By Grace Schwartz
From late spring to early fall, Maryland residents can enjoy the region’s most prized culinary staple: blue crab. Straight from the Chesapeake Bay, Montgomery County is known for its wide variety of blue crab dishes. From all-you-can-eat crab specials to hand-pattied blue crab cakes, take a bite of classic Maryland cuisine with the best blue crab in Montgomery County.
Cameron’s Seafood
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Whether you’re looking for steamed or live blue crab, Cameron’s offers an unparalleled to-go market selection. Crab can be purchased by the dozen or by the bushel, with additional crab-based dishes available on the takeout menu.
- Address: 875 Hungerford Drive, Rockville
- What guests are saying: “Hidden gem in Montgomery County for Maryland blue crabs. Super pleased with the quality and taste.” — Google review
Bethesda Crab House
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Since 1961, this family-owned restaurant has been serving up the area’s best crab cuisine. Known for their well-seasoned dishes, their chefs have even been featured on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table Legends.” Order anywhere from a single crab to several dozen, or try a signature crab cake. Due to high demand, call ahead to ensure your desired crab is available.
- Address: 4958 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda
- What guests are saying: “The crab was incredibly fresh, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection—easily some of the best seafood we’ve had” — Google review
JC Crab House
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This family-owned establishment offers an all-you-can-eat feast for blue crab lovers. With classic paper table coverings, mallets and house seasonings, seafood fans can indulge in a true Maryland feast.
- Address: 13432 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring
- What guests are saying: “I must say JC’s has the best crabs of any place I’ve been…and I’ve been to almost every crab house in the state!” — Yelp review
Nick’s Fish House
The waterfront deck at Nick’s Fish House is a perfect place to dive in to some blue crab. The restaurant is known for serving fresh Maryland steamed crabs, cooked to order and generously seasoned, giving visitors the classic Chesapeake Bay crab feast experience. Grab a mallet, spread out the newspaper and enjoy picking crabs with friends and family while taking in views of the Patapsco River and the Hanover Street Bridge.
- Address: 2600 Insulator Drive, Baltimore
- What guests are saying: “Super delicious blue crabs, a little pricey but worth every crack. Once in a while you need to treat yourself and others.” — Google review
Curbside Crabs and Seafood Company
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For those who prefer a crab feast at home, stop by this local stand and order blue crab to go. This local gem serves both live and steamed crab and can prepare orders up to several bushels.
- Address: 16650 Georgia Ave., Olney
- What guests are saying: “These guys are the real deal. Large crabs were HUGE and the spice blend they put on them is the best I’ve ever had.” — Google review
Coastal Flats
For diners who want classic blue crab flavor without the work, stop by Coastal Flats for jumbo lump crab cakes or blue crab and shrimp fritters.
- Address: 135 Crown Park Ave., Gaithersburg
- What guests are saying: “We started with the crab corn chowder soup and the crab cake sliders. And for dinner we ordered the crab cakes, lobster roll & steak salad. Everything was delicious!”—Yelp review
The Grilled Oyster Company
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For those who enjoy their crab best when paired with another dish, this restaurant has a variety of unique plates that put a spin on traditional crab preparations. Offering crab mac & cheese, crab cake hushpuppies and a crab cake burger, there are plenty of inventive pairings to satisfy your seafood cravings.
- Address: 200 Main St., Gaithersburg
- What guests are saying: “Food for Marylanders finally! Crab soup and the crab hush puppies were fantastic.” —Yelp review
Blue Crab House
Blue Crab House is a family-run seafood spot known for serving up fresh, local Maryland blue crabs steamed to order. Whether you’re cracking into a dozen with friends or picking up a bushel to take home, the restaurant focuses on simple, classic Chesapeake Bay flavors — from steamed crabs and shrimp to crab cakes and homemade soups.
- Address: 3501 Ady St., Street
- What guests are saying: “Great place to get crabs, crab cakes, cream of crab soup, and more!” — Google review
Clyde’s
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Located along a 21-acre nature preserve, this elegant eatery is well-known for its Maryland-style Crisfield Stew made with sizable chunks of tender jumbo lump crab. For a cooler dish, their raw bar also offers a popular jumbo lump crab dijoinaise.
- Address: 2 Preserve Parkway, Rockville
- What guests are saying: “Then I had the cream of crab soup which much to my surprise and delight, had a very large scoop of lump crab meat right in the middle of a velvety broth. It was wonderful.” — Google review
The Salt Line
The Salt Line is a lively seafood spot inspired by classic New England raw bars and the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Known for its fresh oysters, coastal dishes and relaxed waterfront vibe, the restaurant serves up regional seafood favorites alongside cold drinks and scenic views near Nationals Park.
- Address: 79 Potomac Ave. SE, Washington, DC
- What guests are saying: “What a place. I keep coming back and bringing whoever will go with me.” — Google review