6 Maryland Seafood Buffets That Serve Crab The Way It Was Meant To Be
Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay taught me one undeniable truth—nobody does crab quite like Maryland. From the sweetness of the meat to the signature seasoning blend that locals swear by, every bite feels like a celebration of the Bay itself.
What makes it even more special is the communal ritual: gathering around the table, cracking shells with friends and family, and sharing stories as the pile of empty shells grows.
Whenever I crave that authentic Maryland crab experience without limits, I head straight to these spectacular seafood buffets, where blue crab reigns supreme and the picking is as plentiful as the memories made.
1. The Bonfire Restaurant: Ocean City’s Seafood Spectacle
You haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed the mountain of seafood at The Bonfire. Last summer, I stood slack-jawed before their buffet spread, where steaming piles of seasoned crabs beckoned between prime rib stations and oyster bars.
The signature Old Bay seasoning clings to every crack and crevice of their perfectly steamed crabs. Their seafood selection rotates seasonally, ensuring peak freshness whether you’re cracking into snow crab legs or scooping up their signature crab imperial.
The all-you-can-eat format transforms dinner into a festive marathon. Locals know to pace themselves through the appetizers to save room for those glorious crabs!
2. Higgins Crab House: A North Ocean City Tradition
Crab mallets rhythmically tap throughout Higgins Crab House, creating the soundtrack of my childhood summers. This North Ocean City institution has perfected the art of the all-you-can-eat crab feast over its decades-long history.
Family-owned since 1943, Higgins serves jumbo blue crabs with a heavy hand of spice that leaves your lips tingling. Their buffet features soft shell crabs when in season – a rare treat that many buffets skip due to cost.
My favorite strategy: Start with their award-winning crab cakes before diving into whole crabs. The paper-covered tables and communal seating create the authentic Maryland crab house experience without pretension.
3. Captain White’s Seafood: The Potomac’s Hidden Treasure
Captain White’s sits where the Potomac whispers stories to the Chesapeake, offering the most generous crab leg buffet I’ve encountered near DC. While tourists flock to the Inner Harbor, savvy crab enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to this Oxon Hill gem.
Alaskan and snow crab legs arrive continuously from the kitchen, steaming hot and pre-cracked for easier access. But the true star is their local blue crab selection, served both as whole specimens and in their famous crab imperial casserole.
Fun fact: The original Captain White started as a waterman before opening this place in 1972, and they still source some crabs directly from Chesapeake Bay crabbers when in season.
4. Harris Crab House: Kent Narrows’ Waterfront Wonder
“Save some room!” my grandfather would always warn before Harris Crab House’s legendary feast nights. Perched on Kent Narrows with boats bobbing outside the windows, Harris transforms the traditional crab house experience into a bountiful buffet on special evenings.
Their steamed crabs arrive encrusted with spices, accompanied by corn on the cob dripping with butter. The buffet rotates with the tides – literally – featuring whatever the local watermen delivered that morning.
What makes Harris special is the fourth-generation family knowledge behind every dish. Their hush puppies alone are worth the drive across the Bay Bridge, and their crab soup recipe remains a closely guarded family secret.
5. Woody’s Crab House: North East’s Blue Crab Paradise
The first time I walked into Woody’s, a server carried past a tray of the largest blue crabs I’d ever seen. On Friday nights, this North East institution transforms into an unlimited crab lover’s dream with their special buffet service.
Woody’s distinguishes itself through preparation – their crabs spend longer in the steam pot, allowing the spices to penetrate deeper into the meat. The buffet includes their famous cream of crab soup, which won the Maryland Seafood Festival competition three years running.
Owner Greg Woody still personally selects crabs each morning, choosing only heavy males with the sweetest meat. His pickiness pays off in the most consistently excellent crabs in Cecil County.
6. Mike’s Crab House: Riva’s Riverside Feast
Seagulls circle hopefully above Mike’s Crab House, where I’ve spent countless summer evenings watching the South River flow by while cracking crabs until my fingers ache. Their weekend buffet transforms this Riva landmark into a celebration of Maryland’s favorite crustacean.
The steamed crab section features three sizes to choose from, each dusted with their secret spice blend that’s heavier on mustard seed than most. Between crab rounds, I load up on Eastern Shore corn pudding and their legendary crab dip that’s rich enough to be a meal itself.
A 45-year tradition keeps families returning generation after generation. The waterfront deck offers the quintessential Maryland experience – unlimited crabs with boats drifting by.