Top 10 Crab Houses in Maryland
Top 10 Crab Houses in Maryland
Direct Answer
The Best Overall crab house in Maryland is Cantler's Riverside Inn on Mill Creek in Annapolis, where hand-picked Maryland blue crabs steamed to order and cracked on brown paper at a screened waterfront deck have defined the Chesapeake crab feast since 1974. The Best Value pick is LP Steamers in Locust Point, Baltimore, where heavy, well-seasoned steamed crabs by the dozen and a rooftop skyline deck deliver the best feast-per-dollar in the state.
This list is built for locals, visitors, and anyone chasing the real Maryland crab feast — picnic tables, wooden mallets, Old Bay, and cold beer from Annapolis to the Eastern Shore. Every pick below is a real, well-known, currently-operating crab house with a deep Maryland reputation.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each crab house against what Maryland crab feasters truly care about, drawing on The Infatuation, Baltimore Magazine, Eater, Washingtonian, OpenTable, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, plus decades of "best crabs" reader awards. The weighting:
- Crab quality and seasoning — 30%
- Consistency and service — 20%
- Value — 15%
- Atmosphere and waterfront setting — 15%
- Menu range (soup, shrimp, sides) — 10%
- Local reputation — 10%
A crab house that steams a great crab but skimps on size, seasoning, or service drops fast. The winners balance all six — and a proper waterfront deck with boat-up access counts toward atmosphere, not toward forgiving small or tired crabs.
1. Cantler's Riverside Inn 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Cuisine: Maryland crab house | Price: $$$ | Best for: The definitive dockside steamed-crab feast
On Mill Creek in Annapolis, Cantler's Riverside Inn is the crab house against which all others are measured. Founded by waterman Jimmy Cantler in 1974, it sells Maryland blue crabs by the dozen and by size, steamed to order and dumped on a brown-paper table with wooden mallets.
The cream of crab soup, steamed shrimp, and all-lump crab cakes round out the feast, and the screened deck over the water with a boat-up dock is pure Chesapeake. No reservations, so arrive early in summer — the wait is part of the ritual.
Pros:
- Hand-picked Maryland blue crabs steamed to order
- Genuine waterfront deck with boat-up dock
- Standout cream of crab soup and lump crab cakes
- A 50-year statewide institution
Cons:
- No reservations and long summer waits
- Market-price crabs run high in peak season
Verdict: The complete Maryland crab feast — tradition, water, and top-tier crabs all at once.
2. LP Steamers 💎 BEST VALUE
Cuisine: Baltimore crab house | Price: $$ | Best for: The value-friendly Baltimore steamed-crab feast
In Locust Point, Baltimore, LP Steamers is the city's beloved neighborhood crab house and the best crab value in the state. Steamed crabs heavy with Old Bay arrive by the dozen on a paper-covered table, and the rooftop deck with a Baltimore skyline view turns a casual feast into an event.
The steamed shrimp and cream of crab soup are reliable, and the prices stay friendly. It consistently lands on "best crabs in Baltimore" lists.
Pros:
- Generous, well-seasoned steamed blue crabs
- Rooftop deck with a Baltimore skyline view
- Casual, value-friendly crab pricing
- Reliable steamed shrimp and crab soup
Cons:
- Tight quarters and waits on summer weekends
- Limited menu beyond crabs and steamed seafood
Verdict: The value champion — heavy crabs, a skyline deck, and a price that beats the rest.
3. Harris Crab House
Cuisine: Eastern Shore crab house | Price: $$$ | Best for: Kent Narrows crabs with a wide water view
On Kent Narrows in Grasonville, just over the Bay Bridge, Harris Crab House is the Eastern Shore's classic all-you-can-eat-and-by-the-dozen crab destination. The steamed blue crabs, crab dip, and crab cakes come with sweeping views over the Narrows and a big deck, making it a favorite stop coming and going from the beaches.
The family-run operation has worked these waters for generations.
Pros:
- Steamed Eastern Shore crabs by the dozen and all-you-can-eat
- Wide water views over Kent Narrows
- Generous crab dip and dependable crab cakes
- Easy stop on the Ocean City route
Cons:
- Crowded on summer weekends
- Premium Eastern Shore pricing
Verdict: The Eastern Shore's quintessential crab house — great crabs and a big water view.
4. Mike's Crab House
Cuisine: Maryland crab house | Price: $$ | Best for: A relaxed family crab feast on the South River
Just over the bridge in Riva on the South River, Mike's Crab House has been a laid-back crab destination since 1958. The steamed crabs, crab soup, steamed shrimp, and crab pretzels come with an open-air deck, tiki bar, and a friendlier wait than the most famous spots. Crabs are sold by the dozen with pitchers of cold beer, and big tables and families fit easily.
