We visited here with family! It was a weird drive to get to, but we were able to find it :) Jordan, our waiter, was fantastic! Very friendly, patient and attentive. He was awesome! I ordered the cream of crab and hush puppies. Everything was extremely delicious! I'll have to come back here to try some actual crab or maybe a po boy. But we'll be back! read more

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I have been going to Cantler's for years, mostly to sit by the water and pick crabs and soak up the Bay atmosphere. Recently I went with a group of family, some from out of the area, as it is convenient, the food is good, and is a good introduction to Bay life. While my out of town family thought it was great, I was honestly a little disappointed with the food. First, however, the entire staff were incredible and it is hard to beat the setting. Everyone was friendly, authentic and helpful. One of our group was celebrating a big birthday and the Cantler's team made him feel very special. Second, some of the food was very good such as the fresh oysters, oyster chowder and the hush puppies. Unfortunately, a lot of the food wasn't great, especially the seafood sampler and the crab cake. Maybe we should have asked for the crab cake and sampler to be broiled rather than fried, and that may have been why we were disappointed. The crab cake was particularly disappointing as it seemed mostly leg and backfill meat with a fair amount of filler and then deep fried. Will I go back, mostly like because of the staff and the gorgeous setting, but will only order steamed crabs to pick. read more

Nice waterside restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating! We visited on a Monday so it wasn't too busy, we sat at the bar and the bartenders were super nice and attentive. Decided to split some seafood so we did the crab dip and the combo of steamed shrimp, mussels and clams. Both came out hot and delicious! They also do a mean orange crush. Be prepared for a delicious crab smell if you eat inside, but definitely recommend! read more

Cantler's Riverside - Jimmy's Steamed Combo - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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These crabs were very good and seasoned well! This was my first time here! Servers were great and ambiance was okay but a lot of children were running around. Crabs were a bit overcooked and hard to crack but delicious nonetheless. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Crabs! - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

When we were planning our last minute trip to the area we looked up waterfront/crab spots and this place was mentioned several times, I see why. We visited on a late Sunday evening and the place was packed. It is tucked back at the backside of a residential area along the water. It's very casual but don't let the fool you, the food is amazing. The main seller is the blue crab and every table had them. They come in 4 different sizes in any quantity. We sat down and our server was great, she was so friendly and had so much small talk about WV and travel it was great. We tried both crab soups, ordered special steamed shrimp, crabs and hushpuppies. everything was so good and so fresh, I only wish we lived closer. read more

10/10 for Cantler's! Was in the area with some friends and we had such a craving for some seafood. After checking reviews on yelp, Cantler's was the winner and we had to try it. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:15 and it was already packed inside! We were able to get a table outside by the water which we really enjoyed. Our waitress's was simply amazing and dealt with our shenanigans. We unfortunately knocked down our drinks a few times and our waitress was so gracious when it happened and understood. She was super nice, attentive and great! For food, we ordered a number of items. For drinks, we ordered the strawberry daiquiris which were delicious and strong. For food, we ordered only 3 crabs since honestly we didn't know our abilities in being a pro like other people in opening them, two orders of the shrimp, hush puppies and the crab cake sandwich without the bread. Everything was delicious and came out really quickly. The dozen crabs were kinda expensive but worth it with the amount of people you have with you. For a dozen, it was about $155 that day. We will definitely come back! It was a great experience! Pro tip: get there early! It's definitely a place to be and to not wait on a long wait, I would highly recommend to get there early! read more

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To start I have to say that the drive from downtown Annapolis to this location was a beautiful filled with lush greenery worth the drive alone. This restaurant is definitely popular with locals and is in its own beautiful world on the water. The staff is young and accommodating, and we sat outside. A good choice because of the wonderful view of the river. I have to say at the outset the crabcake was the best we've had so far in Annapolis and compares with the best we've had in general. It was sweet flavorful and true to the area - no filler. Even though the portion may look small to some, it was very filling. The fish and chip special was very lightly fried with tender morsels of cod. One of our guests had the full cod dinner and the fish was beautifully cooked. The sweet potato fries were sweet and pulpy without being over seasoned. I had the blackened tunafish, which was very good and flavorful. The asparagus sides were carefully cooked and very flavorful. Another one of us got the new potatoes which were perfect. There is no doubt in our mind that we will return for the beautiful view, the fresh food, and the festive, friendly atmosphere. The only downside were the frozen piña colada's, which our friends ordered were very amateurishly mixed. We loved that there was a thick paper covering applied over the table and simply removed at the end of our meal. All in all, it was a down to earth experience, celebratory, and fun. read more

