In Maryland, turkey has never had the holiday table all to itself. Plenty of families here want a crab cake sitting right next to the stuffing, and a handful of restaurants are happy to make that happen.
This list covers seven spots, from Annapolis to Ocean City to the Eastern Shore, where you can enjoy a Thanksgiving-style meal and still get your crab fix. Some offer big holiday buffets, some serve turkey dinners next to Chesapeake classics, and one even keeps a Thanksgiving plate on the menu all year.
Hours and holiday plans can change, so call ahead before you go.
1. Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, Annapolis, MD
Crab cake sliders on a Thanksgiving buffet sound like a Maryland daydream, but at Buddy’s they show up right beside the turkey. The family-owned spot at 100 Main St is known for its raw bar, seafood classics, and an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The holiday spread here has covered turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, salmon, popcorn shrimp, crab soup, and a range of desserts. That is a lot of plate real estate to plan for.
On a regular day, the menu leans hard into the Chesapeake. Look for the Crab Cake Sandwich, Crabby Dip, Oysters Rockefeller, and the Rib and Crab Cake Dinner for 2.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and reservations are accepted. One practical warning: parking in downtown Annapolis is paid and can be tricky, so give yourself extra time.
2. Fisherman’s Inn Restaurant, Grasonville, MD
Since 1930, Fisherman’s Inn has been feeding hungry travelers at Kent Narrows, which makes it one of the longest-running seafood stops on this list. The waterfront restaurant sits at 3116 Main St in Grasonville, an easy hop off the Bay Bridge route.
Crab cakes here are made with lump crab meat and very little filler, and the Primo Crab Cake Platter is a house favorite. Cream of crab soup is also popular enough that it’s sold to go.
For the holiday, the restaurant has served a Thanksgiving dinner, with a crab cake available as an add-on for an extra charge. Ask about the holiday menu in advance so you know exactly what comes on the plate.
A fireplace, a quiet historic feel, and plenty of free parking round things out. Save room for dessert, since the sweets get as much attention as the seafood.
3. Carrol’s Creek Cafe, Annapolis, MD
Few holiday tables come with a view of the Annapolis waterfront, and that’s the main draw at Carrol’s Creek Cafe. The restaurant overlooks Spa Creek from 410 Severn Ave in the Eastport neighborhood.
Crab soup, crab cakes, and grilled salmon are staples, and a turkey dinner has shared the table with them. That pairing is exactly the Maryland holiday combo this list is about.
The crab dip comes with carrots, broccoli, celery, and potato chips for scooping. Dessert fans should look for the Coffee and Donuts Bread Pudding.
The setting leans upscale and romantic, with a fireplace and outdoor seating. Dinner reservations are recommended, and free parking is usually easy to find.
4. Severn Inn, Annapolis, MD
Picture the Naval Academy across the water while you work through a raw bar. That’s the Thanksgiving pitch at Severn Inn, which has hosted a holiday buffet with oysters and big views of the Severn River.
The restaurant sits at 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, with a deck and chic dining rooms. The dessert bar is large and nicely presented, so pace yourself.
Crab shows up all over the menu. The Filet and Crab Cake is a smart pick if your group can’t decide between land and sea, and the Crab Cake Sandwich and crab dip are also popular.
Plan ahead here. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, and reservations are strongly recommended for brunch and dinner.
Dogs are allowed outside, and parking is free.
5. Marlin Moon Restaurant, Ocean City, MD
Ocean City in November is a calmer town, and that makes a beach holiday dinner sound pretty appealing. Marlin Moon, a coastal-themed hotel restaurant at 3301 Atlantic Ave, has served a Thanksgiving buffet for families who’d rather skip the dishes.
The everyday menu keeps crab front and center. A crab cake with mixed vegetables and mashed red potatoes is a classic plate, and the cream of crab soup makes a fine starter.
For dessert, the restaurant serves Smith Island Cake, Maryland’s official state dessert with its many thin layers. It’s a fitting way to end a Maryland holiday meal.
Hours run from 7:30 AM to 10 PM daily, so breakfast is an option too. Reservations are accepted and parking is usually plentiful.
6. Coral Reef Restaurant & Bar, Ocean City, MD
Here’s a choose-your-own-holiday setup. Coral Reef has offered a holiday menu with a Traditional Choice for turkey fans, while the crab cake dinner stays on hand for everyone else.
The restaurant sits inside the Holiday Inn lobby at 1701 Atlantic Ave in Ocean City. It’s relaxed and quiet, which suits a slower off-season trip to the beach.
That crab cake dinner comes with whipped mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Crab dip and cream of crab round out the local specialties, and the bacon-wrapped salmon and Brussels sprouts have their own following.
Breakfast starts at 7 AM daily, and the place is family-friendly with a kids’ menu. Reservations are accepted, a good idea for a holiday seating.
7. Theo’s Steaks, Sides & Spirits – St. Michaels, St Michaels, MD
Why wait for November? Theo’s in St. Michaels has a Thanksgiving 365 meal, so turkey-day cravings can be handled any time of year.
This sleek steakhouse at 407 S Talbot St is best known for hand-carved beef and upscale appetizers. Still, the crab cake dinner is nicely seasoned without being overdone, which keeps the crab as the star.
French onion soup and Brussels sprouts are popular sides. The room has a fireplace and a cozy, romantic feel that fits a small-town Eastern Shore evening.
Theo’s opens at 4 PM and is closed Mondays. It’s dinner and dine-in only, with no takeout, and reservations are recommended.
Parking on Talbot Street can be tight, so arrive a little early and enjoy a stroll through town.
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