You came for pure lump crab and zero filler drama, and Maryland still delivers the classics that live up to the legend. These counters and taverns serve cakes so plush and briny you can taste the Bay in every bite. Bring an appetite, a squeeze of lemon, and a dash of Old Bay, because the line moves fast and the cakes vanish faster. Let this list guide your next crab crawl across the state.
Cantler’s Riverside Inn – Annapolis, Maryland
Cantler’s feels like the Annapolis postcard brought to life, with boats bobbing while your crab cake lands hot and audaciously chunky. The patty is barely bound, letting sweet jumbo lump carry the flavor with only enough seasoning to whisper. Add lemon, sip a cold beer, and let the creek breeze do the rest.
Service is quick, portions hearty, and the old-school paper on the tables signals business. You will get messy, you will grin, and you will probably order another. When the sun drops over the water, that last buttery bite tastes like Maryland distilled.
Box Hill Pizzeria and Crab Cakes – Abingdon, Maryland
Box Hill proves a pizza place can dominate the crab cake game, shipping statewide and wowing locals with enormous, gently bound cakes. The texture leans tender and flaky, with sweet lumps pulling apart like pearls. A light broil brings a kiss of caramelization without drying the interior.
You can grab takeout or get them shipped, which means weeknight cravings are solved. Pair with a crisp salad or fries and let the cake do all the talking. It is the kind of no-fuss, big-flavor experience that turns skeptics into fans.
Faidley’s Seafood – Baltimore, Maryland
Faidley’s inside Lexington Market is pilgrimage-level crab cake territory, where tradition and jumbo lump collide. The signature softball-sized cake is lightly seasoned, just enough to amplify the sweet meat. Grab it with crackers and mustard, then claim a stand-up spot and join the chorus…