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Wow is this place popular even at $10 a crab (yes $120 for #1s dozen)!!! So we passed ... and got the crab and cod sandwiches. Both were fine, nothing to return to Annapolis for. Service tad slow, as noted they are packed, even at opening. Unless you're visiting the area and want to experience famous MD blue crabs, otherwise this "neighborhood " hangout has become overpriced. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Crab sandwich with corn - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Went here for seafood on the 4th of July, and enjoyed the vibes, music, and food. . The interaction with other customers was great! The drive to the restaurant was like going into a hidden community off narrow back roads, so drive with cautionThere was a wait, like 30 to 45 minutes but once seated, the server came to orders, the. It's all good from there.! We ordered 1/2 dozen of XL crabs, shrimp po boy with tater tots, large order of steamed shrimp, hush puppies, and Caesar salads. May not sound like a lot but it was. If you looking forward to a good chill spot and good eats, check this place out. Also, be careful going the wrong direction, you will end up in someone's house. Not a bad either. read more

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(Delayed Posting due to the time need to clean up after an amazing experience of cracking Maryland blue crabs...) We've been living in Annapolis for about 6 months and have been following reviews closely in order to find just the right place to try Maryland blue crabs. Cantler's Riverside repeatedly was mentioned so we made that our target for when our kids were with us. As the summer deepened, we began to question our decision making process. Did we really want to be sitting outside in the sweltering heat working to deshell our dinner? We debated. We agonized. And we finally threw caution to the wind and made our way over to Cantler's for a Thursday evening early dinner with the boys. We hoped we would be able to catch some indoor seating And success! Parking was plentiful. Indoor seating was plentiful when we arrived at 5:15pm. And we jumped right in to this crab extravaganza. (Side note: the indoor seating was filling up by 5:30, so running is definitely everything) The review for Cantler's is very short: we worded a dozen "super" crabs, and while pricey, they were extremely succulent, and very well seasoned. Absolutely the quintessential experience for the kids. And, ok, the adults too' We also order a platter of soft crab (note to correct Maryland nomenclature - known elsewhere as soft shelled crab). Absolutely perfectly done. And the fired fish/crab cake from the Captain Lou's platter added a very nice variety to the crab feast. Add in top of this the gracious service and the excellent shore cove and Cantler's made for a quintessential Annapolis evening. Now I cannot wait to try the out door patio. But that will have to wait for October... read more

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I've been here several times in the service is great. There's outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. It's a friendly casual atmosphere. The crabs are always good and fresh and I just love the house puppies read more

Cantler's Riverside - Hush Puppies and crabs - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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I cannot compare this restaurant to any other seafood restaurant in Maryland at this time. But all I know is the outdoor patio is welcoming, the location is perfect as it's by by the water and the food was amazing!!! Anyplace that serves sweet potato fries is alright with me lol. But seriously, the crab was seasoned to perfection, the chowder was creamy and tasty, the clams were crispy and the hush puppies were delicious!!! If you're in the area, visit this spot. It gets crowded so don't come too hungry in case there's a wait! read more

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Food was great overall. The smoked fish dish was number one--I could've easily eaten the whole thing myself. The accompanying baguette looked hard at first glance but was surprisingly soft and fluffy inside. It was so good we ended up ordering another. Both the potato salad and coleslaw were amazing--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The cream of crab, however, was underwhelming--not worth the price and easy to skip. We ordered half a dozen large blue crabs, which were boiled and sprinkled with a savory seasoning. They were noticeably meatier than typical grocery store crabs and quite filling, but keep in mind that even the large ones don't yield a ton of meat--I'd recommend at least 2-3 crabs per person if you're coming hungry. Service was attentive, but the overall experience felt a bit off. While everyone was polite, the energy was chaotic and not particularly welcoming. We were seated right next to the patio door, and the wind kept blowing my hair into my face--not ideal when you're elbow-deep in crab. The space itself feels more like a shack than a restaurant, but it's clear the focus here is on the food rather than the ambiance. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Half dozen blue crab - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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People recommended this place for crab when we visited Maryland, but unfortunately, the crab was overpriced and not good. Some of the spices were very salty, and one of the crabs was bad and smelled unpleasant. Honestly, we could have bought better-tasting crab at the market without going all the way there. The only positives are that the restaurant is next to the river, the view is nice, and the staff were friendly. read more

