• Baltimore is well-known for its many crab houses.steamed crabs image by DSL from Fotolia.com
  
  Baltimore, Maryland, is famous for crabs. During the summer, you can get among the largest and meatiest steamed crabs in the country in Baltimore. Eating crabs for locals is a social event that can last hours. Locals enjoy picking crabs and drinking pitchers of beer at the many Baltimore crab restaurants around town.
  
  

Bo Brooks

• A Baltimore crab house institution, Bo Brooks has been serving steamed crabs since 1964. Now on the Baltimore Harbor waterfront, Bo Brooks has been in this location since 2000. A prime location, there is ample seating both inside and outside at Bo Brooks. Bo Brooks does not sell small crabs, as measured by weight, and uses its own blend of spices in the crab pot, offering something different than most crab houses. In addition to some of the best crabs in the city, Bo Brooks offers plenty of other seafood options.
  
  Bo Brooks
  
  2780-A Lighthouse Point
  
  Baltimore, MD 21224
  
  410-558-0202
  
  bobrooks.com
  
  

Obrycki's

• Another Baltimore crab house institution is Obrycki's, in business since the 1940s. This is the crab house that locals patronize and where they take their out-of-town guests for crabs. Obrycki's was even featured on the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," where the host indulged in Baltimore's most famous meal. Obrycki's can accommodate large groups ready to sit for hours picking and eating crabs. It also offers a mail order business for those outside the area who have a craving for crabs. Obrycki's is open seasonally from March through November.
  
  Obrycki's
  
  1727 E. Pratt St.
  
  Baltimore, MD 21202
  
  410-732-6399
  
  obryckis.com
  
  

Captain James Crab House

• Captain James Crab House, between the downtown neighborhoods of Fells Point and Canton, is easily recognizable as the restaurant shaped as a merchant ship. Opened in 1978, Captain James carries the tradition of the Baltimore crab house with eating crabs in the restaurant, among the harbor views. Ideally located, Captain James is one of the harbor water taxi stops, allowing easy access from nearby Harborplace and other water points. Crabs are available by the half dozen or dozen from medium to jumbo. Every Monday through Thursday is all-you-can-eat medium crabs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., which includes a single serving of Maryland crab soup and corn on the cob.
  
  Captain James Crab House
  
  2127 Boston St.
  
  Baltimore, MD, 21231
  
  410-675-1819
  
  captainjameslanding.com
  
  

Costas Inn

• Costas Inn is a classic Baltimore crab house. Located in the Dundalk neighborhood, right outside of the city on the eastern side of town, Costas draws patrons from all over Baltimore and its suburbs. It is worth the drive as Costas delivers its customers some of the largest, meatiest and freshest steamed crabs found around town. Zagat-rated since 1999 and featured on the Today show, Costas guarantees the traditional crab house experience with large paper-covered tables to accommodate big groups. Make reservations to reserve not only a table but also your preferred crab sizes and amounts before they sell out. Costa Inn is open year-round and features crabcakes and other entrees in addition to crabs.
  
  Costas Inn
  
  4100 Northpoint Blvd.
  
  Baltimore, Maryland 21222
  
  410-477-1975
  
  costasinn.com