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    The Mad Crabber

    4.1 (293 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    The Mad Crabber Photos

    Business Info

    THE MAD CRABBER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - The Mad Crabber

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sword Fish
    Josh S.

    5 Stars for Mad Crabber - A Culinary Gem in Avon! As a Charleston, SC resident with years in the downtown restaurant and hospitality scene, I'm spoiled by culinary excellence and have high standards when traveling. I'm always chasing that unforgettable dining experience, and I found it at the Mad Crabber in Avon, NC--a true surprise that ranks among the best. After grueling six-hour days of wind sports and surfing, burning through water, berries, and light bites, I needed a 3000-calorie refuel each evening. Avon, a charming beach town that might just be my favorite (sorry, Isle of Palms!), offers a handful of dining options. None, including the Mad Crabber, caught my eye from the outside--Charleston's architectural charm sets a high bar. But keeping an open mind, I tried nearly every restaurant in town, and the Mad Crabber blew the rest away. This place could hold its own against Charleston's top five for hospitality, food quality, freshness, and mouthwatering accompaniments. The cold sampler was a perfect start to curb my hunger. Then came the grilled scallop wasabi dish, followed by the swordfish with mango chutney over polenta--hands-down the best-prepared fish I've ever eaten, and I've had day-caught swordfish straight off the boat and the legendary swordfish sandwich at 167 Raw. For dessert, the homemade chocolate peanut butter pie and key lime pie were pure bliss. The staff was impressed by my solo dining feats, but I was even more impressed by their warm service and flawless execution. Of all the restaurants in Avon, the Mad Crabber is the clear winner. When I return--and I will return--I'll be dining here four out of five nights. It's so good I wish I could pack it up and take it home (sorry, airlines!). If you're in Avon, don't miss the Mad Crabber. It's a dining experience you'll remember.

    Reggie S.

    We had the majority of our large vacation group with us for this dining experience. The drinks were good, the service was good as well as the food. Nothing bad to say.

    The bar area... love the lights and crab lights and mirror. Very neat!
    Michelle T.

    First off my Salad came with our dinner instead of before, so I pretty much didn't eat it because I didn't want my seafood to get cold. We ordered hush puppies which were fantastic!! The seafood was just boiled no seasoning on it. We got the crab and shrimp meal (Dungeness crab). The mashed sweet potatoes were plain, didn't have really any good flavor to them. The onion rings were cold. This could be the way seafood is done on the east states and if so won't be getting anymore seafood here in North Carolina. In the Northeast (Michigan) actually boil them with flavor and the shrimp already come peeled and done with seasoning unless we get a seafood boil then they have the shells on them. They did have some seasoning on them which you can't taste because it's on the shells of them not on the actual part you eat. The best part was the service. The waitress we had was Kelly and she was very nice and always checking up on us to see if we needed anything else. The mertini drink as they called it was really good. The ambiance of the restaurant was very neat especially the bar area which is where we ate at. They also had their own T-shirts and restaurant souvenirs which were pretty neat. I did take some pictures of the restaurant and our food. Thank you Kelly for the warm hospitality!

    Chargrilled NY Strip & Fries

    Dinner last night was delicious. We arrived at 7 on a Wednesday and the wait was about 40 minutes, totally worth it. Place was clean and well taken care of and thestaff was very friendly! The kids loved having paper on the table to color on. We ordered crab legs, shrimp, scallops, steak, mozzarella sticks and hush puppies! Will definitely eat here again.

    Steamed Shrimp, Baked Potato, Collard Greens
    Kendall F.

    For as busy as this place was, they run like a well oiled machine. Staff is very friendly, service is timely, and the energy is fantastic. This was my first time trying collard greens and let me tell you, I will not have them any other way. Absolutely delicious!!

    Grilled scallops

    Food was amazing! Everything we ordered was fresh and perfectly cooked. Between crab and corn chowder to crab legs to grilled scallops and even steak - was superb. My sister and I ordered mojitos which did not taste like it had alcohol, but the food- the food was terrific!!!!! Highly recommend!

    Mad Crabber restaurant.
    Perry C.

    Great Rock "fish of the day." Cajun remoulade...Mmmmmm. Also the Fish Tacos were excellent. Lucky us!

    Blackened sea bass

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    4 years ago

    Fish tacos are legit the best! Super cool atmosphere, friendly staff. Very clean! Try the crab dip as well! Super yummy.

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    2 years ago

    Good food, service and ambiance. Would definitely recommend and plan to return. Food choices were good.

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    2 years ago

    Enjoyed lunch there on our visit to the Outer Banks last week. Our food was good and the service was excellent!

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    2 years ago

    The seafood was delicious! The atmosphere was fun but you are definitely paying for it.

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    2 years ago

    The wait was long, the service was slow and the food was average at best.The draft beer was the best part of the meal.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - The Mad Crabber

    Will you be open Christmas through New Year's Eve?

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    Po House - Menu

    Po House

    4.6(211 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    One of my favorite restaurants of all time…read more The mussels are soft where they almost melt in your mouth. There is almost no chewiness to them at all. The crispy smashers are both full of flavor and so crispy. Some of the potatoes don't get smashed enough and they are less flavorful but it tends to only be a couple of smashers out of the whole plate. The everything tuna was just as good as I remembered. The tuna almost melts in your mouth. The everything crust spices it up while complementing the avocado purée. The avocado puree does something that most restaurants fail to do, which is salt the avocado enough so it actually had flavor. I quite enjoyed the salad as the dressing had a strong soy flavor which was overpowering on some bites but perfect on others. The service was wonderful. The view of the water is such a joy. There is no place that I'd recommend more.

    Best meal in OBX, yet again…read more A must visit, we really love food and the staff was extremely attentive. Not once did we feel rushed, about a 10 minute wait for a table and sat at the bar for a drink while waiting. I had the beef short ribs (not a huge seafood guy), and the wife had the catch of the day entree with red drum. Very good! Presentation and taste all on point. The small plate item we had as an appetizer was also great, baked feta which was phenomenal. The "painkiller" drink is very tasty. This was our second time visiting over the last year, we'll be back for sure. Not to mention the restaurants namesake, after the owners doggo, Po. Their t shirts and branding are classy subtle..had to have a shirt! Check them out!

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    Po House
    Po House
    Po House

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    The Mad Crabber - seafood - Updated May 2026

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