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we drove 45 minutes from DC to eat blue crabs. Get in the restaurant and there's a sign that says no hard shell blue crabs. Don't make the same mistake as us, call first. We ended up eating at another place. As this place comes up highly recommended restaurant for maryland crab - they should put this information in their website . read more

Cantler's Riverside - outside of the restaurant : very pretty - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Our one girl in the DMV was to eat, and more specifically to eat seafood. Cantler's did not let us down!! We ordered a ton of food - half a dozen of raw oysters, half a dozen crab, two crab cakes, half a pound of shrimp and a bucket of mussels. Surprisingly, the two of us finished it all and it was DELICIOUS! We could tell the seafood was fresh out the water. It was so sweet and melted in our mouth. My favorite was the oysters. They were huge but didn't taste fishy. The crab cakes were packed with meat. The crab itself was an experience - they gave us mallets to smash them open. The service was really fast and the gal was very friendly. Cantler's was right off the water and a bit off the beaten path but I'm so glad we took the drive! It was so worth it. read more

Hands down the best place for crabs in the Annapolis area! This place is everything you want it to be-- it's more of a lowkey bar/restaurant serving crabs and seafood and you can't go wrong with most things on the menu. Crabs are always the right size you order and are steamed fresh and have some of the best flavor. The crab dip comes out so flavorful and with 2 baguettes-- a crowd pleaser for sure. It's almost always crowded (rightfully slow) but service is still fast and servers are so attentive and you're never left waiting. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Blue crabs - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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The service from both servers was awesome! So kind and fun. The food was amazing. The fried calamari, crab dip, shrimp sandwhich, crabs and our drinks were also great. We were visiting town but if we lived closer we'd definitely come regularly! read more

Cantler's Riverside - Crabs - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Always a good meal at Cantler's! Menu is a bit pricey but what a view and location...Jimmy Buffet playing on the patio. Tried the chopped salad with blackened Rockfish -tasty! Also ordered the crab dip. The place was slow on a sunny February day but last few visits it was packed! Great place for a drink or meal with friends or family. read more

Cantler's Riverside - View by the creek! - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Cantlers is my go to when in Maryland and searching for crabs! The menu is basic but exactly what it should be for a casual crab spot. I have never had a bad crab here and the crab dip is to die for as well! Service is always on point with friendly staff and the ambiance is absolutely perfect for a chill night with friends or family. This is by no means an elevated place but it does the job and does it well! read more

Cantler's Riverside - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Awesome service and delicious fresh seafood!!! My family and I ordered different dishes and I honestly was not able to take all the pictures of the dishes before we dug in because it was too beautiful not to start eating. Everything was beautiful presented and tasted delicious!! Will definitely be coming back to try more dishes! read more

Drove into Annapolis and made my first stop at Cantlers. I was early enough on a week day that the parking lot was full, but not crazy. Stepped inside and we were seated quickly outside. I loved having views of the water in Mill Creek. Tables outside are communal benches and another couple was seated further down from us. Although we were seated quickly, server never showed up. Couple next to us put their orders in and started receiving drinks and food and we had to flag someone down. They seemed embarrassed that our assigned server had disappeared. That was the only snafu. I was there for the Steam Crabs and they delivered. 1/2 dozen with J.O. crab seasoning. Excellent. Perfect way to start my weekend in Annapolis. read more

Cantler's Riverside - 1/2 dozen medium blue crabs steamed and seasoned Maryland style - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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I've been coming here for years now! Best crab place around! View is great, food is even better! Always get crabs or steamers and you can come right off your boat and dock! read more

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Casual, waterfront restaurant with neighborhood bar vibes! The backyard patio is fun and the food here is so good. I've been to Cantler's twice, the only two times I've actually visited Annapolis. I have dreams about the lump crab cakes, they are so yummy. The waitstaff is friendly and the service is fast. Locals have suggested this spot to me when looking for dinner recommendations. This place is a must visit for me whenever I'm in town. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Lump Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

