No day trip to St. Michael's is complete without coming to The Crab Claw! While the service leaves lot to be desired, the food is great. I love the rockfish and chips! And this is a great place to grab crabs if you're looking for the average MD seafood experience. Shame this place is closing down at the end of the season. read more

The best adventures are the ones you never planned. The night before, while riding the ferry, I got to chatting with another passenger who asked if I'd eaten at The Crab Claw yet. When I told him no, he looked at me and said, "You better go! They're closing after this season." Wait...WHAT?! Sure enough, I looked it up later that evening and the rumors were true. After 61 seasons serving seafood on the St. Michaels waterfront, this family-owned landmark is saying goodbye at the end of 2026. Suddenly, eating here wasn't just dinner. It became one last chance to experience a little piece of Eastern Shore history before it's gone forever! I called that afternoon hoping for a reservation. It was the Fourth of July in St. Michaels, after all, and the town was absolutely PACKED. No reservations were available, but the gentleman on the phone kindly told me, "Just come on over. We'll take care of you." Good enough for me! I somehow...SOMEHOW...pulled into one of the very limited front-row parking spaces at The Crab Claw at 4:30pm. On a holiday weekend Saturday. The vacation gods were smiling on me! I wandered out onto the waterfront deck and found plenty of open tables waiting in the shade. Considering it was roughly 105 degrees thanks to the holiday weekend heat wave, shade wasn't a luxury. It was survival. I hadn't done my normal pre-trip menu stalking, which made me wildly uncomfortable because I am apparently the type of person who likes to arrive at restaurants with a five-year dinner plan already prepared. Thankfully, my waitress rescued me! The Fish Tacos of the Day happened to be rockfish, so my decision was made. I ordered the Fish Tacos ($20.95), added a side of Homemade Potato Salad ($5.95), a Diet Pepsi ($4.00)...and then I saw it. SMITH ISLAND CAKE. I've wanted to try authentic Smith Island Cake for YEARS. Not days. Not months. Years. ALOT of them! Every trip to Maryland I'd think, "Maybe this time." And somehow it never happened. Until now! The rockfish tacos were excellent. No unnecessary frills, just generous chunks of perfectly cooked rockfish topped with crunchy purple cabbage, a light spicy sauce underneath and a fresh pico with tomatoes, onions and jalapeños that leaned more toward fresh than soggy. Exactly how I like it! The potato salad was almost neon yellow when it arrived, which immediately gave me high hopes. Those hopes were rewarded! It reminded me a lot of Amish potato salad. Slightly sweet, creamy and absolutely delicious. I ate one taco, a healthy helping of potato salad and happily boxed up the rest for lunch the next day. But let's be honest. The real event was dessert. The slice of Smith Island Cake ($12.95) arrived looking every bit as legendary as I'd imagined. Nine layers of cake. Eleven thin layers of rich chocolate frosting. I took one bite...and immediately started doing the happy food dance. It was EVERYTHING I'd hoped it would be! Every. Single. Bite. While I'm sure The Crab Claw doesn't actually make the Smith Island Cake, they happened to be the one's that allowed me to experience it first, so, they get awarded the points for epicness! Dinner came to $46.48 before tip (about $60 all in after tipping), making it the most expensive dinner of my St. Michaels vacation. Not exactly cheap, but absolutely worth every penny for the food, the memories and the chance to experience a place that's been part of St. Michaels since 1965. The Crab Claw began as a seafood packing operation before becoming the waterfront restaurant generations of visitors have come to love, and you can absolutely feel that history while you're sitting there watching the boats drift by. I'm incredibly grateful that a random conversation on a ferry turned into one of my favorite meals of the trip. Sometimes the best adventures aren't on the itinerary. Sometimes they're recommended by a stranger. Thank you, Crab Claw, for one unforgettable final meal in St. Michaels. read more

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Go before the last weekend of November (the museum bought the building) We were so glad we made the trip to Crab Claw Restaurant, especially knowing this is their final year in business. The cream of crab soup was absolutely delicious and loaded with crab. I ordered the crab cake sandwich, and it was packed with fresh lump crab meat with very little filler. My husband had the jumbo steamed crabs, and they were huge! They were perfectly seasoned, incredibly meaty, and there were so many he could barely finish them. A special thank you to our server, Mary, who was fantastic! She was friendly, attentive, and made our dining experience even more enjoyable. The food was outstanding, and we're so happy we had the chance to experience this local favorite before it closes. We'll definitely cherish the memory. Thank you for a wonderful meal! read more

