Best Crab Restaurants In Ocean City, MD, for 2024
Calling all crab lovers visiting Ocean City on the Eastern Shore of Maryland! Whether you’re looking for the best blue crabs, best crab cakes, best crab restaurants, or the best all-you-can-eat crabs in Ocean City, MD—this guide is for you!
I have devoured many, many bushels of Maryland blue crabs in OC. I’m lucky, my husband’s family lives next door, and we visit often. As locals, they know the best places for fresh seafood and have the inside scoop on the best crab restaurants in Ocean City, MD. Our nephews and my brother-in-law have even worked at a few of the crab houses on our list!
And while seeing family is our first priority, “picking” crabs, as the locals say, ranks as our second. Roaming Assateague Island comes in third, and eating Thrasher’s boardwalk fries by the beach falls to a distant fourth. The numbers after that are all just icing on the cake—and make that a Smith Island Cake, another of Maryland’s favorite foods!
A crab feast spread at one of the best crab restaurants In Ocean City, MD
All-You-Can-Eat Crabs in Ocean City, Maryland
For me, the best crab restaurant in Ocean City must have all-you-can-eat (AYCE) steamed blue crabs smothered in Old Bay seasoning. If you’re googling “best crabs near me,” I’m guessing you’re looking for this too. Crab restaurants commonly call it a crab feast. But beware—not all feasts are all-you-can-eat.
At Ocean City crab houses, butcher paper covers the tables so servers can dump trays of steamed Maryland blue crab on them. Be prepared to eat with your hands and get messy. Buckets, seafood crackers, hammers, and paper towels are all part of this Eastern Shore experience.
Crab Bag
One of the top spots for a traditional crab feast, Crab Bag should be on your list of must-try crab restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland.
When I go for a feast, I’m looking for the sweetest crabs with lots of meat. That’s really all I want—and maybe a piece of local corn. So, the sides don’t matter too much to me. At the Crab Bag their AYCE crab feast comes with french fries, monkey bread, and corn on the cob. Spiced steamed shrimp are available for an extra fee.
In case you have someone who doesn’t eat crab, the extensive menu promises something tasty for everyone, even the kids.
Address: 13005 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
All-you-can-eat crab feast at Crab Bag in Ocean City, MD
Hooper’s Crab House
Hooper’s has long been one of our favorite spots for cold beer and some of the best steamed crabs in Ocean City. In fact, it was my in-laws’ choice for their 50th wedding anniversary—a crab fest for the entire family.
Hooper’s outdoor deck overlooks the bay and their floating bar, Sneaky Pete’s. As one of the oldest Ocean City MD crab houses, their feast is old school traditional: steamed crabs, steamed shrimp, fried chicken, corn on the cob, and hush puppies.
If you don’t know hush puppies, think fried cornbread nuggets. They can be very filling, so don’t scarf down on this Southern staple too early; hold out until you see your waiter carry out your big tray of crabs.
Address: 12913 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
The view from Hooper’s Crab House in Ocean City, Maryland
Waterman’s Seafood Co.
The first place I ate all-you-can-eat crabs in Ocean City, Maryland, was Waterman’s. At this reliable seafood house, the crabs come full and the service is friendly and attentive. No one likes waiting too long for their next tray of crabs, and here you never do!
Waterman’s crab feast comes with the same sides as Hooper’s. Besides the fact that Waterman’s uses more seasoning on their crabs, the biggest difference between the two is the atmosphere. As a much larger venue on the bay, Hooper’s has lovely views and a more rowdy liveliness to it than the more subdued dining room at Waterman’s Restaurant.
In addition to some of the best crabs Ocean City MD has to offer, Waterman’s has one of the best seafood markets in town. It’s a great place to pick up a wide variety of locally-sourced seafood and prepared sides like pints of coleslaw and macaroni salad.
Address: 12505 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Waterman’s traditional crab feasts include shrimp, hushpuppies, and fried chicken (not pictured).
Crab Alley
When you say you’re looking for the best crabs in Ocean City, Maryland, most people will assume you mean blue crabs. However, this West Ocean City restaurant also offers snow crab feasts. Let me just say, at Crab Alley you really need to do a good job perusing the menu.
The menu lists three different kinds of crab feasts. One of them features snow crab legs, which are quite different than blue crabs. Just beware that at Crab Alley, their “feasts” are not all-you-can-eat. But don’t be disappointed: They do have two kinds of AYCE blue crab options on the menu too. One comes with the traditional sides; the other comes my style, with just crabs and corn.
Address: 9703 Golf Course Rd, Ocean City, MD 21842
Snow crab feast in Ocean City, Maryland
Blu Crabhouse & Raw Bar
A short stroll from the boardwalk, you’ll find another one of the best Ocean City Maryland crab houses, the BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar (note, not BLU Crab House).