If you're craving a classic Maryland seafood experience, this is the spot. Tucked along the water with boats docked nearby and picnic tables covered in brown paper, Cantler's is a true local gem. We came here for the crabs -- and they did not disappoint. The steamed blue crabs were fresh, perfectly seasoned with Old Bay, and served piping hot. Add in corn on the cob, hush puppies, and cold beer? You've got yourself a feast. The vibe is laid-back and full of character. Sitting outdoors by the water, cracking crabs with friends and family? It doesn't get more Chesapeake than this. Service was friendly and quick despite the crowd, and everything came out fresh. Whether you're a local or just passing through Annapolis, Cantler's is absolutely worth the stop. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Business was blooming! I understand the hype, they have a great system for parking and waiting/seating system. Heads up on no strolls! We got 1 pound of jumbo shrimp that came with potatoes, onions, and yummy butter sauce. We got lump crab cake platter with hash browns and fries! We asked the difference between fried and lump crab cake and which the difference is way it is cooked. Also, our waiter wasn't lying that the lump crab cake is more flavorful! The hash browns were delicious! We were going to get large crabs, but they were sold out for the day, so we settled on medium. Very scrumptious and would love to get large next time! read more

Cantler's Riverside - Child's menu pasta - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

We have rented cars at least five times to bring friends and family here. The drinks are great, the outdoor balcony and docks are lovely, and the crab cracking is a great afternoon activity! You must try the crab dip pretzel, I get one for the table and one for myself every time! read more

Cantler's Riverside - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

It was a beautiful day, so we decided to sit outside on the deck overlooking the water. Obviously we had to order crabs, and we got a half dozen medium for the 2 of us. We also got some hushpuppies on the side. The crabs were piping hot and covered in seasoning! We're not experienced crab pickers, so they ended up room temperature by the time we got through with our second ones. The meat was so sweet and juicy - just perfect! The hush puppies were also the perfect amount of sweet, and they were especially yummy with the butter :) read more

Cantler's Riverside - Hush Puppies - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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What an experience. You want fresh blue claw crabs, this is the spot. We ordered 1/2 dozen jumbos, fried clams and a dozen little necks. The food came out piping hot within 5 min we then went to work. It was delicious messy and fun. The staff was so great. The outdoor seating is so beautiful. The is a must do on MD. read more

Cantler's Riverside - Hammering Crabs! - Seafood Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

I loved this place at first. I've been at least 3 or 4 times. I am love crabs and I don't mind paying for X-Large or jumbo crabs. However, I noticed that what we received was smaller than people at the other tables. I don't usually play the race card however it has happened once to often. read more

Creating memories with the ones you love is special to me! My 800th review had to be special! Fourth of July 2024 my significant other and I ventured to Cantler's Riverside. He's a certified foodie and knows all the cool places to go. I always know anywhere he goes, is stellar! He wanted crabs and so Cantler's it was; it was literally the place to be. It opened at 11 a.m. and by noon there was already a 45 minute wait. People wait hours just to eat here. So that is telling! We got seated quickly because we aren't scared of sun! Ooooooh it was hot! Food was great! Ambiance was beautiful. Anything by the water is perfect to me. I didn't want to break my nails so I opted for the seafood broiler platter and that was delicious. Healthy option for those wanting to stay clear from fried foods. Asparagus was overcooked but scallops, shrimp and fish were great! My Beaus crabs were delicious! He shared! Frozen Daiquiris were great! Overall fun, delicious, and cute spot for seafood! I'd definitely return. #perfect4ththankyoubaby read more

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Tried this place out since I was in the area and was craving crabs. I got their MD crab soup and Captain Lou's Platter. Their soup was flavorful and filled me up quick. I couldn't finish my platter, but I definitely took some bites. My favorite was the soft shell crab. I wish I had ordered more to go. The crab cake was good, but I needed to eat it with one of the sauces. The rockfish fillet was okay. Their coleslaw was prepared differently than I'm used to. It had a different taste than I'm accustomed to. Overall, it was a good experience made even better by my waitress's great customer service!! read more

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Cantler's is a must if you love jumbo crabs and a beautiful view on the water. My friends come here every year and sent me an invite. We requested to sit outside and it was about a 25 minute wait on a Saturday. The view was an amazing right on the water. We ordered a feast, the highlight is the jumbo crab. They are seasoned well and very juicy. My mouth is watering thinking about it. The crab dip was also good. I would come back again. The parking is limited and cantler's is a bit pricey however it's worth every penny. read more