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We had Louis as a waiter, and what smooth operator. He took our order, pleasant, patient with a couple of individuals at our table was challenged with ordering. Then, Louis had a table of 12 or 14 people who he got their orders, gave them their meals with no confusion and with personality and charm. I really enjoyed watching someone who is so good at their job. Food was pretty good, nothing exceptional. I'm glad I got to have lunch here. Beautiful location, great weather. read more

I came to this event with a group of people. We had lunch here and then some shopping and a Patriot cruise afterwards. I was impressed with the lunch. The fried chicken was nice and crunchy with just the right amount of seasoning. The crab cake was good as well with minimal breading. Also seasoned just right. You could see the crabmeat upon cutting into the crabcake. The service was good. I would love to come back and check out other items on the menu. This is located right on the water so the window views can be exciting as well. Especially on a beautiful sunny day. If you like to take day trips. I highly recommend. read more

The Crab Claw - This was a very good lunch. Included rolls and a baked potato - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

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Crabs were below par, dry and overcooked! I took my sister there. She had been craving crabs for a year. It was her 58th birthday. We've come here for so many years thanks to my mother. This was a total disappointment. Water view is great didn't like the orange crush or the crabs. The best thing was the onion rings and sweet iced tea and corn on the cob but I would not recommend this place for crabs. We are crab connoisseurs we've been eating since we were five years old over 50+ years. read more

The Crab Claw - view from table - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

We were visiting the maritime museum and Patriot cruise and stopped by Crab Claw for lunch. It has both indoor and outdoor seating right next to the Miles river. The food was amazing. Service was good, but seemed they were short-staffed. Service was prompt, but felt hurried. Ambiance is old-school, sailor's pub. If you are in the mood for fresh oysters and crab cakes by the waterfront, this is the place. We also tried crab cakes elsewhere, but they were not as good as the Crab claw. read more

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Last night I had ordered steamed shrimp, half a pound. The shrimp had not been adequately cleaned with the veins and it was mushy and texture. Hush puppies were overcooked. Our server initially started out being attentive and then halfway through the meal we didn't see him and it took forever to get our beverages. We had to chase him down to get a bill. I found him off in the corner looking at his phone. The deck was not that busy with plenty of open tables. The restaurant has a lovely view on the water. I feel like you better improve your food and service if you plan to be a go to restaurant.., read more

We stopped by The Crab Claw on a sunny afternoon in St. Michaels, and honestly, it was exactly what we were hoping for classic Maryland seafood with a front-row seat to the water. The place feels like it's been part of the town forever (and it has!), with that perfect mix of old-school charm and "dockside picnic" energy. We grabbed a table outside where boats were literally pulling up to the dock, gulls flying overhead, and the smell of steamed crabs in the air heaven. We ordered a big pile of steamed blue crabs, some crab cakes, and a round of cold drinks. Everything tasted super fresh, full of that signature Old Bay flavor, and just messy enough to make it fun. The staff was super friendly the kind of folks who make you feel like a regular even if it's your first time there. Things moved at a relaxed pace (which fit the vibe perfectly), and the view as the sun started to set over the Miles River was unreal. Sure, it's not fancy but that's what makes it great. You come for the crabs, the atmosphere, and the "this is what summer tastes like" feeling. If you're visiting St. Michaels, The Crab Claw is a must. Bring your appetite, some friends, and maybe an extra napkin or two -- you'll need them! read more

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Mid-May 2026 visit with friends. Early season, cold and wet, ate outside for lunch. We were 1 of only 3-4 tables occupied. Service was outstanding and very friendly . Steamed crabs were great. They were XL size and meaty. 50/50 white/red crab soup was excellent. Couple of friends tried it the first time and praised its flavor and actual decent size chunks of crab, not slivers. Blue Miles closed, so Crab Claw was the only place serving steamed crabs in St Michael's harbor. 4th time here over the years and I actually was hesitant coming here as I have known Crab Claw as tourist trap with tour buses visiting during summer. I was pleasantly surprised. We had a great time with great food. But enjoy it now ( summer of 2026) as they close at the end of the season. The Maritime Museum owns the land and did not renew their lease. Not sure what will take its place. We loaded up on Crab Claw T-shirts. read more

