Baltimore loves crabs! Whether it's a bushel of steamed crabs for a backyard crab feast or dinner at a crab house, folks here adore Maryland's blue crab.
These days many of the crabs that spill onto paper-cover tables in Baltimore crab houses come from Louisiana or Texas. The demand is more than the Chesapeake can yield, especially early in crab season, which runs from about May to November. Many of these places offer crabs all year, but September and October is time for local crabs.
For crabcakes and more crab recipes, check out these Chesapeake Bay and Maryland cookbooks.
New to eating steamed crabs?
Learn how to eat a crab here and/or plan you're own crab feast. Most of these are full-service restaurants with plenty else besides crabs on the menu, but all offer take out too.Al's Seafood - Essex
1551 Eastern Blvd.410-682-4828
An About.com readers favorite, Al's was also named "Best Bargain Seafood Restaurant" by Baltimore Magazine, which is a hint that this Baltimore County crab house is not fancy…but good.
Obrycki's - Fells Point
1727 E. Pratt St.410-732-6399
The rub here is a spicy black pepper mixture instead of Baltimore's customary Old Bay. But despite this departure from tradition, Obrycki's has been an institution in Baltimore for more than 60 years. You can even order crabs and other seafood online for shipping out of state…just like Oprah.
Bo Brooks - Canton
2701 Boston St.410-558-0202
The sunsets here are spectacular. Oh, and the crabs are great too! But the crab deck over the water and the glass-enclosed dining room does make it hard to keep your eyes on your mallet. Bo Brook's has a full menu with even a few non-seafood items.
- Participates in the Restaurant.com discount program. Learn how Restaurant.com works. Or buy Restaurant.com discount certificates here. Use zip code 21224 to locate Bo Brooks.
The Crab Shanty - Ellicott City
3410 Plum Tree Dr.410-465-9660
Since 1978 diners have feasted on crabs amid the rustic elegance of this Howard County, family-owned restaurant. Crabs served here generally come from Texas and Louisiana. But for meat-lovers there's also Memphis-style barbeque.
Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn - Essex
200 Eastern Blvd.410-687-5994
Nothing fancy at this Essex crab house. But who wants fancy when it comes to crabs anyway? Heavy is the adjective Mr. Bill's fans use to describe the crabs here. Come early (especially on summer weekends) to get a seat in the dining room.
Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn
458 Forest Beach Rd.410-757-1311
Boaters love this place on Mill Creek. Probably because it's dang near impossible to find by car. (Their website recommends carpooling.) But it's worth the drive. The wooded locale and picnic tables both inside and out are the perfect setting for picking its hefty crabs.
Captain James Landing - Fells Point/Canton
2127 Boston St.410-327-8600
The boat-on-land architecture of this landmark at Aliceanna and Fleet streets is puzzling, but its crab deck on the water makes perfect sense. Bypass the restaurant and head across the street to its crab house. On weekdays, an all-you-can-eat (in 2 hours) special encourages efficiency.
L.P. Steamers - Locust Point
1100 E. Fort Ave.410-576-9294
This corner rowhouse in the rapidly changing Locust Point is a throwback to neighborhood's working class roots. Most everything on the menu, besides the spicy steamed crabs, is fried. The view from the rooftop deck is worth the climb, especially since the second floor dining room is charmless and cramped.
Canton Dockside - Canton
3301 Boston St.410-276-8900
A relative newcomer to the crab-house scene, Dockside (don't let the name fool you, it's not waterfront), which opened in 2006, is gaining converts. The seafood restaurant toes the line between upscale and unpretentious. Order the meaty crabs or from the full menu.
Gaffney's Back Fin - Highlandtown
415 S. Highland Ave.410-327-4006
Unlike everything else on the list, Gaffney's is takeout only. But it's my personal favorite not only because I prefer to enjoy crabs in my own backyard but because Gaffney's crabs are heavy on the Old Bay and, well, just heavy. Gaffney's is all about crabs. They don't offer anything else besides steamed shrimp, so don't bother asking for a menu. Calling ahead for availability information is essential.
