It’s been a minute since I posted a list, so I thought it’d be fun to do one featuring crab cakes. As always, this is NOT RANKED – these are just 8 crab cakes I personally enjoy in the Baltimore area!
1. Koco’s Pub
A longtime Baltimore favorite known for giant, hand-made crab cakes (about 11 oz each) made fresh daily from a family secret recipe and packed with jumbo lump meat. Locals and visitors rave about the portion size and juicy, sweet crab – no filler nonsense here. Tables can go quickly in the intimate, neighborhood pub setting, and the crab cake platter comes with classic sides like fries and coleslaw.
📍 4301 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214
⏰ T 4:30-9PM, W-F 11-9PM
2. Pappas Seafood Co.
Pappas is a Maryland crab cake institution with multiple locations across the region. Their famous crab cakes are jumbo lump heavy, lightly seasoned, and satisfying, with lots of sweet crab meat and options like crab cake sandwiches and mini crab cake platters. They were even featured on favorite lists like Oprah’s.
If you want to go all-in on Pappas at home, I did a full review of Pappas Seafood Co.’s online crab cake shipping covering their jumbo lump crab cakes, Maryland crab soup, and cream of crab soup, all shipped straight to your door from pappascrabcakes.com.
📍 Various locations
3. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
A local legend and nationally recognized spot – Jimmy’s has been serving its famous jumbo lump crab cakes for decades. The cakes are served classic Maryland-style, broiled to golden perfection with minimal binder so the crab really shines. They ship nationwide, have crab club rewards, and are often celebrated in local food media as one of the best in the country.
📍 6526 Holabird Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
⏰ 11-2AM daily
4. G & M Restaurant
G&M crab cakes are big, broiled, and packed with jumbo lump – so much so that they’re also shipped to customers across the U.S. People appreciate the simple, classic preparation that lets the crab shine, and many locals recommend this as a must-try stop, especially if you’re heading to or from BWI. The restaurant also offers a scenic spot by the Patapsco River and a full menu beyond crab cakes.
📍 804 N Hammonds Ferry Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
⏰ 11-9PM daily
5. Faidley’s Seafood
A Baltimore classic inside historic Lexington Market, Faidley’s has been around since the late 1800s and helped popularize the lump crab cake we think of today. Their crab cakes are lightly seasoned, made with tons of sweet lump meat, and beloved by locals and visitors alike so much so that they sell thousands each week and even ship them nationwide.
📍 119 N Paca St, Baltimore, MD 21201
⏰ M-Th 10AM-5PM, F-Sa 10-5:30PM
6. Timbuktu Restaurant
A bit further out but totally worth the drive, Timbuktu’s crab cakes are big, hearty, and often praised on local food forums for being packed with crab and seasoned just right (plus friendly, attentive service). It’s a neighborhood staple for comfort seafood with classic flavors.
📍 1726 Dorsey Rd, Hanover, MD 21076
⏰ 11-9PM daily
7. Box Hill Pizzeria and Crab Cakes
Don’t be fooled by the pizza name. The crab cakes here are a cult favorite, famous enough that they’re shipped around the country from Harford County. Locals love that they’re generously sized, broiled to perfection, and loaded with sweet crab. A great stop if you want two classics in one: pizza and crab!
📍 2915 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon, MD 21009
⏰ Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-11PM
8. Gertrude’s
Nestled by the Baltimore Museum of Art, they’re a great choice for brunch or dinner that pairs local seafood with seasonal produce and creative sides.
📍 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218
⏰ W-F 11:30-8PM, Sa 11:30-3PM, 5-8PM, Su 10-3pm, 5-7PM
Comment with your favorite crab cake in the Baltimore area! Or even outside the Baltimore area. I’m always down to drive for crab cakes, so make sure you drop your recs below.
And if you want to mix up your Baltimore dining beyond seafood, Josefina Baltimore in Harbor Point is a modern Spanish restaurant that’s perfect for date night or a special occasion in the city.
For more on yum Baltimore eats, click here.