The Crab Claw - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

Please don't close!!!! Very beautiful spot, Great food, would like to be coming in future years. read more

Crab Claw is closing down at end of this season. The legendary spot is going out on a sad note with poor service, mediocre food and price gouging. 16 oz cup of beer - $9.50 1 crab cake - $35.95 Glass of wine - $16.00 read more

Made reservations for my boat and family lunch. Friendly staff helped dock boat and took exceptional care of us. Food was great, especially the crabs. read more

The Crab Claw - Menu specials - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

We went to The Crab Claw in St. Michaels based off of a YouTube review we saw that placed it in the number 2 spot out of 17 in Maryland for crabs. We drove 2 1/2 hours to get to St. Michaels to get crabs that are not steamed to order but steamed in the morning and then put in a fridge then taken back out and heated up when you ordered them. This is fact because the manager told me when I asked. Not only did we wait 45 mins for crabs (that for that amount of time could have steamed to order and were supposed to come faster to the table) they were barely warm when we got them and by the second one, they were already cold. We ordered large which were $132.00 a dozen, and they are not large at all they were medium. When I told the manager this, he offered nothing! No discount, nothing taken off the bill absolutely nothing!! VERY DISAPPOINTED. read more

The food was good but not great. The service was awful Such a shame that they have a prime location and are not serving the community well read more

Oh what a difference a few years has made. Such a disappointment now. Food and service went great a few years ago but it has really gone downhill. There are a lot better crab places now read more

Service was nice and polite We were on a bus trip from Pennsylvania. It was the worst meal I've ever eaten. I thought the crab cakes would be fantastic because of where we were. They were fried hard and looked like a hockey puck. The green beans tasted like they were poured from a can and heated up. The chicken was dry. I'm wondering if because we were on a bus trip they provided typical frozen food and heated it up. I mean, we did pay for a meal and this is what they served us. I'd give this restaurant a zero if it let me. Save your money and go read more

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This restaurant was definitely a great option. The food was delicious. I recommend in the next time I go on vacation. I will be returning there. read more

We went here for dinner last night. Their website says to call ahead for a reservation so I did that. The guy who answered the phone told me they don't do reservations. Then when I got there, some guy, in his twenties with flippy brown hair, yells at us, "Hello, helloooo??!" It was so rude. Then he asks us if we had a reservation and I said "No, I called earlier and was told you don't take reservations." Then he responded saying that they weren't then cause it was busy which it wasn't that busy. AND they had a bunch of reserved tables there! Will not be going back. Better service and manners are needed at this establishment. read more

Ordered the crab cake and was unpleasantly surprised that A. It was mostly filler and B. It cost something like $35. Nice waitress.

Only my husband would find a server with the same name as him. Lou was a great server. The food was great. Service is great. I would recommend come here anytime read more

Easy breezy outdoor waterfront dining with yummy crab cakes and frozen drinks that are perfect for summer. read more

The Crab Claw - Chesapeake Bay Seafood Sampler - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

Stay away. I have been coming to St. Michael's for 20 years. Each time I come I give them a shot. Worse each time. Food, service okay. MANAGEMENT, or lack there of is deplorable. Total tourist trap. Ask the locals. Terrible. read more

Excellent rockfish! My new favorite seafood place in Saint Michael's! The place is always crowded so be prepared to wait a bit for your meal. The servers do a great job keeping the drinks coming. This is a must have if you love crab and rockfish. read more

I always visit the crab Claw when i'm in St Michaels. In fact I asked my wife to marry me in the restaurant 26 years ago. It always been OK, sometimes better than others but never any major complaints. This year 2026, I visited with my wife and family and was so dissatisfied, I will probably not return. The fried food was a bit greasy, my wife ordered shrimp salad (24.95), and got about 1/2 cup of shrimp on a bed of lettuce and the rest of us had crabs. All they had available was medium. That wasn't the problem. The crabs were empty of meat. I mean really empty. We complained to the waiter and he said they would reduce the price. It got reduced to 168.00 for two dozen. thats 84.00 a dozen for the worst crabs I have ever eaten. I couldn't believe a restaurant, who should know better, would serve such substandard crabs and then charge you 7.00 a crab. We know crabs can be expensive, but we also believe we should get a desent product and not a bunch of empty shells. If the resturant wants to price their items like a high end resturant then the need to serve a product that matched that price. The management needs take a hard look at quality control. read more