Pros:
- Classic steamed crabs in a relaxed setting
- Waterfront deck and tiki bar on the South River
- Family-friendly with room for big groups
- Often easier seating than the busiest crab houses
Cons:
- Seasonal crab pricing climbs in summer
- Food beyond crabs is straightforward
Verdict: An easygoing, authentic crab feast for families and big tables.
5. Bo Brooks
Cuisine: Baltimore crab house | Price: $$$ | Best for: A waterfront Baltimore crab feast on the Canton waterfront
On the Canton waterfront in Baltimore at Lighthouse Point, Bo Brooks has been a city crab institution for decades. Steamed blue crabs by the dozen, crab dip, and crab cakes come with marina views and a big deck. The longtime Baltimore name and waterfront setting make it a reliable choice for a sit-down crab feast with a view, and boats can tie up at the marina.
Pros:
- Longtime Baltimore steamed-crab reputation
- Canton waterfront and marina setting
- Solid crab dip, crab cakes, and steamed shrimp
- Boat-up marina access
Cons:
- Premium pricing for the waterfront location
- Busy on summer weekends
Verdict: A classic Baltimore crab house with a marina view to match.
6. The Crab Claw
Cuisine: Eastern Shore crab house | Price: $$$ | Best for: St. Michaels crabs right on the harbor
On the harbor in St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore, The Crab Claw has served steamed crabs, crab soup, and fried seafood dockside since 1965. The two-story waterfront building overlooks the Miles River and the maritime museum next door, making it the picture-perfect Shore crab stop.
Crabs are sold by the dozen, and the view of the harbor is half the appeal.
Pros:
- Steamed Eastern Shore crabs right on the harbor
- Scenic St. Michaels waterfront since 1965
- Reliable crab soup and fried seafood
- Next to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Cons:
- Tourist-town pricing in summer
- Cash-friendly, old-school operation
Verdict: The most scenic Eastern Shore crab house — St. Michaels crabs with a harbor view.
7. Costas Inn
Cuisine: Baltimore-area crab house | Price: $$ | Best for: Old-school Dundalk crabs known for heavy seasoning
In Dundalk, just east of Baltimore, Costas Inn is a no-frills crab house famous for heavily seasoned steamed crabs and a loyal local following. The steamed crabs, crab cakes, and crab soup draw crowds who prize the seasoning blend and generous sizing. It ships crabs and seasoning, and the unfussy dining room is all about the feast, not the view.
Pros:
- Famously heavy-seasoned steamed blue crabs
- Generous crab sizing and loyal local following
- Reliable crab cakes and crab soup
- Ships crabs and house seasoning
Cons:
- Functional dining room, no water view
- Can get crowded and loud
Verdict: A Dundalk crab-house favorite for those who want their crabs seasoned hard.
8. Schultz's Crab House
Cuisine: Baltimore-area crab house | Price: $$ | Best for: A longtime Essex crab feast with a neighborhood feel
In Essex, east of Baltimore, Schultz's Crab House is a longtime family crab house known for steamed crabs, crab cakes, and crab soup at fair prices. The unpretentious room and decades of steady regulars make it a true neighborhood institution, the kind of spot where the crabs are steamed right and the bill stays reasonable.
Pros:
- Long-running Essex crab-house reputation
- Steamed crabs and crab cakes at fair prices
- Welcoming neighborhood atmosphere
- Reliable crab soup and steamed shrimp
Cons:
- No waterfront view
- Straightforward, no-frills setting
Verdict: A dependable, value-minded Essex crab house with staying power.
9. Skipper's Pier
Cuisine: South County crab house | Price: $$$ | Best for: Steamed crabs on the water in Deale
On the water in Deale, in southern Anne Arundel County, Skipper's Pier is a relaxed waterfront crab house and seafood restaurant on Rockhold Creek. Steamed crabs by the dozen, crab cakes, and steamed shrimp come with a tiki bar, a deck over the water, and boat-up access — a quieter South County alternative to the Annapolis crowds.
Pros:
- Steamed crabs on the water in quiet Deale
- Tiki bar and waterfront deck with boat access
- Reliable crab cakes and steamed shrimp
- Calmer South County alternative to busy Annapolis
Cons:
- A drive from Baltimore or downtown Annapolis
- Seasonal energy fades off-season
Verdict: A laid-back South County crab house with a genuine waterfront feel.
