As a Marylander I take my crab cakes very seriously. Our state is famous for producing the finest flakiest, most delicious crab cakes in the country. The combination of lump Maryland blue crab meat, spices, and binder fried to a beautiful golden brown is iconic here. But not all crab cakes are created equal. There are certainly some spots that stand out above the rest when it comes to the best crab cakes in Maryland.
In my quest to find the state’s top crab cakes, I scoured reviews, asked locals, and did my own extensive taste testing of crab cakes from all over Maryland. After much eating (though not much suffering!), I’m ready to reveal the absolute best places to get heavenly crab cakes in Maryland From Annapolis to Ocean City, these restaurants serve up the crab cakes dreams are made of.
Factors in Finding the Best Crab Cakes
Before naming the best of the best, let’s discuss what makes a great crab cake. There are a few key factors I evaluated:
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Lump Crab Meat – Not shredded or chunk crab meat. Big, beautiful lumps of sweet meat.
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Minimal Filler – The focus should be the crab, not breadcrumbs or mayo.
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Binding – Finds the right balance to hold the crab cake together while keeping it moist.
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Seasoning – Enhances flavor but doesn’t overpower the crab.
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Preparation – Pan-fried for crispy edges; broiled for lightness.
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Size – Substantial portion size with 6-8 ounces of crab per cake.
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Accompaniments – Elevates the crab cake experience; rémoulade sauce, slaw, etc.
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Value – Quality justifies the price.
With these criteria for perfection in mind, I sought out the best of the best in Maryland. I’m happy to report my efforts yielded a definitive list of the top places for dreamy crab cakes.
1. G&M Restaurant & Lounge – Linthicum Heights
With over 30 years of accolades, it’s no surprise G&M tops many lists of the best crab cakes in Maryland. Their secret? Using only lump Maryland blue crab meat mixed with their proprietary seasoning. The cakes are pan-fried resulting in a crispy exterior revealing flaky, moist, and sweet meat inside. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
Where to Get Them: Dine-in at their restaurant or order carryout, local delivery, or nationwide shipping.
Price: ∼$20 per crab cake
Our Thoughts: Pillowy, lump-filled crab cakes worthy of their legendary status. The standard by which all crab cakes should be judged.
2. Box Hill Pizzeria & Crab Cakes – Abingdon
This spot is out to prove pizza places can also make killer crab cakes. Using jumbo lump meat and creative binders like cornflake crumbs and Greek yogurt, Box Hill offers broiled crab cakes that are light and Crispy edges give way to moist, creamy, seasoned goodness within. The crab flavor really shines.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in or order carryout from their Abingdon location.
Price: ∼$20 per crab cake
Our Thoughts: Who knew you could get fantastic crab cakes at a pizza joint? Box Hill is redefining expectations.
3. The Narrows – Grasonville
This Eastern Shore restaurant is known for its breathtaking waterfront location, and award-winning crab cakes. Only the finest lump crab meat goes into their secret recipe resulting in sizable, meaty crab cakes fried to perfection. Get them as an entrée or appetizer!
Where to Get Them: Dine-in at their Grasonville location with gorgeous river views.
Price: ∼$34 per crab cake entrée
Our Thoughts: Perfectly fried crab cakes worthy of every award and accolade bestowed upon this restaurant. Worth a trip across the Bay Bridge!
4. Pappas Restaurant – Multiple Locations
With three locations around Baltimore, Pappas has been serving their famous crab cakes and seafood dishes since the 1970s. Their recipe mixes crab with a touch of mayo and mustard for binding. The broiled crab cakes are gigantic and bursting with sweet lump meat.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in or order carryout from their Cockeysville, Parkville, or Glen Burnie restaurants.
Price: ∼$36 for two crab cakes
Our Thoughts: These enormous, lump-filled crab cakes have a lovely balance of seasoning. You get your money’s worth from Pappas.
5. Faidley Seafood – Baltimore
No list of Maryland’s best crab cakes is complete without iconic Faidley’s Seafood in Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market. These pan-fried crab cakes have been a local treasure since 1886. Each lump-packed cake is made according to Faidley’s legendary recipe. Perfection.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in at their restaurant counter or order carryout from the market.
Price: ∼$14 per crab cake
Our Thoughts: Faidley’s sets the bar for what a Maryland crab cake should be. Do not leave Baltimore without trying one (or three).
6. Koco’s Pub – Baltimore
Ask any Baltimore local where to get the best crab cakes, and Koco’s Pub is sure to come up. This quintessential crab cake consists of a crab and mayo broiled to perfection then topped with more lump crab meat. You get two cakes piled high with sweet meat.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in or order carryout from their Baltimore pub.
Price: ∼$36 per crab cake platter
Our Thoughts: These enormous crab cakes are definitely big on flavor and portion size. The added crab meat on top is a nice bonus.
