Maryland welcomes every year around 42 million visitors that flock to the state to enjoy the unique attractions and fun activities that it has to offer. Maryland is home to remote mountains, good food, rich culture, fantastic art, lively music, and scenic nature. All of that makes the state a perfect place for vacation. Moreover, people enjoy one of the most beautiful attractions in Maryland, the Ocean City Boardwalk. They can then witness the beauty of the renowned Basignani winery.
Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, is home to the National Aquarium, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors each year. One of the most iconic landmarks in Maryland is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. No matter how much is written and talked about in Maryland, there will always be something fun to do in this state. But what makes Maryland very distinguished is its seafood cuisine, particularly its unique crab houses.
Why Is Maryland So Famous For Its Seafood, Particularly Crab
Whether one is looking to indulge in the yummiest taste of crabs, oysters, clams, scallops, or any other seafood, they have nowhere to go further than Maryland. Crab is particularly the most central menu item and the most found food in the state. This is why Maryland is famous for its unique crab houses. The primary option that one can choose from is the soft-shelled crab served with butter.
Other options are taking the crab deep-fried with a crispy brown crust, or one can enjoy a crab tossed in a pan along with oil, pepper, garlic, and onion. People who don’t like crab need not worry since the restaurants in Maryland offer a variety of seafood, including fried oysters, steamed mussels, stuffed shrimp, broiled salmon, and grilled tuna. Maryland has plenty of crabs due to its beautiful weather, making it a perfect place for sea animals to live. Marylanders have learned how to deal with crabs through the years, from catching and cooking them to (obviously) consuming them.
The sea animals are called Blue Crabs in the state and mainly live on the Chesapeake Bay. Moreover, Maryland is known for its special seasoning, Old Bay, which contains a blend of Flavors that gives Maryland’s crabs their delicious taste.
Where To Eat Blue Crabs At Maryland
Maryland is home to many crab houses that serve the delicious signature seafood of the state. People will get lost in the many options when choosing where to enjoy the perfect crab meal. Yet, some restaurants are not to be skipped for the tasty food and great ambiance they offer to their clients. The James Beard Foundation named Schultz’s Crab House an America’s Classic because it serves the traditional and timeless Maryland crab meal. The restaurant is located in Baltimore and boasts a beautiful setting from its interior side with a fisherman figurine in a yellow slicker, butcher papers on dining tables, a mounted fiberglass marlin, pictures of boats, and docks, and knotty wood paneling.
- Location: Schultz’s Crab House, 1732 Old Eastern Ave, Essex, Maryland 21221
- Options: It is possible to enjoy an outdoor dining experience at Schultz’s Crab House or opt for the takeout option.
- Cost: A Crab imperial platter served with two sides, and homemade bread costs $29 at Schultz’s Crab House.
Another worth visiting crab house in Maryland is Bo Brooks Restaurant, where people can enjoy Inner Harbor views in Canton. The House is known for its various steamed crabs, with medium and enormous ones available to choose from. Moreover, the restaurant has free parking and a vast indoor dining room. Additionally, Bo Brooks Crab House has a tiki bar.
Additional Unique Crab House Options In Maryland
Going to the south side of Baltimore, people can head to the relaxed-style crab house LP Steamers, which boasts rooftop views of the harbor and skyline of Baltimore. The restaurant offers Natty Boh pitchers and cheap beers, and most importantly, Maryland-style steamed crabs. The crab house is open all year round and serves more traditional seafood. It’s been voted one of the best crab houses in Baltimore and was featured in several publications, including the New York Times. LP Steamers is also known for the various sizes of the steamed crabs it offers, including small, medium, large, jumbo, and ginormous ones. Prices range from $4.14 per crab to $11.25 per crab.
The Stoney Creek Inn crab house is also an excellent option to enjoy a delicious seafood meal in Maryland. The restaurant has been serving steamed crabs, crab dips, and crab cakes for decades now. The crab house opened with a renovated larger version near Stoney Creek and the drawbridge during the pandemic. In May 2021, the Stoney Creek Inn ran a summer-long special on $2 mixed-size party crabs and light weights that are easy to pick and delicious.
- Location: Stoney Creek Inn, 8238 Fort Smallwood Rd, Curtis Bay, MD 21226
- Opening hours: The Stoney Creek Inn is closed on Mondays. From Tuesdays to Fridays, it opens from 11 AM to 09 PM. On Saturdays, from 12 PM to 9 PM, and on Sundays, from 12 PM to 08 PM.