Seafood restaurant in St. Michaels right on the water Sat outside. Clams were amazing but the food was average. Very pricey for seafood. Service was ok. read more

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Service was pretty good, but the food was extremely mediocre. The crab cake and salmon were bland, and the oyster was extremely salty. The whole crab was probably the only good thing we got. However, the price was too expensive for the quality of food overall. read more

Whether the outside weather is good or bad, we make a trip down from South Jersey every fall if we can and it never disappoints always a good experience food comes quickly and it's always above average. It just stinks that food prices are getting higher so that may deter us from coming as often. Beer is local and delicious. We always order a few pitchers while taking our time, eating those delicious crabs and watching the channel with the sparkly water and sailboats bopping by read more

The Crab Claw - Crab - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

Great food, friendly service, and unbeatable waterfront views. The dishes were fresh and flavorful, the staff attentive without being intrusive, and the atmosphere relaxing--especially with the scenic backdrop. A perfect spot for a memorable meal. Highly recommend! read more

Located in St. Michael's, this is one of my favorite places to dine while in the Eastern Shore. They have a large outdoor seating area (big plus if you want to bring your dog) and a huge indoor dining room with excellent views. This time I ordered the 2 pounds of crab legs for $60 instead of steamed crabs. They had XL crabs priced at $156 for a dozen. These crab legs were the best ones I've had. They were huge and the meat just slides out from the shell. My daughter enjoyed the White Crab pizza. They have a parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. Service was slow, but which restaurant has fast service these days due to labor shortage. read more

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Excellent service, fluffing great crab fluff, tasty eats and potent Bloody Marys, recipe for a good time. read more

The Crab Claw - Crab Fluff, it's fluffing delicious - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

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You can't visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and not stop in The Crab Claw for a bite. The place has a great vibe that just makes eating seafood all the more enjoyable. read more

The Crab Claw - Shrimp and Fries - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

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Overall, great experience. Super-touristy of course, because of the waterfront location, but it delivers what the tourist wants: tasty, authentic seafood. My soft-shell crab sandwich hit the spot, the fries were crispy and golden brown, and it was all just perfect. The service could have been a touch more attentive, but was basically adequate. read more

The Crab Claw - a woman sitting at a picnic table - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

We tried this place after the boat tour in wanting to support the local small business but really? They charged 11$/crab for peelers. Service was rude. Try another place. We did and it's way better. read more

Owner is extremely rude! I recommend any of the other nice restaurants in town. St. Michael's is a nice place but this restaurant is not included in that statement. read more

This place is always Amazing! We always go here every summer at least once. It always a great treat and experience. Love love love it read more

I was so disappointed. I traveled a long distance to visit this town and restaurant. I did not order crabs but the couple next to me did. $50 a dozen for medium crabs but they did not receive them before I left so I couldn't ask their opinion. As for me, the menu stated "Fresh Flounder" which I verified with the waitress. The flounder was obviously frozen based on the texture and look. The meal was served with two sides which I selected a baked potato and coleslaw. The restaurant provided corn muffins. I would not recommend this meal. Very disappointing for a seafood restaurant on the Bay. The view was very nice though and service was good which is why I gave the overall rating three stars. read more

The Crab Claw - Baked flounder, coleslaw and baked potato. - Seafood Near Me - St. Michaels, Maryland

Went here because it was rate top of 5 places to have crab. The crab cakes had filler and it was somewhat stringy. Not lump crab meat. For the price I was surprised the sides came out in small plastic Togo cups. The bathrooms were atrocious. The service was good. read more

For being a seafood restaurant it was very disappointing. Apparently they bring in all their seafood not getting from the local watermen. The crab balls had absolutely no flavor. The clams casino were greasy and the best part of the grilled tuna was the wasabi. We eat a lot of seafood so we know good seafood. We even asked if they had steak and were told by the waitress that the chef doesn't know how to cook a steak because they are a seafood restaurant. First and last. read more

First of all, bloody mary is good. Let's start there. Plus I requested celery and, to my delight, they came through. Ordered a crab cake and was happy with that, as well. On the water and just a short walk from where we were staying so very pleased all around. read more