Maryland claims fame as the “home” of crab cakes, but we know that Delaware has its fair share of restaurants where you can snag one of these East Coast delicacies. I’m pretty sure this topic is going to start an all out comment battle. People are pretty loyal about their favorite place to get crab cakes, how they like them prepared, and the ambiance they like when they dine. Here are just a handful of restaurants with the best crab cakes in Delaware, and they’re not ranked in any particular order. Did we find your favorite spot to pick up the best seafood in Delaware?

1. Woody's Dewey Beach, Dewey Beach
Woody's Dewey Beach / Facebook
Woody's Dewey Beach / Facebook
This unassuming little place in Dewey is consistently ranked as having the best crab cakes in the state. Their recipe is a closely guarded secret, and they're packed in the summertime.

Read more about Woody's right here.
2. Sambo's Tavern, Leipsic
Justin Z. / Yelp
Sambo's Tavern / Facebook
Watch the crab boats pull up to the docks and unload their fresh catch, including bushels of blue crabs picked for crab cakes. This 21+ tavern is one of Delaware's most iconic dining rooms.

Read more about Sambo's Tavern right here.
3. Courtyard by Marriott at the University of Delaware, Newark
Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware
Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware
It seems a little odd that some of the best crab cakes in Delaware are served at a hotel restaurant, but one bite of these and you'll quickly understand why! These legendary crab cakes are packed with flavor, not filler.
4. Nantuckets Restaurant, Fenwick Island
Tim M. / Yelp
Karen C. / Yelp
Don't cross the southern border of Delaware and cross into (gasp) Maryland for crab cakes; stop here for these simply amazing ones. Nantucket's is a bit of a hidden gem.
5. Big Fish Grill, Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach
Big Fish Grill / Yelp
Big Fish Grill / Facebook
Upstate or downstate--regardless of location, you can order these crabby cakes as a platter, on a sandwich or atop a salad. Both spots are must-try restaurants in Delaware! Big Fish Grill is known for serving up more than just crabs, though - their lobster specials and cioppino are the best you'll find.

Read more about the amazing seafood at Big Fish Grill right here.
6. Feby's Fishery, Wilmington
Feby's Fishery
Feby's Fishery
Since 1974, Feby's has been serving up some of the state's freshest seafood, like their crab cakes--served blackened, fried or pan seared. No wonder so many consider them to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Delaware!

Read more about Feby's Fishery right here.
7. Crab Cake Factory Bayside, Selbyville
Crab Cake Factory / Facebook
Crab Cake Factory / Facebook
If you want amazing crab cakes with a view, this is your place! Crabcake Factory Bayside also makes an incredible bloody mary for their seafood brunch.

Read more about Crabcake Factory right here.
8. Old Mill Crab House, Delmar
Old Mill Crab House / Facebook
Old Mill Crab House / Facebook
Look for the giant crab on the outside of this restaurant; it guards delicious food inside, including mouth watering crab cakes. They're also known for all-you-can-eat crab feasts.

Read more about Old Mill Crab House right here.

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9. Meding's Seafood, Milford
Andrew M. / Yelp
T C. / Yelp
If you don't want to sit down and eat at the restaurant, buy a few fresh and flavorful uncooked crab cakes from the seafood counter and take them home to cook up.

Read more about Meding & Son's right here.
10. Boondocks Restaurant, Smyrna
Boondocks Restaurant and Package Store / Facebook
Boondocks Restaurant and Package Store
If you've never been to this 'dive' in the middle of nowhere, check them out and try a crab cake, washed down with a "Swamp Water" mixed drink.

Read more about Boondocks right here.
11. Jerry's Seafood, Lewes
Charlie S. / Yelp
Dan B. / Yelp
Order a 'crab bomb' if you dine here. It's 10 ounces of lightly seasoned crab meat; order a spicy version with added seasoning for a little kick with your crab.
12. Crabby Dick's, Rehoboth Beach and Delaware City
Heidi F. / Yelp
Crabby Dick's Fort Delaware / Facebook
Order a single, a double or a "fluff"--a crab cake dipped in beer batter and then fried! Crabby Dick's is a quirky spot that serves up tasty crab cakes you're sure to love.
13. The Starboard Restaurant, Dewey Beach
Heather S. / Yelp
If you're in a partying mood and still have a craving for crab cakes, stop by this Dewey landmark. Why not order a burger served with a crab cake on it? They're also know for a crabby brunch and delicious bloody marys.

Read more about brunch at the Starboard right here.
14. Valle Cucina Italiana, Wilmington
Dean H. / Yelp
Dean H. / Yelp
An Italian restaurant doesn't usually make people think about order crab cakes, but this place won for "Best of Delaware" crab cakes three years in a row from 2007-2009 and we hear they're still great.
15. Surfing Crab, Lewes
Kevin G. / Yelp
Donna B. / Yelp
Most people go to Surfing Crab for the steamed crabs, but don't over look their crab cakes. And we hear the cole slaw is delicious as a side with them.

Read more about the Surfing Crab right here.
16. Rigatoni's Famous Crab Cakes, Claymont and Middletown
Famous Crab Cakes / Facebook
Famous Crab Cakes Claymont / Facebook
There are two locations in Delaware, one in Pennsylania and even a traveling food truck where you can snag these succulent crab cakes. You can eat on site at the locations or take some home!

There you have it – a pretty definitive list of the restaurants with the best crab cakes in Delaware. Did we find your favorite place for one of our signature foods? If not, be sure to share with us in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

restaurants with the best crab cakes in Delaware

Kim Magaraci | March 13, 2020

Where can I get the best seafood in Delaware?

Delawareans are lucky, because we can find restaurants with the best seafood around pretty easily! Big Fish Grill has locations upstate or downstate and is known for having an incredible menu. Finn's Fish House is also a great spot in Rehoboth Beach, and Feby's Fishery is known for great seafood in Wilmington.

What are the best waterfront restaurants in Delaware?

Delaware is a coastal state, and waterfront dining is easy to find. Catch 54 is a great waterfront restaurant in southern Delaware, and Grain H20 is a must-try spot in Bear. JP's Wharf is another favorite, where you can watch your seafood come in straight off the boat.

What are the top, must-try restaurants in Delaware?

Some of the most famous must-try restaurants in Delaware include Bank's Seafood in Wilmington, 33 West in Dover, Papa Grande's in Fenwick Island, and Striper Bites in Lewes.

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Explore Delaware

Featured Addresses
Woody's Dewey Beach, 1904 Coastal Hwy, Dewey Beach, DE 19971, USA
Sambo's Tavern, 283 Front St, Leipsic, DE 19901, USA
400 David Hollowell Dr, Newark, DE 19716, USA
601 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, USA
Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront, 720 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
20298 Coastal Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE 19805, USA
37314 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE 19975, USA
Old Mill Crab House, 8829 Waller Rd, Delmar, DE 19940, USA
3697 Bay Rd, Milford, DE 19963, USA
Boondocks Restaurant & Package Store, 825 Lighthouse Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Crabby Dick's, 30 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
18831 Coastal Hwy #6153, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
2009 DE-1, Dewey Beach, DE 19971, USA
4752 Limestone Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808, USA
The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar, 16723 Coastal Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
913 Lincoln Ave, Prospect Park, PA 19076, USA