12 Maryland Bayfront Restaurants Serving Crabs With A Side Of Serenity
Maryland’s bayfront offers a perfect backdrop for savoring the state’s most famous delicacy: blue crabs. When summer rolls around, locals and tourists alike flock to waterside eateries where picking crabs becomes an art form and a social event.
These restaurants combine breathtaking water views with the distinctive flavor of Old Bay-seasoned crustaceans for an authentic Chesapeake experience.
1. Cantler’s Riverside Inn — Annapolis
Tucked away on Mill Creek since 1974, Cantler’s feels like Maryland’s best-kept secret that everyone somehow knows about.
The no-frills approach—paper-covered tables, wooden mallets, and piles of steaming crabs—creates the authentic experience locals crave.
Boats regularly dock at their pier, with captains and crews joining the feast straight from the water.
2. Harris Crab House — Grasonville
Family-owned since 1947, Harris stands as a Kent Island institution where generations have broken bread—and crab shells. Their jumbo crabs, generously coated with Old Bay, arrive at your table hot and ready for picking.
The second-floor deck offers sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, making sunset dinners particularly memorable.
3. Locust Point Steamers — Baltimore
This former rowhouse transformed into crab heaven offers something rare in Baltimore—rooftop dining with harbor panoramas. I still remember my first visit during Fleet Week when Navy ships provided an unexpected backdrop to my crab feast.
Their signature “A Boh’t Load of Food” combo pairs perfectly with local National Bohemian beer for the quintessential Baltimore experience.
4. Nick’s Fish House — Baltimore Canton Waterfront
Sprawling wooden decks extend over the water at this Canton neighborhood favorite, where weekend afternoons stretch into evenings filled with live music.
The crab pretzel—a soft pretzel smothered in crab dip and melted cheese—has achieved legendary status among locals.
Their all-you-can-eat crab feasts feature some of the meatiest jimmies (male crabs) in the city.
5. Captain James Crab House — Canton, Baltimore
You can’t miss this quirky restaurant shaped like a ship docked permanently on Boston Street. Savvy diners arrive early to claim coveted deck tables right on the water.
Their all-you-can-eat special includes not just endless crabs but also corn and their velvety crab soup.
The sunset views of the harbor transform an ordinary meal into something magical.
6. Schultz’s Crab House — Essex
This James Beard Award-winning establishment hasn’t changed much since 1969, and that’s precisely why locals love it.
My grandfather first brought me here when I was ten, teaching me how to pick crabs while telling stories of his days working the bay.
The wood-paneled walls hold decades of memories, while their crab soup recipe remains a closely guarded secret worth the drive to Essex.
7. Waterman’s Crab House — Stevensville
Nestled in Kent Narrows, Waterman’s offers some of the most romantic sunset dining in Maryland. Boats frequently dock alongside the restaurant, with captains stepping directly from vessel to dinner table.
Their Thursday all-you-can-eat specials draw crowds from across the Bay Bridge, while weekend evenings feature live music that keeps the deck lively until well after dark.
8. Suicide Bridge Restaurant — Hurlock
Don’t let the macabre name fool you—this Eastern Shore gem on Cabin Creek offers one of the most peaceful dining experiences around. The restaurant sits beside a historic bridge with legends of desperate leaps during the Depression era.
Their riverboat crab feasts allow guests to cruise the tranquil waters while picking steamed crabs, combining sightseeing with seafood in brilliant Eastern Shore fashion.
9. Mike’s Crab House — Riva & Pasadena
With two waterfront locations, Mike’s has mastered the art of the casual crab feast since 1958. I spent countless summer Sundays at their Riva location, watching boats parade up and down the South River.
Their hushpuppies—served piping hot with honey butter—provide the perfect accompaniment to spicy steamed crabs. Boaters regularly tie up at their docks, making this a true Maryland gathering spot.
10. Crab Claw Restaurant — St. Michaels
Operating since 1965 in picturesque St. Michaels, this family-run establishment sits directly on the Miles River. The waterside deck offers views of sailboats and yachts gliding through the harbor.
Their house-brewed ale pairs perfectly with heavy, well-seasoned jimmies that arrive at your table still steaming.
The maritime museum next door makes this an ideal stop during a day of Eastern Shore exploration.
11. Barbara’s on the Bay — Betterton
Perched above Betterton Beach, this hidden gem offers spectacular Chesapeake Bay vistas that stretch for miles.
The casual atmosphere belies the seriousness with which they approach their crab dishes. On my last visit, I watched a spectacular electrical storm roll across the Bay while cracking claws at their covered deck.
Their crab imperial—a rich, creamy delight—rivals any in Maryland.
12. Bay Wolf Restaurant — Rock Hall
This Rock Hall treasure sits at the edge of a working harbor where watermen still bring in the daily catch. The screened porch offers bug-free dining with unobstructed water views.
Unlike trendier spots, Bay Wolf maintains an old-school charm where crab imperial comes in portions generous enough to satisfy the hungriest sailor.
Sunset transforms the harbor into a canvas of orange and purple hues.