WASHINGTON — You don’t have to battle beach traffic to get a taste of summer.
There are plenty of places west of the Bay Bridge that sell and steam Maryland crabs.
So grab Old Bay and a beer — it’s time to get cracking. Here are some of the best places to find crabs around the region.
New to crabs? Check out our guide: Cracking a conundrum: How to eat a Maryland crab
1356 Okie St., NE, Washington, D.C. The booming — and boozing (there are distilleries, plus a brewery and urban winery within walking distance) — Northeast neighborhood known as Ivy City is home to Ivy City Smokehouse, a market and tavern that specializes in fresh seafood. Get your Maryland crabs live or pick them up already steamed and seasoned. The tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse also serves crabs (and cold beer) on its roof deck. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
4958 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Maryland Bethesda Crab House is one of D.C.’s most popular seafood outposts. If you want the big crabs or the crab feast, the staff recommends calling ahead to reserve your meal. The restaurant also serves crabcakes, soft shell crab and oysters on the half shell. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
1200 Fort Myer Dr., Arlington, Virginia
Maryland crabs are in for the season at Arlington’s Quarterdeck restaurant. Order yours in medium, large, extra-large, jumbo and all-you-can-eat — just call ahead of time for reservations. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
1100 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Cooking for a crowd? Head down to the Maine Avenue Fish Market at The Wharf on D.C.’s Southwest waterfront. There, you’ll find a number of fish and crab vendors. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
10195 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia This Northern Virginia institution offers all-you-can-eat and bushel and half-bushel blue crab specials. Steamed shrimp, oysters and clams are also on the menu at Captain Pell’s. Just make sure you call ahead to place your order. (Courtesy Captain Pell’s Facebook)
Courtesy Captain Pell’s Facebook
5640 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Maryland
It’s a bit beyond the DMV, but if you’re up in the Frederick area, May’s is a must, and steamed Maryland crabs are the restaurant’s specialty. (Getty Images/Mark Wilson)
Getty Images/Mark Wilson
10524 Liberty Rd., Frederick, Maryland Also in Frederick, Maryland is Liberty Road Seafood. The outpost serves all-you-can-eat steamed hard shell crabs, along with other seafood specialties. Call ahead of time for availability and pricing. Avery’s Maryland Grille is another Frederick restaurant specializing in crabs. The kitchen expects to have more Maryland crabs in soon. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
1702 Crain Highway South, Glen Burnie, Maryland Seaside Seafood does carry-out for steamed crabs, crab cakes, shrimp and more. The team behind the business also run Skipjack’s Crab House in Overlea, Maryland. (WTOP/Ed Kelleher)
WTOP/Ed Kelleher
8745 Flower Ave., Suite A, Silver Spring, Maryland Don’t let the name fool you: Ocean City Seafood is in Silver Spring, Maryland. The neighborhood market sells, but doesn’t cook, Maryland crabs. Call ahead of time to check availability and prices. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
11495 Popes Creek Rd., Newburg, Maryland If a crab house with a view is what you’re looking for, Captain Billy’s is your spot. This Southern Maryland restaurant sits on the Potomac River and gets in the large crabs. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
7410 Laurel Bowie Rd, Bowie, Maryland This Prince George’s County seafood shop is known for its meaty and well-seasoned local crabs. Call ahead of time for prices and to reserve the big guys. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
700 Mill Creek Road, Arnold, Maryland If you haven’t been, you should make it a point to get to The Point. The view from the patio is enhanced by Chef Bobby Jones’ culinary skills. The menu is based on what’s in season, and during the summer, it’s all about the crab. (WTOP/Ginger Whitaker)
WTOP/Ginger Whitaker
420 W. Colonial Hwy., Hamilton, Virginia Maryland crabs are in at Lowry’s Crab Shack, just west of Leesburg. Sit at a picnic table on the patio to pick your crabs and soak up the summer sun. You can order your hard shells live or steamed. (AP Photo/John A. Bone)
AP Photo/John A. Bone
1743 King St., Alexandria, Virginia During the season, Ernie’s offers steamed blue crabs, as well as an all-you-can-eat crab fest. Call ahead of time for availability and market price. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File
14718 Bristow Rd., Manassas, Virginia Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are a specialty at Crosby’s Crab Co. in Manassas, Virginia. You’ll also find shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, oysters and fresh fish selections at this local eatery. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for Crabcake LA )
Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for Crabcake LA
4665 Indian Head Hwy., Indian Head, Maryland At Grinder’s Seafood in Southern Maryland, WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher personally recommends the corn fritters. This restaurant keeps seasonal hours only, so be sure to call ahead. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
16215 Cobb Island Rd., Cobb Island, Maryland This Charles County restaurant has great-tasting crabs and waterfront scenery. Expert tip: Ask for the house seasoning. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)
WTOP/Colleen Kelleher
458 Forest Beach Rd., Annapolis, Maryland Cantler’s is a waterfront institution in Annapolis. You’ll feel like you’re at the beach, only much closer to home. (WTOP/Ginger Whitaker)
WTOP/Ginger Whitaker
1402 Colony Rd., Pasadena, Maryland For another restaurant with a view, check out Mike’s North, which is now open for the season, Wednesday through Sunday. The menu has items from land, sea and bay. (Getty Images/Mark Wilson)
Getty Images/Mark Wilson
