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
Maryland Blue Crab House
Serving premier all-you-can-eat crab specials on a first-come, first-served basis, arrive early and get ready to dig into local flavor. After trying steamed platters, explore the signature Maryland crab soup and other house specials. Once you’re hooked, sign up for their loyalty program to exchange points for free food.
- Address: 7100 Sollers Point Road, Dundalk
- What guests are saying: “The star of the show, of course, were the crabs. They were absolutely scrumptious — meaty, fresh, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor.” — 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
Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar
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Famous for their Maryland-style crabcakes, blue crab lovers can celebrate the season with a whopping nine-ounce crab cake. For a more subtle dish, several of their entrees are topped with a blue crab imperial.
- Address: 9811 Washingtonian Blvd. L9, Gaithersburg
- What guests are saying: “Got both the signature 9oz and the double junior crab cakes, and they really weren’t lying about using all jumbo lump with no filler. You can actually taste the quality of the crab, which is how it should be.” — Yelp 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
Ruff N Ready Crab House
This carry-out-only establishment makes crab season simple. Known for their quick service, pick up a small bag of male or female steamed blue crab, or opt for half a bushel.
- Address: 903 Chillum Road, Chillum
- What guests are saying: “Best crabs in town!! Meaty, tasty, seasoned to perfection!!!”— Google review