In addition to typical Eastern Shore fare, this local eatery also provides two all-you-can-eat blue crab feasts. Feast #1 includes cheddar biscuits and corn on the cob. Feast #2 adds steamed shrimp and Old Bay chicken to the goodies included in the first feast.
One of the things I like best about this crab house is the waterside outdoor seating.
Address: 2305 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
Some of the best crab restaurants are just steps away from the Ocean City boardwalk
Best Crab Restaurants in Ocean City, MD
Some of the best crabs in Ocean City, MD, aren’t served all-you-can-eat style. Sometimes, they’re not even served as whole steamed blue crabs. Eastern Shore crab specialties include Maryland crab soup (different from, but just as delicious as, the She Crab soup in Charleston), crab dip, lump crab cakes, crab imperial, pizzas, pastas, and so much more.
OCM Crabs
As you may have guessed, OCM stands for Ocean City, Maryland, and this spot just a few blocks north of the Route 90 Bridge on Coastal Highway is, indeed, a fine choice for steamed crabs Ocean City MD style. If your style is of the casual, no-frills variety—and when eating crabs, frills typically aren’t on anyone’s list of musts.
Blue crab options are by the dozen, half bushel, and bushel; you choose the size of the crabs and the menu spells out the approximate number you’ll get to pick through. Busy steamers in the kitchen also crank out tasty snow crabs, shrimp, clams, and mussels. The crab dip is delish!
Address: 7111 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Crabcake Factory
The Crabcake Factory is definitely one of the best crab restaurants Ocean City MD has to offer—and yet they don’t serve steamed crabs. You still get to eat the tastiest crabs—you just don’t pick ‘em. Instead, you get a menu full of the tastiest crab concoctions you can imagine!
As you would expect, these crab dishes include incredible homemade crabcakes. They’re crafted from generous amounts of deliciously sweet lump crab meat, and the crabcake sandwich was recently declared by USA Today to be Maryland’s best. I haven’t tasted every crab cake in Maryland, but I was certainly impressed by the ones served here! And crab cakes are just the start!
Unless, of course, you rather start with the amazing cream of crab soup, crab quesadillas, crab dip, crab cheezy fries—stop me if I’m getting warm. Entrées include locally caught rockfish crab imperial and crab-stuffed lobster tails! I’m telling you, if you love crabs, you’ll find something to love here!
Address: 12000 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Some of the best crab cake sandwiches in Ocean City, MD
Harborside Bar & Grill
Harborside is a family favorite. No matter how long any family visit back on the Shore is, we make a point of eating at this spot at least a few times during our stay. It’s laid back, casual dining with great food, friendly staff, chill vibe, and good drinks. But I have to admit that the only crab dishes on the menu are crab dip and crabcake sandwiches. Both are top notch, and the sandwich is a go-to for both my husband and me every time we go, but I love this place for so much more than just the crab.
The steamed clams, steamed mussels, and buffalo wings are always great, and when we go as a big family, everyone finds something they love on the menu. The location in West Ocean City’s commercial harbor means no giant OC crowds to contend with.
And sitting on the waterfront deck, watching the boats come and go while enjoying the signature drink at the home of the original Orange Crush is a great way to indulge in the softer side of OC. It doesn’t hurt that they also have some of the best food specials in town, especially in the offseason.
Address: 12841 South Harbor Rd, Ocean City, MD 21842
A family favorite, Harborside Bar & Grill
Ropewalk
The same group that brought the historic Ropewalk Tavern back to life from its pre-Prohibition days in Baltimore’s Federal Hill opened this seafood extravaganza in its Ocean City location in 2015. But unlike most Ocean City crab restaurants, this one elevates the concept of kid-friendly to a whole different level. With its expansive pirate-ship-themed playground encircled by Adirondack chairs where parents can sip their drinks while keeping an eye on their children, Ropewalk is a great place to bring the whole family. And that’s without even mentioning the frequent live entertainment and always delicious seafood dishes.
So, let’s mention some. The last time we went, I discovered the crab cake eggrolls! Yummy! And this being the South, the fried green tomatoes were a big hit, especially since they featured lump crab meat and creamy chipotle horseradish sauce! The crab cake sandwich ranks among the best in town. And the steam pots add a whole different dimension: They all include steamed shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage, but one stars snow crab, another crawfish, and a third lobster. You can’t go wrong with any of these.
Address: 8203 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Harpoon Hannah’s
Harpoon Hannah’s is not like most Ocean City, MD, crab restaurants—because it’s barely across the state line in Fenwick Island, Delaware. But if you’re coming up the bay by boat, you can literally turn off your engine in OC and still coast into a spot at the dock next to the outdoor Tiki Bar on the restaurant’s expansive back deck.
