chesapeake, which sets it apart from the pack. Families spread out on the sand between rounds of crabs.
Steamed blue crabs are the specialty, served with the bay stretching out just beyond the deck.
The beachfront setup makes this more than a meal, since kids can play by the water while the crabs get picked. It is a fine choice for a relaxed summer afternoon close to the Bay Bridge.
11. Suicide Bridge Restaurant, Hurlock
Out in Dorchester County on Cabin Creek, this riverfront restaurant offers something few crab houses can match, a docked paddle wheel riverboat you can dine aboard. The setting is a destination in itself.
Steamed crabs and Eastern Shore seafood anchor the menu, with a wide deck overlooking the water.
The out of the way location on the lower Shore makes reaching it feel like a real outing. Pair the crabs with a river cruise and the drive becomes part of the fun.
12. Waterman’s Crab House, Rock Hall
Up in Rock Hall on the upper Eastern Shore, Waterman’s sits right on the harbor with a big open deck. The waterfront town has a friendly, easygoing feel that suits a crab feast.
Steamed crabs come by the dozen, joined by other regional seafood on the menu.
The expansive deck and harbor views make this a favorite for sunset dining in the warmer months. It rewards the longer drive with a genuine Chesapeake fishing town setting.
13. Nick’s Fish House, Baltimore
Sitting on the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Nick’s pairs steamed crabs with a wide open view of the water and the bridge. The deck is a popular gathering spot when the weather cooperates.
Crabs are steamed with the usual Maryland seasoning and served alongside crab cakes and other seafood.
The waterfront location, right in the city yet feeling like a getaway, makes it a handy option for a crab feast without a long haul. It works for both casual dinners and larger celebrations.
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