Check out these 23 restaurants for a crab feast.
In summer, there’s nothing better than a big pile of steamed crabs. This is where you’ll find them.
Dedicated crab lovers display crab baskets or catch their blue crustaceans themselves with nets to ensure the freshest catch.
Although crabbing is a lot of fun, there are numerous crab houses in Delaware and the surrounding area that you can visit if you want to avoid the hassle of catching, preparing and then cleaning the crabs at home.
Some restaurants offer all-you-eat deals, but just as many sell hot, steaming crabs by the half-dozen or dozen. Prices vary depending on the size and availability of the crabs. Seasonal houses usually stay open until October (when you can still get heavy, fat crabs).
Here are some restaurants you should consider:
Boondocks Restaurant & Package Store, 825 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna, offers crab to your heart’s content on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant says it will keep the special going “as long as there are crabs and the response is good.” The price is $40 per person. Cool off the burn of the crabs, with the Old Bay seasoning that coats them, with a watermelon cocktail or “Swamp Water,” the $14 house specialty drink served in a mug with a cattail.
Crushers Crabs & Cuisine, 251 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, offers outdoor patio dining, serving seafood and hard shell crabs.
The Crab Barn Restaurant & Lounge, 32600 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, offers Maryland blue crabs as well as specials on snow crab and Dungeness crab on Mondays.
Eastern Shore Seafood, 2626 S. Dupont Boulevard, Smyrna, has an outdoor beer garden across from Willis Chevrolet where guests can drink beer and eat steamed, seasoned crab. The garden is closed in inclement weather. The new outdoor dining area includes 25 tables with umbrellas, cornhole boards and a stage. It is open April through October.
Sambo’s Tavern, 283 Front St., Leipsic, this seasonal tavern on the Leipsic River was founded years ago by Samuel “Sambo” Burrows. Sambo’s has only a tavern license, meaning children are not allowed and you must be at least 21 to get in. They only accept cash. Crab prices on August 2 were $80.00/dozen and $45.00/half dozen.
Bushels Sports Bar & Grille, 18289 Coastal Highway (Del. 1), Lewes, has taken over the former Lazy Susan’s. Blue crab, snow crab and shrimp are available until you’re full. No sharing is allowed and time is limited to two hours.
Claws Seafood House, 167 Rehoboth Ave, in downtown Rehoboth Beach, is part of the Fins Hospitality Group and serves beers from Big Oyster Brewery. Crabs are delivered daily and range in size from medium to jumbo. Sides include hush puppies, mac and cheese and corn on the cob.
The Crab House, 19598 Coastal Highway (Del. 1), Rehoboth Beach, offers steamed No. 1 male blue crab seasoned with JO Spices (two-hour time limit applies) and 36 different beers on tap. The restaurant is part of the Big Fish Restaurant Group. An all-you-can-eat seafood buffet is offered daily from 4 to 8 p.m.
The Fenwick Crab House, 100 Coastal Highway (Del. 1) Fenwick Island, offers steamed crabs in sizes from medium to jumbo. The restaurant also offers soft-shell crab sandwiches, Maryland crab bisque, fried chicken and ribs.
Gus’s Crab Shack, 29 W. Market St., Port Penn, open Thursday through Sunday, offers all-you-eat No. 1 crab and shrimp and corn on the cob on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. for $59 per person.
Hilltop Crab House Restaurant & Bar, 8980 Gap Newport Pike, Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, is a short hike across the Delaware border. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Kelly’s Tavern, Congress & Market Street, Port Penn, allows adults only in the bar; you must be at least 21 to enter. The tavern often offers steamed crab, but guests are asked to call 302-834-9221 to reserve crabs. There is a steamed shrimp special on Wednesdays.
Kathy’s Crab House & Family Restaurant, 107 Fifth St., Delaware City, has been in business since 1982 and offers medium to large steamed crabs at prices ranging from $45 to $65 per dozen.
Lestardo’s Crab House, 135 Christiana Road, New Castle, recommends calling ahead at 302-328-5070 and ordering the crabs to eat in, as they often sell out.
The Old Mill Crab House, 8829 Waller Road, Delmar, has been in business since 1983 and offers crabs by the dozen and by the fill.
Meding’s Seafood, 3697 Bay Road, Milford, is located on Del. 1 South on the way to the Delaware beaches and offers indoor and outdoor seating. It features steamed blue crab and an all-you-can-eat special of Alaskan snow crab every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. for $59.99 per person.
The Tap Room, 201 Bohemia Ave., Chesapeake City, Maryland, serves steamed and garlic-seasoned hard shell crab year-round. It is open daily and has been part of the historic city of Chesapeake since 1981.
Starboard Claw, 1818 Coastal Highway (Del. 1) Dewey Beach, No. 1 Steamed Blue Crabs are available in packages of three, six or a dozen. Sizes can range from medium to jumbo, depending on availability.
Mickey’s Family Crab House, 39610 Jefferson Bridge Road, Bethany Beach, offers all-you-can-eat blue crabs and snow crabs daily until 8:45 p.m. Mickey’s also offers take-out.
Surfing Crab, 16723 Coastal Highway, Lewes, recommends calling ahead at 302-644-4448 to check crab availability and to pre-order. Crabs are cooked to order. The restaurant does not take reservations.
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Woody’s Crab House, 29 S. Main St., North East, Maryland. Tables are covered in brown paper at the restaurant, which has been serving crab since 1993. Steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are available in small and large sizes, and Woody’s offers weekly seafood specials, such as a whole Maine lobster (1 ⅟₂ pounds) for $28 on Thursdays.
Wellwood, 523 Water St, Charlestown, Maryland, on the historic North East River, offers steamed crabs in its casual River Shack, which has indoor and outdoor seating. It is open Friday through Monday. Wellwood is about 30 minutes from Newark.
Water Street Seafood, 654 Water St., Havre De Grace, Maryland, the restaurant on the Susquehanna River, serves steamed Maryland blue crabs April through October. Call 443-502-8855 to check prices and availability.
Patricia Talorico writes about food and restaurants. You can find her on Instagram, X And Facebook. Email [email protected]. Sign up for them Delaware Eats newsletter.
