5 BEST MARYLAND CRAB RESTAURANTS WORTH A DRIVE

Maryland crab has a reputation for being some of the country’s best. While many local crab and seafood restaurants help keep that reputation alive, a few truly have a place at the top of the list. White Marsh is home to some incredible spots, but traveling a little further to other places in the state can guarantee insanely mouthwatering results. Here are some of our favorite Maryland restaurants known for their legendary crab dishes. We promise they’re worth the drive.

CRUISING CRAB

First on the list has to be our own Cruising Crab. Luckily, you won’t have to drive far to access this tasty spot. This mobile food-truck-style joint has all the classic menu items we Marylanders expect from our crab purveyors. The steamed crabs are simple and no fuss, and you can even order food from the company’s website that ships nationwide. This way, even if Cruising Crab isn’t just around the corner from you, you can still get the freshest local seafood right away. Be sure to try the steamed shrimp and shelled oysters, too.

Two brothers, Ross and Harrison Lockhart, started the food-truck-style crab house back in 2020. Since their start, they’ve remained committed to offering sustainable and fresh seafood to their customers. The brothers source their crabs fresh daily from local anglers, hoping to reduce the environmental impacts associated with unsustainable fishing practices. They hand sort all their crabs and prepare them fresh to order, making it easy to support both our oceans and your taste buds. Cruising Crab is open noon to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

LOCUST POINT STEAMERS

Another great Maryland crab spot is Locust Point Steamers in Baltimore. This restaurant knows how to prepare excellent crab, and at less than 30 minutes away from White Marsh, it’s well worth the adventure. The restaurant serves hot steamed crabs all year long, and it has lots of other tasty menu options, too.

If you visit, be sure to try the Crab Fluff, a fried crab cake covered in a funnel-cake like batter and served with mustard. Those with an appetite and hungry friends can order “A Boh’t Load of Food” from the menu. It’s chock-full of steamed crabs, clams, mussels, scallops, lobster, shrimp, and more. The restaurant is family owned and managed, and you can taste the difference multiple generations of crab picking has on a crab shack.

L.P. Steamers has many accolades, and one visit makes it easy to see why. A favorite for locals and touring foodies alike, L.P.’s is a must stop on your Maryland crab journey. You can visit the spot 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

JIMMY CANTLER’S RIVERSIDE INN

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn, dubbed just Cantler’s for short, reminds us just how great crab can be. This waterfront restaurant and crab house serves anglers, locals, and visitors from its expansive menu of delicious seafood offerings. The inn serves famous Maryland blue crabs, crab cakes, lump crab imperial, and all other types of seafood. Dining here is truly a celebration of Chesapeake Bay heritage and authentic crab cooking. The restaurant’s founders, Jimmy and Linda Cantler, are originally from Maryland, and they prepare crab the way only a Marylander can.

The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m. You can make reservations Monday through Thursday for large parties of over 25, but for most occasions, the restaurant is first come, first served. Be sure to get there early to get your hands on some of the freshest crab around. The Cantler’s expert handlers ensure they serve only the highest quality seafood to customers. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

BLUE CRAB HOUSE

Head over to Street, Maryland, to try Blue Crab House. The restaurant specializes in preparing fresh seafood, soups, and salads for its customers, and its menu is packed full of fresh, salty goodness. Try the cream of crab soup, the crab pretzel, and the crab cake platter when you go. Blue Crab House purchases all of its crab locally to support sustainability, local angers, and freshness. You can see the difference in quality right away. There’s no mistaking the difference between a locally sourced crab and one from a national distributor.

Jimmy and Holly Marcin own Blue Crab House. The two stay involved throughout the process of bringing fresh crab menu items to their customers. From purchasing the crabs to serving them, Jimmy and Holly help every step of the way. Blue Crab House is only open seasonally, so be sure to check them out during the warmer months for an unforgettable meal. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

THE POINT CRAB HOUSE AND GRILL

Last on the list, though not last in our hearts, is The Point Crab House and Grill in Arnold, Maryland. This dockside spot lets you enjoy the salty sea breeze while eating some of the best crab Maryland has to offer. It’s located on Mill Creek Road on a secluded point that offers astounding views of the water. The restaurant’s chef, Bobby Jones, has created some truly delightful menu offerings for customers. The menu changes seasonally to ensure only the freshest ingredients go into each meal.

The Point Crab House and Grill is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Note that the kitchen closes one hour before closing time, so get there early for some of the best crab you’ll ever have. It’s always worth driving for the best, and here in Maryland, we truly have some of the best crab in the country. If you’re new to the area or just passing through, we hope these spots convince you of Maryland’s well-earned legendary reputation. Know of a great spot we forgot to mention? Let us know. We’d love to update our list to include even more great Maryland crab options.

Dinner by Jeff Weese is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Tags: Crab, Maryland
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