7. Boatyard Bar & Grill – Annapolis
Boatyard Bar & Grill is a prime waterfront destination in Annapolis for cocktails, seafood, and their award-winning crab cakes. The cakes contain lots of lump crab delicately seasoned and fried. Get them as an appetizer or entree with phenomenal bay views.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in at their Annapolis restaurant right on the water.
Price: ∼$18 per crab cake appetizer
Our Thoughts: Sweet, delicate crab cakes perfectly cooked and sized. Dining on the waterfront takes it to the next level.
8. Timbuktu – Hanover
Timbuktu in Hanover is a hidden gem serving up amazing crab cakes that rival any in Maryland. These extra thick cakes are packed with sweet lump crab meat and just enough breadcrumb filling to hold them together. Take a bite of these beauties!
Where to Get Them: Dine-in or carryout from their Hanover restaurant.
Price: ∼$30 for two crab cakes
Our Thoughts: Some of the meatiest, lumpiest crab cakes around. Thick and packed with crab goodness.
9. Crabcake Factory USA – Ocean City
For fabulous crab cakes oceanside, visit Crabcake Factory in Ocean City. Their cakes contain jumbo lump crab blended with seasonings and just enough mayo, mustard, and breadcrumb filler. Take in the ocean breeze as you dine on these crabby delights.
Where to Get Them: Dine-in or order carryout from their Ocean City location just off the Boardwalk.
Price: ∼$18 per crab cake
Our Thoughts: Sweet, flaky, and gently seasoned. Perfectly cooked crab cakes with the sand and surf nearby.
10. Jerry’s Place – Prince Frederick
Off the beaten path but worth the visit, Jerry’s Place in Prince Frederick serves up super fresh seafood and sizable crab cakes made with premium lump meat. The cakes are lightly seasoned and pan fried. Make sure to try Jerry’s stellar crab soup as well!
Where to Get Them: Dine-in at their Prince Frederick restaurant in a quaint setting.
Price: ∼$28 for two crab cakes
Our Thoughts: Unpretentious and excellent. Simple preparation allows the sweet crab flavor to shine.
The Best Spot for Carryout – G&M Restaurant
While the restaurants mentioned all have carryout, the absolute best crab cakes for taking home or sending as gifts come from G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights. This local legend has perfected shipping their famous crab cakes overnight anywhere in the country. Order some for yourself or send them to lucky recipients!
Things to Keep in Mind
Maryland is brimming with restaurants all claiming to have the “best crab cakes.” Use this guide as a great starting point for your search.
Boatyard Bar & Grill
The Boatyard Bar
Located in the historic maritime district of Annapolis, close to the waterfront of Spa Creek, Boatyard is a favorite place for local fishermen and sailors to grab a bite to eat. The interior mimics an old yacht with sea-themed decorations. Their menu features an extensive list of crab and seafood specialties, from the acclaimed crab cake to crab soups, crispy crab balls plus crab and artichoke dip. There’s also a raw bar featuring oysters, clams and mussels.
AKW87T Faidley Seafood Raw Bar Lexington Market Baltimore Maryland | © Vespasian / Alamy
This family-owned business, in Baltimore’s Lexington Market, serves some of the most acclaimed crab cakes in Maryland; they’ve even won awards for the jumbo lumps of crab and little filler. It is a market-style eatery where you can buy your seafood fresh or pre-prepared. Other specialties on offer include fresh or cooked fish, oysters, calamari and clams. The crab-cake sandwich was once named best sandwich in America by the Travel Channel.
Located in a suburb of Annapolis on the South River, Edgewater is a town landmark dating back to 1948 that serves its crab cakes with fried okra on the side in a one- or two-piece platter. Other items on the menu include soups, crab dips and seafood specialties like lobster tail, stuffed shrimps and deep-sea scallops. This place has kept its old-style decorations and laid-back atmosphere to this day.
This restaurant, with a prime location on a waterfront deck, overlooking the Patapsco River, offers any fish or seafood you might crave, from steamed clams or mussels to fish and chips or hand-breaded shrimp. The star on the menu, though, is the crab-cake dinner, served with deck fries and coleslaw. Enjoy with a cocktail on the terrace and make sure you drop by between Thursday and Sunday evening when live music brings the place alive.
Become a Culture Tripper!
Thames Street Oyster House, Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland | © Walt Bilous / Alamy Stock Photo
Thames Street is famous for its homemade crab cakes and raw bar with fresh oysters from both the East and West Coasts. It is located in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point neighborhood. The executive chef, Eric Houseknecht, prepares authentic seafood dishes inspired by Maryland, New England and Mid-Atlantic cuisines. The cast-iron crab cake is made with East Coast blue crab, remoulade sauce, Swiss chard and baked squash. One of three places is the bar room, the upstairs dining area with views of the water, or the back courtyard. Everyone can have dinner there.
Baltimore’s BEST Crab Cakes [5 Best Places]
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