That’s where you’ll find water falls, palm trees, great happy hour deals every weekday from 3 til 6 pm, and live entertainment every night! And they have plenty of crab. Crab dip pretzels and crab cake sandwiches, of course, but also crab pizza with jumbo lump crab, 2 cheeses, and Old Bay. They also serve up a seafood alfredo that includes crab, shrimp, and scallops, and they prepare a nice crab linguini. In addition, you can top any steak dish with crab imperial or add a crab cake to any entrée; just don’t expect steamed crabs.
Address: 39064 Harpoon Rd, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
The Tiki Bar and Happy Hour at Harpoon Hannah's
Fish Tales Bar & Grill
You’ll find here the usual crab suspects—Maryland crab soup, crab cakes, crab cake sandwiches—but also a couple of options beyond the traditional, like a seafood burrito with crab, shrimp, and scallops, and the Seafood Baker: a jumbo potato stuffed with crab, shrimp, scallops, cheddar cheese, bacon, and scallions. Further outside the box—and definitely out past the crab traps—is the surprisingly good Blackened Mahi Reuben and even more surprising exotic French food, Fried Frog Legs.
And with commercial catch coming in every day, you can rely on the freshest seafood no matter what you order. Located on the bay, there’s also plenty of spots to park your boat; ample outdoor seating, happy hour drink and food specials weekdays from 2 til 5 pm; great sunsets; and a large playground, arcade, and even face-painting for the kids.
Address: 2107 Herring Way & 22nd Street, Ocean City, MD 21842
On the Bay Seafood
One of my favorite things about On the Bay, one of the most popular crab places in Ocean City, is that it offers soft shell crabs. For those who don’t know, crab shells don’t grow with the crab. As crabs grow larger, they have to slough off their now-too-small shells and grow a bigger one. But for this short in-between period, they have soft shells and are literally soft crabs until their exterior layer once again hardens.
When caught during this period, these soft shell crabs can be eaten in their entirety—and they are delicious! They’re typically fried or sauteed, then offered on a sandwich or as the star feature of their own entrée. Both versions are great here!
On the Bay also offers steamed hard shell crabs by the dozen, half-bushel, and bushel that were hailed by the Baltimore Sun Newspaper as OC’s best. But it pays to scour the entire menu: There are also plenty of tempting clam, oyster, shrimp, scallop, and calamari options too.
Address: 4204 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Soft shell crab sandwich
FAQs About Ocean City, MD, Crab Restaurants
1. When is Maryland crab season?
You’ll most likely find the best crabs from local waters during crab season, April through November.
2. Are crab feasts served outside of crab season?
Sometimes. I have been able to get AYCE crab feasts at Waterman’s and Crab Bag in December and January.
3. Are Ocean City restaurants open all year round?
Since OC is a summer resort town, many of its restaurants close during the winter months, so it is always best to check their schedules on their websites. On the plus side, some of the best seafood restaurants that stay open during the offseason offer great specials after the crowds of summer have gone home.
4. Can you buy steamed Maryland blue crabs to go?
Yes, some of the restaurants above sell bushels of crab to go. There are also seafood markets such as Crab Stop and Crabs To Go where you can order ahead and drive off with steaming hot crabs.
5. What’s the difference between Maryland crabs and Chesapeake Bay crabs?
Nothing, they are the same crab. Across the state line in Virginia, some people consider blue crabs a Virginia food because the crabs are born in the VA part of the Chesapeake Bay and the current carries them to MD. That’s why Virginians prefer the term “Chesapeake Bay crabs.”
Because our nation’s capital is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, it’s no wonder that Chesapeake Bay crabs are one of the favorite foods of Washington, D.C., too.
6. Besides Maryland blue crabs, what are some other amazing things to eat in Ocean City?
Some of the best-loved eats of OC are the famous Ocean City Boardwalk foods that visitors love to come back to year after year and crave every offseason.
7. What’s the difference between Ocean City, Maryland, and Ocean City, New Jersey?
About 70 miles. Ocean City, MD, has many more bars, restaurants, and way better crab!
8. What’s the difference between Maryland blue crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab?
Many consider blue crabs to be the sweetest tasting of all crabs, but they have relatively little meat on the legs. Snow crabs, which come from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, are mostly legs, and the legs are usually sold in clusters. Dungeness crabs, a Pacific Northwest specialty, have large meaty bodies.
If you’ve read our articles on Oregon foodie destinations and/or about the famous foods in Portland, you’ll know that I love the delicious Dungeness crab too! It’s also the crab used in Cioppino, a San Francisco food specialty.
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