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Cantler's is the kind of crab house and seafood restaurant that you might not ever get to if you're only in the downtown Annapolis dining scene. It is classic crab house material not only the Annapolis/Anne Arundel County area but also with a broader reach for boaters from all over the Eastern Shore who make day trips to dock and dine. Their classic menu is the definition of my entire childhood experience with seafood houses. I loved my steamed blue crabs at Cantler's as well as the hush puppy's. And cervezas. I would like to go back during crab season and get Jimmy's Crab Feast because of the variety. I looked at the menu again and am salivating because of all the things I'd like to try! The streamed jumbo shrimp come with Old Bay, onions and red potatoes, along with butter. There is also a peel-and-eat steamed shrimp version with butter which is probably just smaller shrimp. And prime rib at Cantler's is probably going to be good, too, because they've been around for a long time. I came by boat here and never would have known about it, otherwise. The views of the boats and water are gorgeous and you can dine right out on the patio. It's not fancy. It's traditional. read more

Got to drive a little ways off the beaten path to find this place, but worth the effort. Visited on a Saturday night with my family of 7 and we were one of the few patrons there. We got a little bit of everything to try, including one dozen XL steamed blue crabs. The service was great! The food was solid, very good and I'd try it all again, but nothing that I would have to visit again. We were in town for my son's track meet at The Naval Academy and it was my other son's birthday. Nothing was done to make it special, but the waiter was very friendly. The place looked more like a dive bar with cheap chairs, paper table covers, and plastic cups, but that didn't bother me. However, their minimal non-alcoholic drink menu was disappointing. After tax and tip the tab came to $335 for the 7 of us. read more

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Decided to head here on a weekend when the weather was amazing. Heads up, they don't take reservations so there will be a long wait. No worries, there's plenty to do while you wait. You can even get an adult beverage while you wait. The food is top notch and super fresh seafood that you can't beat. Great vibe and great service from a pretty large waitstaff. I'd definitely come back many times over. read more

Favorite place in Annapolis area. Visited many times. Always great seafood, particularly crabs. Excellent location. Caring and attentive staff. Occasionally crowded but definitely worth the wait! read more

We arrived at Cantler's at 11:17 am on a Saturday, and the place was full! Keep in mind they open at 11am. We had to wait a few minutes for parking, and there was an hour wait to sit on the deck. All that to say: try to get there before they open! We were seated promptly (party of 2) inside. The servers were hustling and moving! You could tell they were working their butts off. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. We tried the hush puppies, crab dip, a crab cake sandwich and the fried soft shell crab. Everything was delicious. The crab cake and the crab dip were the highlights for me. We would skip the hush puppies next time because they just filled us up, and they were not anything too special. The seafood was great! We loved our meal. Next time, we plan to get there early and try the hard shell crabs that you have to crack with a mallet. read more

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It's a twisting turning drive out to Cantler's Riverside, Annapolis. Going out there after dark can be a challenge as the road often is down to a single lane. But, the risks are all worthwhile, because this crab house has been steaming crustaceans for 50 years and has earned its reputation through satisfying generations of seafood loving customers. We were there on the recommendation of friends with family in the area. We were not disappointed in the least. The knotty pine predominated in the bar/dining room. The large rear porch overlooking Mill Creek was more popular, but the chill in the air kept us inside. We ordered three Super size crabs for the shellfish lover, and the Fried Oyster Sandwich pour moi. Armed with wooden mallet, short blade knife and thin long arm single pronged fork, she went wild slamming the claws, legs and main shell to extract every morsel of the sweet white crab meat. Perhaps, a little salty from the spice mix, but not enough to deter her ardor for the lucious prize. I helped out, but had my own fete with the 6 deep fried local oysters that presented on top of a brioche roll. A little dab of white will do 'ya, as I devoured those little dudes and threw down the side of chips (tots). It was all great; not the least significant being the completely rustic timeless atmosphere of the house. Service (Veronica) was excellent if not audacious. Turned out that a large claw was missing from the crab order (Shit happens). We mentioned it to her, and next thing we knew, another server stopped by to deliver a large plate with five more claws as sincere and generous compensation. Over and above, was all we could say. By the time we were done, the brown paper placed on the table was stained and littered with shell bits, and the pail put there was full of large crab appendages and exoskeletons. We had run through so many napkins because this was a full bore hands-on experience. If our hands and lips weren't a slippery mess, we're just weren't doing it right! All fun delicious things must come to an end, but we also demolished a slice of Key Lime Pie before the night faded toward moonrise. Definitely a bucket list experience. read more

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You really can't beat Cantler's. I did not grow up a crab eater but if I'm in the mood, you can't go wrong here. Such a fun atmosphere and there's something for everyone. Always worth a trip to go at least once. read more