10. Conrad's Crabs
Cuisine: Crab house / carryout | Price: $$ | Best for: Dependable steamed crabs to dine in or take home
With locations including Parkville, Conrad's Crabs is a Baltimore-area favorite for steamed crabs by the dozen, steamed shrimp, and crab cakes, equally suited to a sit-down feast or a backyard carryout. Known for consistent steaming and seasoning, it's the reliable choice when you want a no-drama crab feast at home or in a casual room.
Pros:
- Consistent steamed crabs and steamed shrimp
- Easy dine-in or carryout for backyard feasts
- Reliable crab cakes and seasoning
- Value-friendly Baltimore-area pricing
Cons:
- Carryout-focused rather than scenic dining
- Limited atmosphere compared with waterfront spots
Verdict: The dependable everyday crab house — great for a feast at home or a casual sit-down.
Where Should You Eat?
What to Look For When Choosing a Crab House in Maryland
- Size and price by the dozen — Crabs are sold by size (mediums, larges, jumbos); always ask the size and market price before ordering, since a "dozen" can mean very different things.
- Heavy seasoning and steamed to order — A proper Maryland crab is dumped hot, dusted hard with Old Bay or a house blend, and steamed to order; Costas Inn is famous for going heavy.
- Waterfront vs. Carryout — A boat-up deck like Cantler's or Bo Brooks is part of the fun, but Costas Inn and Conrad's prove the crabs can carry the day without a view.
- Local blue crab vs. Imported — Ask whether crabs are Maryland or Chesapeake blues; provenance and freshness separate the best feasts.
- Seasonality — Blue-crab quality and value peak from late spring through fall; spring and early fall often beat the August peak on price.
- Sides that matter — Cream of crab soup, steamed shrimp, and crab cakes round out a feast; a great crab house nails these too.
What matters less than marketing implies: gimmicky all-you-can-eat banners and tourist-town views. The size and freshness of the crabs, the seasoning, and how they're steamed decide whether the feast is worth it.
FAQ
What is the best crab house in Maryland overall? Cantler's Riverside Inn on Mill Creek in Annapolis is our Best Overall — a 50-year waterfront institution serving hand-picked Maryland blue crabs steamed to order, with standout crab soup and lump crab cakes.
What is the best-value crab house in Maryland? LP Steamers in Locust Point, Baltimore is our Best Value, with heavy, well-seasoned steamed crabs by the dozen and a rooftop skyline deck at friendly prices. Conrad's Crabs and Schultz's are strong value picks too.
Where is the best crab house on the Eastern Shore? Harris Crab House on Kent Narrows and The Crab Claw on the St. Michaels harbor are the Shore's classic steamed-crab destinations, both with wide water views.
Which Maryland crab house has the heaviest seasoning? Costas Inn in Dundalk is famous for its heavily seasoned steamed crabs and ships its house seasoning, drawing a loyal following of feasters who want their crabs done hard.
Do crab houses take reservations? Most steamed-crab houses are first-come, especially Cantler's and LP Steamers; sit-down spots like Harris and The Crab Claw may take some bookings, but plan to wait on summer weekends.
When is the best time of year for Maryland crabs? Blue-crab season runs roughly April through November, with the best size and value typically from late spring through early fall; always ask the market price and crab size before ordering by the dozen.
Bottom Line
For a Maryland crab feast, Cantler's Riverside Inn is our Best Overall — the definitive dockside experience of hand-picked blue crabs steamed to order on a waterfront deck. LP Steamers in Baltimore is our Best Value, with heavy, well-seasoned crabs and a rooftop skyline deck at the friendliest prices.
If you're chasing Eastern Shore crabs, a heavy-seasoned Dundalk feast, or a relaxed South County deck instead, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Harris, Costas Inn, or Skipper's Pier. Judge on crab size, seasoning, and how they're steamed — not the all-you-can-eat banner — and you'll have the real Maryland crab feast.
Sources
- The Infatuation — Baltimore crab guides
- Baltimore Magazine — Best Crabs and crab houses
- Eater — Maryland crab coverage
- Washingtonian — Maryland crab houses
- OpenTable — Maryland crab house reservations
- Yelp — Maryland crab houses
- TripAdvisor — Maryland crab house reviews
- Cantler's Riverside Inn — official site
- Harris Crab House — official site
- The Crab Claw — official site
*Best crab houses in Maryland review — where to eat steamed crabs in Maryland, top crab houses, ratings, and a review of the best places to eat.*